Unlocking the Power of SWIR: Ge-based SWIR Sensors and Infrared-AI for Breakthrough Industrial Applications
Abstract
At Stratio, a Silicon Valley-based deep-tech startup founded by Stanford PhDs, we are pioneering the world’s first commercialized Germanium-based shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors. These sensors achieve performance on par with InGaAs devices at less than one-hundredth the cost, enabling affordable and scalable material detection. Backed by over $20 million in funding, including government grants and strategic investments from LG Electronics and SK hynix, Stratio is building a strong foundation to lead the global market for next-generation infrared technologies.
Our unique approach integrates proprietary Ge-based SWIR sensors with AI-driven spectral analysis, allowing precise identification of materials such as plastics, textiles, and composites—even those invisible to conventional visible-light methods. This technology addresses critical challenges in recycling by enabling real-time, automated classification of complex, black, or contaminated plastics, significantly improving sorting efficiency and purity.
Beyond recycling, our infrared AI platform offers broad applicability across agriculture, food quality monitoring, soil carbon analysis, healthcare, defense, and smart devices. By combining sensors, AI algorithms, and cloud-based updates into one integrated system, Stratio delivers scalable solutions that embody a new data-centric paradigm in AI—“creating data only we can make” to drive industrial transformation and sustainability.
Biography
Dr. Jae Hyung Lee is an entrepreneur and engineer specializing in electrical engineering and photonics. He is the CEO and co-founder of Stratio, Inc. and Stratio Korea, where he has spearheaded the development of advanced infrared imaging and AI-driven sensing technologies. Dr. Lee earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, focusing on semiconductor and photonic devices. He briefly worked at the Boston Consulting Group, gaining expertise in strategy and market analysis before founding Stratio in 2013.
Under his leadership, Stratio has emerged as a pioneer in shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging and hyperspectral sensing, with applications spanning healthcare, industrial inspection, security, autonomous vehicles, and material analysis. His innovations have enabled compact, cost-effective SWIR cameras and spectrometers, accelerating real-world adoption of these technologies.
Stratio operates in Silicon Valley and South Korea, with recognition including the SPIE Startup Challenge Alchemist Award, Luminate Accelerator, and Silicon Catalyst. The company has also secured competitive U.S. government grants and now serves as an official partner of the DoD ME Commons Northwest AI Hub, collaborating with institutions such as Stanford University and IBM.