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News February 04, 2010 Brandywine Optics focuses on imaging-camera growth By KATHLEEN E. CAREY kcarey@delcotimes.com CHESTER — Nestled in a second-floor, 600-square-foot office, John Fisher of Brandywine Optics toils away at designing and assembling hyperspectral imaging cameras for use on the American coastline or on the topographies of Afghanistan and Iraq or on the International Space Station. It all started because he wanted to be close to home. A native of Norwood who was born at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Fisher studied at Pennsylvania State University to secure a degree in electrical engineering with a specialty in optics. “It’s something everyone uses and no one understands,” he said of his chosen field. Upon graduation, he found the opportunities for a lens designer in Delaware County slim. So, he went to work for IBM in New York for five years, followed by another five-year stint at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington. Over time, however, Fisher missed the proximity to his mom and sisters. “I wanted to be close to my family,” he said. “In order to do that, I started my own business. I decided I was coming back and then I made a job.” For a while, he did consulting. Then, 11 years ago, he began constructing the highly specialized lenses in his West Chester garage. That evolved into moving into the 1350 Edgmont Ave., Chester, office three years ago. Fisher has great expectations for demand for his services. Brandywine Optics focuses on hyperspectral imaging, which is a way to collect images that capture the range of the electromagnetic spectrum, including ultraviolet and infrared light. These images are then collected into a three-dimensional model that is used for analytic purposes, such as looking for ore and oil in mining capacities or for determining geographical changes along coastlines. “We have a camera in Haiti right now,” Fisher said, adding that the coastline along the Caribbean nation isn’t documented well and a more defined map is needed as ships arrive to assist in the relief effort. Another of Brandywine Optics’ devices, the hyperspectral imager for the coastal ocean, was launched to the International Space Station in September to support efforts to identify and quantify coastal geophysical factors. Fisher himself prefers to think ahead, rather than rest on his accomplishments. “I’m more interested in cash flow projects and getting paid,” he said. “I’m a businessman first.” In line with that, he decided to locate his business within the technology company incubator, Keystone Innovation Zone, for its tax credits, its business potential and its business development support. “The tax (revenues) are a big help in getting off the ground,” Fisher said. “It’s giving me working capital at a time when credit is tough.” Having received a $100,000 tax credit, Fisher plans to sell that to translate into three jobs – a technician, an applications engineer and an engineering co-op from Villanova University. “We’re hiring,” he said. “We have some new contracts coming in. We estimate sales to be four (times) over last year.” In addition, Fisher said he gets to network with other businesses within the innovation zone, such as the accountant he uses for the government accountability part of his business. “When you have people together who are in the thick of it, it makes a huge difference,” he said. As more of these businesses locate and flourish here, Fisher said the potential exists for the Philadelphia area to blossom into a technology powerhouse. “The opportunity is there with the universities we have,” he said. “The question is, ‘How do you elevate the spirit?’ It’s going to come from people who are going to take risks and grow.”

News
February 04, 2010

Brandywine Optics focuses on imaging-camera growth
By KATHLEEN
E. CAREY
kcarey@delcotimes.com

CHESTER — Nestled in a second-floor, 600-square-foot office, John Fisher of Brandywine Optics toils away at designing and assembling hyperspectral imaging cameras for use on the American coastline or on the topographies of Afghanistan and Iraq or on the International Space Station.

It all started because he wanted to be close to home.

A native of Norwood who was born at the Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Fisher studied at Pennsylvania State University to secure a degree in electrical engineering with a specialty in optics.

“It’s something everyone uses and no one understands,” he said of his chosen field.

Upon graduation, he found the opportunities for a lens designer in Delaware County slim.

So, he went to work for IBM in New York for five years, followed by another five-year stint at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington.

Over time, however, Fisher missed the proximity to his mom and sisters.

“I wanted to be close to my family,” he said. “In order to do that, I started my own business. I decided I was coming back and then I made a job.”

For a while, he did consulting.

Then, 11 years ago, he began constructing the highly specialized lenses in his West Chester garage. That evolved into moving into the 1350 Edgmont Ave., Chester, office three years ago.

Fisher has great expectations for demand for his services.

Brandywine Optics focuses on hyperspectral imaging, which is a way to collect images that capture the range of the electromagnetic spectrum, including ultraviolet and infrared light.

These images are then collected into a three-dimensional model that is used for analytic purposes, such as looking for ore and oil in mining capacities or for determining geographical changes along coastlines.

“We have a camera in Haiti right now,” Fisher said, adding that the coastline along the Caribbean nation isn’t documented well and a more defined map is needed as ships arrive to assist in the relief effort.

Another of Brandywine Optics’ devices, the hyperspectral imager for the coastal ocean, was launched to the International Space Station in September to support efforts to identify and quantify coastal geophysical factors.

Fisher himself prefers to think ahead, rather than rest on his accomplishments.

“I’m more interested in cash flow projects and getting paid,” he said. “I’m a businessman first.”

In line with that, he decided to locate his business within the technology company incubator, Keystone Innovation Zone, for its tax credits, its business potential and its business development support.

“The tax (revenues) are a big help in getting off the ground,” Fisher said. “It’s giving me working capital at a time when credit is tough.”

Having received a $100,000 tax credit, Fisher plans to sell that to translate into three jobs – a technician, an applications engineer and an engineering co-op from Villanova University.

“We’re hiring,” he said. “We have some new contracts coming in. We estimate sales to be four (times) over last year.”

In addition, Fisher said he gets to network with other businesses within the innovation zone, such as the accountant he uses for the government accountability part of his business.

“When you have people together who are in the thick of it, it makes a huge difference,” he said.

As more of these businesses locate and flourish here, Fisher said the potential exists for the Philadelphia area to blossom into a technology powerhouse. “The opportunity is there with the universities we have,” he said. “The question is, ‘How do you elevate the spirit?’ It’s going to come from people who are going to take risks and grow.”