Wyatt Technology Corporation

Wyatt Technology Corporation (WTC) is a laboratory equipment supplier headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA. The company was founded in 1982 by Dr. Philip J. Wyatt, a pioneer for early laser light scattering instrumentation. By the late 2000s many prestigious institutes adopted Wyatt Technology devices for their own laboratory use, such as USC and Yale. As of today, WTC instruments occupy laboratories of 8 Nobel Prize winners, 25 National Academy of Sciences members, and 25 Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers.
Devices and software
Wyatt Technology Corporation produces ten different kinds of devices and software. Each software performs custom analytical reports using data from WTC instruments. In addition, WTC offers 19 accessories to accompany their devices; they allow addition capabilities and simplify product use. The purchase of a WTC product includes free, intensive training for the device and its respected software. Once hitting these particles, the lasers excite them causing them to oscillate at the same frequency sent out. Then, the oscillations result in the particle's electron cloud to have an induced dipole moment, which is embodied by a source of electromagnetic radiation (EM). Then, the EM radiation is collected by the receivers to be used in extensive and complex computation allowing for characterization of the particles. The MALS products can be used in combination with other Wyatt Technology products and software for continuous-flow detection generally for size-exclusive chromatography (SEC-MALS). The devices can also be used by themselves in a batch mode to precisely estimate molar mass and size of macromolecules and nanoparticles in solution.
* DAWN HELEOS II
* miniDAWN TREOS
*
Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS)
A dynamic light scattering device is a tool that utilizes lasers and receivers to act similarly to MALS devices except at fixed angles.
* DynaPro Plate Reader II
* DynaPro NanoStar
*
Refractometers
A device that measures unknown refractive index by comparison of a known index of refraction. This typically works by sending laser light through a vertical slit-like opening which then passes through a lens and then onto two test tubes, where one index of refraction is known. Then by comparison the device can accurately solve for the unknown index of refraction. The device can also be used alongside other Wyatt Tech. devices to analyze a molecule’s characteristics that require an index of refraction value for calculations.
* Optilab T-rEX
* Optilab UT-rEX
Viscometers
A device for measuring the viscosity of a substance.
* ViscoStar II
Field-Flow Fractionation (FFF)
Used for the size separation of macromolecules, proteins, polymers, etc. in a mixture.
* Eclipse DualTec
*
Composition-Gradient Multi-Angle Light Scattering (CG-MALS)
Produced to be used specifically along with MALS devices (DAWN and miniDAWN) for measurements in macromolecular interaction.
* Calypso
Software
* ASTRA light scattering software turns device measurements into advanced customized reports. It is included as a package with all Wyatt Technology MALS devices.
* DYNAMICS software analyzes a batch's molar mass, zeta potential, or molecular size when paired with a Möbiuζ, DynaPro Plate Reader II, or DynaPro NanoStar.
* CALYPSO software uses concentration-gradient (see Molecular diffusion) MALS data (from the CG-MALS) to describe chemical affinity, stoichiometry<nowiki/>band other interactionsetween macromolecules in solution.
* ECLIPSE software controls the FFF devices to alter flow rates and switch between modes.
Applications
WTC devices are used by many leading biotechnological, pharmaceutical, chemical, and consumer good corporations:
* Amgen
* Bayer
* Biogen
* Dow Chemical Company
* DuPont
* ExxonMobil
* Genentech
* Genzyme
* GlaxoSmithKline
* IBM
* MedImmune
* Merck & Co.
* Pfizer
* Procter & Gamble
Wyatt Technology v. Malvern Instruments
After the 2004 acquisition of the DynaPro Plate Reader II from Proterion (a bankrupt scientific instrument corporation), one unsuccessful bidder of the plate reader became a rival competitor. On December 21, 2007, Wyatt Technology Corporation filed a lawsuit against rival Malvern Instruments claiming copyright infringement on Malvern's Zetasizer. Wyatt also claimed that Malvern violated trademarks involving Wyatt's DYNAMICS (the software used for the DynaPro). By May 16, 2013 the court case was ended after Wyatt withdrew due to lack of evidence; Malvern was awarded $2 million for legal fees.
Awards and Contracts
* Tibbetts Award in 2011 for innovative and advanced technology
* U.S. Army Bioengineering Medical Research & Development Laboratory contract for research in the instrumentation of water toxin detection in under 60 minutes
* U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command contract for a device that can monitor submicron aerosol particles in real time
* Office of Naval Research contract for an undersea environmental monitoring device

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