Date: May 29, 2019 Source: Globenewswire (
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Applied Energetics, Inc. (OTCQB: AERG) is pleased to announce that it has acquired Applied Optical Sciences, Inc. ("AOS"), an innovator in developing technologies and intellectual property related to the application of optical physics in a broad range of areas, including photonics and advanced Ultra-short Pulse ("USP") laser development. Terms of the transaction, which is anticipated to close within the next 30 days, were not disclosed.
Founded by Dr. Stephen McCahon in April 2010, AOS is a privately held corporation located in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. McCahon is also an original co-founder of Applied Energetics and will serve as its Chief Scientist and full-time consultant to Applied Energetics.
The AOS acquisition is expected to further create a highly focused and futuristic advanced high-performance technology company. The Applied Energetics/AOS combined company will operate with an expanded reach and scale, with emphasis in areas involving highly innovative and rapidly growing segments complementary to the U.S. Department of Defense; as AOS is currently under separate co-development contracts with two defense contractors involving specific areas of directed energy and advanced optical physics-based technologies. Applied Energetics and its related directed energy technologies are protected by 25 patents, with an additional 11 U.S. patent applications protected under secrecy orders of the U.S. government.
Gregory J. Quarles, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Applied Energetics, commented, "The acquisition of AOS will bring to Applied Energetics additional capabilities in the rapidly growing area of ultra-short pulse lasers along with other advanced technology opportunities. Together, Applied Energetics and AOS can significantly increase the value we bring to our business, creating a better-positioned company with world class innovation and a comprehensive advanced technology platform."
Dr. Quarles continued, "In addition to increasing our know-how and strengthening our IP portfolio, AOS significantly enhances our talent with the addition of Dr. McCahon and his scientific team. His deep industry, engineering and business expertise and knowledge of all that we have developed at Applied Energetics will be invaluable to our customers and shareholders."
Dr. Stephen McCahon, founder and Chief Executive Officer of AOS, remarked, "We at AOS are excited to become part of Applied Energetics, which has vast expertise in advanced high-performance lasers, a strong patent portfolio and proprietary techniques relating to lasers and high voltage electronics. AOS's network of complementary technologies and key intellectual property will enable Applied Energetics to expand its combined business beyond what either company could have achieved as a stand-alone. Together we can accelerate innovation and provide additional technology solutions for both existing and rapidly emerging high growth applications."
Dr. McCahon has been a scientific researcher, technology developer, and entrepreneur for over 30 years. He has co-authored more than 50 scientific publications and has more than 30 patents issued, patents pending, or invention disclosures in preparation for patent submission. He was a Member of the Research Staff in the Optical Physics Department at the Hughes Research Laboratory in Malibu, California from 1986 to 1996 performing basic research in the area of optical physics and non-linear optical materials. From 1996 to 2001, he was involved primarily in new business development for Raytheon Missile Systems Co, in Tucson, Arizona, during which time he was significantly responsible for the successful creation of Raytheon's Directed Energy Weapons Product Line and served as its Chief Scientist. In 2002, Dr. McCahon left Raytheon to co-found Applied Energetics as its Chief Technology Officer and Chief Scientist. Dr McCahon led Applied Energetics' breakthrough technology development of Laser Guided Energy and related technologies that are now held within their highly unique and classified intellectual property portfolio. In April 2010, Dr. McCahon left Applied Energetics to form Applied Optical Sciences.
Dr. McCahon holds a Ph.D. in Photonics from the University of Iowa, and a MSEE and BSEE from the University of Southern California.
