Artificial Intelligence, DESCA, startup, UD | CHEMTECH NEWS
Phase Sensitive Innovations is the epitome of the start-up ecosystem in Delaware in that its base technology was invented and developed at the University of Delaware.
PSI Co-Founder, Dennis Prather, talks about his plans going forward….
DESCA: Tell us a little about your background and your research.
Dennis: In addition to being a Co-Founder and President of Phase Sensitive Innovations (PSI), I’m also a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Delaware. In fact, PSI grew out of my research group at the University. I have also served in the US Navy Reserve for more than 38 years and am due to retire October 2020. While this may seem like independent endeavors, they are actually all related on a technological level. At UD my research focuses on optical devices such as lasers, modulators, and detectors. In my role as a Naval Officer, I work on radar, communication, and surface sensors. Thus, at PSI we combine these two technical areas into novel systems that bring unique operational capabilities to both the commercial and military markets.
DESCA: What about your own technology and its commercial application?
Dennis: The technology developed at PSI is geared at making next-generation (5G and beyond) communication systems that offer unprecedented information bandwidths as well as the ability to provide spatial isolation, wherein multiple signals will not interfere. In another embodiment the technology allows for “seeing” cell phone signals, meaning that a true image is rendered using cell phone signals. Because these signals penetrate many materials and objects, this enables “see-through” imaging which is enabling for security screening and situational awareness. Both of these technologies have enormous commercial utility.
DESCA: As an innovator and entrepreneur, what path did you take to get to this point?
Dennis: My path was very unconventional in that I joined the US Navy as a 17-year-old, right out of High School. I was on active duty for several years and then returned to college as a transfer to the Navy Reserve. Once I completed my B.S. degree in electrical engineering, I was commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy as an Engineering Duty Officer. Little did I know at the time, I would end up serving for more than 38 years. As I started my career as both a Navy Engineer and civilian, I started working in the field of optical devices and systems. Enamored with this technology, I pursued my Ph.D. to learn all that I could. Turns out, I’m still learning even after being a Professor for more than 23 years at the University of Delaware. It was at UD that my two careers began to merge and ultimately culminate in the formation of PSI.
DESCA: How do you leverage the Delaware ecosystem to help your startup through its journey?
Dennis: In many ways, PSI is the epitome of the start-up ecosystem in Delaware in that its base technology was invented and developed at UD. To this end, PSI relied on (and still does) access to UD facilities and, over the years, has funded dozens of research projects within the College of Engineering. More recently, PSI’s growth necessitated it to move off-campus and to begin building its own manufacturing capability, which is located less than 3 miles from campus.
DESCA: What are the next steps for you?
Dennis: The next steps include the completion of a new manufacturing facility at the Newark facility, which is scheduled for operation in January 2021. Once this facility is up and running, PSI will begin the manufacture of unique optical devices and systems for both the commercial and military markets.
For more information on DESCA (Delaware Sustainable Chemistry Alliance) visit our website at www.desustainablechem.org.