News Briefs

Nanotechnology company Lumera Corp. of Bothell, Wash., announced today that it has been awarded a $1 million, one-year contract extension from the US government to continue developing technologically advanced wideband optic modulators. The devices are used in a new generation of fiber optic systems to deliver increased bandwidth using less power than current communications and computing systems. The overall contract value has now reached approximately $5.7 million. . . . Sensor engineering products and services provider EOIR Technologies Inc. of Boston has been awarded a $3.4 million contract from the US Army's Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate for products including next-generation night vision and advanced sensors, disposable sensors and other threat-detection systems. The order was part of an omnibus contract awarded in July. EOIR is a subsidiary of Technest Holdings Inc., a maker of products for the defense and homeland security markets. . . . EZ Bright Corp., a manufacturer of photoluminescent pigments in Osaka, Japan, has acquired a license to use the photoluminescent pigments patent of Japan-based LED developer Nichia Corp. EZ Bright said it is interested in developing next-generation photoluminescent pigments that can be used in guidance systems, disaster prevention, security and building and road materials. . . . GSI Group Inc. of Billerica, Mass., a supplier of precision motion components, lasers and laser systems, announced that Robert L. Bowen is its new vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), effective Jan. 3. Bowen most recently served as vice president, CFO and treasurer of Cytyc Corp. He succeeds Thomas R. Swain. North Branch, N.J.-based Voltaix Inc., a manufacturer of chemicals and gases for the semiconductor and photovoltaics industries, has appointed Mark Wilkinson as executive vice president. Wilkinson is the founder of Impact Technology Consultants, which helps technology companies commercialize their discoveries.