Martinson award for Olsen

Dr Gregory H Olsen, Chairman of the Board of Sensors Unlimited, has been selected as the winner of the prestigious John H Martinson Technology Support Award by the New Jersey Technology Council.

Dr Gregory H Olsen, Chairman of the Board of Sensors Unlimited, has been selected as the winner of the prestigious John H Martinson Technology Support Award by the New Jersey Technology Council.

The award will be given at a black tie ceremony on 4th November 2005 at a local venue.

Dr Olsen is the cofounder of Sensors Unlimited, a global leader in short-wave infra-red (SWIR) imaging and imaging systems using indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) sensor technology.

The awards ceremony will highlight Sensors Unlimited and Dr Olsen, an advanced technology pioneer, renowned entrepreneur and space explorer.

Olsen, the world's third private space explorer and the first space tourist since the Columbia tragedy, recently returned from the Soyuz TMA-7 orbital spaceflight mission after spending eight days aboard the International Space Station.

Olsen began his career working at RCA Laboratories (now Sarnoff Corporation).

In 1984, he started his first company, Epitaxx, which sold six years later.

In 1991, Dr Olsen cofounded Sensors Unlimited which was acquired by Finisar in 2000 and then reacquired in late 2002 as the result of a management buyback.

Sensors Unlimited began as a research and development startup and is now the leading global supplier of highly sensitive near-infra-red detectors, cameras and systems made with indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs).

On 6th September 2005, Sensors Unlimited agreed to merge with Goodrich Corp by accepting a $60 million cash offer.

The transaction, which has been approved by the boards of directors of Goodrich and Sensors Unlimited, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2005.

The company manufactures photodiodes, focal plane arrays and cameras that image in the short-wave infra-red wavelength.

SWIR imaging applications include machine vision, infra-red spectroscopy, night vision and covert surveillance.

Olsen notes: "The New Jersey Technology Council has been an inspiration and enhancement to many area technology businesses, offering networking, business support, advocacy and educational programmes".

"I am most honoured to be selected for the John H Martinson Technology Supporter Award and look forward to the NJTC Gala Awards dinner to join my esteemed colleagues and fellow honourees".

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