CLEMSON -- Clemson University's light-based photonics research has turned a bright idea into jobs, expanded tax base and new products, spinning off two high-tech, start-up companies in the Upstate within the past two years.

"These spin-offs are the first of what we hope will be many new companies that will help translate knowledge into high-value products, services and high-paying jobs in South Carolina," said Caron St. John, director of Clemson's Arthur M. Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Ultimately, such companies will not only keep top engineering graduates in state but also provide higher wages for the support positions needed to operate a knowledge-based company.

Clemson-based Tetramer Technologies LLC develops next-generation photonics materials and was founded by faculty from Clemson's Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering Technologies (COMSET). It was formed in February 2001 by Clemson professors Dennis Smith, Steven Foulger, John Ballato and David Carroll to commercialize some of their research. To run the day-to-day activities of Tetramer and to implement commercialization growth strategies, Tetramer hired Earl H. Wagener, of Clemson. Wagener, himself a Clemson graduate, has 33 years of new product commercialization and venture capital experience at chemical companies Dow Chemical, Stepan Co. and The ChemQuest Group, Inc.

Tetramer's early successes include developing lower cost photonic materials for switches for telecommunications and data transfer. The company is developing lenses for white light-emitting diodes. These have the potential for replacing the 100-year-old incandescent light bulb since the diode-based lights produce more light at much lower energy consumption. For consumers, the breakthroughs could mean enhanced Internet connections that will provide high speed services to the home at lower cost.

Tetramer currently has five employees and a 2003 estimated revenue of $240,000, up from $20,000 in 2002. Its current business plan estimates 20 employees with revenues of $10 million by 2009.

The other company, Advanced Photonic Crystals, is the brainchild of Clemson chemistry professor Joseph Kolis, also a member of COMSET, and collaborator Steven Syracuse. It's based in Fort Mill.

Advanced Photonic Crystals designs and manufactures specialty crystals that give unprecedented optical performance. The boutique crystals will be used in laser surgery, micro machining, measurement science, telecommunications, optical switches and high-density storage.

The young company now has four employees but could grow to as many as 20 within five years, said John Egan, Ph.D., company co-founder and CEO.

Both companies earned two coveted Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants from the National Science Foundation. Only four NSF SBIR grants were awarded in South Carolina in 2002.