Dakota (DTI) is developing technology that rapidly characterizes and analyzes biological samples, chemical mixtures, and environmental media (soil, water, and air) by using patented, highly sensitive, and reliable laser induced fluorescence (LIF) technology. Dakota employs the latest advances in lasers, optics, electronics, fluorescence technology, automation hardware, and control/analysis softwareDTI specializes in innovative real-time technology for environmental analysis, process control, and chemical sensing. The company was co-founded to commercialize environmentally related research performed for the Air Force at North Dakota State University. The company is skilled at incorporating sophisticated spectrometers and vapor detectors in small diameter pipe that is driven into the ground with specialized trucks. Incorporation of the chemical detectors downhole allows the acquisition of continuous logs of chemical contamination as a function of depth. Site characterization is many times faster and more efficient than conventional drill and laboratory analysis approaches. The Northern Lights tunable dye laser (pictured) is a spin-off of the environmental work - robust and extremely compact (12 x 5 x 3 inches) with the capabilities of far larger and more expensive systems. Used for fundamental scientific research in universities and industry, modified versions allow new measurement modalities, including real-time fuel vapor detection via laser ionization. Another application is pressure-sensitive paint measurements, a technology of great interest in improving the efficiency of wind-tunneal testing. DTI hs recently spun out the life science component of the firm to establish a new entity doing business in Montana.
