Gigajot Technology Awarded Competitive Grant from the National Science Foundation

PASADENA, Calif. - Feb. 6, 2018 - PrZen -- Gigajot Technology (www.gigajot.tech) has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $225,000 to conduct research and development (R&D) work on a revolutionary, high-speed, high-resolution and extremely high-sensitivity camera. This Quanta Image Sensor (QIS) camera will be the first ultra-compact complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera in the market with photon-counting capability and room temperature operation. This prototype product can be beneficial in scientific and medical imaging, life science, astronomical imaging, and other applications where high-resolution accurate photon detection is extremely important.

The QIS is a platform imaging technology and can be used in a broad range of imaging applications, such as automotive, augmented-reality & virtual-reality, quantum communication, security & surveillance, etc., where high-sensitivity, high-resolution and high-speed are required. Furthermore, because of the great compatibility with the mainstream CMOS fabrication lines, it has the potential to become a paradigm shift in the global image sensor and camera market.

"The National Science Foundation supports small businesses with the most innovative, cutting-edge ideas that have the potential to become great commercial successes and make huge societal impacts," said Barry Johnson, Director of the NSF's Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships. "We hope that this seed funding will spark solutions to some of the most important challenges of our time across all areas of science and technology."

"Scientists and medical doctors are not satisfied with the cameras they use in the laboratories and hospitals," said Dr. Saleh Masoodian, CEO, Gigajot. "By implementing the Gigajot's QIS devices into the scientific and medical cameras, scientists and researchers will be able to conduct more accurate measurements and researches with the innovative imaging technology."

"The novel technology is based on the mainstream commercial CMOS fabrication processes to realize high-yield and low-cost production. Besides the scientific imaging products, this technology will ultimately improve the performance of consumer imaging devices." said Dr. Jiaju Ma, CTO, Gigajot.

Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $225,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II grant (up to $750,000). Small businesses with Phase II grants are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investment or sales.

NSF accepts Phase I proposals from small businesses twice annually in June and December. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program undergo a rigorous merit-based review process.

To learn more about the NSF SBIR/STTR program, visit: www.nsf.gov/SBIR.

About the National Science Foundation's Small Business Programs: The National Science Foundation (NSF) awards roughly $200 million annually to startups and small businesses through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. The non-dilutive grants support research and development (R&D) across almost all areas of science and technology helping companies de-risk technology for commercial success. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $7 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.

About Gigajot Technology: Gigajot is developing the next generation of image sensors where single photon counting is used to unlock new image capture capabilities for consumers and professionals not possible with today's devices. The company was founded in 2017 by CEO Dr. Saleh Masoodian, CTO Dr. Jiaju Ma and Dr. Eric Fossum. At Gigajot, every photon counts. For more information, visit www.gigajot.tech.