Aeluma Wins Funding from the Navy to Accelerate Development and Commercialization of High-Speed Photodetectors for Optical Interconnects

Rhea-AI Summary

Aeluma (NASDAQ:ALMU) has secured a contract worth up to $1.3 million from the U.S. Navy to accelerate the development of high-speed photodetectors. The company's large-diameter wafer platform integrates compound semiconductors with silicon manufacturing, enabling cost-effective solutions for various markets including mobile, AI, defense, aerospace, automotive, AR/VR, and quantum computing. The contract includes collaboration with a global interconnect manufacturer and support from a top-tier government contractor. Aeluma's technology is compatible with wafer-scale integration with CMOS electronics using advanced packaging, positioning the company to impact defense, aerospace, HPC, AI, and quantum computing sectors.

Positive

• Secured new U.S. Navy contract worth up to $1.3 million for photodetector development
• Partnership with major global interconnect manufacturer and top-tier government contractor
• Technology compatible with wafer-scale integration with CMOS electronics
• Platform demonstrates potential for high-volume commercial scaling across multiple high-growth markets

Negative

• None.

Insights

Semiconductor Technology Expert

Aeluma's $1.3M Navy contract validates their technology platform and accelerates commercialization of high-speed photodetectors with significant market potential.

The Navy's $1.3 million contract represents a strategic endorsement of Aeluma's semiconductor technology platform. The funding specifically targets high-speed photodetectors for optical interconnects—critical components for transmitting massive amounts of data via light signals rather than traditional electrical connections.

What makes Aeluma's approach particularly valuable is their ability to fabricate compound semiconductors on large-diameter wafers. This technological breakthrough combines the superior performance characteristics of compound semiconductors (like III-V materials) with silicon's manufacturing economies of scale. The practical implication is potentially dramatic cost reduction while maintaining high performance.

The collaboration structure is equally significant. Having a major global interconnect manufacturer as a subcontractor provides Aeluma with an established industry partner possessing manufacturing expertise and market access. Meanwhile, support from a top-tier government prime contractor adds credibility and potential pathways to additional defense contracts.

Technically, the wafer-scale integration with CMOS electronics using advanced packaging represents an important capability. This approach is being pursued by major compute and data center companies because it enables higher bandwidth, lower power consumption, and potentially greater system integration—all crucial factors for AI and high-performance computing applications where data movement bottlenecks remain a critical challenge.

The multiple market applications mentioned (mobile, AI, defense, automotive, AR/VR, quantum computing) illustrate the platform technology's versatility. Combined with their quantum dot laser technology, Aeluma is positioning itself at the intersection of multiple high-growth semiconductor segments, particularly those requiring advanced optical components.

Award Invests in Aeluma's Large-Scale Semiconductor Photodetectors Applicable to Defense and Aerospace, and AI Infrastructure

GOLETA, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 16, 2025 / Aeluma, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALMU), a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance, scalable technologies, today announced a contract with the U.S. Navy that could accelerate development of high-speed photodetectors for government and commercial applications.

Aeluma's large-diameter wafer platform combines the performance of compound semiconductors with the scale of mainstream silicon manufacturing, enabling cost-effective solutions across high-growth markets including mobile, AI, defense and aerospace, automotive, AR/VR, and quantum computing. Relevant to today's announcement, Aeluma's platform has demonstrated high-speed photodetectors for optical interconnects with the potential to provide massive bandwidth scaling, critical for government applications, high-performance computing (HPC), and AI infrastructure.

The new contract is for up to $1.3 million in funding, includes a major global interconnect manufacturer as a proposed subcontractor, and involves support from a top-tier government prime contractor. In addition to scaling for high-volume commercial markets, Aeluma's large-diameter wafer platform is compatible with wafer-scale integration with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) electronics using advanced packaging, a technology that is being aggressively pursued by major compute, data center, networking, and module suppliers for next-generation optical interconnects.

"This award is a clear vote of confidence in Aeluma's breakthrough technology and its potential to scale both in performance and in volume," said Matthew Dummer, Ph.D., Director of Technology at Aeluma. "Building on our successful demonstrations of large-wafer photodetectors for sensing and communication applications, this funding will enable us to accelerate commercialization for high-growth commercial markets while meeting the demanding requirements of our customers in defense and aerospace."

Aeluma continues to build momentum as it attracts interest from customers across a range of market verticals for its high-performance and scalable semiconductor platform. Combined with its quantum dot laser technology, the high-speed photodetectors position Aeluma to make a strong potential impact in critical areas for defense and aerospace, HPC, AI, and quantum computing.

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to the Company's expectations regarding its market position and market opportunity, expectations and plans as to its product development, manufacturing and sales, and relations with its partners and investors. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding its business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "anticipate," "predict," "potential," "continue," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project," "believe," "estimate," and other similar or related expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond the Company's control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

Company

Aeluma, Inc.
(805) 351-2707
info@aeluma.com

Investor Contact:

Bishop IR
Mike Bishop
(415) 894-9633
ir@aeluma.com

SOURCE: Aeluma, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What is the value of Aeluma's (ALMU) new Navy contract?

Aeluma's new contract with the U.S. Navy is worth up to $1.3 million in funding.

What markets does Aeluma's (ALMU) semiconductor technology target?

Aeluma's technology targets mobile, AI, defense and aerospace, automotive, AR/VR, and quantum computing markets.

What is unique about Aeluma's (ALMU) semiconductor platform?

Aeluma's platform combines compound semiconductors with silicon manufacturing scale and is compatible with wafer-scale integration with CMOS electronics.

Who are Aeluma's (ALMU) partners in the Navy contract?

The contract includes a major global interconnect manufacturer as a subcontractor and support from a top-tier government prime contractor.

What is the main application of Aeluma's (ALMU) photodetectors?

The photodetectors are designed for optical interconnects to provide massive bandwidth scaling for government applications, high-performance computing, and AI infrastructure.