By Ben Ames

MURRAY HILL, N.J. - Isonics Corp. and Lucent Technologies Bell Labs announced that they will cooperate in developing a next-generation infrared (IR) imaging and night-vision surveillance technology based on pioneering research by Bell Labs at its microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanotechnology fabrication facility.

Infrared technology, which converts infrared radiation in the nonvisible spectrum, such as body heat, into a visible image, is commonly found in commercial and military/homeland security applications including night-vision goggles and cameras, rifle scopes, and threat-detection devices that identify concealed weapons or explosives.

The agreement calls for cross licensing of relevant Isonics and Bell Labs intellectual property and for Isonics to help pay for development costs during the three-year development phase. The development plan contemplates a proof-of-concept within a year, followed by steps toward commercialization.

Isonics of Golden, Colo., receives exclusive rights to new technical information for MEMS-based IR imaging modules except for rights that Lucent reserves. Lucent will manufacture test structures and prototypes and may build and sell commercial IR imaging modules to Isonics.

Isonics may incorporate these modules into IR cameras and systems it develops internally or through collaborations with others in the industry. “Industry research used by Isonics indicates that there is currently over a billion-dollar annual market for IR imaging and night vision cameras and systems,” says James E. Alexander, chairman and chief executive officer of Isonics.

“We believe that the present market has been constrained due to the high cost of today’s technologies,” Alexander says.

Isonics produces isotopically engineered materials for the semiconductor industry, and its Life Sciences division markets and sells isotopes to the health care industry for the imaging and treatment of cancer. The company recently founded a Homeland Security and Defense division to develop further its IMS and neutron-based detection technologies.

Lucent Technologies Bell Labs in Murray Hill, N.J., has helped to invent or perfect key communications technologies including transistors, digital networking and signal processing, lasers and fiber-optic communications systems, communications satellites, cellular telephony, electronic switching of calls, touch-tone dialing, and modems.