Formed in 1996 by Tufts University chemist Albert Robbat Jr., Ion started out in Cambridge, Mass., and did research and development for several years. In October 2004, Rhode Island’s Slater Technology Fund provided $75,000 to help the company move to the next level.

Ion relocated to North Smithfield, and in January 2005, it launched its first product, IST for GC/MS, mass spectrometry software designed for high-volume testing labs in the areas of environmental science, forensics, petrochemicals and chemicals.

Food and beverage clients may use the software to analyze the compounds of an artificially flavored banana iced tea, [President and CEO John] Moore noted. Forensic scientists may use Ion’s product to examine compounds in the corpse of a person who died from a drug overdose. Environmental agencies can use it to examine soil.

...sales have steadily grown in the last year. The company recently signed its first distribution agreement in Japan, and Moore said he expects to announce other deals in the next 30 to 45 days, with instrument suppliers.