Bolingbrook firm has eyes on the universe

Although a Bolingbrook-based tech company is firmly planted in the suburbs, it is literally reaching for the stars.

An international satellite project led by NASA and the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, left the earth in February on a mission to explore the evolution of space by studying phenomena such as black holes, supernova remnants, and galaxy clusters through measurements of X-rays and gamma rays.

On board the satellite - known as Hitomi - is technology developed by EPIR, a company of the Sivananthan Laboratories Group, also of Bolingbrook. EPIR developed the semiconductor technology that is part of Hitomi's Soft X-ray Spectrometer, an instrument that measures soft X-rays and allows scientists to "see" the astronomical bodies.

Hitomi's goal is to collect information that can help scientists determine the evolution of the universe's largest structures, the behavior of matter in extreme gravitational fields, the spin of black holes and the internal structure of neutron stars, and the detailed physics of particle jets, according to NASA's Hitomi website.

Sivananthan Laboratories President Raja Krishnamoorthi said EPIR's part in the mission, while small in size, is huge in scope.

"It's the most important piece. You can almost call it the eyeballs," Krishnamoorthi said.

The semiconductors developed by EPIR enables unprecedented energy resolution, according to the company, and is designed to significantly increase existing capabilities for space observation.

Krishnamoorthi said NASA approached the company to be part of the project. EPIR has had a "long, productive" relationship with the space agency in the past, he said, developing semiconductors for several different applications.

"When they needed very specialized technology to actually enable the satellite to detect soft X-rays, NASA turned to EPIR," Krishnamoorthi said.

But space isn't the only frontier that Sivananthan Laboratories is conquering. EPIR is among a number of companies that fall under the umbrella of Sivananthan Laboratories. While small in size - about 50 to 60 employees, according to Krishnamoorthi - the firm develops semiconductor technology for a number of industry's, from space and the military to civilian applications like radiation and infrared detectors.

Under the business model, Sivananthan does the research. Once the research is proven and a commercial application is determined, then the other companies take over, Krishnamoorthi said.

"We call it a high tech incubator," he said.

And the company doesn't need to go far to find its talent, Krishnamoorthi added. Many of the scientists they employ are graduates of the University of Illinois-Chicago, where founder Dr. Siva Sivananthan is a professor of physics and director of the UIC's Microphysics Laboratory.

Krishnamoorthi notes that the Chicago area has been a pioneer in semiconductor technology, and the work of companies like Sivananthan Laboratories demonstrates the region is a "Silicon prairie."

"We have incredible talent in Illinois because of large research universities and research institutions," he said.

"Illinois has one of highest concentrations of physicists of any state in the country. These folks are literally rocket scientists," he added. "There's no reason why we can't become a Silicon prairie."

He adds that as the need for semiconductors grow in numerous consumer and industrial applications, Sivananthan Laboratories and the region will be ready to meet that need.

"We've increasingly seen semiconductors become more an important part of the landscape of sensor technology. We are well positioned to take advantage of that."

News bytes

• A joint venture of Schaumburg-based Sparton Corp. and Ultra Electronics Holdings has been awarded subcontracts valued at $53.7 million to produce sonobuoys for the U.S. Navy.

Under the five-year contract. the joint venture, known as ERAPSCO, will provide production subcontracts in the amount of $26.1 million and $27.6 million to build sonobuoys at Ultra Electronics USSI's Columbia City, Indiana facility and Sparton's De Leon Springs, Florida facility. The project is expected to be completed by September 2017.

Sparton Interim President and Chief Executive Joseph Hartnett said the company was "grateful for the confidence the U.S. Navy has demonstrated in Sparton by awarding this contract.

"We remain committed to delivering high performance product solutions to enable their success in undersea warfare missions today and in the future," Harnett said.

• HAVI Global Solutions in Downers Grove has earned placement in the "As-A-Service Winner's Circle" in the newly released Blueprint Report, Supply Chain Management as a Service, from analyst firm HFS Research.

It is the second time HGS has been named to the Winner's Circle in the HFS Supply Chain Blueprint Report. HGS was acknowledged in this latest Blueprint Report for continuing to lead in the quick service restaurants segment and build from an impressive depth of expertise. Clients surveyed for the report highlighted HGS' domain knowledge, industry leadership, process excellence and analytics. HGS also was recognized as one of the most advanced providers of analytics in SCM processes.

• Valent Biosciences Corp. in Libertyville has a licensing agreement with LidoChem Inc. to develop a patented biocontrol technology for use in corn, soybean, and other crops.

Based on a unique strain of the soil microorganism Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, VBC will developed the technology in collaboration with Valent U.S.A. Corp. Both companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sumitomo Chemical, a global producer of conventional plant protection and biorational technologies for agriculture.

• Rich Klicki is director of content development of the Daily Herald Business Ledger.

Follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, or email your business technology news to rklicki@dailyherald.com

The product will be marketed and sold initially as a biological nematode seed treatment for the U.S. market by Valent U.S.A. The U.S. EPA registration is expected this year. VBC plans to focus future research and development on new formulations and expansions of the technology into other applications, crops, and regions.

"This agreement brings another important and innovative biorational technology to our growing platform for soil-based innovation," said Ted Melnik, VBC executive vice president and chief operating officer. "The unique mode of action of the product brings growers a potent and valuable tool in their battle against soilborne pests."