SKINfrared

What SKINfrared does

SK Infrared (legal entity SK Infrared LLC, operating as SKINfrared) is a privately held, fabless designer and manufacturer of custom infrared (IR) detectors and imaging systems founded in 2009 as a University of New Mexico spin-off and currently headquartered in Dublin, Ohio. The company develops single- and dual-band detectors spanning short-wave (SWIR), mid-wave (MWIR), long-wave (LWIR), and multi-spectral infrared bands, built on III-V molecular beam epitaxy, type-II strained-layer superlattices (T2SL), and a proprietary open-circuit voltage (OCV) photodetector architecture, with fabrication accessed through Ohio State University's 6,000 sq ft Class 100 Nanotech West cleanroom and packaging/testing performed in-house.

Its commercial product portfolio centers on Custom Infrared Detectors (delivered as bare die or packaged cooled/uncooled assemblies up to 1K x 1K focal plane arrays), the Advanced Longwave Infrared-Imaging and Analysis System (ALIAS) medical imaging platform for non-invasive skin cancer detection, and the proprietary SKIViz image registration and analysis software. Surrounding the detector core, SK Infrared sells a set of professional services including MBE epitaxy growth, device fabrication and characterization, precision sample preparation, and sensor system packaging and prototyping.

Revenue is generated through custom, quote-based, multi-year enterprise engagements with U.S. military and defense organizations (AFRL, AFWERX, Army DEVCOM, USNRL), NASA, defense primes (L3Harris), and federal/state R&D programs (SBIR/STTR and the Ohio Federal Research Network), supplemented by a small commercial pipeline spanning medical diagnostics, agriculture, autonomous systems, astronomy, and industrial monitoring. The company is led by CEO Earl Fuller (former Emcore/Suncore solar business unit head) and CTO/Founder Sanjay Krishna (George R Smith Professor of Engineering at OSU; IEEE/OSA/SPIE Fellow with 300+ publications, 14 issued patents, and 34 PhD students graduated).

Name

SKINfrared

Legal name

SK Infrared LLC

Website

https://skinfrared.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SKINfrared (SK Infrared) is a privately held, fabless designer of custom infrared detectors and imaging systems (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) serving U.S. military, defense, aerospace, and medical customers through project-based hardware, software (ALIAS, SKIViz), and R&D services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infrared Sensors and Detectors

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors & Targeting Systems (IMABAGAC), Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones (IMABAIAA), Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ), X-ray & Fluoroscopy Systems (HLAHABAA), Quality, Peer Review & Compliance Tools (MQSA/ACR/QA) (HLACALAL), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Infrared detectors
• Infrared imaging sensors
• Focal plane arrays
• Thermal imaging systems
• Photodetector fabrication

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Infrared Detector & Sensor Hardware Sales: Sale of custom-fabricated infrared single/dual-band detectors (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR/multi-spectral), Focal Plane Arrays up to 1K x 1K, and packaged detector assemblies (cooled and uncooled) delivered as bare die or assembled units. Primarily one-time / project-based hardware revenue per custom engagement.
2. Design Consultation & Professional Services: Design consultation for custom infrared sensors including epitaxy growth strategy, device fabrication, and packaging services. Includes MBE growth of III-V material to customer specification and sample preparation (lapping, polishing, etching, thinning). Engagement-based professional services revenue.
3. Government R&D Funding (Federal / State Programs): Revenue from federal and state R&D programs (e.g., OFRN Round 7 funding ~$10.2M distributed across projects; SBIR/STTR; partnerships with AFRL, AFWERX, Army DEVCOM, NASA, USNRL) for collaborative defense and dual-use technology development. Grant / contract-based non-dilutive funding.
4. ALIAS Medical Diagnostic Product / SKIViz Software Licensing: Commercial product line based on the Advanced Longwave Infrared-Imaging and Analysis System (ALIAS) with proprietary SKIViz software for medical diagnostics (e.g., skin cancer detection). Revenue from sales/licensing of the ALIAS imaging system and SKIViz software to medical and research customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SK Infrared designs, fabricates, and packages custom infrared detectors and imaging systems spanning SWIR, MWIR, LWIR, and multi-spectral bands, supplied as bare die or assembled units from single elements up to 1K x 1K focal plane arrays. It also delivers the ALIAS medical imaging system paired with SKIViz analysis software, along with design consultation, epitaxy, sample preparation, fabrication, and packaging services for military, defense, commercial, and research customers.

Product overview

SK Infrared offers a custom infrared detector and sensing systems portfolio built on a fabless foundry model rather than a single unified SaaS-style platform. The core offering is Custom Infrared Detectors (single/dual-band, SWIR/MWIR/LWIR/multispectral), which serves as the foundation that the company's commercial application system ALIAS (Advanced Longwave Infrared-Imaging and Analysis System) is built upon, paired with the proprietary SKIViz software module for image registration and data analysis. Surrounding the detector core, SK Infrared provides four service modules—Infrared Sensor Development, Sample Preparation, Device Fabrication & Characterization, and Sensor System Packaging & Prototyping—which together support fabless foundry manufacturing for military, commercial, medical, R&D, LIDAR, gas imaging, airborne surveillance, and ground applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ALIAS: Advanced Longwave Infrared-Imaging and Analysis System, used for medical diagnostics including early detection of skin cancer, paired with SKIViz software for image registration and data analysis.
• SKIViz

Products and services

• Custom Infrared Detectors High-performance custom-fabricated infrared detectors (single and dual-band, short-wave to long-wave) including avalanche photodiodes, resonant cavity infrared detectors, and Focal Plane Arrays, available as bare die or packaged in various cool/uncooled assemblies for military and commercial applications.
• Advanced Longwave Infrared-Imaging and Analysis System (ALIAS) Medical imaging system advancing early detection of skin cancer through non-invasive longwave infrared imaging, combined with proprietary SKIViz software for precise image registration and data analysis.
• Infrared Sensor Development Services Design consultation and development of custom infrared sensors including epitaxy growth strategy, device fabrication, and packaging; includes MBE growth of III-V material per customer specification.
• Sample Preparation Services Precision lapping and polishing of specialized infrared semiconductor materials, plus selective chemical etching and chemical thinning services.
• Device Fabrication & Characterization Services Fabrication capability ranging from single-element detectors to 1K x 1K focal plane arrays, with performance evaluation using standard metrics.
• Sensor System Packaging & Prototyping Provides detectors as bare die or packaged in various cool and uncooled assemblies; supports initial prototyping and system build-up for proof-of-concept testing, including assemblies using 3D-printed materials, with prototype devices as single elements, mini-arrays, and focal plane arrays.

Quantifiable outcome

• Skin cancer detection via dynamic thermal imaging with high sensitivity and specificity (ALIAS / dynamic IR imaging)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship — provides the cleanroom and nanofabrication backbone of sk infrared's fabless foundry manufacturing model., core — federal r&d partner for defense infrared programs., core — federal r&d partner for army infrared programs., core — partner for space-based infrared applications., core — federal r&d partner for navy infrared programs., core — major defense prime contractor in infrared systems., supporting — infrared imaging collaborator., supporting — infrared readout/component collaborator., supporting — iii-v wafer / epitaxial material supplier., supporting — photonics research collaborator., supporting — aerospace / engineering services collaborator., supporting — epitaxy equipment / material partner., minor — supporting mission systems collaboration., founding — sk infrared originated as a 2009 university spin-off from unm. and not an active partnership — listed for executive background..

• Ohio State University (Nanotech West Lab)flagship — provides the cleanroom and nanofabrication backbone of sk infrared's fabless foundry manufacturing model.Strategic or Co-development PartnerSK Infrared leverages a partnership with Ohio State University's Nanotech West, utilizing its cleanroom and test facilities as a key part of its fabless foundry model. Nanotech West Lab is a 6,000 sq ft Class 100 cleanroom facility with 100mm (4") wafer processing capabilities and is described as the most comprehensive nanotechnology user facility in Ohio. CTO Sanjay Krishna holds the George R Smith Professorship of Engineering in OSU's ECE department, anchoring the relationship.
• AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory)core — federal r&d partner for defense infrared programs.Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. AFRL is the U.S. Air Force's primary scientific research organization, supporting defense-related infrared sensor R&D.
• Army DEVCOM (U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command)core — federal r&d partner for army infrared programs.Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. Army DEVCOM is the U.S. Army's primary research and technology development organization, supporting defense infrared sensing programs.
• NASAcore — partner for space-based infrared applications.Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. NASA's interests align with SK Infrared's astronomy and space-sensing applications (e.g., JWST-style imaging, environmental monitoring from satellites).
• USNRL (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory)core — federal r&d partner for navy infrared programs.Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. The Naval Research Laboratory conducts broad-based R&D for the Navy, including infrared sensing and photonics research.
• L3Harris Technologiescore — major defense prime contractor in infrared systems.Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. L3Harris is a large defense prime contractor with significant infrared and electro-optical system programs, making it a likely customer / channel / technology partner.
• Attollo Engineeringsupporting — infrared imaging collaborator.Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. Attollo Engineering is an infrared imaging and laser sensor company.
• Senseekersupporting — infrared readout/component collaborator.Technology or IntegrationListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. Senseeker is an infrared imaging technology company that produces infrared sensors and read-out integrated circuits, suggesting complementary technology collaboration.
• IQEsupporting — iii-v wafer / epitaxial material supplier.Technology or IntegrationListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. IQE is a global supplier of compound semiconductor (III-V) wafer products used in infrared and photonic devices, supporting SK Infrared's MBE epitaxy capability.
• Omega Opticssupporting — photonics research collaborator.Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. Omega Optics is a photonics R&D company, likely collaborating on optical and photonic technologies.
• Relative Dynamicssupporting — aerospace / engineering services collaborator.Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. Relative Dynamics is an aerospace and engineering services company, suggesting collaboration on space and aerospace IR programs.
• IET (Intelligent Epitaxy Technology)supporting — epitaxy equipment / material partner.Technology or IntegrationListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. IET is an epitaxy equipment manufacturer, supporting MBE growth of III-V materials.
• MMECminor — supporting mission systems collaboration.Strategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Key Partner & Collaborator on SK Infrared's capabilities page. MMEC (Missile and Missile Engineering / Mission Systems) appears as a defense/mission systems collaborator.
• University of New Mexico (UNM) Center for High Technology Materialsfounding — sk infrared originated as a 2009 university spin-off from unm.Strategic or Co-development PartnerSK Infrared was founded in 2009 in Albuquerque, NM as a university spin-off of UNM, where CTO Sanjay Krishna was previously Director of the Center for High Technology Materials and Professor in the ECE Department.
• Emcore / Suncore Photovoltaicsnot an active partnership — listed for executive background.OthersCEO Earl Fuller previously ran the solar business unit of Emcore and Suncore Photovoltaics before joining SK Infrared; no current operating partnership indicated.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Attollo Engineering: Small, privately held infrared imaging and laser sensor company focused on SWIR/MWIR cameras and sensors for defense and industrial markets; directly comparable to SK Infrared as a niche IR detector/imager specialist in the same wavebands and customer set.
• Senseeker Engineering: Specialty infrared sensor and read-out IC company serving defense and commercial imaging customers; directly comparable to SK Infrared's detector and read-out integration work in custom IR imaging.
• Princeton Infrared Technologies: Small U.S. manufacturer of SWIR and MWIR imaging detectors and cameras for scientific, defense, and industrial customers; directly comparable as a small-scale custom IR detector specialist.
• Lynred: European leader in infrared detectors (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) for defense, space, and commercial markets; directly comparable in IR detector technology though materially larger and vertically integrated.

Broad incumbents

• Teledyne FLIR: Dominant global supplier of IR cameras, detectors, and imaging systems for defense, industrial, and commercial markets; broad incumbent whose product portfolio overlaps with SK Infrared's IR detector and imaging offering.
• L3Harris Technologies: Major U.S. defense prime with significant electro-optical/infrared system programs; broad incumbent and listed SK Infrared partner whose IR and EO portfolio overlaps with the company's defense customer base.
• Leonardo DRS: U.S. defense electronics provider with a sizable infrared sensing and electro-optics business; broad incumbent serving overlapping defense IR applications.
• BAE Systems Electronic Systems: Large defense integrator with EO/IR sensor and countermeasures programs; broad incumbent competing for the same defense IR dollars as SK Infrared's federal customers.
• Excelitas Technologies: Photonics and sensor technology company with IR detection, imaging, and laser-based sensing products for defense and industrial markets; broad incumbent with overlapping IR detector capabilities.
• Hamamatsu Photonics: Global Japanese photonics manufacturer with deep IR detector and imaging product lines for scientific, medical, and industrial customers; broad incumbent with overlapping IR detector technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sk-infrared-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SKINfrared