# Don Sackett

> Don Sackett is a nuclear physicist, repeat instrumentation founder, and CEO and co-founder of SciAps. After helping build Innov-X Systems and selling it to Olympus in 2010, he co-founded SciAps around a practical idea: give people in scrapyards, mines, factories, and field sites fast elemental analysis in a handheld device. SciAps agreed to be acquired by Spectris in 2024 for up to $260 million, while Sackett also carried the company into NASCAR and helped launch Viking Motorsports.

- **Role:** CEO and co-founder at SciAps
- **Organizations:** SciAps, Innov-X Systems, Olympus NDT, Niton, Viking Motorsports, Malvern Panalytical, Spectris
- **Education:** Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics, Michigan State University
- **Known for:** Co-founded and led Innov-X Systems from 2001 until its acquisition by Olympus NDT in 2010., Helped develop an early handheld XRF analyzer using an X-ray tube rather than a radioactive source., Co-founded SciAps and commercialized handheld LIBS instruments for elemental analysis, including carbon measurement in alloys.

## Career timeline

- **1992-2001** — Worked at Niton in the emerging handheld XRF analyzer industry.
- **2001** — Co-founded Innov-X Systems and became CEO.
- **2010** — Innov-X Systems was acquired by Olympus NDT; Sackett later served as a senior vice president and strategic advisor.
- **2012-2013** — Started SciAps with co-founders David Day and Gary Lortie, developing a portable LIBS analyzer concept.
- **2016** — SciAps introduced its first handheld LIBS analyzer, initially focused on carbon measurement for manufacturing.
- **2024** — Spectris agreed to acquire SciAps for $200 million up front plus up to $60 million in deferred consideration.
- **2024** — Served as grand marshal for the SciAps 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and fielded the No. 38 NASCAR Xfinity car that preceded Viking Motorsports.
- **2025** — Viking Motorsports began operating as an independent NASCAR Xfinity Series team built around Sackett's vision.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and led Innov-X Systems from 2001 until its acquisition by Olympus NDT in 2010.
- Helped develop an early handheld XRF analyzer using an X-ray tube rather than a radioactive source.
- Co-founded SciAps and commercialized handheld LIBS instruments for elemental analysis, including carbon measurement in alloys.
- Built SciAps into a business that Spectris agreed to acquire in 2024 for up to $260 million.
- Helped create Viking Motorsports as an independent NASCAR Xfinity Series team.

## Latest updates

- **2025-03** — SciAps published a company retrospective describing 12 years of handheld-analyzer development and its expansion into handheld Vis-NIR technology.
- **2025-02** — Viking Motorsports began its first season as an independent NASCAR Xfinity Series operation with Matt DiBenedetto driving.
- **2024-07** — Spectris announced an agreement to acquire SciAps for up to $260 million and integrate it with Malvern Panalytical.
- **2024-06** — Sackett gave the command to start engines at the SciAps 200 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

## Links

- Website: https://www.sciaps.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-sackett-b29b7411
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/SciAps_Inc
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SciAps
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciaps_inc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sciaps/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/don-sackett
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-27