BluGlass Ltd (ASX:BLG) says its US subsidiary and North Carolina State University have extended their existing agreement to include a third year, securing A$1.05 million (US$680,000) in additional non-dilutive funding.
Under the extension, BluGlass will continue developing gallium nitride (GaN) lasers to support defence, quantum and dual-use technology work for the US Department of War, through the CLAWS Hub.
CEO Jim Haden said the third consecutive year of support was an endorsement of the company’s technology direction and momentum.
“Securing a third consecutive year of support from the US Department of War is a strong endorsement of our technology leadership and the accelerating momentum of our GaN laser roadmap,” Haden said.
He added the renewed contract strengthened BluGlass’ role in developing technologies supported by sovereign supply chains, and said the company’s ongoing collaboration is aimed at accelerating the transition of devices “from early-stage research through to commercial manufacturing.”
Haden also said the contract represented conversion of an opportunity within BluGlass’ US$100 million pipeline, with the funding supporting its technology roadmap and manufacturing plans.
Part of Microelectronics Commons network
BluGlass said the CLAWS Hub is one of eight Microelectronics Commons innovation hubs established by the US Department of War and funded through the CHIPS and Science Act.
The company described the Microelectronics Commons initiative as a collaborative capability-building program aimed at developing next-generation microelectronics for critical defence and dual-use technologies, with hub members including Coherent, MACOM and General Electric.
Focus on GaN lasers and integrated photonics
For Year three, BluGlass will continue work on its high-fidelity, high-precision GaN laser and integrated photonic technology, targeting both scalability and precision requirements for emerging applications including quantum computing and intelligence use cases.
BluGlass said the award follows its completion of all development milestones under the company’s A$2.9 million Year 2 core-development contract for USFY25.
Year 2 work lifts efficiency and DFB capability
During the Year 2 program, BluGlass said it progressed its GaN laser platform and recorded power conversion efficiency improvements across its portfolio from violet to blue wavelengths, alongside enhanced distributed feedback (DFB)laser capabilities.
The company said it has now been awarded a combined A$6.5 million (US$4.4 million) for the first three years of the 5-year Microelectronics Commons program.
Company profile
BluGlass is a supplier of GaN laser diode products to the global photonics industry, targeting industrial, defence, biomedical and scientific markets. The company says it is among a small group of end-to-end GaN laser manufacturers globally, with operations in Australia and the US spanning custom laser development through to higher-volume products.