Thorlabs, Inc. is a private optical equipment company based in Newton, New Jersey.

Thorlabs has approximately 1,500 employees, and its production and research offices are located in various U.S. states, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

It sells approximately 20,000 different products with a turnover of $480 million.

Thorlabs and the Polytechnic University of Bari have established a partnership for joint research activities, technological developments, and innovations in the area of “optical gas sensing” and have launched an integrated multidisciplinary laboratory called “PolySense Lab” located in the Department of Physics of the Polytechnic University of Bari.

The activities of the joint research laboratory will focus on the research and development of innovative optical gas detection systems.

The main research activities of the PolySense Lab are:

• Development and implementation of new techniques for gas detection;
• Highly sensitive, portable, compact, robust trace gas sensors for in situ & real-time detection for the following potential applications:
  • Breath analysis;
  • Environmental monitoring;
  • Leak detection;
  • Monitoring of hydrocarbon gases;
  • Monitoring of hotspot areas (explosive precursors, narcotics).

To support the newly established strategic partnership, Thorlabs provides the necessary instrumentation as well as technical staff and funding for both research and personnel, while the university provides laboratory and office space in addition to conducting the research