Light-sensing technology maker nabs In-Q-Tel funding

Robert Lucian Crusitu/Shutterstock.com

Company develops black silicon, which enhances the infrared sensitivity of sensors

SiOnyx, which is developing a hyper-sensitive light-sensing semiconductor material called black silicon for advanced imaging devices, announced Wednesday that it has received funding from CIA venture capital wing In-Q-Tel.

Black silicon enhances the infrared sensitivity of sensors. The company, founded in 2006 by Harvard University researchers, has received funding from Polaris Ventures, Harris & Harris Group, Vulcan Capital, Coherent Inc., CrossLink Capital and RedShift Ventures.

The Beverly, Mass.-based company did not disclose the amount of funding raised from In-Q-Tel. Regulatory filings posted in April indicate that the company most recently raised a new $6.9 million in capital.

SiOnyx is on the Pentagon’s radar. In May, the Navy said it intended to award a sole-source contract to the company to develop technology that would increase the responsiveness of silicon-based detectors to wavelengths of light, contract documents indicate.

(Image via Robert Lucian Crusitu/Shutterstock.com)