Great Lakes Crystal Technologies (GLCT), a high-tech startup in Michigan’s Capitol Region, is pleased to announce that the company has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant by the US Department of Energy for its proposal entitled “Large Diffraction Grade Single Crystal Diamonds Grown by CVD.” The value of the Phase II grant is $1,093,088.00.
This Phase II grant is a follow-on the GLCT’s Phase I project with the same title which was carried out between June 2020 and February 2021. As was the case for the Phase I project, GLCT’s Chief Scientist Paul Quayle is the Principal Investigator, Michigan State University (MSU) is the Phase II STTR Research Institution, and Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest (Fraunhofer USA CMW) is a subcontracted partner to GLCT.
GLCT’s president and CEO, Dr. Keith Evans, commented, “This project is hyper focused on the development of a minimum viable product in the advanced x-ray optics space. It leverages decades of leading edge research and development at MSU including MSU’s close collaboration with Fraunhofer USA CMW to advance the technology of diamond crystal growth. Additionally, our commercialization plans benefit from a close partnership with Inrad Optics, a US-based global-leader in the supply of advanced crystalline optics.”
About Great Lakes Crystal Technologies (GLCT)
GLCT was formed in 2019 to create a commercial source of semiconductor-grade diamond materials for advanced applications in high energy particle detection, x-ray and other photon optics, electronics, and quantum technology. GLCT’s technology is based on patented equipment and methods developed over 25 years at Michigan State University (MSU) including recently in collaboration with MSU-located Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest.
About Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest CMW (Fraunhofer USA CMW)
Fraunhofer USA’s Center Midwest (Fraunhofer USA CMW) combines a broad range of material development and processing capabilities within its two Michigan based locations. The Coatings and Diamond Technologies Division located in East Lansing develops innovative solutions for thin film and diamond applications. The Laser Applications Division, located in Plymouth offers process solutions ranging from micro to macro scale. Since 1998 our team of experienced engineers and scientists develops solutions based on physical and chemical vapor deposition (PVD, CVD) and laser technologies. For more information about Fraunhofer USA CMW visit https://www.cmw.fraunhofer.org/.
About Inrad Optics
Inrad Optics improves the world’s safety, security and scientific understanding by transforming challenging requirements into optical realities. Vertically integrated with extensive optical fabrication capabilities, Inrad Optics manufactures high-precision optical components from glass, single-crystal and metal. Expertise includes optically contacted crystals for x-ray focusing and spectroscopy, production of extreme precision surfaces and large optical flats. R & D, engineering and manufacturing operations are conducted in New Jersey by a talented, committed and diverse workforce. For more information about Inrad Optics visit https://www.inradoptics.com/.