Aeluma Receives U.S. Department of Energy Contract for Scalable Semiconductor Sensors
Aeluma (NASDAQ:ALMU) has secured a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contract to develop low-cost shortwave infrared (SWIR) photodetectors. The project focuses on creating commercially viable SWIR detection solutions that support wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum, important for quality inspection, remote sensing, and machine vision applications.
The company's technology integrates high-performance compound semiconductors with large-diameter substrates, enabling scalable SWIR devices that combine performance with cost efficiency. This development aims to overcome current SWIR technology limitations such as high costs, large form factors, and power inefficiencies.
This marks Aeluma's second DOE-funded initiative, adding to their previous contracts from DARPA, the Navy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Air Force, and NASA. The technology targets applications in mobile, AR/VR, defense and aerospace, AI infrastructure, communication, and quantum computing markets.
Aeluma (NASDAQ:ALMU) ha ottenuto un contratto dal Dipartimento dell'Energia degli Stati Uniti (DOE) per sviluppare fotodetettori a infrarossi a onde corte (SWIR) a basso costo. Il progetto si concentra sulla creazione di soluzioni di rilevamento SWIR commercialmente valide, in grado di operare su lunghezze d'onda oltre lo spettro visibile, fondamentali per l'ispezione di qualità, il telerilevamento e le applicazioni di visione artificiale.
La tecnologia dell'azienda integra semiconduttori composti ad alte prestazioni con substrati di grande diametro, permettendo dispositivi SWIR scalabili che uniscono prestazioni ed efficienza economica. Questo sviluppo mira a superare le limitazioni attuali della tecnologia SWIR, come i costi elevati, le dimensioni ingombranti e l'inefficienza energetica.
Si tratta della seconda iniziativa finanziata dal DOE per Aeluma, che si aggiunge ai precedenti contratti con DARPA, la Marina, l'Ufficio del Segretario alla Difesa, l'Aeronautica e la NASA. La tecnologia è destinata ad applicazioni nei settori mobile, AR/VR, difesa e aerospazio, infrastrutture AI, comunicazione e calcolo quantistico.
Aeluma (NASDAQ:ALMU) ha asegurado un contrato con el Departamento de Energía de EE.UU. (DOE) para desarrollar fotodetectores de infrarrojo de onda corta (SWIR) de bajo costo. El proyecto se enfoca en crear soluciones comerciales viables de detección SWIR que soporten longitudes de onda más allá del espectro visible, importantes para inspección de calidad, teledetección y aplicaciones de visión artificial.
La tecnología de la empresa integra semiconductores compuestos de alto rendimiento con sustratos de gran diámetro, permitiendo dispositivos SWIR escalables que combinan rendimiento con eficiencia en costos. Este desarrollo busca superar las limitaciones actuales de la tecnología SWIR, como altos costos, grandes tamaños y baja eficiencia energética.
Esta es la segunda iniciativa financiada por el DOE para Aeluma, sumándose a sus contratos previos con DARPA, la Marina, la Oficina del Secretario de Defensa, la Fuerza Aérea y la NASA. La tecnología está dirigida a aplicaciones en los mercados móvil, AR/VR, defensa y aeroespacial, infraestructura de IA, comunicaciones y computación cuántica.
Aeluma (NASDAQ:ALMU)는 미국 에너지부(DOE)와 저비용 단파 적외선(SWIR) 광검출기 개발 계약을 체결했습니다. 이 프로젝트는 가시광선을 넘어선 파장을 지원하는 상업적으로 활용 가능한 SWIR 감지 솔루션 개발에 중점을 두고 있으며, 이는 품질 검사, 원격 감지 및 머신 비전 응용 분야에서 중요합니다.
회사의 기술은 고성능 화합물 반도체와 대구경 기판을 통합하여 성능과 비용 효율성을 겸비한 확장 가능한 SWIR 장치를 가능하게 합니다. 이번 개발은 높은 비용, 큰 크기, 낮은 전력 효율성 등 기존 SWIR 기술의 한계를 극복하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
이번 계약은 Aeluma가 DOE로부터 받은 두 번째 프로젝트로, DARPA, 해군, 국방장관실, 공군, NASA와의 이전 계약에 이어진 것입니다. 이 기술은 모바일, AR/VR, 국방 및 항공우주, AI 인프라, 통신, 양자 컴퓨팅 시장에 적용될 예정입니다.
Aeluma (NASDAQ:ALMU) a obtenu un contrat du Département de l'Énergie des États-Unis (DOE) pour développer des photodétecteurs infrarouges à ondes courtes (SWIR) à faible coût. Le projet vise à créer des solutions de détection SWIR commercialement viables, capables de détecter des longueurs d'onde au-delà du spectre visible, essentielles pour l'inspection qualité, la télédétection et les applications de vision machine.
La technologie de l'entreprise intègre des semi-conducteurs composés haute performance avec des substrats de grand diamètre, permettant des dispositifs SWIR évolutifs alliant performance et rentabilité. Ce développement vise à surmonter les limites actuelles des technologies SWIR telles que les coûts élevés, les formats volumineux et l'inefficacité énergétique.
Il s'agit de la deuxième initiative financée par le DOE pour Aeluma, s'ajoutant à leurs précédents contrats avec DARPA, la Marine, le Bureau du Secrétaire à la Défense, l'Armée de l'air et la NASA. La technologie cible des applications dans les marchés mobiles, AR/VR, défense et aérospatial, infrastructures IA, communication et informatique quantique.
Aeluma (NASDAQ:ALMU) hat einen Vertrag mit dem US-Energieministerium (DOE) zur Entwicklung kostengünstiger kurzwelliger Infrarot-(SWIR)-Fotodetektoren erhalten. Das Projekt konzentriert sich auf die Entwicklung kommerziell nutzbarer SWIR-Erkennungslösungen, die Wellenlängen jenseits des sichtbaren Spektrums unterstützen und für Qualitätsprüfung, Fernerkundung und maschinelles Sehen wichtig sind.
Die Technologie des Unternehmens kombiniert leistungsstarke Verbindungshalbleiter mit großflächigen Substraten, was skalierbare SWIR-Geräte ermöglicht, die Leistung und Kosteneffizienz vereinen. Diese Entwicklung zielt darauf ab, die aktuellen Einschränkungen der SWIR-Technologie wie hohe Kosten, große Bauformen und Energieineffizienz zu überwinden.
Dies ist Aelumas zweite vom DOE finanzierte Initiative und ergänzt frühere Verträge mit DARPA, der Marine, dem Verteidigungsministerium, der Luftwaffe und der NASA. Die Technologie richtet sich an Anwendungen in den Bereichen Mobilgeräte, AR/VR, Verteidigung und Luft- und Raumfahrt, KI-Infrastruktur, Kommunikation und Quantencomputing.
- Secured new DOE contract for commercial SWIR technology development
- Technology enables cost-effective, scalable manufacturing of high-performance sensors
- Strong government contract portfolio with multiple agencies
- Targeting high-growth markets including mobile, AR/VR, defense, and quantum computing
- Current products still in development phase
- Commercial viability yet to be proven
Insights
DOE contract validates Aeluma's SWIR photodetector technology, providing funding to accelerate development for multiple high-growth markets.
This DOE contract represents a significant technical validation for Aeluma's approach to shortwave infrared (SWIR) photodetector development. SWIR technology detects wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum, enabling applications from industrial quality control to enhanced machine vision that visible light sensors cannot achieve.
The core technical challenge Aeluma is addressing is explicitly identified in their CEO's statement: current SWIR technologies suffer from "high costs, large form factors, and power inefficiencies" that prevent mainstream adoption. These barriers have historically relegated SWIR sensing to specialized high-end applications despite its valuable capabilities.
Aeluma's technological approach integrates high-performance compound semiconductors with large-diameter substrates to create CMOS-compatible solutions. This compatibility is crucial as it potentially enables production using established semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure, addressing the cost and scalability challenges that have SWIR adoption.
What makes this particularly valuable is the cross-market potential. The article explicitly identifies applications spanning quality inspection, remote sensing, machine vision, and consumer markets including mobile, AR/VR, and automotive. The eye-safe nature of SWIR further enhances its suitability for consumer applications.
This contract aligns with Aeluma's broader technology roadmap targeting multiple growth sectors including defense, AI infrastructure, communication, and quantum computing, suggesting strategic focus rather than opportunistic development.
DOE funding provides non-dilutive capital and technical validation, continuing Aeluma's pattern of securing competitive government contracts.
The Department of Energy contract represents non-dilutive funding that allows Aeluma to accelerate its SWIR photodetector development without additional equity dilution. For a company with Aeluma's
Particularly notable is that this marks Aeluma's second DOE-funded initiative, alongside previous contract wins from DARPA, Navy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Air Force, and NASA. This established pattern across multiple agencies indicates broad government interest in Aeluma's technical capabilities.
Government contracts typically undergo competitive selection processes with technical merit evaluation, suggesting Aeluma's approach has convinced multiple independent technical review panels of its potential. The explicit goal to develop "commercially viable" solutions indicates alignment between government interests and Aeluma's commercial roadmap.
While the contract value isn't disclosed, the stated purpose to "accelerate commercialization" suggests meaningful funding to advance development timelines. The focus on creating "a new class of sensors" at "a fraction of the cost of today's SWIR systems" addresses clear market needs that have previously adoption.
The DOE's specific interest in developing low-cost SWIR photodetectors reflects broader national priorities around advanced manufacturing capabilities and next-generation sensing technologies, positioning Aeluma within strategic technology development efforts.
Funding to Accelerate Development of Low-Cost Photodetectors Applicable to Mobile, AR/VR, and Industrial Markets
GOLETA, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 23, 2025 / Aeluma, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALMU), a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance, scalable technologies for mobile, automotive, AI, defense and aerospace, communication, and quantum computing, announced today it has received a contract from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop commercially viable, low-cost shortwave infrared (SWIR) photodetectors. The award will accelerate commercialization of Aeluma's wafer-scale platform for high-sensitivity, energy-efficient photodetector sensors applicable across critical growth sectors.
The DOE-backed project targets development of a breakthrough solution for SWIR detection-supporting wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum that are critical for applications in quality inspection, remote sensing, and machine vision. SWIR is also eye safe, enabling high-performance systems in consumer markets including mobile, AR/VR, and automotive.
"Today's SWIR technologies are held back by high costs, large form factors, and power inefficiencies that prevent mainstream adoption," said Dr. Jonathan Klamkin, Founder and CEO of Aeluma. "This DOE contract positions Aeluma to deliver a scalable, CMOS-compatible solution that combines high sensitivity with cost efficiency. This is a critical step in unlocking SWIR sensing for commercial applications."
Aeluma's technology integrates high-performance compound semiconductors with large-diameter substrates, enabling SWIR devices that deliver on performance requirements while also being manufactured at scale. The DOE contract will support development of a new class of sensors designed to serve real-time inspection and imaging needs at a fraction of the cost of today's SWIR systems, and reflects a growing urgency to bring SWIR sensing into mainstream commercial markets.
The program aligns with Aeluma's broader commercial roadmap, which targets mobile, AR/VR, defense and aerospace, AI infrastructure, communication, and quantum computing. It also marks Aeluma's second DOE-funded initiative and follows wins from DARPA, the Navy, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Air Force, and NASA.
About Aeluma, Inc.
Aeluma (www.aeluma.com) develops photonics and optoelectronics for sensing, computing, and communication applications. Aeluma has pioneered a technique to manufacture semiconductor chips using high-performance compound semiconductor materials on large-diameter substrates that are commonly used for mass-market microelectronics. The technology has the potential to enhance performance and scale manufacturing, both of which are critical for emerging applications. Aeluma is developing a streamlined business model from its headquarters in Santa Barbara, California that has a state-of-the-art manufacturing cleanroom. Its transformative semiconductor chip technology may impact a variety of markets including mobile, defense and aerospace, AI, automotive, AR/VR, quantum, and communication. Aeluma differentiates itself with unique semiconductor manufacturing capability, proprietary technology, the ability to perform rapid prototyping, and a broad set of product offerings.
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Aeluma, Inc.
(805) 351-2707
info@aeluma.com
Investor Contact:
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Mike Bishop
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SOURCE: Aeluma, Inc.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
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