April 22, 2003 — Transparent Networks Inc., an optical MEMS startup that said it had developed the largest mixed signal integrated circuit in the world, is closing.

“Considering that the nuclear winter in the telecom market delayed significantly the sales cycle for the next-generation products, (our) board requested the return of funds to investors,” said Janusz Bryzek, co-founder of the Milpitas, Calif.-based firm.

Transparent, founded in 2000, attracted $20 million in second round venture funding last year, adding to $10 million already secured. The firm had developed the LambdaMirror, a 1,200-mirror array photonic switching system, with high-density electronics on a single chip.

Bryzek, a veteran of five MEMS startups, said he and his partners are looking at reusing the technology in other markets and applications, including adaptive optics and high-performance sensors.