Obsidian Sensors Inc.

Obsidian Sensors Inc. is a San Diego-based small business manufacturer specializing in advanced optical technologies and sensor systems. The company leverages expertise in optical engineering, spectroscopy, and imaging to develop innovative research and development solutions for federal agencies. Registered in SAM.gov since February 2018, Obsidian Sensors has established itself as a consistent recipient of federal research and development awards, demonstrating particular strength in developing cutting-edge sensor and imaging technologies with applications across medical, security, aerospace, and defense domains.

Obsidian Sensors Inc. has secured six prime federal contract awards totaling approximately $6.15 million, all designated as total small business set-asides. The company's contract work has primarily focused on Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) initiatives across multiple phases. Under the Department of the Army, Obsidian Sensors received three SBIR awards: a Phase I contract valued at $249,993.15 (Topic A244-024, awarded October 2024), a Phase II contract of $1,999,943.56 (Topic A244-025, resultant from prior Phase I work, awarded November 2024), and a Phase II contract of $1,998,548.65 (Topic A244-024, awarded August 2025). These Army contracts focus on advanced optical and sensor technologies, including high-resolution terahertz imaging systems for medical applications. Beyond the Army, Obsidian Sensors secured two contracts through NASA's Shared Services Center: a definitive contract valued at $749,953 for an active matrix programmable mirror (awarded July 2021, completed April 2023), and a Phase I SBIR purchase order of $149,834 for exoplanet detection and characterization technologies (awarded July 2022, completed January 2023). Additionally, the company received a Phase II SBIR contract valued at $899,827 from an unspecified civilian federal agency for development of an Integrated Fourier Transform Spectrometer (awarded June 2023, with completion targeted for March 2026). All contract awards reflect the company's capabilities in optical instrumentation and sensor development, with work performed at its San Diego facility.

Obsidian Sensors Inc. has received one prime federal grant award through the National Science Foundation under a Cooperative Agreement designation. This SBIR Phase II grant, titled "High Resolution Terahertz Video Camera for Medical Imaging," was awarded April 1, 2022, with an ultimate completion date of June 30, 2025. The grant funds development of a commercially viable terahertz imaging technology initially targeted at medical imaging applications, specifically addressing cancer surgeries and glioblastoma resection procedures. The technology leverages terahertz reflective imaging phenomenology to discriminate between healthy and diseased tissues, with specifications targeting resolution exceeding 300x300 pixels and operational capabilities between 10-30 frames per second in a compact form factor suitable for medical environments. Beyond the primary medical imaging market, the underlying terahertz sensor technology addresses broader commercial opportunities in security screening applications and has potential adaptability across the terahertz spectrum for multiple industries. The grant recognizes the intellectual merit of integrating both high-resolution and high-speed capabilities in terahertz imaging, a combination not previously demonstrated in commercially viable form, and emphasizes the company's focus on advancing from laboratory proof-of-concept to practical applications through high-volume manufacturing processes.