Wyatt Technology Corporation (WTC) is involved in the research, development, and commercialization of absolute macromolecular characterization techniques and their instrumentation. Founded in March 1982 by Dr. Philip Wyatt, the company was formed around his patents, ideas and inventions in industrial, military, and medical domains. To date, WTC has developed the following instruments: classical multi-angle light scattering detectors for determining absolute molecular weights and sizes of polymers and biopolymers in solution, refractometers, viscometers, dynamic light scattering instruments, zeta potential instruments, composition gradient apparatus, as well as field flow fractionation separation systems and their software.
To a great extent, much of WTC's business began with the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts awarded to the firm for its outstanding technological prowess and potential. The SBIR contracts are administered by certain agencies of the U.S. Government who have set aside a fraction of their authorized R&D funding for exclusive award to small businesses (a "small business" has fewer than 500 employees). The purpose of these highly competitive programs is to encourage scientific and technical innovation in areas deemed to be of national importance. The successful commercialization of products developed under these programs is one of the most important objectives of SBIR funding.
WTC has been awarded contracts from the U.S. Army Bioengineering Medical Research & Development Laboratory to establish the feasibility of instrumentation for the detection of toxicants in drinking water within sixty minutes. Another contract from the U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command to build an aerosol monitoring device for sub-micron particles. The potential applications for this instrument include real time identification of aerosol particles such as asbestos fibers and biological agents. Another major contract was awarded by the Office of Naval Research, to develop an in situ particle monitoring device for characterizing undersea environments and their particulate constituents.
But by far, the company's commercial flagship instrument, known by the trade name DAWN®, has been the driving force of the company. With extensive emphasis placed on intellectual property and new, patentable developments, the DAWN and miniDAWN systems have been sold in increasing numbers for more than two decades. Instruments have been placed in thousands of laboratories throughout the world, making them the most widely-recognized light scattering products on earth. The utility of the instruments is underscored by the burgeoning bibliography of publications, most of which have appeared in refereed journals. The DAWN systems provide unique and powerful tools for many different areas of analytical chemistry, including quality control, process control, molecular weight and size determinations, and a host of other applications, which are all possible with these multi-angle light scattering detectors.
The DAWN detectors are used by the world's most prestigious universities and some of the largest corporations in the world including DuPont, Dow, IBM, Glaxo, Proctor & Gamble, Pfizer, Bayer, BASF, ExxonMobil and Merck. The company's applications have also involved sales to companies at the forefront of the biotechnology arena including Amgen, Genentech, Biogen, Genzyme, and MedImmune.
Overseas sales provide an important component of the company's growth as well. Wyatt Technology actively sells its products throughout Europe, South America and Asia, thereby ensuring the greatest possible visibility and strongest sales potential for these systems. A powerful distribution network ensures excellent service and support worldwide, while strategic partnerships with the world's largest HPLC manufacturers ensure Wyatt's compatibility with the industry-leading HPLC hardware.
Increasing marketing activities by WTC, both in the U.S. and abroad as well, has heightened universal awareness of the need for better analytical instruments, bode well for the Company's future. A Scientific Advisory Board comprised of one member of the National Academy of Sciences and the other a Nobel Laureate, underscores the company's commitment to scientific excellence, as well as to world-wide acceptance of its products.
With direct sales and service facilities in Europe and the Eastern U. S., its Santa Barbara area home office contains over 30,000 square feet of modern electronics, optical prototype, machine shop, and laboratory facilities.
