Phase Sensitive Innovations (PSI) – a veteran-owned University of Delaware spinoff that specializes in radio-frequency components, devices and systems – will expand operations in Newark.
The Delaware Prosperity Partnership, the state’s private economic development agency, consulted with PSI for several years and worked with the company since mid-2023 on growth opportunities. DPP supported PSI’s request to the Delaware Council on Development Finance for a Jobs Performance Grant of up to $139,800 and a Graduated Lab Space Grant of up to $566,090 from the Delaware Strategic Fund.
The distribution of these grants depends on the company meeting commitments outlined to the state panel which reviewed and approved PSI’s request for up to $705,890 in funding.
PSI will occupy about 12,000-square-foot site along with its current 20,000-square-foot facility, both of which are located in Sandy Brae Industrial Park in Newark. PSI plans to expand staff from its current number of 80 – all but three of whom are engineers – to more than 100 by the end of 2024 and add 30 to 40 more jobs in the coming years
All of the new jobs will be skilled technical positions that require on-the-job training, a release stated. PSI plans to continue recruiting locally from the University of Delaware and Delaware Technical Community College.
PSI’s new manufacturing site will include more than 8,000 square feet of lab space and will focus on thin-film lithium niobate wafers and devices. This technology enables next-generation communications and radio frequency systems, and PSI is believed to be the only domestic supplier positioned to manufacture these items domestically. The expansion also will free up space in the original building that will be used to expand research and development operations.
PSI has received $110 million in ongoing Department of Defense contracts – extending across Army, Navy, Air Force and Office of the Undersecretary of Defense programs as well as related work with the National Air and Space Administration and the Department of Energy – and other agreements since its founding in 2007. The company expects to book more than $20 million in additional contracts over the next year.
PSI works directly with prime contractors and other commercial partners to manufacture components. The company recently signed a transition agreement to manufacture and supply original equipment manufacturer components to a global leader in photonic components and aims to grow further in the commercial sector with technologies for wireless communications, broadband, smart devices and other applications.
