Lightsense Technology

Lightsense is developing novel spectrometer solutions to address critical problems in public health, including detection of opioids & illicit drugs, viral pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 in saliva, and bacterial pathogens in the food supply. technology that uses light to detect illicit drugs for law enforcement, pathogens for food safety and medical applications, and disease. Lightsense's Enhanced Photodetection Spectroscopy (EPS) platform is the basis that allows handheld optical instruments to detect viruses and bacteria in potentially minutes, rather than hours/days with standard PCR/DNA methods. The EPS technology is based on years of development by Lightsense and includes key background IP, which is exclusively licensed. Lightsense is developing mini-spectrometers (UV through infrared light) that aim to serve a range of material analysis applications. 

Recipient of a Phase I SBIR grant award from the Defense Logistics Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense
Holds company-assigned patents as well as exclusive license agreements for background patents on multi-spectral architecture for our enhanced spectrometers
Achieved results demonstrating ability to detect and identify viruses in saliva with high sensitivity in initial successful limited company-conducted studies, with more ongoing
Strategic partnership signed under MOU with a leading technology and engineering company that has deep AI expertise, and others in discussion
Developing technology platform for miniaturized spectrometers, aiming to be a leader in handheld, lightweight, inexpensive, and highly sensitive devices to analyze materials and molecules

Terje Skotheim, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Terje is a world-renowned scientist in physics and materials science. For more than 25 years, after a successful academic career, Terje has focused on bringing technologies from the laboratory to the product stage, including advanced MEMS technology, spectrometers & sensors, lithium batteries, biosensors, and high-power lasers. Terje is part of 70 patents, 5 patent applications, and more than 200 publications. He is a founder of several start-up companies. He holds a B.S. in Physics from MIT and a Ph.D. in Physics from UC Berkeley.

Bruce I. Berkoff
Chief Marketing Officer
Bruce has a long history and wealth of global experience in the technology industry, having held key marketing (CMO) positions at several leading technology companies. Bruce is currently an Advisor/Mentor at SkyDeck Berkeley, EIR at Vonzos Partners, Chairman of the LCD TV Association, and a frequent advisor to various startups. He was also CMO at CBRITE, CMO/CSO at Applied Materials (AMA T)/AKT, and EVP CMO at LG Philips LCD, and others. Bruce holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Physics and Biophysics from Princeton and UC Berkeley, respectively. He has been on the BoD of 5 public companies, including LG Display.

Wade Poteet, Ph.D.
Chief Technology Officer
With more than 30 years experience as a research physicist/engineer, Wade has emphasized system design and manufacturing of advanced instrumentation in optics, electro-optics, and detector technology from X-rays to the far infrared spectrum, including ultra-high precision devices and large telescopes. He has received recognition awards from NASA and has a B.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute.