Dartmouth-based Metamaterial Technologies Inc, a smart materials and photonics company, has signed a three-year business development and technology partnership with U.K.-based Artemis Optical to develop a hybrid coating for the defence industry.

Metamaterials is developing various technologies that influence light.  In a partnership with Airbus, it is testing a product that protects cockpit windows against laser attacks. Artemis Optical is an expert in the design and manufacture of optical thin film coatings.

In a statement, the companies said they are harnessing their thin film coating technologies to create a new, hybrid filtering solution to combat laser threats for the users of periscopes and sighting systems in armoured vehicles.

The statement said that Artemis is the only independent, non-U.S. coating company to be qualified to supply laser protection filters to the U.S. military. Globally, the company’s products can be found on all frontline British Ministry of Defence vehicles as well as vehicles in France and Norway.