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Lidar helps gas industry find methane leaks and avoid costly losses | Lincoln Laboratory transitioned its optical-amplifier technology to Bridger Photonics for commercialization, enhancing U.S. energy security and efficiency.
MIT Lincoln Laboratory transitioned an optical amplifier technology for commercial use. The amplifier is a key component to Bridger Photonics’ Gas-Mapping Lidar, now used by top U.S. energy companies to locate, measure, and repair natural gas leaks.
Several spinout companies, such as Lasertron and TeraDiode, have commercialized innovations stemming from the laboratory's laser research, including those for fiber-optic telecommunications and metal-cutting applications. Working iteratively through the ARPA-E funding and a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), the team increased Bridger's laser power by more than tenfold. According to Bruce Niemeyer, president of Chevron's shale and tight operations, the lidar capability has been game-changing: "Our goal is simple — keep methane in the pipe.
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