WALTHAM, MA-Thermo Electron Corp. purchases Niton LLC (Billerica, MA), a provider of portable X-ray systems for metals, petrochemicals and environmental markets. Niton's product line brings handheld energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technology to the company, which complements Thermo's benchtop EDXRF system.

"The addition of Niton is a continuation of our efforts to better serve the emerging needs of our customers. Niton helps Thermo bring a traditional laboratory-based analytical technique to settings outside the laboratory," says Marijn E. Dekkers, president and chief executive officer of Thermo.