Founded in Kent in 1996 by three professors, AlphaMicron develops and manufactures liquid-crystal photonics that control light, best known for its e-Tint® technology and rapid tint-changing eyewear. The company grew from a research effort for U.S. Air Force fighter displays into a vertically integrated operation serving military, consumer and industrial applications, with its eyewear approved for the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List. Its Kent facility combines laboratories, cleanrooms, design and prototyping, and ISO 9001-compliant testing and production.
ISO 9001:2008
U.S. Army Authorized Protective Eyewear List (APEL)
Compliance program
MIL-PRF-32432A
Compliance program
ANSI Z87.1 Impact Resistance
ANSI Z80.3 Optical Performance
e-Tint LLCFounded in 1997 to pursue Department of Defense research, the Ohio-based company behind e-Tint is known for developing rapid light-control technology for demanding visual environments. Today, e-Tint LLC brings that liquid-crystal research to protective eyewear used by military personnel and civilians, with its CTRL® system recognized on the U.S. Army’s Authorized Protective Eyewear List.KENT, OH
Kent Optronics, IncEmployee-owned since its founding in Ohio in 1999, Kent Optronics is a privately held research and development company led by founder Dr. Le Li. Based in Hopewell Junction with a field office in Kent, Ohio, it creates liquid-crystal electro-optical solutions for government and commercial customers in photonics and related fields, with a particular record in infrared scene projection.HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NY
Immobileyes IncFounded by photonics and laser researchers from AlphaMicron, Immobileyes develops light-based non-lethal technology for security, including optical-disruption tools and systems that jam multiple drone sensors. The Kent, Ohio company draws on decades of laser eye-protection research conducted for the U.S. Air Force and Army, with its Laser Storm system requested and supported by the U.S. Air Force.KENT, OH
Vuzix CorporationFounded in 1997, Rochester-based Vuzix Corporation designs and manufactures waveguide optics and enterprise smart glasses for frontline, defense, and OEM applications. Its distinction is that core optics are designed and produced in-house at a U.S.-based, ISO 9001-certified facility, connecting optical development with volume manufacturing. With nearly 30 years in wearable optics and more than 500 optical-technology patents, Vuzix supplies both finished devices such as the M400 and LX1 and platforms for partners developing their own smart glasses.WEST HENRIETTA, NY