Applied Technology Review: Specials Magazine

Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR) technology has seen remarkable advancements in recent years, driving innovation across a range of industries, from smartphones and automotive to healthcare and security. While the benefits of this cutting-edge technology are undeniable, the high costs of development and implementation often put it out of reach for many industries, particularly smaller players or those with limited budgets. SeeDevice Inc. is breaking this mold by blending advanced capabilities with affordability The company offers a sensor that detects a wide range of wavelengths using a unique, silicon-based CMOS process. The result is a game-changing SWIR solution that’s transforming sectors from agriculture to healthcare, gaming, and automotive, all without the high costs typically associated with such advancements. A VISION THAT BEGAN ALMOST A DECADE AGO SeeDevice Inc. was founded nearly a decade ago by Dr. Hoon Kim, whose deep experience in technology and research laid the groundwork for the company’s innovation. Before establishing SeeDevice, Dr. Kim served as a professor at the University of Utah and as the director of Nano Quantum Devices Center at KETI (Korea Electronics Technology Institute). With a strong academic background and a proven track record in technological development, Dr. Kim’s move into the private sector was driven by his desire to create practical, scalable solutions for industries in need of advanced imaging technologies. His journey began with the aim of bridging the gap between high-performance imaging sensors and the cost-prohibitive technologies that were limiting their widespread adoption. Prior to SeeDevice’s inception, most image sensors capable of detecting wavelengths across the electromagnetic spectrum relied on rare, expensive materials such as indium gallium arsenide or germanium. These materials were costly and difficult to scale, limiting their availability and affordability for many applications. Dr. Kim’s breakthrough came when he developed a patented technology based on pure silicon. By incorporating the quantum tunnelling effect and plasmonic field enhancement into his design, he was able to create a CMOS image sensor capable of detecting wavelengths from the X-Ray range all the way to short-wave infrared. This groundbreaking sensor has since set SeeDevice apart from competitors and opened new possibilities in imaging. QUANTUM-DRIVEN INNOVATION SeeDevice’s ability to detect such a broad spectrum of wavelengths with precision and affordability makes it unique. The company’s sensors are based on a quantum-driven innovation that combines two fundamental concepts: the quantum tunnelling effect and plasmonic field enhancement.