In order to better test antibiotic susceptibility, SSI developed the Differential III which was one of the first analytical instruments to incorporate an onboard computer and utilized the first batch run of Intel’s 8008 chips.
The interest in laser fingerprinting of beverages even attracted the attention of science fiction icon Isaac Asimov whose article “No Accounting”[9] explained to the lay person just how Wyatt's light scattering experiments worked and how they were being used to classify not only wine but cola drinks as well, and questioned how far this kind of testing could go in determining which competing brand actually “tasted better,” and how this type of analysis might be used to aid producers in emulating successful drinks by analyzing and attempting to reproduce their light scattering patterns.
The label displayed a laser fingerprint and values including a Body score of 447 and a Structure of 218, and stated, “We believe this unique laser fingerprint will provide a reference standard of this fine wine for many years to come and permit, thereby, an objective comparison with other vintages.” Wyatt formed Wyatt Technology Company in 1981 in order to wrap up uncompleted government research contracts as interest in his Science letter continued.
[5] As a result, Wyatt Technology developed the first in its line of DAWN (originally an acronym for “Dual Angle Weighted Nephelometry”) multiangle light scattering instruments.
Continuing interest in the DAWN instruments as well as Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts involving the rapid detection of contaminants in water and air spurred the growth of the company which was incorporated as Wyatt Technology Corporation in 1984.
Waters Corporation, an American analytical laboratory instrument and software company, agreed to acquire Wyatt Technology for $1.36 billion in cash in February 2023.
Begun primarily with SBIR grants, Wyatt Technology has grown to be the largest supplier of multiangle light scattering instruments in the world.