Polaris Sensor Technologies Granted Funding from Innovate Alabama

Polaris Sensor Technologies, Inc. is one of 19 small businesses in Alabama to be awarded a grant from the second round of Innovate Alabama’s Supplemental Grant Program. The program distributed more than $3 million in grants across all 19 companies.

Polaris Sensor Technologies was awarded their grant for their work developing facial recognition systems for long range, covert, nighttime operations. This project specializes in designing, fabricating and testing optical systems and sensors. The supplemental funding will be used to deliver SkyPASS to markets.

Going on two decades in business, the company is a leading electro-optic sensor company focused on developing advanced optical systems for nearly any application.

SkyPASS – or Sky Polarization Azimuth Sensing System, provides mission-critical, highly-accurate attitude information regardless of GPS accessibility. The technology powers the system using a low-power, low-cost, and tiny form factor while finding North with less than 2-mil accuracy.

The funds are meant to help these local business owners grow roots in Alabama by supporting the development of modern technology. The initiative will continue to enhance Alabama’s competitiveness on a regional and national scale through increased research and commercialization efforts, the creation of exportable products and services and the development of high-wage job opportunities.

The other 18 companies include:

• Adjuvax specializes in vaccine adjuvant discovery and development. The supplemental funding will be used to develop a new adjuvant formulation for various vaccines against infectious diseases.
• Analytical AI specializes in artificial intelligence. The supplemental funding from Innovate Alabama will be used to supplement funds for hiring developers and purchasing development hardware for work based in Alabama.
• Arcarithm specializes in artificial intelligence and command and control applications. Supplemental funding will be used to implement machine learning algorithms, increase compatibility and develop a marketing plan.
• Avilution specializes in the development of modular open systems avionics software microservices supporting the civilian and defense aerospace industries.
• AVNIK Defense Solutions specializes in research and development, logistics engineering, predictive analytics, and usage-based maintenance. The supplemental funding will be used to address the integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the National Airspace System.
• Botts Innovative Research specializes in the design and application of Open Geospatial Consortium Sensor Web Enablement standards for sensor systems within the intelligence, defense, commercial and scientific communities.
• Cleaned and Green specializes in the conversion of poultry litter into fertilizer. The supplemental funding will construct a pilot testing plant at Auburn University.
• GasTOPS specializes in oil debris analysis products, solutions, and services. The supplemental funding will be used to progress the design and fielding of an oil debris monitoring system for the F100 engine on the Air Force’s F-16s. The oil debris monitoring system has the capability to increase readiness and safety while reducing operating costs.
• GeneCapture is developing portable diagnostic instruments to rapidly identify infections and determine appropriate antibiotics. The supplemental funding will help add animal pathogens to the panel.
• The MRIMath physician-in-the-loop AI-driven platform empowers physicians to more accurately and efficiently delineate tumor borders and map organs at risk for radiation therapy planning.
• NeXolve specializes in aerospace products for NASA, DoD and commercial markets. The supplemental funding will be used to develop a commercial drag sail product to minimize space debris.
• ReLogic Research has core competencies in advanced materials and advanced manufacturing applications, including automated and adaptive manufacturing processes.
• RippleWorx specializes in customizable performance accelerator Software as a Service platform for high performing organizations and teams. The supplemental funding will be used to further develop a disaster triage solution for responders.
• SemanticGuard specializes in defending organizations against cyber threats by guarding legacy and emerging software applications during development and operations.
• SSS Optical Technology specializes in polymer nanocomposite coatings for solar cells imbedded in NASA solar sails. The supplemental funding will be used to maturate and patent the technology.
• Sync specializes in proactively identifying high-risk vegetation. The supplemental funding will be used to improve our product and integrate it with a resource mobilization platform.
• Tango Tango specializes in enhancing first responder voice communications. The supplemental funding will be used to add new interoperability capabilities between first responder agencies.
• Tricorder Array Technologies is developing the PenPal – a wireless device that collects environmental and mouse squeaks in research cages to understand the behavior and environment influence on animal studies.

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