Methode Fiber Optics Products (Chicago) acquired Stratos Ltd., a United Kingdom-based developer of fiber-optic connectors for harsh environments using Expanded Beam (EB) technology. EB connectors employ special microlenses that increase the size of the fiber-optic beam by an order of magnitude greater than conventional fiber interconnects. This increase makes the optical performance of the connector much less susceptible to degradation caused by the extreme mechanical and environmental conditions encountered in harsh environments.