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Phase I
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A CUBED DESIGN LLC
SBIR Phase I: Novel Mechanism for Refreshable Braille Device with Embedded Curriculum
Contact
2772 SQUAW VALLEY TRL
Aurora, IL 60503--5600
NSF Award
2507831 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
06/01/2025 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will contribute to the field of refreshable braille technology (RBT) and precision manufacturing. The project addresses the high cost of existing RBT, which limits braille literacy among blind and low-vision individuals, impeding participation in education, employment, and leisure opportunities. The innovation will enhance scientific and technological understanding by addressing durability, portability, and cost concerns in current RBT. Validating the novel braille system is key to de-risk the technology to enable commercial success. Seven million Americans have blindness or severe vision loss, including the target market of blind adults. With the digital braille displays market projected to grow at a 20.5% CAGR value from 2022-2027, there is considerable market opportunity. The commercialization plan involves selling the device to users, agencies, schools and government organizations, as well as selling individual braille cells. The technology provides a competitive advantage by being low cost and having user-replaceable braille cells. By year three of the device launch, 5,000 individuals are expected to be utilizing the device where the product will enhance braille literacy and digital productivity. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the challenge of creating a cost-effective, reliable, and user-repairable refreshable braille device. Currently, refreshable braille devices are cost-prohibitive to acquire and challenging to repair, leaving users without dynamic interaction with the digital world. The project will implement a precision milled mechanically based system for actuating braille pins utilizing pins at braille code specification. Research objectives include refining of the pin mechanism, adjusting the tolerances and geometry of the scaled-down mechanical system, implementing appropriately sized motors, conducting preliminary cycle testing, and integrating the cells into a 20-cell device. The primary challenges associated with this development will be prototyping within the tight tolerances without binds or jams at an affordable price point that meaningfully reduces barriers to entry to owning a refreshable braille device. Anticipated technical results are a cell of braille operable at braille code specifications, refreshing in less than 500 ms, durable at 500,000 cycles, sized within a braille-code sized bounding box for single-cell modularity, and manufacturable at a cost of less than $20 per cell. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
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ADVANCED CARPET RECYCLING LLC
SBIR Phase I: Advanced Manufacturing Technology for Composite Lumber
Contact
2928 BLUE QUAIL LN
Bedford, TX 76021--4161
NSF Award
2415610 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will reshape synthetic lumber production and contribute to more environmentally friendly and durable solutions within the rail sector. The standard wooden railroad tie must be chemically preserved to maybe last 25 years causing over 21 million ties to be replaced annually. This synthetic innovation extends the crossties? life and eliminates the need for harmful preservation chemicals, which currently threaten disadvantaged communities. By sourcing whole, used carpets to produce a synthetic rail crosstie, this project removes some of the annual 4 billion pounds of carpet waste; thus, saving landfill space from both future carpet and wooden crosstie disposal. Proving a reproducible, streamlined process by using 100 percent of waste product will advance knowledge into recycling efforts. The $7B railroad industry faces two major challenges in using wooden crossties: newly harvested, immature timbers causing 20% installation failures, and the U.S. creosote shortage causes outsourcing. This technology solves these issues and will meet the industry?s stringent regulations where other synthetics fall short. The project will first supply crossties to short-line railroads while waiting on needed certifications to enter class 1 rails.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project for developing railway crossties will enable repurposed waste carpet to be converted into a form with the structural and performance characteristics required for the product to be used as a crosstie. The product must pass standards set by the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-Of-The-Way Association (AREMA). By using a one-step manufacturing technique, this project has the potential to realize a lower price point with a superior-quality product compared to the competition?s three-step processes. The innovation centers around the repeated layering of carpet material, application of resins, and simultaneous application of heat and pressure needed to reach the required crosstie properties and size. Phase I?s research will investigate the high chemistry risks involved in upscaling this technology to produce larger, more complex pieces while minimizing waste, eliminating hazardous waste, and optimizing process time. Validating chemical reactions in a hot fuse environment is critical. The project must also identify the correct resins needed to ensure the variable insource material does not hinder the final product. Scientists from two nationally known laboratories will assist in identifying and mitigating these chemical risks, identifying needed resins, and running necessary tests to meet AREMA standards.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. -
AI SENSE LLC
SBIR Phase I: AI Powered Invisible Fence to Foster Human-Wildlife Harmony
Contact
3995 COLLEGE AVE
Ellicott City, MD 21043--5501
NSF Award
2507344 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,996
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of a humane, AI (artificial intelligence)-powered wildlife deterrent system that helps farmers, gardeners, and land managers prevent crops and landscape damage without relying on fences, chemicals, or lethal methods. Wildlife-induced losses billions annually for mid-sized farms?create a significant economic burden and discourage entry by new and small-scale growers. This innovation offers an affordable, scalable alternative using computer vision and behavior-informed, non-lethal acoustic deterrence. It promotes biodiversity, reduces chemical runoff, and improves land access. By integrating open-source tools, behavior modeling, and real-time sensing, the system fosters public engagement, supports AI literacy, and enables interdisciplinary learning. This technology has global potential to advance food security, climate resilience, and ecosystem stewardship in both developed and resource-limited regions. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the growing challenge of wildlife-related crop loss and landscape damage by developing a non-invasive, AI (artificial intelligence)-powered deterrence system. Traditional solutions like fencing and chemical sprays are costly, ineffective at scale, and often harmful to the environment. This project aims to create an edge-based, modular system that detects wildlife using computer vision, localizes the animal, and deploys species-specific acoustic deterrents through directional sound waves. The research objectives include: (1) developing lightweight, real-time object detection models optimized for embedded hardware; (2) designing adaptive acoustic payloads tailored to animal behavior; and (3) analyzing long-term behavioral data to understand habituation patterns and refine deterrence logic. The system will integrate visual and acoustic components through a low-power, solar-compatible platform and incorporate a cloud-connected repository for feedback, model updates, and collaborative learning. Anticipated technical outcomes include a robust field-ready prototype, behavior-aware deterrence algorithms, and a scalable architecture for real-world deployment. By merging AI, ecological research, and embedded sensing, the project lays the foundation for a sustainable, responsive solution to human-wildlife conflict. Innovation advances state-of-the-art in species-specific deterrence and enables dynamic coexistence strategies across agricultural, residential, and conservation settings. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
AI-NEOTECH LLC
STTR Phase I: Patient-Specific System for Early Detection and Identification of Epileptic Seizures
Contact
11141 MINNEAPOLIS DR
Hollywood, FL 33026--4941
NSF Award
2322346 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
10/01/2023 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to provide epileptic patients, and their caregivers a smart system that can predict seizures before they occur. There are more than 3 million adults and 1 million children in the US, and more than 50 million people worldwide, suffering from epilepsy. Repeated and unpredictable seizures significantly affect the quality of life of people suffering from epilepsy. These seizures remain the leading cause of economic, emotional, and physical injuries for people with epilepsy and their caregivers. Design, development, and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) models with instruments that detect abnormalities in brain waves like electroencephalogram (EEG) for real-time seizure prediction may bring improvements for these patients and their caregivers. This technology is poised to capture a portion of the rapidly growing $6 billion US market of AI healthcare solutions.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project supports the development of a novel consumer product that works with caregivers to proactively mitigate the risk of seizure events in people with epilepsy. Current commercial solutions are mostly reactive, and support is available only after a seizure event. The company will fill this gap by developing, testing, integrating, and evaluating machine learning (ML) models - applied to EEG data - for epileptic seizure prediction. The scientific approach will leverage inherently heterogenous and complex edge technologies. Data connectivity with third party vendor EEG caps, microcontrollers, smart phones, and cloud services rely on many different operational technologies and communication standards. This research will overcome these challenges with hardware and software solutions that will integrate these services within an edge device to enable application portability and simplify deployment. Challenges such as inference on limited computational power and energy devices, and its effects on the accuracy/sensitivity of the predictions will be solved using robust cross-validation techniques, extensive testing, and benchmarking using community standards. The technical product of this research will advance caregiver knowledge and increase understanding of epileptic seizures as well as increase patient well-being.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.AICONIC BIOSCIENCES LLC
SBIR Phase I: A Novel Gene Therapy Platform to Overcome AAV Cargo Size Limitations
Contact
4890 SUNROAD CENTRUM LN APT 322
San Diego, CA 92123--2014
NSF Award
2604905 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in transforming the lives of individuals affected by inherited hearing disorders. Hearing loss impacts more than 430 million individuals worldwide and can significantly limit communication, learning, and social connection, while creating a lifetime economic burden that can exceed $500,000 per person. This project advances the development of innovative therapies that are compatible with existing gene delivery technologies, with the potential to benefit thousands of patients across the U.S. If successful, it could enable first-in-class treatments for forms of deafness that currently have no effective options. The proposed commercial model utilizes an outcome-based strategy, amortizing costs over several years based on real-world evidence of patient improvement. This approach reduces risk for insurers while supporting broad patient access, with conservative projections estimating $350 million in revenue from treating 1,000 patients within the first three years following approval. Beyond hearing loss, this platform opens the door to treating other genetic diseases caused by oversized genes, addressing a major unmet need in genomic medicine. By enabling scalable therapies for rare and ultra-rare conditions, this project strengthens U.S. leadership in biotechnology and delivers meaningful, long-term improvements in quality of life.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to overcome the size limits of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy caused by large mutated genes that are currently AAV incompatible. AAVs are widely used in gene therapy due to their safety and clinical success. However, its limited packaging capacity prevents delivery of many genes. This project will develop and validate a scalable platform for designing compact therapeutic gene constructs prioritizing one gene associated with inherited hearing loss. Traditional approaches have been slow and unpredictable, particularly for poorly characterized genes such as the gene of interest. On the contrary, this project will apply an evolution-guided, AI-assisted design approach to generate miniaturized gene constructs that preserve essential biological function while satisfying viral delivery limits. Phase I research will focus on designing and selecting top candidates to evaluate their biological activity in animal models with proof-of-concept evidence of disease-modifying potential. Anticipated outcomes include identification of at least one functional minigene candidate and validation of a repeatable workflow for converting oversized genes into viable therapeutic candidates. Successful completion of Phase I will de-risk further development by establishing feasibility, defining performance benchmarks, and positioning the technology to advance toward future commercialization and platforming.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.AK INNOVATIONS LLC
SBIR Phase I: On-chip Real-Time RF Interference Detector
Contact
108 SUNFLOWER ST
Savoy, IL 61874--7468
NSF Award
2537652 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to investigate the feasibility of building a compact (chip-level) interference detection system for the wireless spectrum, which helps to grow the available spectrum for end-users. The increasing number of wireless devices and standards strains the limited practical spectrum. Wireless operators are expected to need an additional 400 MHz of licensed bands by 2027, and the US is falling behind its peers in licensing those bands. Additional usable spectrum translates to increasing the number of jobs, connected homes to the internet, and the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As a result, the scientific findings that will be carried out in this program targets mass-deployment if it in the cellular systems with minimal overhead and can boost spectral efficiency of cellular networks. The underlying technology that will be developed in this project can be commercialized either as a standalone device or as an intellectual property license.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a feasibility study for designing a wideband interference detection system on an integrated circuit. Wireless interference is a major hurdle in expanding the usable spectrum. As a result, real-time monitoring of the spectrum is essential for advancing technologies such as spectrum sharing, projected for 6G systems. Wideband spectrum monitoring, however, typically requires slow sweeping, power-hungry data converters, or advanced technologies not yet compatible with mass production. This project utilizes a non-resonant open transmission line structure that relies on the standing wave pattern to detect interference over several octaves of instantaneous bandwidth, within less than one microseconds, and consuming milliwatt-range of power. While the concept has been proven on a printed circuit boards, the goal of this project is to translate the design to on-chip technologies, and quantify the performance (Bandwidth, power, and response time) given the limitations of this implementation. The anticipated outcome of this work is a set of design recommendations that can deliver 1-16 GHz of instantaneous detection bandwidth within 1 milliwatt, for the chosen integrated circuit technology.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ALCHEMY COATINGS INC
STTR Phase I: Aluminum Oxide Coatings as Fluorine-Free Hydrophobic Barriers for Paper
Contact
29754 WILLOW CREEK RD APT 235
Eugene, OR 97402--8902
NSF Award
2507286 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,950
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project focuses on developing an alternative coating to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals feature strong carbon-fluorine bonds that are extremely persistent in the environment and have recently been shown to be hazardous to human health. These per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds are widely used in industrial and personal use applications, including as water-proof coatings for paper, clothing, and packaging materials, as surfactants, and as flame-retardant and stain-repellent coatings, among many other applications. This project will provide a replacement coating that is inexpensive, non-hazardous, and can be applied to a wide range of surfaces, such as for textiles or paper products, which are the project?s initial market targets. The technological innovation is based on a fluorine-free, earth-abundant mineral coating, using a class of material that is novel for these types of applications. This project will lead to barrier coatings that are durable, highly water and oil repellent, and resistant to scratching and corrosion. The final product will serve as a drop-in replacement substitute for these coatings. Phase 1 will focus on providing necessary data on the durability and industrial feasibility of the technology. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project focuses on generating a viable chemical coating that can replace current fluorinated coatings. These fluorinated chemicals are used on a wide array of surfaces as anti-corrosion, anti-oxidation, waterproof, or other types of barrier coatings. This project?s proprietary mineral coatings are fluorine-free and prepared from earth-abundant, benign materials. This approach enables coating at ambient temperatures and pressures using a process that is not precedented for use on ?soft? substrates like cotton or paper. This research will start by depositing films using solution processible techniques like spray or dip coating. These films will be investigated for their hydrophobicity by static goniometry and for their homogeneity and chemical compositions using surface analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These films will be investigated for their durability when exposed to environmental factors such as friction or washing, and the precursor?s compatibility with common additives found in competitive coatings will also be studied. It is expected that this project will result in a coating chemical and procedure that can generate functional, durable barrier films on any target substrate as a drop-in replacement for current per- and poly-fluoroalkyl containing products. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
AMERICAN PRIME SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS LLC
STTR Phase I: Commercial applications of CropMAP (Monitoring, Analysis, and Prediction) for oil seed fields
Contact
201 DAVID L BOREN BLVD RM 124A
Norman, OK 73072--7337
NSF Award
2423424 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project involves the development and evaluation of the Crop Ecosystem Monitoring, Analysis, and Prediction (CropMAP) tool. This project addresses the critical need to support food security profitability by optimizing resource management and decision-making through advanced monitoring and predictive analytics in crop production. The significance of this research lies in its potential to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability across the United States, thereby improving the lives of farmers by increasing yield outputs and reducing losses. Furthermore, the successful commercialization of CropMAP could generate substantial economic benefits, including increased tax revenues and job creation in the agricultural sector. By aligning with NSF?s mission to advance the progress of science, this project contributes to the scientific understanding of agricultural ecosystems and impacts related fields such as environmental science and economics.
This project represents a significant technical innovation in the field of precision agriculture through the development of the CropMAP tool, a high-risk effort with substantial potential for high impact. CropMAP integrates novel algorithms and models with real-time data feeds for enhanced monitoring and predictive analytics of crop conditions. The primary innovation involves the application of machine learning techniques to satellite images and climate data to predict crop yields, water usage, and soil health more accurately than current methods allow and the use of artificial intelligence to make actionable insights timely available to technical and non-technical users. The goals of this project are to validate these models' effectiveness in real-world settings and to establish a scalable framework for its application across various agricultural contexts. The project will employ rigorous methodological approaches, including the use of time-series image analytics and data-driven diagnostic models, to achieve these objectives. Through its focus on innovation and scalability, the project aims to set a new standard in agricultural practices, ultimately facilitating better resource management and sustainability.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.AMG DETECTION, INC.
STTR Phase I: A Wearable Carbon Nanotube Sensor Array for Accurate Seizure Prediction Via Measurement of Pre-seizure Volatile Organic Compounds
Contact
2599 WYNNTON DR
Duluth, GA 30097--5002
NSF Award
2604491 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is the development of the first scalable, non-invasive wearable device capable of predicting epileptic seizures 10?45 minutes before onset. Epilepsy affects more than 3.4 million people in the United States, and existing technologies detect seizures only after they begin, offering little opportunity for prevention. By enabling advance warning, this technology has the potential to reduce seizure-related injuries, emergency interventions, and loss of independence during high-risk activities such as driving, bathing, or sleeping. Commercially, the project advances a differentiated wearable platform addressing a critical unmet need in epilepsy management that is not served by current detection devices. The technology is positioned for entry into both clinical and direct-to-consumer markets through a sustainable subscription-based model, with long-term opportunities for reimbursement alignment. Successful commercialization would establish a new category of predictive neurological monitoring, drive growth in U.S.-based medical device manufacturing, and create a foundation for broader applications of chemical biosensing in acute neurological and cardiovascular conditions.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project seeks to transform seizure monitoring from reactive detection to proactive prediction by developing a wearable device that detects a validated panel of nine pre-seizure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the skin prior to seizure onset. Current seizure monitors rely on indirect physiological signals that are highly confounded by normal activity, resulting in high false-positive rates and minimal warning time. The project will leverage a functionalized carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNT-FET) sensor array with sub-ppb sensitivity, combined with machine-learning algorithms, to recognize preictal VOC patterns. Phase I objectives include optimizing sensor selectivity and stability, integrating the sensor array into a wearable prototype, and collecting synchronized VOC and EEG data in an epilepsy monitoring unit to train and refine predictive algorithms. Sensor outputs will be benchmarked against gas chromatography?mass spectrometry to validate accuracy and reproducibility. Anticipated outcomes include a validated wearable prototype and a predictive model achieving clinically meaningful accuracy, establishing feasibility for Phase II clinical validation and commercialization.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.AMYGO SOLUTIONS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Development of a Blood Test for the Detection of Transthyretin Amyloidosis
Contact
2006 OLA LN
Grand Prairie, TX 75050--2282
NSF Award
2537128 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,643
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of a simple blood test to enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis of a progressive and often overlooked cause of heart failure in older adults. This disease, caused by the buildup of misfolded proteins in the heart, affects an estimated 500,000 individuals in the United States, yet is rarely diagnosed in time for available treatments to be effective. Current diagnostic methods are costly, invasive, and frequently delayed by several years. The proposed blood test offers a low-cost, noninvasive solution that could reduce diagnostic costs by thousands of dollars per patient, facilitate timely treatment, and improve patient outcomes. In the long term, this project may also reduce the burden on the healthcare system by preventing unnecessary procedures and hospitalizations. Beyond its application to heart disease, the technology being developed may also lay the foundation for new diagnostics targeting other protein misfolding disorders such as Alzheimer?s and Parkinson?s disease, expanding both societal impact and commercial opportunity.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to create and validate a new laboratory test that detects harmful protein aggregates in blood samples. These misfolded proteins accumulate in the heart and are difficult to measure with current tools. This project is focused on transforming a newly discovered protein-binding molecule into a reliable, high-throughput test that can be run on standard laboratory equipment. The work includes designing the test format, evaluating multiple antibody and detector combinations, and performing validation experiments to ensure accuracy, reproducibility, and sensitivity. The project will also assess the test?s performance in a variety of patient samples to determine its real-world diagnostic potential. Successful completion of this project will result in a validated test that enables earlier diagnosis of a disease that is currently under-recognized and under-treated and will provide the technical foundation for regulatory engagement and commercial deployment.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.APPLIED RESEARCH TRANSFORMATION, PLLC
SBIR Phase I: A Physics-Informed Neural Network Supporting Computer Vision for 3DCP Bond Strength
Contact
208 RUTHERGLEN DR
Cary, NC 27511--7904
NSF Award
2537548 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project Is to revolutionize the construction industry by automating field-based concrete printing, an innovative technology using computers and robots to construct buildings and infrastructure with concrete. Major societal issues, including the housing shortage, decaying infrastructure, and shrinking labor pool, are forcing the construction industry to look to innovative technology. This project will develop an artificial intelligence model for a computer vision system that assures the quality and structural integrity of printed concrete structures used as housing, commercial facilities, and civil infrastructure. This innovation enhances scientific understanding of printed concrete behavior and of using artificial intelligence to predict concrete properties. This technology provides competitive advantages by automating the printing process, improving quality, increasing printer productivity, and allowing printing in a wider range of environmental conditions. The proposed business model generates revenue from printer manufacturers and users through hardware sales and recurring revenue based on usage, data, and services. This technology serves national interests by enabling wider use and acceptance of a technology that automates construction of housing and infrastructure when the need for both is significant as well as reducing waste and addressing a growing construction labor shortage.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project advances emerging 3D concrete printing technology towards commercial readiness by developing an artificial intelligence algorithm rooted in known physical parameters for computer vision using shortwave infrared cameras. By imaging as concrete sets, this technology accounts for ambient field impacts on concrete setting and bonding. This research innovatively combines camera technology, concrete properties, and artificial intelligence to improve concrete construction. Previous research focused on developing capabilities to collect data required for this computer vision and proving shortwave infrared images can measure setting and predict bond. Primary technical objectives are: 1) image-to-setting prediction: lab-collected data on penetration resistance and imaging at three temperatures will produce an innovative, physics-informed algorithm that converts paired images into concrete setting curves, and 2) image-to-bond-strength prediction: construction-scale printers will produce specimens with varying layer times and curing temperatures with data from images, penetration resistance, print parameters, ambient field conditions, and bond strength to fine-tune the setting prediction model and predict 28-day bond strength. This research will confirm the feasibility of an artificial intelligence approach to measure concrete setting and predict bond, lend insight into further research, and lay the foundation for Phase II prototype development and training regimens.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ATLANTIC FISH CO LLC
SBIR Phase I: Development of Commercially Viable Cell Lines for Cultivated Fish via Bioengineering
Contact
3740 W ST NW
Washington, DC 20007--1786
NSF Award
2451498 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a novel means of producing seafood products. The method provides an alternative meat production to wild-caught fisheries of which 90% are at or exceed capacity, with many premium species lacking viable aquaculture models. This novel method of cellular seafood agriculture produces fish meat by growing only the required product such as muscle and fat, using scalable energy sources (e.g. glucose made from corn). The process involves expanding cells in a bioreactor and differentiation, followed by assembly, to produce seafood with no mercury, antibiotics, or microplastics. The initiative aims to supplement domestic seafood production representing one the most widely eaten animal proteins in the world accounting for 17% of all animal protein consumption, while reducing America?s reliance on imports across the $28B domestic seafood market of which 70-85% is imported. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop cellular agriculture in a scalable manner to meet cost and quality requirements. The proposed activities will improve the growth rate (cells per time) and maximum density (cells per volume) of specific cell lines in bioreactors. The overall goal is to promote the rapid and efficient proliferation of muscle-forming fish cell lines in suspension culture. This will be accomplished through (Objective 1) transcriptomics and pathway enrichment analysis to identify key genetic targets, (Objective 2), food-safe bioengineering techniques to confirm and modify the expression of these targets and finally (Objective 3) demonstrate efficacy in a pilot production system. This aims to achieve faster growth and higher density than current approaches (allowing desirable traits to spontaneously arise), to greatly improve the unit economics of cellular agriculture. The results from this project will serve as the foundation for future larger efforts to engineer cell lines optimizing growth rate, taste and preparation characteristics at cost and scale for cultivated fish. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ATOMOS 3D LLC
SBIR Phase I: Developing Energy-Efficient 3D Memory Using Advanced Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide Transistors for Next-Generation AI Chips
Contact
710 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY W APT 34
Lafayette, IN 47909--6962
NSF Award
2528261 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,994
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in addressing the urgent need for energy-efficient hardware to support the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI). As AI applications expand to devices like smartphones, wearables, and autonomous systems, the energy inefficiency of current hardware limits deployment. This project introduces a new type of ultra-dense memory, called 3D Gain-Cell Random Access Memory (GCRAM), built using a novel vertical transistor structure. By enabling computing and memory functions in the same location, this technology reduces energy losses and supports real-time, low-power AI processing. The innovation is projected to significantly exceed the energy efficiency of existing processors. This advancement may enable on-device AI that will improve privacy, responsiveness, and sustainability by reducing reliance on cloud infrastructure. The proposed technology has a clear commercial path through licensing to chip designers and foundries. By year three of production, the company aims to reach AI markets in mobile devices and robotics. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on developing a new three-transistor (3T) memory cell architecture using vertical indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) transistors fabricated via atomic layer deposition. This Back End of Line (BEOL)-compatible process enables high-density monolithic 3D integration, addressing the memory bottleneck in edge AI chips. The project will demonstrate the feasibility of this novel structure through the fabrication of a stacked IGZO vertical transistor, benchmarking key performance metrics such as mobility, threshold voltage, and subthreshold slope. A device model using simulations will be developed and validated against experimental measurements. A machine learning framework will be implemented to predict device performance based on process and material parameters and optimize fabrication conditions. This physics-informed AI model will identify process-awareness failure modes and suggest optimization strategies, speeding up design iterations and lowering development costs. The proposed work lays the foundation for Phase II efforts in reliability modeling, multi-layer device scaling, and integration with commercial AI systems. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
AVANT GENOMICS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Streamlining Liquid Biopsy Sample Preparation Through Automated Bisulfite Conversion
Contact
1410 GLENSIDE GRN
Charlottesville, VA 22901--0656
NSF Award
2528087 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of an automated system that dramatically improves the preparation of blood-based cancer tests, known as liquid biopsies. Liquid biopsy has the potential to detect cancer earlier and for therapeutic monitoring and minimal residual disease testing by analyzing circulating tumor DNA shed by tumors into the bloodstream. However, the current preparation process is lengthy, expensive, and requires highly-skilled labor, limiting its widespread use. This project seeks to overcome these limitations by developing a miniaturized, cost-effective instrument that automates the most time-consuming and error-prone step in the workflow. By reducing labor costs, plastic waste, and sample handling errors, this innovation can make cancer screening faster, more cost-effective, and more accessible, especially for low- and mid-throughput clinics and labs. If successful, this technology will help bring non-invasive cancer testing to more patients, supporting faster diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring, better treatment decisions, and improved health outcomes, while reducing the economic burden of cancer care. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a microfluidic-based system that automates bisulfite conversion, a critical process in preparing tumor DNA for epigenetic analysis. Traditional methods require over 40 manual steps and expose DNA to harsh conditions for extended periods, resulting in significant sample loss and variability. This project will address these limitations by creating a disposable cartridge that enables efficient chemical processing of DNA in a small-volume format, coupled with a benchtop instrument that precisely controls fluid movement and processing. The research will focus on optimizing reaction conditions to maintain high DNA recovery and conversion efficiency while reducing processing time. The anticipated outcome is a functional prototype capable of producing high-quality results comparable to gold-standard manual protocols, but with minimal human intervention. This technical advance will remove a major bottleneck in cancer diagnostics and lay the groundwork for fully automated sample preparation systems in molecular testing. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Afsartech Inc.
STTR Phase I: Innovative Expandable Dental Sealer
Contact
153 ORIENT WAY
Rutherford, NJ 07070--2115
NSF Award
2321456 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,867
Start / end date
10/01/2023 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is in developing a novel dental sealer technology for root canal treatments for endodontists and general dentists. The complex and inaccessible nature of the root canal system causes 65% of root canal fillings to fail. Expandable dental sealers used during root canal treatments provide an effective solution by filling the gaps in the canal space by preventing leakage, enabling clinicians to perform the procedure with greater ease and accuracy. This project?s commercial impact includes an addressable market of 22.3 million root canal treatments annually. The proposed innovation supports enhanced patient safety, reduced time at the dentists'/endodontists' office and decreased costs for patients, reduced risk of infection and retreatment, and advanced capabilities of clinicians through training.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will characterize the expansion and other properties of the patented elastomeric polyurethane sealer (EPS). The project will begin by generating a functionalized and optimized formula of the EPS using additive ingredients. The team will perform in vitro testing to evaluate the material?s physicochemical properties. Finally, the study will establish the in vivo histocompatibility of EPS using animal models and check its cytotoxicity, a key hurdle that must be overcome before clinical evaluation and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registration. These studies will facilitate the development of an entirely new type of dental sealer.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.BAO TECH
SBIR Phase I: Selective Thermochemical Delignification for Industrial Cellulose Pulp Production
Contact
16959 COUNTY ROAD 44 UNIT C
La Salle, CO 80645-
NSF Award
2604675 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,968
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 04/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the chemical transformation of herbaceous materials into a high-value industrial cellulosic pulp. Furthermore, this approach to manufacturing cellulosic pulp significantly reduces production costs due to lower energy, chemical, and water requirements compared to traditional technology. It also insulates manufacturers from volatility while meeting the rising commercial demand for advanced packaging solutions.
The primary technical innovation of this project is a selective thermochemical delignification process engineered to target the unique molecular architecture of herbaceous materials. While traditional pulping methods are designed for the high recalcitrance of wood lignin, this project utilizes a lower-intensity aqueous cycle to selectively solubilize specific lignin units found in herbaceous materials at ambient pressure. This approach aims to solve the technical challenge of maintaining a high degree of polymerization in herbaceous cellulose while efficiently removing other contaminants through mechanical fractionation. The research goals include validating the chemical recovery efficiency of a proprietary closed-loop catalyst system and establishing the fundamental reaction kinetics required for consistent fiber strength across variable seasonal materials. By successfully demonstrating this selective digestion at scale, the project intends to establish a new framework for the industrial-grade conversion of heterogeneous herbaceous materials into high-performance cellulose substrates.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.BEESAFE LABS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Counteracting Social Engineering Attacks with Honeypot LLM Chatbots
Contact
857 MISSOURI ST # 1/4
San Diego, CA 92109--2551
NSF Award
2451800 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in its potential to significantly reduce the economic and emotional harm caused by social engineering cyber-attacks, which manipulate trust to collectively defraud millions of Americans of tens of billions of dollars each year. The growing asymmetry in the cost of executing such attacks, which are conducted by organized crime and nation-state actors, versus defending against them has created a critical vulnerability that not only threatens individuals, but also technology companies, financial institutions, and the national security of the United States. This project uses defensive artificial intelligence technology to address this imbalance by intercepting, tracing, and aggregating the largest source of information about social engineering attacks as they happen, providing a valuable, real time data stream for the cybersecurity industry, government, and consumer protection initiatives. The successful commercialization of the proposed technology will help shift the cybersecurity paradigm from reactive damage control to proactive prevention, reducing fraud-related expenditures, enhancing consumer confidence, and providing a critical layer of protection against the fastest-growing form of cybercrime. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the growing threat of social engineering cyber-attacks, which exploit human vulnerabilities rather than technological weaknesses to commit fraud, conduct espionage, and manipulate organizations. Traditional cybersecurity measures struggle to detect and mitigate these attacks due to their conversational and psychological nature, leaving individuals, businesses, and government agencies at risk. The opportunity lies in developing an automated, scalable intelligence-gathering system capable of infiltrating and mapping cybercriminal networks in real time. This project proposes a novel approach using interactive artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot investigators, powered by large language models (LLMs), to engage with social engineering scammers and trace their tactics, techniques, and procedures across platforms. By simulating potential victims, these chatbot investigators will extract structured intelligence from attackers while maintaining consistency over extended time periods. Key research objectives include developing novel natural language processing techniques to create an AI agent that can autonomously engage with social engineering threats and a system capable of deploying chatbot networks across a wide variety of communication surfaces for large-scale threat intelligence. The anticipated results include a robust, scalable system for cyber threat mapping, significantly improving the ability to detect, analyze, and counteract social engineering scams at scale. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
BIOSTOREX LLC
STTR Phase I: Novel Enzymatic DNA-Synthesis Technology for Scalable and Sustainable Data Storage
Contact
387 OLENTANGY FOREST DR
Columbus, OH 43214--1459
NSF Award
2604929 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$303,998
Start / end date
01/01/2027 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will be to explore a new approach to long-term digital storage that could reduce the cost, space, and energy required to preserve growing volumes of information. Current archival media must be replaced and migrated regularly, creating waste, operating costs, and risk of data loss over time. This project studies whether digital information can be written into deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, using a simpler and more compact process. The work will improve scientific and technological understanding of how light can control biological systems used for molecular writing. If successful, this project could support new products for secure, durable archival storage and strengthen commercial development in an emerging area that combines biotechnology and information technology. Potential beneficiaries include government archives, research collections, health data repositories, and other organizations that must preserve critical information for decades or longer.
The proposed project will study whether a light-responsive DNA-building enzyme can enable a simpler form of DNA writing that avoids repeated wash and reset steps. Current DNA writing methods are limited by these repeated steps, which slow synthesis, increase reagent use, and make systems harder to scale. The research objectives are to identify promising enzyme modification sites, establish a method for inserting a light-sensitive amino acid, produce the modified enzyme, and test whether light can reversibly control activity while preserving nucleotide selectivity. The Phase I scope is a proof-of-concept effort focused on short DNA-writing experiments in the approximately 50 to 60 nucleotide range, with longer extensions explored if performance permits. Anticipated technical results include at least one modified enzyme that retains useful activity and shows measurable on and off switching under defined light conditions.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.BONNE TERRE CONSULTING LLC
SBIR Phase I: Automated Semantic Tagging for Tracking High-Impact Financial Flows
Contact
309 HOLLAND LN UNIT 128
Alexandria, VA 22314--6106
NSF Award
2537954 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,994
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in optimizing high-impact public and private sector investments through precise financial flow tracking and outcome measurement. While billions of dollars are distributed annually across corporate, philanthropic, and nonprofit channels, existing tracking solutions often suffer from systemic fragmentation and a lack of predictive capabilities. This project addresses these gaps by delivering an integrated software platform that streamlines reporting, mitigates regulatory ambiguity, and strengthens financial oversight. By leveraging advanced automation and analytics, the system empowers users to categorize expenditures, trace financial flows to specific localities, and forecast future risks with greater accuracy. Beyond supporting transparency and compliance, these enhancements foster accountability and facilitate data-driven decision-making across range of industries. Furthermore, the platform democratizes access to sophisticated analytics, providing smaller organizations with advanced capabilities previously reserved for those with significant information technology infrastructure.
This project develops a cloud-native platform to automate the classification, benchmarking, and visualization of organizational financial data. The core innovation is a hybrid architecture that integrates semantic tagging, machine learning classifiers, and structured data extraction to harmonize disparate disclosures from regulatory bodies within the financial system. By applying automated forensic accounting principles, the platform aligns financial flows with performance indicators across federal, state, and municipal frameworks. The primary technical challenge involves fusing high-dimensionality unstructured text with structured reports and applying automated decision-support logic to generate actionable insights. This AI-driven architecture mitigates manual review latency, enforces reporting consistency, and enables non-technical stakeholders to interrogate complex datasets through intuitive interfaces. The system supports granular geospatial and temporal tracking, providing fund-level visibility down to the specific city or zip-code level. The project will engineer a production-grade prototype, optimize the Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) pipeline, and expand automated anomaly detection. Key technical milestones include validating the tagging and benchmarking modules via pilot testing with enterprise and nonprofit cohorts. The anticipated outcome is a scalable framework that enhances regulatory transparency, improves longitudinal outcome measurement, and accelerates the strategic deployment of high-impact capital.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.BULLSEYE BIODEVICES, INC.
STTR Phase I: A Novel Biosensing Device for Rapidly Mapping Volumetric Tumor Margins
Contact
270 10TH ST APT 224
Jersey City, NJ 07302--1333
NSF Award
2451826 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is a novel sensor to better detect tumor margins during surgical interventions for cancer. Cancer remains a substantial global healthcare burden due to high treatment costs, long-term care needs, and reduced quality of life. The limitations of existing sensor technologies include challenges with identifying tumor location or boundaries, often resulting in incomplete tumor removal. Inadequate resections contributes to cancer recurrence, requiring additional surgeries and treatments. This project presents a novel contact based biosensing technology to generate a real-time, three-dimensional map of tumors. By delivering rapid and precise spatial tumor information, the technology aims to enhance tumor removal accuracy, minimize damage to healthy tissue, and reduce cancer recurrence risks. The potential commercial impact is a novel real time diagnostic premium for the $500M robot-assisted interventional cancer market. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims develop an electromechanical probe for use with robotic surgical systems and sensors to sense tumor location and boundaries. The system aims to enable real time measures of tumor-specific biophysical properties including force assssments, deformation measures, and bioimpedance to generate a three-dimensional map to outline tumor location and boundaries. This volumetric information augments or supplements other information to support more precise surgical tumor removal for improving cancer treatment patient outcomes. The proposed activities include the design and development of the prototype system followed by insitu validation. The technical milestones are to 1) optimize the electrode array to enhance tumor margin detection accuracy to within 2mm, 2) correlate measured signals with available datasets to increase the tumor detection depth to at least 30 mm; and 3) optimize the scanning mode to reduce total measurement time for a surgical site. Upon completion, this project aims to demonstrate the initial feasibility of an accurate and rapid volumetric intraoperative tool for assessing tumor margins. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
BURLINGTON BIO, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Whey Protein-Based Microcarrier Platform for Next-Generation Cultivated Meat Production
Contact
50 LAKESIDE AVE
Burlington, VT 05401--5402
NSF Award
2528404 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,997
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project enables commercial-scale cultivated meat production through the first scalable whey protein-based microcarrier platform. This significant technology addresses the fundamental barrier preventing cultivated meat commercialization: the lack of food-grade, scalable cell culture substrates suitable for consumable products that increase production rate. The consumable design eliminates costly cell-harvesting steps required by current technologies, simplifying manufacturing processes. The platform leverages established spray-drying manufacturing infrastructure to enable rapid market entry and regulatory approval pathways. By creating significant commercial opportunities, the microcarrier platform transforms dairy industry waste streams into high-value biotechnology products. Beyond cultivated meat, broader impacts include tissue engineering, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and specialty food ingredients. Success will support national leadership in sustainable food production, and advanced manufacturing sectors. The proposed project addresses the critical need for edible microcarriers in cultivated meat production through development of whey-based materials that leverage underutilized whey protein byproducts. Current food systems are strained by rising demand, creating an urgent need for alternative protein production. Cultivated meat faces commercialization barriers due to expensive, non-edible synthetic microcarriers requiring costly cell separation processes. The opportunities to solve critical problems will be validated via the following research objectives include: (1) enhancing cell proliferation on finely tuned whey-based materials targeting increased cell doubling rates, and (2) designing scalable microcarriers for industrial bioreactors with pilot-scale production capabilities. The approach combines biopolymer conjugation with tunable mechanical properties to create edible substrates that enhance biomass production rates. Key technical risks include potential cell adhesion restraints, cell infiltration limitations, and scale-up challenges affecting cost competitiveness. The overall project goal is to establish new paradigms for protein production while addressing industry pain points. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
CALEO BIOTECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Accelerating Targeted Therapies for Colitis-Associated Cancer Using Patient-Derived Human Tissue Models
Contact
11880 LITTLE SENECA PKWY
Clarksburg, MD 20871--9394
NSF Award
2605113 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$289,435
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to improve how inflammation-associated cancers are studied and treated by enabling more accurate, human-relevant preclinical models. Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn?s disease face an elevated risk of developing colorectal cancer, yet current models do not capture the full complexity of these conditions. This project will support the development of patient-derived tissue systems that better represent human disease, reduce reliance on animal models, and improve the predictability of drug development. The expected outcomes will accelerate the identification of effective therapies, reduce the cost and time of clinical development, and support national priorities for advancing non-animal testing approaches. The project will also contribute to workforce development through training in advanced tissue engineering and translational research and broaden access to technologies that support more precise cancer treatment.
The proposed project will develop patient-derived, multicellular tissue models to study colitis-associated cancer, a form of colorectal cancer driven by chronic inflammation. Existing preclinical systems are either oversimplified, relying on single cell types, or use co-culture approaches that do not self-assemble into tissue-like structures with integrated epithelial, stromal, and immune interactions, limiting their predictive value. The project will generate patient-derived, multicellular tissue models that self-assemble to integrate epithelial, stromal, and immune compartments and reproduce inflammation-driven tumor initiation and early progression. Research objectives include establishing reproducible models spanning normal, inflammatory, and dysplastic states; validating disease-relevant structural and molecular features using histological and biomarker analyses; and evaluating therapeutic responses using standard and targeted agents. The anticipated outcome is a scalable and reproducible system capable of capturing patient-specific disease biology and enabling quantitative assessment of treatment response.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CAMBRYA, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Synchrony Loop Networks: a groundbreaking neuromorphic approach for live, unsupervised, one-shot source separation and diarization in complex auditory scenes
Contact
1936 ANTONE ST
Austin, TX 78723--5443
NSF Award
2528229 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$303,131
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop a new technology with smart filtering functionality that separates each individual sound and voice in the acoustic field, and gives individuals easy control over which sound sources to attend to. The key innovation brought by this project is a new kind of algorithm that learns sounds and voices on its own within seconds of encountering them.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project brings to bear a new artificial learning technique designed for live, unsupervised, zero-shot sound source identification and separation. The two core innovations of this approach are a novel neural learning rule that combines elements of local Hebbian learning with additional features that promote global network coordination; and a heterogeneous network architecture with specialized layers for acoustic feature extraction, short-term auditory scene memory, and long-term sound characterization. These advancements enable rapid and complex real-time sensory learning, a core feature of biological systems which has been an intractable problem for artificial intelligence (AI) that hampers AI usefulness for edge device applications. The Phase I project focuses on expanding and refining the network?s speech characterization and tracking layers to handle multi-speaker situations, as well as developing prototype user controls for selecting sounds and voices to filter or follow.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CENSYN INC
SBIR Phase I: PenEEG: An Objective Assessment Tool for Concussion and Recovery Management
Contact
35 CASPIAN
Lake Forest, CA 92630--1468
NSF Award
2304353 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,970
Start / end date
11/15/2023 – 04/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a mobile and compact Electroencephalography (EEG) concussion screening and recovery monitoring tool to reduce the time needed to seek proper patient care. Each year in the US, 5.5 million mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion cases are reported with athletes disproportionately affected. Most concussion assessments rely on subjective measures but have an estimated 50% false negative rate resulting in potentially harmful return to play. Current imaging tools detect structural versus functional injuries, and existing EEG systems are not readily usable for field applications. This system aims to provide a field usable, on-demand concussion screening tool that enables patients to seek care in a more rapid manner in the event of a concussive event. It will also reduce unnecessary emergency room visits during instances of non-concussions when used in conjunction with current assessment measures. The project presents an ultra-portable solution with quantifiable concussions measures. The innovation targets the $6.8 billion concussion care market opportunity within sports injury management, military health, and hospital sectors.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a handheld electroencephalogram (EEG) device designed to simplify data collection for long-term brain health tracking. The device is a two-channel tool that can be used at multiple locations on the head to conduct rapid, quantifiable brain assessments. The system aims to overcome the current size limitations and training required for current brain wave-measuring equipment. The size and portability of the device enables use across a variety of situations including sports events, military applications, or at home/on-base during recovery. The project aims to address two technical challenges: developing a system to guide untrained users in effectively positioning the device to collect high-quality data and developing a discriminant function to sense a series of acute brain wave signal changes in individuals over time for detecting concussions. The objective of this project is to develop a usable prototype with suitable sensitivity and specificity when compared to current diagnostic screening measures.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CHANNEL ROBOTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: AI-Enhanced Robotic Continuum Robotic Instruments for use in Endoscopic Surgery
Contact
2010 JIMMY DURANTE BLVD STE 200
Del Mar, CA 92014--2260
NSF Award
2527887 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is a novel, flexible and portable robotic endosurgical platform with reduced mechanical complexity and integrated AI-based control scheme reducing currently specialized and complex infrastructure. The compact design centers on minimal robotic actuation for the distal articulation of endosurgical instrumentation, enabling integration with existing endoscopes. This approach enables greater access and adoption across a broader range of hospitals and outpatient clinics, enabling earlier and more efficient interventions for conditions, including colorectal cancer. The technology has the potential to accelerate the adoption of minimally invasive robotics in endoscopy, fostering a reliable business model that blends artificial intelligence (AI)-driven precision with cost-effective manufacturing.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project seeks to create a handheld continuum robotic system representing a fundamental capital equipment paradigm shift from current robotic endosurgical systems used for colorectal cancer and other challenging endoscopic interventions. The core technological innovation is to develop a compact and integrate-able robotic unit attachable to a conventional endoscope. The key technical objective of this project is to develop a minimalistic mechanical design for robotic articulation and associated algorithms for the mobility of continuum robotic instruments in a working channel, specifically a method to model and ultimately control the nonlinearities of instrument kinematics and controls inside the working channel of endoscopes. This approach of software mediation for capturing mechanical complexity will reduce production costs without compromising performance, providing new control paradigms for surgical robotic instruments across many indications, as it offers a general mechanical and control solution for robotically articulated instruments inside endoscopes? operating channels. The new robotic instrument will be tested on benchtop and simulated tissue phantom preparations.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CICADEA BIOTECH, LLC
STTR Phase I: A Urine Test for Kidney Cancer Detection
Contact
1100 CORPORATE SQUARE DR
Saint Louis, MO 63132--2952
NSF Award
2451001 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
04/15/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to improve human health by early detection of kidney cancer to increase survival rates for kidney cancer patients. In 2023, kidney cancer impacted 81,800 Americans. Due to a lack of early detection methods for kidney cancer, most kidney tumors are found incidentally during diagnostic imaging for other purposes. The proposed project will be the development of a novel, non-invasive kidney cancer screening test for use prior to imaging, to reduce unnecessary risk from imaging tests, to enable earlier cancer detection, and to serve as a preventive test for high-risk populations (age 50 to 75). A positive diagnosis through the proposed screening test will result in healthcare providers proceeding with confirmatory imaging tests for further analysis. Using this test, malignant tumor cells in the kidneys and urinary tract will be detected in urine specimens, allowing for the initial detection of cancer and monitoring molecular residual disease (MRD). Due to the current lack of an effective biomarker or screening test for kidney cancer, there is significant commercial potential for the proposed test. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Project seeks to develop a novel screening and surveillance test for kidney cancer from urine. Currently, there are no screening methods for kidney cancer aside from imaging modalities such as a computed tomography (CT) imaging. While non-invasive, use of routine imaging for kidney cancer screening is an impractical and costly approach for the general population. The proposed project will have these objectives: 1) Demonstrate the specificity and accuracy of the biomarker for the detection of renal tumors from kidney cancer patients at early-stage disease without symptoms; 2) Demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the test for detecting residual disease in kidney cancer patients of post-nephrectomy. If the proposed project is successful, the work will pave the way for developing and offering the test as a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) service through a single validated clinical lab, and later pursuing FDA approval as an in vitro diagnostic device (IVD). This noninvasive test will be easily accepted by a broad range of patients from different cultural backgrounds. As a result, this will help to increase the survival rate of kidney cancer patients who are diagnosed at an early stage without symptoms. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
CLEAVED DIAGNOSTIC CORPORATION
STTR Phase I: A Novel Iothermal CRISPR-Cas12a Platform for the Detection of Viruses
Contact
1205 SAINT CHARLES AVE APT 303
New Orleans, LA 70130--8401
NSF Award
2528385 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is the creation of a reliable, highly sensitive, cost-effective, and easy-to-implement congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) screening that can be run with other newborn screening tests. cCMV affects about 25,000 babies born in the U.S. each year with moderate to severe long-term impairment (hearing loss and delayed neurological development) being diagnosed in almost 25% of infected children with an overall mortality of 0.5%. Efforts to address cCMV are complicated by the fact that 78-92% of cases show no symptoms at birth and despite its prevalence, cCMV is not universally screened largely due to limitations in current diagnostic workflows. Early detection and treatment within the first 72 hours of life greatly reduces lifelong disabilities and healthcare costs by approximately $1.3M per case. By providing a cost-effective, rapid, and scalable diagnostic tool that meets clinical needs, this solution will enable universal newborn screening for cCMV of the 3.6M live births that happen in the U.S. every year. Future extensions will adapt the platform to detect additional pathogens, broadening its public health impact through detecting infectious agents such as SARS-CoV-2, Epstein-Barr Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus type 1, and Human Herpesvirus 6B. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to develop a one-step molecular diagnostic that employs Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats-associated protein 12a (CRISPR-Cas12a) to identify cCMV directly from newborn dried blood spots. Current CMV Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based diagnostics suffer from significant limitations, including low sensitivity (~73%), long turnaround times (24?48 hours), and reliance on off-site processing. This project aims to improve CMV diagnostics by offering a cost-effective, highly sensitive (>90%) solution with a rapid turnaround time of 40 minutes-2 hours. This project will streamline the testing workflow through a simplified, single-reaction ?One-Pot? assay compatible with point-of-care settings, achieving results in under 30 minutes at ambient temperature. Additionally, all infrastructure for the assay is already present in clinical settings. Phase I will establish the feasibility of this platform as a universal screening tool for cCMV by addressing two primary areas of technical risk: system performance and workflow suitability. Objectives include to: 1) optimize the diagnostic to improve sensitivity and specificity to commercially sufficient levels and 2) simplify workflow by creating a single-reaction assay. This aims to prove the value of the platform as a whole and support expansion into other infectious agent detection spaces. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
CNC CONCRETE HOMES LLC
SBIR Phase I: Dispatchable Thermal Energy Storage with Foundation-Integrated Phase Change Materials
Contact
1405 4TH AVE N
Fargo, ND 58102--4233
NSF Award
2605097 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,976
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be in helping homes and community facilities use locally available heat sources to improve resilience during extreme weather and increase dispatchable energy. The project will investigate a practical way to store heat under a building foundation and use it later to reduce heating costs and peak energy demand in cold climates. Thermal energy storage is often too expensive or too uncertain in real-world conditions to be widely adopted. This project will test whether a foundation-integrated heat storage approach can be built using common construction practices while remaining safe, durable, and measurable. The work will focus on key public concerns: whether storage materials remain contained under severe moisture exposure, whether performance stays stable after repeated heating and cooling, and whether net energy benefit remains after accounting for the electricity used by pumps and controls. This project advances practical, measurable dispatchable energy innovation aligned with the current national energy priorities.
This project will investigate a high-risk innovation: increasing usable under-building thermal energy storage by integrating a phase change material, specifically sodium acetate trihydrate (SAT), into a controlled low-strength cementitious matrix while maintaining containment, durability under thermal cycling, and verified net energy performance. The Phase I scope will reduce uncertainty in three areas: (1) the effect of SAT on fresh and hardened cementitious properties relevant to buildability, including placement stability, density, and compressive strength targets for sub-slab support; (2) durability under repeated heating and cooling, including dimensional stability and strength retention; and (3) containment integrity under severe moisture exposure, including transport-pathway control at seams, edges, and penetrations. Laboratory and pilot-scale specimens will be subjected to controlled thermal cycling and moisture challenges, with pre- and post-conditioning measurements of mechanical properties and indicators of leakage risk. An instrumented test configuration will quantify thermal energy stored and recovered together with auxiliary electrical energy consumed by pumps and controls, enabling net performance comparisons across configurations. A key hypothesis is that higher energy density storage can increase usable capacity within a fixed footprint and improve delivered-heat effectiveness by reducing the storage volume or surface area required for a target heat delivery; Phase I will quantify these effects using normalized performance metrics. Results will define acceptance criteria, jobsite quality-control metrics, and performance reporting methods that enable Phase II scale-up, including evaluation of higher-temperature dispatch for future applications such as dehumidification where feasible.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.COOLAIMATE, INC
SBIR Phase I: Silicon photonics tunable laser for analyzing energy content of natural gas
Contact
250 W MONTANA ST
Pasadena, CA 91103--1435
NSF Award
2527578 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,913
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact and commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop photonic chips?tiny devices that use light, instead of electricity, to perform sensing and measurement tasks. At the core of the project is a widely tunable laser, which means a laser whose color (or frequency) of light can be adjusted over a broad range. This flexibility allows it to detect different substances or measure distances with high precision. By using cost-effective manufacturing techniques from the microelectronics industry, the project aims to produce these lasers at scale. The first major application is in measuring the energy content of natural gas, which will support a more efficient and reliable energy infrastructure. The technology is positioned to enter a natural gas analysis market expected to grow from $700 million in 2025 to over $1 billion by 2030, with projected laser sales reaching $10 million annually by the third year of production. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project aims to develop and validate hybrid silicon photonic tunable lasers, demonstrating key performance metrics such as light-current characteristics, spectral output, and the ability to measure methane concentration with 0.01% accuracy using tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. Since the 1960s, the energy content of natural gas?expressed in British thermal units (Btu) per cubic foot?has typically been measured using natural gas chromatographs (NGCs), which require ongoing maintenance and consumables, adding to operational costs. While distributed feedback (DFB) laser-based analyzers have effectively measured light impurities like water and hydrogen sulfide, they fall short in capturing the broad spectral features of heavier hydrocarbons. The widely tunable hybrid silicon photonic laser developed in this project overcomes this limitation, capable of resolving both the sharp rovibrational peaks of methane and the broad absorption features of heavy hydrocarbons. Combined with the scalability and cost-efficiency of silicon photonics manufacturing, this laser enables a new generation of optical Btu analyzers with significant competitive advantages for natural gas analysis. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
CREATHADH ENERGIES, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Prototype for Vibration Harvesting in Wearables
Contact
1932 IOWA ST
Cedar Falls, IA 50613--3842
NSF Award
2507259 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
04/15/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be in enabling human movement vibrations to be used to power commercial applications such as wearable devices. The end goal is a wearable, such as a heart rate monitor for athletes, that would never need a coin cell battery replacement or a recharge. Such a wearable product would enable continuous data acquisition, allowing better monitoring of an athlete?s performance. This technology would limit the use of coin cell batteries. Once an initial market of wearables for athletes can be commercialized, longer-term wearable applications in telehealth and national defense will open up. Key innovations will enhance scientific and technological understanding in the power management circuitry for a system powered by human movement and in the long-term use vibrations harvesters. A business model first focused on creating a prototype wearable for athletes will rely on technological advances in chip circuit design and mechanical energy harvesters. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the challenge of building a low-power energy harvesting system to harvest vibrations from human movement. Electromagnetic vibration harvesters are ideal for harvesting low-frequency human movement. Unlike piezoelectric harvesters? high voltage outputs, electromagnetic harvesters? voltage outputs are low and will not create an electrostatic discharge event. This allows the use of low-power innovations in integrated circuit Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Unique circuit designs allowing for low-voltage start-up, a custom electromagnetic vibration harvester, and power-management system are necessary for a prototype system that will need to operate from non-periodic human movement in this project. An electromagnetic harvester and discrete power-management system will be built using a pre-existing integrated circuit-based low-voltage start method. New techniques will be developed for the power-management system for non-periodic harvested human movement. To accomplish this, both the harvester and prototype containing the harvester and electronics will be built and tested on a shaker table using human-based acceleration profiles. The final prototype will be shown to store at least 75µW in this testing. The anticipated prototype will be able to charge a rechargeable battery that will power a sensor. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
CULTIMAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC
SBIR Phase I: Introduction of a Novel Chemical Protein Filtration Method for Aquaculture Production
Contact
559 CALLE CUEVILLAS
San Juan, PR 00907--2535
NSF Award
2537706 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,645
Start / end date
09/01/2026 – 02/29/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to alleviate the effects of off-flavoring currently experienced by aquaculture farmers in the US and abroad, which adds $4.5B in production costs and reduces farmer profitability by 20-30%. In the US, aquaculture represents the fastest growing segment of food production over the past 15 years; however, there is an unmet need for cost-effective and efficient solutions capable of removing compounds that generate off-flavors in aquacultured seafood. Off-flavors compounds are directly absorbed through the gills, skin, and intestinal tract, stored in the lipid-rich tissue of fish and shellfish, and over time contribute an earthy/musty smell and taste in seafood, which in turn impacts price and quality. This project will address this problem by developing the first continuous, off-flavor, removal system, utilizing known chemical and thermodynamic principles, that draws inspiration from renal filtration and hemodialysis machines.
The proposed project seeks to develop a new method for the removal of off-flavoring compounds [2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin (GSM)] from aquaculture systems using a novel filtration device. Much like the human kidney, this system will maximize surface contact, such that concentration and chemical affinity drive the diffusion of small molecules through a semi-permeable membrane. More specifically, water from the recirculating system will flow co-axially with a non-polar phase (oils or organic solvent), thereby allowing the off-flavor compounds, which are also non-polar bicyclic terpenes, to be extracted through the membrane into the non-polar phase. Continuous extraction of GSM and MIB should result in lower concentrations in the culture water, reduced accumulation in fat tissue, and an overall decrease in earthy/musty smell and taste in the resulting seafood product. The non-polar phase will be continuously stripped of the extracted off-flavor compounds and recirculated to maintain the osmotic potential across the semi-permeable membrane.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CYTROGEN
SBIR Phase I: Gelatrix: A Light-Curable Bioadhesive for the Treatment of Bony Defects
Contact
322 ALPINE ST UNIT 3
Pasadena, CA 91106--3709
NSF Award
2538047 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of a new class of injectable, light-activated materials designed to improve healing. Current solutions frequently rely on bone grafts, which can be limited in supply, difficult to shape, and prone to complications. Synthetic alternatives do not have the required ideal physical properties and carry the risk of side effects. This project aims to enable a more reliable and widely applicable approach that conforms to irregular defects, stays in place in various conditions, and supports natural healing while reducing infection risks. Commercially, the project addresses large and growing markets in orthopedic, dental, and trauma care by offering a material that integrates easily into existing clinical workflows and tools. The technology has the potential to become a broadly used platform for bone repair, supporting scalable manufacturing and adoption across multiple medical applications.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on demonstrating the technical feasibility of a multifunctional material that promotes regeneration while adhering strongly to living tissue and resisting bacterial growth. The project seeks to optimize a formulation that can be injected directly into a defect and rapidly hardened using visible light, forming a supportive structure that promotes and guides healing. The research will systematically adjust material composition (balancing light curable materials, osteoinductive compounds, and bioactive additives such as antimicrobials) to maximize strength, biodegradation, and biological activity. Laboratory studies will evaluate safety, mechanical performance, and the ability to support cell formation while limiting bacterial growth.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.DEEPCHARGE, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Intelligent Wireless Charging and Device Management System for High-Volume Environments
Contact
65 E INDIA ROW
Boston, MA 02110--3389
NSF Award
2537791 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in transforming how large fleets of electronic devices are powered and managed in critical industries such as logistics, manufacturing, and device refurbishment. The innovation introduces a new approach to wireless power delivery that eliminates the need for physical charging ports and cables, directly addressing the persistent challenges of device downtime, inefficient charging processes, and workplace hazards caused by cables. Commercially, the proposed technology addresses a growing market opportunity in enterprise device management, starting with high-density warehouse operations. The business model combines equipment sales with device management analytics services, providing an efficient path for commercial engagement. The value proposition centers on reducing operational downtime and optimizing space utilization. Furthermore, the system's ability to support varied device types and automate charging processes provides a clear advantage over existing wired or single-device wireless solutions. Beyond economic benefits, the project enhances technological understanding of large-scale electromagnetic power distribution.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the physical limitations of two-dimensional wireless power transfer systems, which prevent scaling to the dense three-dimensional configurations required in many industrial workflows. The objective of this project is to develop and validate a volumetric charging architecture capable of simultaneous power delivery throughout a multi-shelf rack system. Research activities will focus on dynamically shaping electromagnetic fields to deliver targeted power to devices at any position within a three-dimensional volume while suppressing electromagnetic interference between adjacent shelves. The project also develops miniaturized resonant receiver tags for device-agnostic charging, retrofitting hardware with standardized energy-harvesting components so devices capture power without manufacturer redesigns. The methodology includes computational modeling and fabrication of a multi-shelf prototype to validate power transfer efficiency and field uniformity, alongside experimental testing of interference mitigation strategies and intelligent control algorithms to ensure stable, efficient energy routing across the architecture. Our intended targets include achieving greater than 75 percent power transfer efficiency with strong isolation between adjacent shelves. This technology will validate the technical feasibility of volumetric wireless power and advance design principles for adaptive near-field electromagnetics and hierarchical power distribution, establishing a foundation for scalable wireless power networks in complex industrial settings.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.DELEON TECHNOLOGIES, INC
SBIR Phase I: Enabling Daily Personalized Metabolomics with Low-Cost Capillary Electrophoresis
Contact
131 CONTINENTAL DR STE 305
Newark, DE 19713--4324
NSF Award
2537730 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to make daily biochemical health monitoring affordable and accessible for everyday consumers. Today, measuring the chemical signals that reflect how the body is responding to exercise, sleep, and nutrition requires expensive laboratory instruments, trained technicians, and days of waiting for results, placing this information out of reach for most people. This project will develop a low-cost, disposable microchip that enables automated chemical analysis of urine in minutes at home, producing daily insights into recovery, metabolism, and long-term health. The immediate application targets athletes seeking to optimize training and performance, but the underlying platform has the potential to support early detection of diseases and advance personalized preventive medicine at a population scale. This project thus serves the national interest by enabling citizens to be healthier and more productive, and strengthens American competitiveness in medical device and biotechnology innovation.
The central technical challenge of this project is demonstrating that a single-use microfluidic chip, manufactured without a cleanroom and at a cost below two dollars, can perform capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection at sufficient resolution to separate and quantify a panel of urinary free amino acids. Capillary electrophoresis separates molecules by size and electrical charge under an applied electric field; laser-induced fluorescence detects labeled compounds as they pass a measurement window. Achieving this performance in a low-cost disposable, rather than a benchtop laboratory instrument costing six figures, represents a significant improvement over the current state-of-the-art. This project will validate the feasibility of producing such chips using mask photolithography to define channels of 50 micrometers in width in a rigid mold, followed by casting in a flexible polymer and bonding to glass. Chips will be pre-loaded with a fluorescent labeling reagent and separation buffer, allowing a user to introduce a urine sample via a simple swab and receive a full amino acid profile within minutes. The research will address three technical objectives: demonstrating repeatable chip fabrication at target cost with consistent channel geometry; achieving sufficient separation resolution for the most chemically similar amino acid pairs in the panel; and validating that pre-loaded reagents remain stable under expected storage conditions. A design-of-experiments approach will optimize channel length, electric field strength, and buffer concentration. Results will establish the scientific and manufacturing foundation for a platform capable of delivering longitudinal, personalized biochemical data to consumers through daily non-invasive measurement.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.DESNA THERAPEUTICS INC
SBIR Phase I: Development of a tolerizing platform for autoimmune diseases
Contact
7620 MONA LN
San Diego, CA 92130--5620
NSF Award
2537539 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,489
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a novel therapeutic to treat early-stage (Stage 1 and Stage 2) type 1 diabetes, a significant and rapidly growing disease. The therapeutic will prevent insulin dependence and progression in type 1 diabetic patients to avoid more severe and chronic problems affecting their quality of life, overall medical burden and costs. This project may also enable development of therapeutics for other autoimmune diseases.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will complete the design of a tolerizing therapeutic for type 1 diabetes by delivering epitopes via a single mRNA. The scope of activities include defining a panel of derived tolerizing epitopes including from the multiple proteins which drive the progression of type 1 diabetes, and aims to be effective in all type 1 diabetes patients. Selection of this panel of epitopes will allow the therapeutic to stop the pathogenic autoimmune reactions, to reduce or halt disease progression. The work in this project has two major activities: 1) in vitro binding analysis of the epitope peptides to disease relevant Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II haplotypes and 2) in vitro testing of the epitopes using cell lines and human cells. Each epitope in the panel will be evaluated to determine its Human Leukocyte Antigen binding profile to ensure binding to the disease associated proteins. The epitopes will each be tested against blood from type 1 diabetics and healthy donors to confirm reactivity of at least one epitope from each protein for each of the Human Leukocyte Antigen defined patient types to develop a robust and durable therapeutic.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.DHICHIPS INC.
STTR Phase I: A Programmable Processor-in-Memory Accelerator for Data-Intensive and Deep Learning Applications
Contact
63 EGRET DR
West Henrietta, NY 14586--9317
NSF Award
2507092 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,988
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will be to improve the efficiency of real-time data processing in safety-critical applications, such as autonomous driving. The company is proposing to develop a Processor-in-Memory (PIM) that is flexible and capable of few-shot learning using AI methods, which require only a few training samples instead of large datasets. The initial target application domain is autonomous vehicles, in both indoor and outdoor environments. Machine Learning embedded autonomous and connected vehicles revenue in the US market is expected to reach 78.63B$ by 2030, growing at a compound rate of 19.56% per year during 2023-2032. This domain itself has a very broad base, encompassing the automobile industry as well as material handling and manufacturing industries that use automation. Therefore, the research outcomes are expected to influence and impact this multi-billion-dollar AI-driven automation sector, potentially positively affecting millions of human lives. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop a Processor-in-Memory (PIM) that is flexible and capable of few-shot learning using AI methods, which require only a few training samples instead of large datasets. The PIM is a hardware accelerator that embeds Processing Elements (PEs) inside dynamic random access memory (DRAM) subarrays, which are adopted in a large majority of computing devices and processing platforms. By eliminating the interconnect bottleneck between the memory subsystem and the PEs, as exists in traditional computers using CPUs and GPUs, the PIM is expected to improve energy efficiency by one or two orders of magnitude. The proposed accelerator hardware is based on modular LookUp Table (LUT) based PEs, which enables both functional flexibility as well as energy efficiency. Therefore, the proposed device can support a variety of applications, encompassing AI algorithms as well as cybersecurity applications such as data encryption/decryption at unprecedented low energy expenditure. Unlike most Deep Learning AI accelerators that rely on large datasets for training, this system will be capable of fast learning and enable automation with minimal downtime. Due to combined energy-efficient hardware and less reliance on training data compared to the state-of-the-art, the company anticipates achieving high accuracy in automation with higher energy efficiency. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
DOCARE LLC
SBIR Phase I: Detecting clinical trial communication behavior and preference patterns at a large scale to predict and improve clinical trial participant retention
Contact
1250 AVE. PONCE DE LEON
San Juan, PR 00907--3949
NSF Award
2350202 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$273,188
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project
may be to improve the success rates of clinical trials by possibly enhancing the engagement and retention of participants.
Poor clinical trial communication causes participant disengagement and attrition, resulting in incomplete data,
failed trials, and associated economic losses for the pharmaceutical industry The dynamic communication behavior
prediction tools that will be developed by this research may improve participant engagement through tailored
communication strategies. This technology combines unsupervised machine learning and operations research
models to predict participant communication and optimize contact protocols to increase engagement and
retention. This is a data-driven approach to improve clinical trial decision-making, schedule flexibility,
and participant outcomes, and reduce no-shows and dropout rates.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a large language model that will
improve the communication between clinical researchers and the participants in clinical trials with a focus on
optimizing engagement and retention to prevent trial failures. The project will use cluster analysis of
communications data from several clinical trials to understand and model group behavior for key variable
detection. These data will be integrated to design customized communication strategies for identified
behavioral clusters. The clustering and group assignment models will be tuned to develop a synergistic model
for employing optimal communication with clinical trial participants. Increased research staff productivity,
improved data collection efficiency, and advances in clinical trial research scientific and technological
understanding are predicted. This new technology could solve a major problem in the industry,
improve patient outcomes, decrease healthcare costs, and increase the success rate of clinical trials by
achieving response rates close to 95% total participation. The ultimate goal is to improve treatment efficacy
and healthcare delivery quality by incorporating a multi-objective machine learning methodology to increase
patient engagement in their care.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.DOTTIR LABS, INC
SBIR Phase I: Centralized Raman Spectroscopy for Process Optimization
Contact
640 WASHINGTON ST APT 2
Brookline, MA 02446--4551
NSF Award
2537173 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to develop and validate an optical sensor system that identifies harmful chemicals in water instantly, continuously, and without adding any substances to the water itself. Current methods require manual sample collection followed by either shipment to an outside laboratory, a process taking days, or on-site chemical test kits that introduce reagents with their own environmental and safety risks. We will develop an approach that eliminates both limitations by providing real-time tracking of hazardous compounds directly where they are found. Early detection of substances such as nitrogen and ammonia, which are toxic to fish and animals, contaminate drinking water, and fuel algal blooms that close beaches and harm communities, means intervention can happen in time to prevent damage. This innovation advances the national interest by protecting public health, safeguarding shared water resources, reducing dependence on chemical-based water treatment and enhancing of local aquaculture production.
This project will develop and validate a next-generation Swept-Source Raman spectroscopy platform for scalable, real-time, multi-analyte chemical sensing in distributed industrial environments, with an initial application in water quality monitoring. Phase I work will address the core technical challenge of replacing traditional dispersive spectrometers with a network of small, low-cost detectors powered by a single centralized tunable laser source, capable of operating over long distances without sacrificing sensitivity or resolution. This architecture fundamentally overcomes the sensitivity-resolution trade-off inherent in classical dispersive spectroscopy, with the intellectual contribution of this project being the first demonstration that distributed Swept-Source Raman sensing can match the sensitivity of on-site reagent-based testing methods in real-world field conditions. This project will focus on three interconnected technical objectives. The first is to increase optical throughput through the integration of next-generation laser sources with higher outputs and faster response times, paired with redesigned receiver hardware. The second is the development of a novel algorithmic pipeline combining advanced signal processing and physics-informed modeling to achieve real-time sensitivity comparable to on-site reagent-based methods, targeting limits of detection derived from federal regulations. The final goal is to validate this platform across chemical analytes relevant to water monitoring, demonstrating a system that can be tailored on demand for specific detection targets in aquaculture, environmental monitoring, and industrial process applications. Validation will occur in both controlled laboratory environments and active aquaculture facilities, establishing the technical and commercial feasibility required for Phase II deployment.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.DTP THERMOELECTRICS LLC
SBIR Phase I: The DTP-90 Thermoelectric Device with Distributed Transport Properties (DTP) for Refrigeration and Beyond
Contact
650 SIERRA MADRE VILLA AVE STE 201
Pasadena, CA 91107--2068
NSF Award
2415451 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,773
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is to enable a carbon reducing, energy efficient cooling and refrigeration solution, with far-reaching societal benefits. The novel thermoelectric cooling (TEC) module's portability and compactness are invaluable for applications requiring reliable and precise temperature control, such as medical devices, vaccine storage, and portable refrigerators used in transportation. In off-grid or remote environments where conventional refrigeration is impractical, these modules offer a lifeline for preserving medicines and perishable goods. This technology could prove crucial in disaster relief efforts, field hospitals, and everyday scenarios like camping trips, improving quality of life and access to essential services, particularly in regions with limited electricity. The thermoelectric cooling module has the potential to benefit society in numerous ways, from enhancing electronics efficiency and sustainability to providing critical cooling solutions for portable applications. The solid state thermoelectric device technology does not have any working fluids, offering an innovative solution to current refrigeration systems which contribute to increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) production.
The intellectual merit of this project is to produce distributed transport properties TEC modules using composite elements composed of materials with targeted transport properties informed by modeling and synthesized using conventional thermoelectric alloys. Distributed transport properties (DTP) is the optimal structuring of transport material properties, Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity, within thermoelectric (TE) elements to create solid-state temperature control systems with greatly increased performance. The introduction of a Seebeck coefficient gradient within the TE elements partially counteracts detrimental distortion of the internal temperature profile induced by Joule heating. This technology will help portable refrigeration applications to be more efficient and less costly with increased portability. The Phase I objective is to produce a prototype DTP module which can achieve a maximum temperature difference greater than 90 Kelvin (K) with a 3 times increase in cooling efficiency (coefficent of performance (CoP)) and heat pumping at DT=70K as well as a pathway to large-volume manufacturing of DTP modules in the United States (US). The program goal is to combine DTP structure and additive manufacture to enable highly cost-effective manufacture in the US of the world?s best performing TE devices. These advancements can revolutionize both consumer and industrial applications for thermoelectric systems, contributing to a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.EASCRA BIOTECH, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Development of rod-shaped drug delivery nanoparticles for in-space manufacturing
Contact
22 LAFAYETTE ST
Pawtucket, RI 02860--6122
NSF Award
2415574 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,990
Start / end date
12/15/2024 – 10/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is its potential to transform the solid tumor cancer treatment market, projected to reach $424.6 billion by 2027. The project aims to advance the regulatory pathway for space-made medicines by using Janus base nanoparticles (JBNps) as a test case to demonstrate comparability with Earth-made versions. This step is crucial for the commercialization of space-made therapeutics, addressing challenges in drug delivery for solid tumors and advancing oncology biotherapeutics. Additionally, the project will boost U.S. dominance in the space economy, drive innovation and economic growth in biotech, and enhance the nation?s global competitiveness. It could lead to advanced, safer therapies for various diseases and contribute to fostering a diverse American STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workforce. Beyond its technological benefits, this project emphasizes diversity, education, and community outreach, promising broader societal and environmental benefits. Ultimately, it holds potential for positive impacts on the LEO (Low Earth Orbit) commercial space economy and global healthcare. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to tackle the urgent need for advanced drug delivery systems capable of effectively targeting solid tumors. Current lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), while widely used, face challenges in penetrating the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) of tumors. Eascra?s project focuses on creating a regulatory pathway to commercialize space-made Janus base nanoparticles (JBNps). These nanoparticles, with their nano-rod morphology and DNA-mimicking chemistry, offer improved tumor penetration, effective treatment, and minimal toxicity. Additionally, JBNps maintain drug stability and bioactivity at room temperature, overcoming the cold storage challenges faced by LNPs. Phase I will advance the regulatory approval pathway, laying the groundwork for Phase II, where in-space manufacturing of JBNps will be optimized. This technology has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment by providing a versatile, more effective drug delivery platform. The success of this project holds significant implications for future space-made medicines, benefiting both terrestrial and space-based healthcare. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
EDITPEP INC
SBIR Phase I: Development of Brain-penetrant Non-viral Genome-editing Therapies for Central Nervous System Disorders
Contact
2625 DURANT AVE
Berkeley, CA 94720--2251
NSF Award
2604362 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,994
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses a significant unmet medical need for effective treatments of severe neurological disorders that currently have no cure. Neurological diseases such as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease impact millions of people each year and could be effectively treated by genome editing therapeutics. This project will develop a non-viral genome editing delivery system that can safely and efficiently modify brain tissue, potentially halting disease progression rather than merely managing symptoms. By enabling a non-viral approach to deliver gene editing components to the brain, the technology has potential to reduce manufacturing complexity, avoid immune risks associated with viral vectors, and lower overall therapy costs. The resulting treatments could reach broader patient populations, improve quality of life, and reduce long-term healthcare burden. The approach is adaptable to multiple neurological disorders, representing a market of more than one million patients with genetically driven conditions. The technology will strengthen United States leadership in genome editing, support high-skill biotechnology employment, and enhance national capacity for translational research.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a non-viral genome editing delivery platform that can efficiently edit brain tissue. Current delivery methods for gene editing in the brain face significant challenges, including limited distribution, potential immune responses, and manufacturing complexity. This project will develop a system that combines a pre-formed genome editing enzyme with peptides that allow it to cross the blood brain barrier and selectively target neurons. The research will incorporate molecules that facilitate transport across the blood-brain barrier into the delivery platform and test them in laboratory models and animal studies. The project will also evaluate an alternative delivery method through the cerebrospinal fluid. The goal is to achieve at least 50% editing efficiency in brain neurons without direct injection into the brain tissue. If successful, this approach would enable treatment of a wide range of neurological disorders through less invasive administration methods, dramatically expanding the potential impact of genome editing therapies. The resulting platform would provide precise, durable genetic modification while minimizing risks associated with other delivery approaches.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ENDURE BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: A Novel Precision Microbiome Therapy for Phenylketonuria
Contact
7704 CORTE VIOLETA
Carlsbad, CA 92009--9340
NSF Award
2538091 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposed by the small business will develop the proprietary, precision microbiome-based therapeutic platform for Phenylketonuria (PKU) incorporating engineered native bacteria. PKU is a rare inherited metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase, resulting in toxic accumulation of phenylalanine (Phe) in the body. Current treatment options include lifelong adherence to a strict low-Phe diet and enzyme substitution therapies that are effective only in subsets of patients or associated with serious adverse events, including anaphylaxis. The small business? proposed microbiome therapeutic platform introduces a novel PKU therapeutic regimen (covering the entire PKU population) that delivers persistent functional activity within the gut. The long-acting treatment will have a significant advantage over current alternatives, which require burdensome daily dosing for life. With a substantial dosing and adherence advantage over daily chronic therapies, the proposed microbiome-based therapeutic platform is positioned to capitalize on a significant PKU commercial opportunity. Once validated for the treatment of PKU, the same approach can be used for different organ systems (e.g., skin, lungs, vagina), expanding the small business? precision microbiome therapeutic platform to several other microbiome-mediated/modulated chronic diseases.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to develop a novel PKU therapy based on microbiome-based therapeutic platform. Current microbiome-based therapies often fail to target proximal gut where early intervention is critical and rely on non-colonizing strains that require frequent and burdensome re-dosing. These challenges have constrained the therapeutic potential, underscoring the need for a more robust, targeted, and patient-friendly solution The small business applies a native, human-derived E. coli strain as a chassis to introduce phenylalanine metabolizing transgenes that engraft throughout the patient's gut leading to stable and long-term colonization, regulated gene expression as intended without effect on bacterial fitness, and continuous phenylalanine catabolism. The Phase I activities will focus on (i) demonstrating successful engraftment of engineered mouse-native E. coli (expressing phenylalanine metabolizing transgenes) and sustained therapeutic activity in the PKU mouse, (ii) evaluating long-term safety in-vivo, and (iii) isolating and initial genetic tractability testing of porcine-native E. coli strains to prepare for preclinical studies in Yucatan minipig. The successful completion of the Phase I activities will validate the feasibility of using the engineered native E. coli bacterial strain from a human host as a chassis for PKU therapy and a broader range of chronic diseases.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.FEEL WITH ME LLC
STTR Phase I: Flexible Sensor Arrays for Smart Fabrics and Surfaces using Ink-jet Printing and a Practical Approach to Nanotechnology
Contact
1837 DEVRA DR
Tallahassee, FL 32303--3411
NSF Award
2451363 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$187,378
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to advance the practicality of smart materials and the Internet-of-Things (IoT) by featuring a low-profile carbon nanotube (CNT) sensor that can detect low-force impacts, micro-sized bending strains, damage features in materials, and human finger movements. Organisms understand their environment by experiencing and learning from experienced sensations. From a technological perspective, at the core of intelligence, sensory organs collect signals and transduce them into computable information. The project goal is to instill this process of feeling into inanimate objects. Integrating CNT sensors into materials will enable smart surfaces, health monitoring of structures and machinery, haptic feedback systems, and human-machine interfaces. The scalability and affordability of these sensor components will bolster the commercial appeal of devices across all of these applications areas. For perspective, the global Internet-of-Things sensor market size is currently valued at $16 billion, and this is expected to grow to $70 billion over the next five years. This project will focus on scaling individual devices into sensing arrays that transduce mechanical stress into valuable sensory data. The intellectual merit of this project is based on the creation of valuable technical data and the ability to demonstrate a novel application of cutting-edge nanotechnology. The sensors to be developed rely on carbon nanotube buckypaper (CNT-BP) and its inherent ability to detect stress and strain better than many commercial sensors. The combination of effectiveness and efficiency displayed by these devices hold promise for commercial adoption. This project aims to explore the advantages and limitations of CNT-BP sensors in various situations. Though CNT-based sensors have been studied throughout the years, this project will introduce a patented process for scalable production. To prove the practicality of the technology, the overarching project goals include measuring the reliability of the featured sensor, scaling the sensors into arrays for spatial recognition, and enabling human-machine interfacing via wearable sensor integrations. The technical objectives include the collection of reliability metrics (sensitivity, resolution, stretchability, and durability), the mapping of stress and strain throughout relevant materials, and the translation of biometric data into relevant signals for the chosen use cases. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
FLEX ORTHOPAEDICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: A Compliant Intramedullary Stem to Increase Longevity of Total Knee Replacements
Contact
5222 CANGAS DR
Agoura Hills, CA 91301--2306
NSF Award
2404125 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,997
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a novel ancillary orthopedic implant for increasing the lifespan of total knee replacement devices, with a tibial stem which bends and flexes to accommodate knee motion and relieve mechanical stress. Knee replacement is a common procedure for osteoarthritis with one million patients undergoing knee replacement in the United States each year. These systems have a failure rate of 10-20% within 20 years due to mechanical wear and fatigue. Failures often require subsequent invasive surgical revisions with decreased success, and increased risks of knee fusion or above-knee amputation. Each revision also results in approximately $30,000 of additional costs and resources needed for the surgical revision and follow on care. The purpose of this project is to develop a novel ancillary implanted device that reduces the mechanical stress and strain of total knee replacement orthopeduc implants, extending their functional lifespans.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will prototype and validate a flexible tibial stem providing mechanical relief for orthopedic knee replacement implants. The device integrates a compliant mechanical mechanism accommodating the multi-dimensional knee motion to reduce wear on the primary implant while avoiding additional wear surfaces. During this Phase 1 project, the design engineering of system will be finalized, full implant prototypes fabricated, and the prototypes validated in an accelerated mechanical testing model. The specific technical objectives are to optimize structural features for overload protection of the stem, validate short-term implant performance in overload scenarios and failure, and cycle test prototype stems under accelerated mechanical testing to validate long-term survivorship under simulated patient conditions including walking and general movement under daily use. The results are expected to demonstrate feasibility for the design and contraints for developing a device suitable for eventual human use at a future date.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.FLUENT METAL INC.
SBIR Phase I: Drop-on Demand Liquid Metal Additive Manufacturing
Contact
1035 CAMBRIDGE ST
Cambridge, MA 02141--1154
NSF Award
2528245 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of a new type of metal 3D printing technology that is significantly more accessible, compact, and safer than current systems. Today, metal 3D printing is largely restricted to major players due to high equipment costs, complex infrastructure needs, and the safety hazards of using metal powders. This project introduces a drop-on-demand liquid metal printing process that uses solid wire as feedstock, simplifying the system?s architecture and its overall operations, eliminating the barriers imposed by current systems. By making high-quality metal printing accessible to small and medium-sized businesses, research labs, and universities, this innovation will accelerate technological innovation across the nation. The initial market will be applying coatings to industrial components, a billion dollar opportunity. Success in this niche will pave the way for expansion into the rapid prototyping and small-batch production markets for more complex components. The business model is based on selling low-cost, user-friendly printers that can operate in a standard office or lab environment, providing a durable competitive advantage and enabling widespread adoption of this critical manufacturing capability. This serves the national interest by fostering innovation, onshoring metal manufacturing, and thus enhancing U.S. competitiveness. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses a critical knowledge gap in a novel drop-on-demand liquid metal 3D printing process: the lack of fundamental understanding of the interplay between plasma melting and droplet ejection dynamics, which is essential for producing fully dense and metallurgically bonded parts. The project?s primary research objectives are to systematically investigate how plasma arc parameters govern a droplet's thermal energy to achieve consistent metallurgical bonds on a room-temperature substrate; and characterize the relationship between a wire's motion profile, droplet separation dynamics, and deposition accuracy. The research will test the central hypothesis that precise control over these factors enables high quality bond and high part density without the need of heating the base part. This will be accomplished through systematic experiments on a dedicated hardware setup, using visual and laboratory inspection to assess the results and quantify these physical phenomena. The anticipated technical results include a deeper understanding of the process physics that results in denser and more dimensionally accurate prints, demonstrated through the fabrication of sample cubes with an internal density greater than 95% and dimensional accuracy of +/-300 microns, validating this advanced manufacturing approach. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
FOLDE INC
SBIR Phase I: A Novel Device for Difficult Urethral Catheterization
Contact
5933 CORONADO LN STE 101
Pleasanton, CA 94588--8599
NSF Award
2507316 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$303,242
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses a critical issue with urinary catheters: difficult urethral catheterizations (DUC). Catheter insertion is among the most common medical procedures in the U.S., yet DUCs occur once every minute, leading to significant medical and financial burdens and frequently necessitating emergency urological consultation. Traumatic urethral catheterization (TUC), a complication of DUC, affects 2% or approximately 500,000 cases annually. The proposed system if successful will significantly improve catheter insertion, reduce infection risk, and enhance patient care quality. Its innovative design seeks to establish a new standard in urology, achieving high success rates without surgical intervention and provide a new standard of care for the $5.1 billion (projected 2028) urinary catheter market, positively impacting society and global health standards. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of a novel urinary catheter design which conforms to a wide range of individual human anatomies. This project will finalize catheter specifications, including flexibility, functionality, and material properties. State-of-the-art solid mechanics computational simulation will be employed to optimize insertion force, design, and overall functionality. Physical prototypes will be fabricated using medical device production techniques, followed by proof-of-concept testing utilizing a force gauge simulator. The key technical challenges to be addressed include maintaining structural integrity concurrent with increased flexibility, ensuring appropriate urethral fit, achieving scalable manufacturing, and successfully transitioning from a computational model to a physical prototype. The anticipated outcome is an optimized catheter design suitable for subsequent clinical studies and trials, with the primary objective of reducing morbidity associated with urinary catheterization procedures. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
FOLI BIO INC.
SBIR Phase I: Development of a High-Throughput Fecal Exfoliome Analyzing Platform for Clinical Drug Development
Contact
4080 BROADWAY # 247
New York, NY 10032--1572
NSF Award
2528222 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in enabling pharmaceutical companies to better evaluate and tailor treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic condition that affects over 3 million people in the United States. Drug development for IBD is hindered by the lack of scalable, non-invasive tools for monitoring disease activity and understanding patient variation. This project addresses that gap by developing a stool-based platform capable of capturing real-time molecular information about gut health. Unlike invasive procedures like endoscopy or conventional stool tests that offer only limited insight, this method provides a more detailed, data-rich view of gastrointestinal function over time. By helping pharmaceutical companies evaluate new drugs, identify patients most likely to benefit, and improve the design of clinical trials, this technology holds the potential to boost success rates and lower development costs. The platform is designed for integration into pharmaceutical pipelines through sustainable business models with near-term revenue and long-term licensing opportunities. On top of its commercial potential, this technology aims to advance public health by enabling more personalized treatment strategies and better outcomes for people living with IBD. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses a long-standing challenge in healthcare for gut disorders: how to non-invasively access meaningful information about the human gut. Stool contains human genetic material shed from the lining of the intestine, but analyzing this material has been difficult due to the overwhelming presence of microbes and food debris. This project builds on a method that captures human gene activity from stool and aims to expand its use in drug development. The project will enhance the method to measure the activity of over 2,000 genes related to gut health and immune function, develop software tools to interpret the data, and apply the approach to biobanked stool samples from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). By connecting gene activity patterns in stool with how patients responded to specific drug treatments, this research may help identify genetic signals that predict whether a treatment will work. The anticipated results will demonstrate how stool samples could guide more personalized and effective treatment design for people with gut disorders and support the development of new therapies. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
FOOGLY CORP
SBIR Phase I: Recovering Damaged Coastal Ecosystems Using Upcycled Food Waste
Contact
233 WASHINGTON RD
Princeton, NJ 08540--6407
NSF Award
2528313 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in the development of local manufacturing methods for synthesizing low-cost soil amendment and shoreline restoration products using local food waste inputs. Coastal erosion, declining soil health, and soil acidification threaten both ecosystems and human infrastructure across the United States. Traditional fertilizer products often rely on mined inputs, which are expensive, contribute to carbon emissions, and degrade land/marine environments during extraction. This project proposes transforming farmer?s food waste and seafood restaurant seashell waste into regenerative soil fertilizers and sea brick products, aimed at enhancing plant growth, improving soil health, and bolstering coastlines erosion resiliency. This effort aligns with national sustainability goals by reducing methane emissions from food waste, revitalizing degraded coastal and agricultural areas, and offering affordable alternatives to synthetic fertilizers. The proposed technology may lead to environmental solutions that transform America?s food waste (FW) liabilities into valuable soil amendments products. It could also create jobs in manufacturing such sustainable products, provide communities with access to local, renewable inputs, and position the United States as a leader in climate-adaptive infrastructure. By leveraging circular economy principles, this project may have a lasting impact on both environmental outcomes and economic resilience. The proposed project will build on the work done to develop a calcified FW fertilizer, using seashells to provide the minerals, with ozone(O3) and infrared(IR) irradiation to chemically modify them. The resulting shell particles irreversibly react with O3 treated FW particles, bypassing the industry-wide bottleneck of nutrient leeching. The resultant material can be formed into biodegradable sea bricks for erosion control or granulated for agricultural use. Phase I R&D and pilot-scale field tests will be used to evaluate product stability, ecological restorative properties, and agricultural yield improvements. Key metrics include plant growth rates, soil pH, soil organic matter, and soil conductivity. The ability of the materials to reduce coastal erosion and store CO2 as biomass will also be experimentally measured. The outcomes of this work will demonstrate the technical feasibility of the radical localization, mobilization, and manufacturing of local FW inputs into soil regenerative products at scale and measure the carbon emission reduction reduction potential the proposed closed-looped manufacturing procedures. The innovation underlying this technology addresses complex challenges at the intersection of coastal community climate adaptation, local FW waste valorization, and sustainable agriculture practices. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
GELASTOMERICS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Bringing Intrinsic Lubricity to the Medical Elastomer Market
Contact
1830 OVERLOOK DR
Fort Collins, CO 80526--3315
NSF Award
2507798 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
05/01/2025 – 04/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to bring a new hydrogel elastomer technology to market. This technology was engineered to address the acute need for (and conspicuous absence of) intrinsically lubricious, elastomer materials in the today?s medical plastics marketplace. Medical device manufacturers produce millions of elastomeric devices designed for intimate contact with biological tissues and fluids, but rely heavily on the use of costly, capital- and labor-intensive coating processes to achieve the sustained, biologically inert, surface lubricity. Catheter systems designed to enable minimally invasive surgical access to remote intravascular spaces constitute one such set of important examples. However, even routine catheters designed for biological fluid collection, delivery and drainage, and day-to-day healthcare consumables such as medical tubing, containers, and bags - all rely on combined elasticity and biologically non-reactive surface hydrophilicity as key components of their design and function. As a versatile, drop-in elastomer alternative, this new technology offers the promise of pushing the technological capabilities and improving the performance and function of a broad spectrum of tissue contacting devices, eliminating the need for economically burdensome coating solutions, and transforming current archetypes in device design and manufacturing. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is focused on the R&D activities designed to establish the viability of this new hydrogel elastomer technology as a versatile, drop-in alternative in intravascular catheter componentry design and manufacture specifically. Customer discovery has indicated the introduction of intrinsically lubricious elastomer technology into the intravascular catheter design space could eliminate up to 25% of the current manufacturing costs associated with current coating processes while simultaneously providing a technological advantage that helps push the current limits of least invasive surgical devices and their ability to access deeper, more remote vascular spaces. Challenges to be addressed include validating that the new hydrogel elastomer technology can be formulated to meet the diversity of technical performance demands required for use in catheter componentry, namely tunable stiffness and flexibility, durable lubricity, biocompatibility (including hemocompatibility), and a tolerance to standard device sterilization protocols used throughout the medical device industry. Expected results from the planned R&D activities include the generation of key composite formulations of the new elastomer technology demonstrating defined benchmarks in the above performance categories over a range of material hardnesses and flexibilities. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
GLAIVE MEDICAL OPTICS INC
SBIR Phase I: Development of A Novel Visible-Light Phase Shifter and Intraocular Lens to Improve Vision for Those With Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Contact
1903 WOODBERRY AVE
Shreveport, LA 71106--8550
NSF Award
2451179 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,998
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a novel implantable lens for shifting the phase of visible-light phase to mitigate vision loss due to age related macular degeneration and damaged retinal regions. Age-related macular degeneration is a chronic and progressive eye disease affecting more than 20 million people in the US and 200 million people worldwide and often results in irreversible blindness. No permanent solution currently exists for treating age-related macular degeneration and mitigating vision loss until surgical interventions may be required. This proposed system aims to provide a permanent means for shifting the area of focus of visible light onto a viable region of the retina for restoring vision to help patients complete common everyday activities, reduce costs of care associated with vision loss and reduce the resulting emotional or health-related burden of macular degeneration. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to complete the development of an electronic implantable intraocular lens through a novel implantable low power rechargeable visible-light phase shifter and subsequent optical phased arrays. Current optical phased arrays require high-power consumption with a large footprint, impeding their effectiveness in a commercializable, fully implantable biocompatible device. This project aims to address several critical technical hurdles by developing an energy-efficient metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitor, small-form factor optical phased array in an intraocular implantable device capable of electronically adjusting and shifting visible light frequencies to alternative viable regions of the retina. The study team will conduct systematic modeling to map the performance of key functions and determine the optimal waveguide geometry. Once finalized, the study team will fabricate the devices and measure their performance using standard optical benchmarking measurements relative to a reference waveguide. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
GRADED GAMING, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Introducing Riley: A Co-Designed AI Teacher Powered by Natural Language Processing for CTE Success
Contact
4406 WINDY OAKS RD
Louisville, KY 40241--1742
NSF Award
2533900 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,991
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to validate a proprietary artificial intelligence model designed to deliver adaptive instructional support for Career and Technical Education, defined here as applied coursework that prepares students for skilled careers. Millions of middle and high school students across the United States participate in these programs, yet instructional capacity has not kept pace with demand, contributing to reduced course availability and declining student engagement nationwide. These constraints affect learners in all regions and limit the talent pipeline for industries that rely on early technical preparation. This project centers on a novel, data-driven instructional model that advances scientific and technological understanding of how artificial intelligence can replicate core instructional functions, such as timely feedback, task guidance, and concept reinforcement, in practical learning settings. The technology is positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence and immersive learning systems, with an initial market focus on secondary education programs seeking scalable instructional support. The value proposition lies in a durable, software-based model that improves learning continuity without proportional increases in staffing. Commercialization is anticipated through recurring institutional licensing. By year three, the technology is projected to impact tens of thousands of learners nationwide, with outcomes measured through engagement persistence, task progression, and course completion rates.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project investigates a layered artificial intelligence architecture for real-time, closed-loop instruction inside an embodied virtual reality (VR) engineering simulation, leveraging proprietary, access-controlled instructional interaction data without disclosing protected content. The central technical risk is whether tightly coupled competency-graph retrieval, Bayesian latent-state estimation, and supervised pedagogical policy learning can remain stable and instructionally valid under strict end-to-end latency and synchronization constraints imposed by immersive, spatially grounded tasks. The research objective is to demonstrate that a modular pipeline can infer evolving learner mastery from multimodal behavioral telemetry, select context-conditioned instructional actions, and generate curriculum-bounded language that is both technically correct and pedagogically aligned. The proposed work constructs a structured competency graph over Engineering I principles, trains an intent classifier on expert-annotated dialogue moves, and develops a lightweight Bayesian learner model calibrated to task performance traces. A constrained natural-language generation layer is integrated with a low-latency VR state manager to ensure bounded outputs and deterministic grounding. The prototype is evaluated for retrieval precision, policy robustness, timing jitter, and agreement with expert educator judgments. Anticipated results include evidence of coherent operation at immersive frame-time scales and a transferable foundation for expanding to additional competencies and pathways.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.H2C ENERGY INC.
STTR Phase I: High Throughput Discovery of Catalysts for Water Electrolysis Anion-Exchange Membranes
Contact
32 WALTHAM ST
Woburn, MA 01801--5970
NSF Award
2528067 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$301,578
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project lies in its potential to significantly advance the availability and affordability of clean hydrogen, a critical component for transitioning heavy industries for meeting atmospheric carbon targets. Today, most hydrogen is produced through fossil fuel-intensive processes, contributing substantially to undesirable emissions. On the other hand, the high cost and limited efficiency of existing renewable hydrogen production methods have constrained widespread adoption. By developing an innovative approach for hydrogen generation, this project addresses critical needs including cost efficiency, resource abundance, and scalability. Achieving competitively priced clean hydrogen can revolutionize industries such as steel manufacturing, ammonia production, and heavy transportation, directly aligning with national objectives for energy independence, economic growth, and environmental stewardship. Successful commercialization of this technology would position the United States as a leader in clean energy innovation, creating numerous high-skilled jobs and contributing substantially to tax revenues while fostering a resilient and robust industrial base. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) project aims to advance a groundbreaking technology for hydrogen production, employing innovative anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWE). The primary technical innovation involves an artificial intelligence-driven discovery process for catalysts and electrolyzer components that are exceptionally efficient, durable, and do not rely on critical minerals such as iridium and platinum. Current electrolyzers struggle to operate effectively at high current densities and face rapid degradation. The novel electrolyzer developed here uniquely incorporates advanced self-regenerating catalyst materials discovered through an AI-guided robotic experimental platform, offering unprecedented operational lifetimes while at current densities tenfold higher than existing systems. The project's research scope includes validating these newly discovered catalysts, optimizing their performance, and rigorously testing electrolyzer configurations under realistic operational conditions. This transformative approach represents a high-risk but highly impactful innovation, capable of rapidly accelerating progress toward affordable, environment-aligned hydrogen production on a global scale. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
HALOGEN POWER, INC
SBIR Phase I: High-Energy Primary Battery Chemistry Powering Next-Generation Wearable Devices
Contact
123 N GILBERT AVE
La Grange, IL 60525--1714
NSF Award
2538000 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of a new high-energy, primary (non-rechargeable) battery that extends lifetime and functionality of medical and Internet of Things devices. Primary batteries have energy density greater than 3x of rechargeable batteries and are indispensable where recharging is impractical. In these applications, battery life determines device life, and limited energy constrains advanced functions such as remote monitoring, sensing, and analytics. Despite continued demand, there have been few fundamental innovations in primary battery chemistries in 40 years, even though batteries remain a key roadblock for advanced devices. This project develops a high-energy primary battery chemistry that boosts state-of-the-art energy density by >50%, translating to 50% longer battery life or 30% smaller battery sizes. The innovation advances understanding of fluoride-conversion-based battery chemistry, while also demonstrating a new battery architecture that stores energy in both solid and liquid phases. The unprecedented high energy density provides strong competitive advantage unachievable by commercial chemistries and unlocks an advanced device design space, improving patient quality of life, facilitating the transition of healthcare from hospital to home, and promoting integrated Internet of Things infrastructure. Commercialization will follow a business-to-business model, with wearables as the beachhead market.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a pre-commercial primary battery prototype for wearable devices based on a new catholyte (cathode+electrolyte), which hybridizes with commercial solid cathodes, like carbon monofluoride, to minimize inactive ?deadweight? in the cell. Conventional carbon monofluoride batteries utilize inert electrolyte that does not store energy. Previous attempts to replace the electrolyte with active catholytes were unsuccessful due to poor voltage/chemical compatibility with carbon monofluoride. The catholyte herein exhibits excellent compatibility with carbon monofluoride, enabling a hybrid cell design that significantly reduces inactive weight, resulting in >50% higher volumetric energy than carbon monofluoride coin cells. The objective of this project is to develop a practical-scale coin cell prototype that demonstrates high energy under continuous and pulse discharge conditions relevant to wearable device operation. The proposed work addresses two technical hurdles: achieving high volumetric energy within constrained cell volume and sustaining power capability with ~2x increased electrode thickness. These challenges will be addressed through systematic investigation of key parameters governing active material utilization, discharge product nucleation and growth, and anode solid electrolyte interphase formation. These studies will inform cathode/cell design strategies, enabling the fabrication of practical-loading prototype and validating cell performance under application-relevant conditions.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.HEAT2POWER INC.
SBIR Phase I: Upscaling Air-Bridge Thermophotovoltaics for Thermal Batteries
Contact
2121 DEVONSHIRE RD
Ann Arbor, MI 48104--4059
NSF Award
2507476 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in advancing reliable, energy efficient, and modular electricity generation through thermophotovoltaic cell technology. Unlike conventional dynamic heat engines, which include moving parts and heat exchangers, thermophotovoltaic cells convert high-temperature thermal energy directly into electricity using a solid-state device, offering rapid load-response, greater modularity, and less down time. Recent innovations in thermophotovoltaic design enable these cells to generate up to 500 times more electricity per unit area compared to rooftop solar, unlocking cost-effective use of high-quality semiconductor materials and supporting distributed energy production in industrial settings. By integrating thermophotovoltaics with modular thermal batteries, facilities can power operations with low-cost energy and support the electric grid with flexible storage solutions, a critical capability as variable sources and loads increasingly enter the energy landscape. This project aims to develop highly efficient thermophotovoltaic modules for on-site combined heat and power systems, addressing a multi-billion-dollar market. Societal benefits include reductions in primary energy consumption and energy costs, job creation at manufacturing facilities where this technology will be scaled up, and development of a semiconductor technology critical to defense and civilian applications.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on development of air-bridge thermophotovoltaic modules for efficient conversion of high-temperature thermal energy to electricity. The project exploits a novel air-bridge architecture that reflects over 98% of waste infrared photons back to the thermal source, thus narrowing the transferred spectrum to maximize usable energy and improving heat-to-power conversion by up to 30%. The principal problem addressed by this technology is overcoming the limited efficiency and temperature range of traditional thermophotovoltaic devices, which has restricted practical deployment. Research objectives are designed to build confidence in this technology among thermal battery system developers and vendors, which are the intended customers and commercialization partners. These objectives include scaling fabrication to wafer-scale modules, building and testing modules under relevant use conditions, and demonstrating modules that maintain high efficiency at high power densities. The technical advances position air-bridge thermophotovoltaics as a scalable solution for industrial power and energy storage, with a clear path toward commercial pilot projects and widespread market adoption.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.HELIX ACOUSTICS, LLC
STTR Phase I: The Development of a Benchtop Focused Ultrasound Transducer Array for Rapid DNA Extraction
Contact
709 S JEFFERSON ST STE 3
Roanoke, VA 24016--5106
NSF Award
2537879 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,948
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project will be the development of a novel DNA extraction system designed to make genetic testing faster, easier, and more accessible. DNA sample preparation is a critical and universal step in genetic testing workflows, yet it remains time-consuming, labor-intensive, and difficult to scale. These challenges are particularly severe for complex tissues, such as plant material, dense tissues, or complex bacteria, where existing methods often fail or require lengthy chemical processing. Due to these sample preparation challenges, the speed, reliability, and impact of genetic testing is limited across sectors, ranging from diagnostics to agriculture, food safety, and forensics. This project will address these limitations by developing a solution that uses sound waves to rapidly break down robust tissues and release high-quality DNA. By reducing processing time and increasing DNA quality, this technology can improve diagnostic accuracy and promote new applications of genetic testing while also strengthening biosecurity and defense.
This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project will develop a DNA extraction platform powered by a focused ultrasound transducer array that enables simultaneous tissue homogenization and cell lysis within a compact, integrated system. This technology utilizes high-pressure focused ultrasound pulses that generate a dense cavitation ?bubble cloud? that mechanically disintegrates samples into an acellular debris. The core innovation of this project will be the replacement of conventional multi-step sample preparation workflows that rely on harsh chemicals with precisely controlled acoustic cavitation to enable rapid, high-throughput processing of tough tissue matrices. Achieving this integration will require significant advances in transducer array design, acoustic pulsing schemes, and system miniaturization that are inherently difficult for conventional approaches to replicate. This project will focus on designing and fabricating a scalable transducer array optimized for power efficiency, developing driving electronics capable of delivering stable, repeatable acoustic output, and integrating these components into a modular prototype suitable for laboratory use. The research objectives will systematically characterize electrical output, acoustic pressure profiles, and cavitation behavior, and correlate these parameters with DNA yield, purity, and downstream amplification efficiency. This project will establish the technical feasibility of a high-throughput, focused ultrasound extraction system.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.HIDALGA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
SBIR Phase I: AI-Driven Platform for Prior Authorization Automation and Workflow Optimization in Oncology Specialty Healthcare
Contact
3352 CORSICA TER
Springdale, AR 72764--7590
NSF Award
2507367 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,935
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in transforming oncology prior authorization (PA) processes through artificial intelligence (AI) automation. Current PA systems are labor-intensive, causing costly delays in life-saving cancer treatments. This innovation aims to streamline treatment approvals, reducing administrative burdens and supporting faster patient access to care. By leveraging natural language processing and machine learning, the platform could improve workflow efficiency, decrease PA processing times, and increase initial PA approval rates. The commercial potential is significant, with the U.S. oncology clinics market of $454 million. The business model follows a subscription-based software approach, ensuring scalability and recurring revenue. The company projects over $8 million in revenue and break even by year three, positioning itself for long-term growth and acquisition by major healthcare IT firms. This project will advance scientific understanding of AI applications in healthcare administration while providing a scalable, competitive solution to a critical inefficiency in US healthcare. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop and validate an AI-driven platform to automate prior authorization (PA) processing in oncology clinics, addressing a critical bottleneck in timely cancer treatment. Current PA workflows are manual, time-consuming, and prone to missing documents and errors, delaying treatment initiation by an average of two weeks and leading to increased patient mortality. This project will integrate natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML), and reinforcement learning (RL) to streamline PA submission, predict approval likelihoods, and optimize workflows. The research objectives include (1) developing NLP models to extract key clinical data from unstructured medical records, (2) training ML models to predict PA outcomes with high accuracy based on historical and real-time data, and (3) implementing RL-driven workflow automation to optimize PA submissions and follow-ups. The outcomes will establish a foundation for broader deployment across multiple specialties, enhancing healthcare operational efficiency nationwide. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
HOMEOSTASIS SYSTEMS CORP
SBIR Phase I: Purification of Electrochemical Graphite for Use as a Critical Material for U.S. Power Infrastructure
Contact
607 S AINSWORTH AVE UNIT 302
Tacoma, WA 98405--3371
NSF Award
2538128 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$303,518
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the advancement of domestic graphite anode material production, enabling a domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain. Lithium-ion batteries are the most widely used energy storage technology in our economy, critical for electric vehicles, grid energy storage, data center infrastructure for U.S. AI development, and the field power systems used throughout U.S. defense. Today, graphite is mined or synthesized from a byproduct of fossil fuel refinement. Both approaches are limited by feedstock, require high energy input, take months to produce, and require harsh purification techniques. The innovation utilizes industrial emissions as feedstock, enables production of anode material on the order of weeks, and can scale in a modular fashion with repeatable reactor design reducing deployment risk for customers and capital partners. The proposed development is to close a material property gap such that the final graphite anode material is a drop-in replacement for existing commercial grade anode materials.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will address whether the final graphite anode material, synthesized electrochemically through the innovation, can be made to have a specific surface area of <3 m2/g strictly through modification of specific electrochemical parameters. Incumbent commercial lithium-ion battery grade graphite anode material has a specific surface area of 1-3 m2/g. This metric is key for the control of the solid electrolyte interface layer that is formed upon first charge of the battery. Controlled solid electrolyte interface layer growth through anode surface area prevents electrolyte degradation, enables reversible charging/discharging, and improves battery longevity by allowing lithium ions to pass while blocking electrons. The primary difference between anode material made from the proposed innovation and the incumbent anode material is the specific surface area. It is predicted that the surface area of graphite produced through the proposed innovation is predominantly controlled by cathode surface chemistry, electrolyte composition, and current density control. Through control of these variables an anticipated improvement to mass transport in the electrochemical cell will be observed, allowing for consistent crystalline carbon growth.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.HYDROKINETX CORPORATION
STTR Phase I: Empowering Oceanic Intelligence with Unlimited Marine Energy
Contact
136 PILLSBURY POINT
Arnolds Park, IA 51331-
NSF Award
2537673 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,950
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is in addressing a critical challenge in maritime sensing: the lack of long-lasting, reliable power for ocean monitoring. Currently, many sensors depend on batteries or solar panels, which often fail in remote areas or cloudy conditions. This limitation restricts how much data can be collected and how long missions can last. Using ocean wave energy, the project investigates how to provide a higher-output power source for small, autonomous sensing platforms. If successful, these systems could operate for extended periods without the need for frequent maintenance or battery replacements. The research aims to improve the ability to monitor maritime activity, protect coastal infrastructure, and track ambient changes. By advancing wave energy conversion technology, this project supports national interests in ocean observation, scientific innovation, and coastal resilience.
This research investigates high-power-density ocean wave energy conversion (WEC) mechanisms?specifically electromagnetic induction and pressure-volume-work pathways?to enable compact, wave-powered autonomous sensing platforms. The primary objective is to determine the feasibility of achieving scalable electrical power outputs up to 100 W within small-form-factor systems. The intellectual merit of this work lies in advancing WEC technology through the optimization of design parameters, conversion efficiencies, and dynamic energy transfer control for maritime applications. The methodology utilizes integrated analytical and computational modeling to characterize wave-to-electric energy conversion, followed by rigorous design trade studies to identify high-performance configurations. To validate these models, benchtop prototypes will be fabricated and experimentally evaluated under representative loading and simulated sea states, measuring empirical energy capture and end-to-end conversion efficiency. The resulting feasibility data and verified performance estimates will provide a technical framework for developing persistent maritime domain awareness (MDA) platforms. By overcoming the energy density limitations of current small-scale WECs, this research offers a path toward self-sustaining, long-endurance oceanographic and defense sensing capabilities that are independent of battery capacity or solar availability.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.HYDROPORE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
STTR Phase I: Zinc-Assisted Two-Step Electrolyzer for Clean Hydrogen Production Using Low Purity Water
Contact
3401 GRAYS FERRY AVE BLDG 176-1090
Philadelphia, PA 19146--2701
NSF Award
2528022 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to enable small-scale hydrogen users to produce their own hydrogen fuel on-site and on-demand. Currently, delivering hydrogen to end users requires the use of highly pressurized tanks, which can be expensive for small-scale users and raise safety concerns. To tackle this issue, this STTR Phase I project will develop a compact, portable device that generates clean hydrogen fuel using energy from sunlight or wind. This will allow for clean hydrogen production exactly where it is needed and when it is needed, with applications ranging from hydrogen fuel cell drones and forklifts to heavy-duty trucks. Additionally, this device, which is made from materials abundant in the U.S., will store renewable energy, allowing users to produce hydrogen even when sunlight or wind energy is unavailable. This innovation aims to make hydrogen a more accessible and affordable energy source, particularly for those who lack reliable access to traditional power grids. Conventional water electrolyzers that split water into hydrogen fuel and oxygen require high-purity water and cannot produce hydrogen off-grid. Producing hydrogen off-grid, on-site, and on-demand using low-purity water is desirable for many applications. This project aims to address the limitation of conventional electrolyzers by developing an innovative zinc-assisted two-step electrolyzer that uses low-purity water to produce hydrogen off-grid, on-site, and on-demand. In step #1, hydrogen is produced when activated zinc spontaneously reacts with water, without requiring electrical energy input. This reaction converts the activated zinc into zinc oxide. In step #2, oxygen is produced when electrical energy (e.g., from renewable sources) is used to electrochemically convert the spent zinc oxide back to activated Zn, regenerating it for reuse in the next cycle. The electrochemical conversion of the inactive zinc oxide back to activated Zn stores renewable energy in Zn, that is effectively used to produce hydrogen in the next cycle. This STTR project will support the development of a prototype commercial-scale two-step electrolyzer by overcoming two technical hurdles: (i) First, reducing the high reaction overpotentials that arise during oxygen evolution in practical commercial-scale electrodes. This will require transitioning from small-sized electrodes with low mass loading to large-sized electrodes with high mass loading. (ii) Second, finding operating conditions that enable the use of non-desalinated seawater in the two-step electrolyzer. These conditions must not allow the formation of unwanted side products that can degrade the activated zinc. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ICARUS QUANTUM INC.
SBIR Phase I: A Tunable Source of On-Demand Single and Entangled Photons
Contact
397 PEARL ST
Boulder, CO 80302--4928
NSF Award
2507504 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in its potential to shape the quantum economy, unlocking new applications across fields ranging from pharmaceuticals to optimization and finance. Successful implementation of both short- and long-range quantum networking will provide the foundational infrastructure for data center-scale quantum computing and secure communication - two critical pillars for the future security of governments and industries alike. The proposed entangled photon device offers over 70-fold improvement in efficiency compared to current technologies, reducing system cost while accelerating the transition toward quantum advantage. By enabling modular quantum computing and supporting the distribution of entangled photon pairs, the proposed technology represents a necessary step toward realizing a functional quantum internet. The project aims to deliver a commercial-grade entangled photon generator by 2028. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project aims to evaluate the feasibility of generating high-fidelity, polarization-entangled photon pairs with high efficiency using semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). In strategic collaboration with NIST, the company has already demonstrated the ability to produce high-purity, indistinguishable single photons that surpass industry benchmarks, positioning it to advance toward deterministic entangled photon generation. The proposed project will utilize a QD chip, incorporating a p-i-n junction to stabilize the charge environment, embedded in an optical cavity and subjected to controlled mechanical strain to eliminate fine structure splitting by restoring QD symmetry. This approach ensures indistinguishability in all degrees of freedom except polarization, resulting in a high-fidelity entangled photon source. Embedding the QD in a cavity also reduces its radiative lifetime, enabling a high-rate, lifetime-limited entangled photon pair generation. The projected outcome of this project is a compact, chip-scale entangled photon generator, serving as a foundational component in the company?s planned turnkey device for scalable quantum networking. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ICHOR BIOLOGICS LLC
SBIR Phase I: A Platform to Decode Disease-Specific Immune Responses to Accelerate Drug Discovery and Clinical Decision-Making
Contact
206 E 67TH ST APT 54
New York, NY 10065--6267
NSF Award
2604271 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to enable a new way to understand how the human immune system responds to infections, vaccines, and disease. Current tools cannot easily identify which immune cells recognize specific disease targets, limiting progress in developing effective treatments. This project will attempt to create a technology that precisely identifies and measures disease-specific immune responses. The innovation may improve understanding of how immune responses differ across individuals and conditions, helping distinguish protective from harmful responses. This knowledge can accelerate vaccine development, improve therapeutic discovery, and support more personalized medicine approaches to treating chronic and infectious diseases. Commercially, the technology addresses a major unmet need in immune monitoring and drug development, where better tools are required to guide decisions and reduce costly clinical failures. By providing a scalable and practical solution, this project has the potential to support a growing biotechnology market while improving human health outcomes.
The proposed project addresses the challenge of identifying antigen-specific B cell responses and linking them to functional antibody activity. Antigens are molecules that trigger immune responses, and B cells are immune cells that produce antibodies targeting those antigens. Existing methods either measure antibody binding without identifying the cells that produce them or sequence immune cells without determining what they recognize. The objective is to develop an integrated system that selectively activates and expands antigen-specific B cells using controlled antigen presentation and programmable co-stimulation. The system will be evaluated by measuring activation, proliferation, antibody secretion, and antigen-specific enrichment under defined conditions. Additional studies will assess whether B cell receptor sequences can be recovered and linked to antigen specificity and functional activity. The expected outcome is a reproducible platform that generates antigen-resolved immune datasets connecting immune cell identity, function, and specificity.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.IMMUNO NANO MED, INC
STTR Phase I: Room Temperature Stable, Dry Powder Particle-Based Vaccines Against Influenza
Contact
5021 ATRB
Ames, IA 50011--0001
NSF Award
2528179 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to demonstrate room-temperature-stable, dry powder inhalable influenza vaccines represent as an innovative, next generation technology to promote the health and welfare of the American public by eliminating the existing pain points of current influenza vaccines. The global influenza vaccine market size is projected to increase to $17.77 billion by 2032. Therefore, the demand for innovative vaccines against seasonal respiratory viruses remains a high priority. These dry powder vaccines introduce a transformative innovation ? induction of durable protective immunity that targets both the upper and lower airways via nasal delivery and removing the cold chain due to room-temperature shelf stability, thereby lowering vaccine costs and wastage. This outcome can result in cost savings of up to 80%. The economic and social benefits of this vaccine technology will lead to achieving and maintaining a significant market share of the flu vaccine market. Additionally, this technology?s plug-and-play capability allows swapping pathogen-specific proteins and creating new inhalable room-temperature-stable vaccines for other respiratory pathogens. Altogether, this advance will significantly lower storage costs while improving our nation?s strategic preparedness in stockpiling vaccines against circulating disease, emerging threats, or biowarfare agents. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of producing a novel room-temperature-stable, dry-powder inhalable influenza vaccine and using a new scalable process to manufacture the vaccine. Current flu shots do not provide lung-specific immune responses and require refrigerated storage. This project?s value proposition is to replace current needle-in-the-arm, partially effective flu shots with next-generation vaccines and delivery methods. This project enables the risk-reducing R&D needed to advance a dry powder vaccine manufacturing technology called Payload Reduction and Encapsulation Technology (PRET). The goal is to demonstrate feasibility of this manufacturing method by showing dry powder influenza vaccines synthesized by PRET result in reproducible dry powder vaccine characteristics, high vaccine yields, protection against influenza infection, and room-temperature shelf stability. There are three objectives that will be pursued to demonstrate this: 1) feasibility of achieving initial pilot-scale production and characterization of dry powder influenza vaccines using PRET; 2) dry powder influenza vaccine efficacy compared to traditional flu vaccines; and 3) production of influenza particle-based vaccines using scaled-up engineering runs and evaluation of room-temperature shelf-life. The new paradigm represented by room-temperature-stable, dry powder vaccines has the potential to transform the vaccine-delivery landscape and enhance the nation?s pandemic preparedness. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
INFINION TECHNOLOGY, INC.
STTR Phase I: Improving the reliability of the United States' energy grid by predicting transformer failures
Contact
680 JANE STANFORD WAY # C382
Stanford, CA 94305--7313
NSF Award
2528410 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,948
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project seeks to develop an electronic partial discharge (PD) monitoring system that addresses the unmet need for noninvasive, cost-effective continuous PD monitoring. Over two-thirds of electrical transformers in the United States are at or past their expected lifespan, leaving the energy grid at risk of catastrophic failure. Current technologies for monitoring transformer health are expensive to operate, invasive, or require the use of additional resources (e.g., off-site analysis equipment). Because of the resources and human-power required of these existing tools, particularly those that require testing at the transformer site, PD monitoring occurs infrequently (i.e., annually) and only identifies PD after it has occurred. The technology to be developed offers risk mitigation by enabling electric companies to make informed decisions about transformer maintenance, utilizing PD detection and prediction capabilities. This technology will have unmatched value in strategic planning, where plans for transformer maintenance and replacement are based on continuous health information. Overall, the technology will positively impact all Americans that use electronics regularly, and could ultimately serve as a platform that can monitor PD in a variety of electrically insulated components, such as switchgears, inverters, generators, and electric motors. The intellectual merit of this project involves a novel, patented technology that allows the collection of high-quality data at a rate two orders of magnitude above that provided by traditional sensors, circumventing existing bandwidth and signal-to-noise limitations. This innovation significantly extends the sensor?s operational range, improving the accuracy of PD detection. The volume of data captured by this new sensor design will also provide a foundation for training models on the physical and application-specific elements of equipment failures, enabling more accurate detection of anomalies and prediction of specific failure types. In Phase I, R&D will be conducted to develop a prototype that meets the requirements for non-invasive function (i.e., installation on the transformer?s external wires) while maintaining a high level of sensitivity and data capture. During the program, the following objectives will be pursued: 1) assessment of bandwidth, sensitivity, and signal-to-noise characteristics at lab scale; 2) translation of benchtop characteristics to the bucket transformer use case; and 3) enhancement of the material platform, signal processing, and read-out interface. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
INSIGNA, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Safe non-surgical alternative to spays in female cats
Contact
60 HAZELWOOD DR # 230G
Champaign, IL 61820--7460
NSF Award
2415687 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
11/01/2024 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is achieved through developing a novel non-surgical method of sterilizing female cats. Unlike traditional spays, this innovation uses a single injection of a small implant to achieve sterilization. The high costs and risks associated with surgically removing reproductive organs often lead cat owners to delay or avoid sterilization, which contributes to cat overpopulation and abandonment. This situation exacerbates the strain on animal shelters and communities, contributing to around 500,000 cats being euthanized annually and an estimated 32 million free-roaming cats across the US. This new approach may address the substantial market of over 2 million female kittens born annually in the US, offering a commercially viable solution to these widespread issues. Additionally, the proposed project is expected to enhance the understanding of reproductive endocrinology in domestic cats, paving the way for future veterinary advancements. In the long term, this product could revolutionize traditional population management approaches and improve the care of companion animals.
The proposed project addresses a critical need for a more affordable, less invasive sterilization method for female cats. The main objective of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel non-surgical method for sterilizing cats, including its effect on fertility and sexual behavior. Female kittens will be treated with three escalating doses and at two different ages to determine the optimal dose range and treatment age. Effectiveness on fertility will be assessed by measuring blood sex hormone concentration, executing histological examination of reproductive organs, and conducting breeding trials. Effectiveness on sexual behavior will be determined by monitoring their reproductive cycles and assessing their mating behaviors in the presence of proven male cats. This treatment is expected to cause infertility by irreversibly inactivating reproductive neurons in the hypothalamus that play a critical role in fertility in the female cat. The proposed study aims to accomplish two goals: refine the product to suit the unique metabolic and reproductive traits of female cats and provide evidence of its effectiveness and safety to initiate regulatory approval.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ISEECHANGE, Inc.
SBIR Phase I: Deep Learning Framework for Mapping Flood Extent from Unstructured Photos
Contact
4532 BANCROFT DR
New Orleans, LA 70122--1206
NSF Award
2537872 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,018
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/ commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in helping communities handle floods better by turning public photos and videos into near-real-time useful data. Currently, it is difficult to get a clear picture during emergencies because sensors and satellites are often too far away or field surveys are too expensive. This system uses smartphone images to create real-time maps that help rescuers and city planners see exactly where the water is. This technology makes flood response faster and more accurate, which helps save lives and reduce property damage. For businesses, this tool provides a scalable service for emergency responders, infrastructure planners, utilities, and insurance companies, creating new jobs in the tech industry. Overall, this project creates a more affordable and effective way for the nation to manage flood risks using the photos people already take on their phones.
The core technical innovation of this project is a high-risk, difficult-to-replicate method for automatically converting individual flood photographs into precise, georeferenced flood extent maps using artificial intelligence. This effort utilizes advanced computer vision to identify and match ground control points between unstructured images and geographic maps, a process that has historically required time-consuming manual intervention. This innovation is particularly challenging because it requires identifying stable reference features in unstructured images that may be noisy or partially obscured by floodwater. The Phase I research focuses on overcoming the primary technical barrier: automatically identifying reference features in unstructured images and matching them to existing geospatial data. The research scope includes automating image segmentation for flooded areas, developing and testing deep learning models that detect visual features and align them with mapped reference points, and leveraging monoplotting techniques to project observed flood boundaries onto elevation maps. The resulting localized flood extents will then be combined to form continuous maps of peak inundation at the storm level. The work will demonstrate technical feasibility, quantify accuracy, and reduce uncertainty in an automated workflow suitable for operational use.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.IVSONANCE BIOMEDICAL INC
SBIR Phase I: Novel Acoustic Tweezers for Enhanced Efficiency Ova Denudation in ART
Contact
204 SUMMERHILL DR APT 5
Ithaca, NY 14850--2846
NSF Award
2528147 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to provide a contactless single cell micromanipulation tool using modulated sound waves. This technology will improve single cell handling. The proposed innovation allows handling of delicate biological materials of various sizes. This project will automate various procedures within an embryology lab to decrease costs. The successful development and commercialization of the proposed acoustic tool will increase procedure reliability and embryologists? productivity. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a semi-automated acoustic tweezer capable of handling delicate biological materials that are 7-15 microns, 100-120 microns, and 400-700 microns using a single frequency. This contactless automation technology aims to remove user-performance variability by using acoustic approach that helps embryologists perform the denudation procedure optimally. This technology is designed as an accessory to assist embryologists by lowering skill dependency, not to replace them, a threat imposed by robotic solutions with liability concerns. This contactless approach also relaxes the concerns over the micropipette supply chain, their expiration date and the time and resources used for their sterilization. This project will develop a user-friendly commercial module based on end-user feedback and will ensure optimal performance by rigorously testing it on mice gametes and optimizing the denudation conditions. This enhancement may result in superior blastocyst quality. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
KROKOS BIO INC
SBIR Phase I: A Method for Domestic Production of Saffron, Utilizing Novel Plant Cell Culture Techniques for Cell Adhesion and Immobilization.
Contact
610 HOOP ST
Olean, NY 14760--2918
NSF Award
2528085 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the creation of a scalable and reliable method for domestic saffron production. Saffron, one of the world?s most expensive spices, faces significant production challenges due to its high cultivation costs, sensitivity to weather conditions, and labor-intensive harvesting process. By reducing dependence on foreign supply chains and mitigating risks from crop failures, this innovation has the potential to stabilize global saffron availability and pricing. The project will benefit both consumers and businesses that rely on saffron, while strengthening U.S. leadership in advanced agricultural biotechnology and specialty ingredient manufacturing. Beyond saffron, this project also helps advance scientific understanding of how to grow complex plant tissues in the lab. The work combines cell culture, plant biology, and manufacturing innovation to build a platform that could be used for other rare plant-based ingredients in the future. In doing so, it promotes growth in the emerging field of cellular agriculture, supports the U.S. economy through domestic production and job creation, and strengthens supply chain resilience for natural products. The proposed project aims to revolutionize saffron production through the development of lab-grown Crocus sativus stigma tissue. The approach involves cultivating Crocus sativus callus cells in suspension culture, followed by integrating them with a scaffold for immobilized culture. The cells will be extruded within a hydrogel into an elongated shape and induced to differentiate into stigma-like tissue expressing secondary metabolites, mimicking the structure of natural saffron threads. The development of a specialized scaffold will enable suitable cell adhesion and controlled plant tissue growth leading to an increase in the production of the valuable metabolites that give saffron its characteristic color, taste and bioactive functions. This novel culture system and differentiation method for Crocus sativus cells will facilitate the production of saffron that is nearly indistinguishable from traditionally grown threads. The objective is to create a scalable, cost-effective, and climate-resilient method for saffron production that ensures consistent quality and supply while significantly reducing costs. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
LEONINE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
STTR Phase I: Intelligent Control System for Polymer Injection Molding
Contact
8120 PENN AVE S
Minneapolis, MN 55431--3114
NSF Award
2506979 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is the development of a smart control system that improves the efficiency and reliability of plastic injection molding, a process used to manufacture millions of parts for medical devices, automobiles, and consumer goods. Today, manufacturers often rely on trial-and-error methods that waste time, energy, and materials, and make it difficult to use recycled plastics due to their variability. The system can predict if a part will meet quality standards before it is finished and can automatically adjust machine settings to reduce mistakes. This saves energy (12?15%), lowers scrap rates, and makes it easier to use more recycled materials without losing quality. The technology will first help medical device companies reduce costly production errors and speed up approvals, improving patient safety. It will also help automotive and consumer product companies make strong, reliable products while using more recycled plastics. By cutting waste and energy use, this system supports cleaner manufacturing and helps U.S. companies stay competitive. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project develops and validates a hybrid (physics- and artificial intelligence-driven) closed-loop control system for injection molding. The system combines real-time multivariate in-mold sensing (pressure, temperature, shrinkage) with machine-state signals (injection speed, hold pressure, cooling, screw rotation speed, switchover points) to model melt-state dynamics. This approach integrates physics-based models of flow, viscoelasticity, shrinkage, shear, and crystallization with Gaussian Process Regression, Principal Component Analysis, Partial Least Squares, and AI-based algorithms to enable part-quality inference before ejection. Phase I objectives are: (1) demonstrate predictive quality control with decision cycles under 500 milliseconds, (2) optimize cycle time through dynamic control of hold and cooling phases, (3) validate robustness when molding high recycled resin content (targets: 70?80% polypropylene, ~70% polyethylene) compared to virgin resins, and (4) establish data integrity protocols consistent with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and ISO 13485 standards. Data collection will be conducted at the University of Massachusetts Lowell using a pre-instrumented press and molds. Expected outcomes include predictive models with <5% error on quality metrics, energy efficiency gains of 12?15%, and proof-of-concept adaptive controls. The results advance understanding of polymer process dynamics and lay the foundation for Phase II commercialization. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
LEVOSENS, INC.
STTR Phase I: Integrating Machine Learning and Multimodal eCH Sensing for Real-Time Biomarker Detection
Contact
123 W FRANKLIN ST STE 550
Chapel Hill, NC 27516--2506
NSF Award
2537833 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I aims to develop a novel electrochemical biosensing platform for real-time monitoring of dynamic biomarkers that underlie complex chronic conditions. The project also promotes interdisciplinary innovation, fosters industry-academic collaboration, and supports U.S. competitiveness in digital health technology. Together, these efforts support the development of a transformative platform that bridges molecular insight and personalized care through real-time, intelligent biosensing.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will address major limitations of current biosensors, which rely on unimodal signal detection and suffer from poor analyte specificity, narrow dynamic ranges, and poor sensitivity. This is especially problematic for analytes like levodopa, which requires real-time monitoring within a shifting and narrow therapeutic window, and lactate, which fluctuates rapidly during critical illness. The project will overcome these limitations by combining multiple electrochemical biosensing modalities to improve signal quality and sensitivity and capture biomarker dynamics over broad physiological ranges. Key innovations include the use of engineered direct electron transfer enzymes to ensure substrate-specific responses, and the integration of machine learning models trained to interpret complex signal features while minimizing noise. Phase I will include sensor signal acquisition and machine learning model development, as well as in vitro and ex vivo validation of models using human plasma. This work establishes a modular framework applicable to additional analytes. By leveraging fused multimodal features, this project is among the first to fully integrate machine learning with multimodal electrochemical sensing, advancing both algorithm development and biosensor performance for future clinical applications.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.LEXEL SYNERGETICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Text Rewriting Tool Using Novel Discrete Style and Inference-Based Artificial Intelligence (AI) Model
Contact
5676 NW 132ND AVE
Portland, OR 97229--2420
NSF Award
2528324 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Phase I project stems from a novel framework that can automatically rewrite any text for any purpose while accurately preserving meaning. This rewriting requires just one example text, so reduces manual effort while resolving several issues that can lead to inconsistent and impersonal results with existing tools such as Grammarly, QuillBot, and ChatGPT. These advantages will benefit numerous fields, such as law, medicine, marketing, journalism, and education. Within the legal and medical fields, higher accuracy will support new use cases compared with prior methods, which are more likely to compromise content. Content creators, such as journalists and marketers, will be able to reduce rewriting time while adapting their content to broader audiences. The proposed framework is also expected to improve education. For example, learning materials can be adapted based on the needs of each student. Those materials will be especially helpful for students with learning disabilities and those that do not speak English as their first language. More generally, the proposed framework can be used to simplify complex texts, such as government communications. In doing so, that information will be more accessible to everyone. This Small Business Technology Phase I project focuses on the research and development of a novel text style transfer framework that can rewrite text in any style and eliminate the need for per-style fine-tuning, inaccurate style matching, and manual user effort that plague existing tools. The overall approach is based on the novel concept of discrete style features, an interpretable and efficient mechanism to enable accurate and scalable rewriting. This project builds upon this concept with three key innovations. First, this project uses a novel style analysis pipeline in order to determine discrete style features and then automatically represent any writing style using those features. Second, this project leverages a specialized training method to encourage more explicit style awareness in rewriting models. Third, this project introduces a more reliable mechanism for users to make fine-grained adjustments to text style via text input. Collectively, these innovations establish a fundamentally new paradigm in text style transfer, advancing both the theoretical and practical capabilities of text style transfer while significantly improving efficiency, interpretability, and customization. Furthermore, a systematic methodology is implemented that allows direct comparison of expected user satisfaction for various rewriting services based on output texts. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
LIMAX BIOSCIENCES, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Hemostatic Tough Adhesive Hydrogels for Advanced Biosurgery
Contact
12 DIMICK ST
Somerville, MA 02143--4317
NSF Award
2528115 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to address longstanding unmet needs in bleeding control. Uncontrolled bleeding is a major intraoperative issue and postoperative complication with high economic impacts, increasing procedural costs up to $30,000. Of 1.6 million surgical procedures in the US, 15% or 240,000 patients underwent re-operation due to lack of hemostasis. Post-operative bleeding results in 2-3 times longer hospital stay (15 vs 6 days), 6 times longer ICU stay (6 vs 1 days) and increased costs of 3-4 times ($40k vs $14k). HemoMax has the potential to save 70,000 lives per year in the US and reduce the suffering and recovery time of many more patients worldwide. This project supports job creation by employing researchers, engineers, and technicians while fostering workforce development through specialized training in biomaterials, medical device manufacturing, and regulatory science. It contributes to industry competitiveness by developing highly skilled professionals who drive innovation in biomedical engineering and surgical hemostasis. Additionally, this work may result in patent filings and peer-reviewed publications, protecting intellectual property while disseminating cutting-edge research on biomaterial-based wound management to the scientific and clinical communities. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will translate a new hemostatic hydrogel for advanced bleeding. Limax?s bioinspired hydrogel design achieves adhesion energies 100 to 1,000 times greater than those of existing commercial adhesives on wet tissue surfaces. Adhesion occurs within minutes, is independent of blood exposure, and forms a robust seal compatible with dynamic in vivo environments. The proposed project will proceed in three phases: (1) Phase I will focus on optimizing HemoMax for the rapid and effective sealing of bleeding solid organs; (2) Phase II will evaluate the material?s performance after terminal sterilization, assessing retention of adhesive and mechanical properties under clinically relevant conditions; (3) Phase III will assess acute and chronic performance in a large animal model of partial nephrectomy, providing critical insights into in vivo efficacy and biocompatibility. Together, these studies will provide a comprehensive preclinical foundation to support the translation of HemoMax toward GLP-enabling studies, positioning the technology for future regulatory and clinical advancement. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
LIVING SENSORS INC
SBIR Phase I: Engineering Living Sensors to Reveal Environmental Threats
Contact
1235 SAN CRISTOBAL DR
Riverside, CA 92506--3624
NSF Award
2537955 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to improve the ability to detect and manage contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of persistent industrial chemicals often called ?forever chemicals.? PFAS contamination has affected millions of acres of agricultural land in the United States, creating risks for food systems, ecosystems, and rural economies. Current monitoring approaches rely on laboratory testing of soil samples, which is costly and sparse, leaving large areas untested. This project will develop a plant-based environmental sensing system that enables large-scale screening of soils for PFAS contamination. By integrating contamination detection into deployable plant systems, the approach has the potential to generate high-resolution contamination maps, guide remediation efforts, and reduce monitoring costs. The technology combines advances in synthetic biology and remote sensing to create a new class of living diagnostics ? living sensors. If successful, this work will enhance scientific understanding of how engineered biological systems can function as distributed sensors while providing a practical tool to improve contaminant monitoring, agricultural resilience, and public health protection. Early markets are expected to include government and industrial site managers who monitor large areas of land potentially affected by PFAS contamination.
The proposed project will develop a genetically engineered cover crop capable of detecting specific PFAS compounds in soil and producing a visible signal that can be detected remotely. The project will focus on engineering plant hormone receptor circuits that respond selectively to PFAS molecules and activate a reporter signal in plant tissue. Candidate receptor variants will be designed using computational protein engineering and constructed using high-throughput gene synthesis and directed evolution. These receptors will be integrated into a pennycress cover crop to create sentinel plants that convert molecular detection events into visible signals such as pigment production or autonomous bioluminescence. A remote sensing pipeline using drone or satellite imaging will be developed to detect and map these signals across large areas. This Phase I project will test the feasibility of this approach by engineering PFAS-responsive receptors and validating sensor performance in controlled greenhouse conditions. The anticipated outcome is proof-of-concept validation of a scalable plant-based sensing platform.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.LR INNOVOPTICS INC
SBIR Phase I: High-Throughput Manufacturing of Ultracompact, High-Contrast Precision Glass Micro-Optics for Next-Generation Photonics and Imaging
Contact
4815 N ROCK CANYON RD
Tucson, AZ 85750--6064
NSF Award
2528263 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact and commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in making advanced light-based (optical) technologies more affordable and accessible by developing a new way to 3D-print tiny glass parts that control light. These parts, called micro-optics, are used in cameras, lasers, medical tools, communication systems, etc. Currently, making these components is slow, expensive, and requires putting together lots of small pieces. This project introduces a faster and easier method that can create complete light-controlling systems in one step. This could help more people and companies use high-quality optical technology, while also opening new possibilities in fields like telecommunications, healthcare, and self-driving vehicles. The new process costs less, works faster, and allows more creative designs, giving the company a strong advantage in a growing market. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to overcome key limitations in the fabrication of high-performance glass micro-optics by developing a high-throughput 3D printing system utilizing an advanced two-photon polymerization (TPP) technique. Traditional methods for producing glass optics are hindered by high complexity, limited scalability, and elevated costs, and are unable to fabricate monolithic optical systems with integrated functionality. The proposed work will develop a novel 3D printing platform capable of producing high-precision, high-contrast glass micro-optical elements at high throughput. The research objectives include optimizing printing parameters for high optical quality, calibrating TPP printing systems to achieve sub-micron accuracy and uniformity, and fabricating prototype micro-optical systems with integrated optical functions. The project will integrate advances in materials science, ultrafast laser processing, and precision motion control to establish a scalable and alignment-free manufacturing process for micro-optics. The anticipated technical outcome is the demonstration of a reliable fabrication method for complex, compact glass micro-optical systems with superior optical performance, reduced assembly requirements, and improved manufacturability. This research will lay the technical foundation for a disruptive manufacturing approach that enables the widespread adoption of high-performance micro-optics in photonics, medical imaging, and other advanced optical systems. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
LUMINOVA BIOTECH LLC
STTR Phase I: Mitochondria-ON: a Platform for Light-Responsive Energy Generation in Plant Mitochondria
Contact
515 MADISON AVE FL 29
New York, NY 10022-
NSF Award
2507381 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is a more productive and resilient food supply, enabled by enhanced growth and stress tolerance for a wide range of crop plants. This project aims to impart these benefits through the development of a technology that augments plant mitochondrial function using light to reduce oxygen instead of electron transfer. The technology offers an entirely novel means of accelerating plant growth and increasing plant stress tolerance, potentially leading to increased yields and crop loss reductions. Even marginal crop yield increases can have significant economic impacts; thus, the proposed technology?which can be introduced into any crop plant amenable to genetic modification?carries the potential to provide farmers growing a wide range of crops with sustained economic benefits. Moreover, this increase in productivity can help meet rising global food demand without the need for expansions in agricultural land. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to meet the need for novel traits that increase crop yield without an associated increase in nutrient demand. To accomplish this, the project will leverage a technology that enhances respiration in response to light. This technology has already been shown to be functional and impart benefits at the cellular and organism levels in animal models; the aim of this project is to build on this work by demonstrating a proof-of-concept for use of the technology in plants. The technology will first be introduced into a model plant system and evaluated for functionality at the cellular level. Benefits to plant growth and development as a result of the technology will then be evaluated. Ultimately, this project aims to show that the use of the technology imparts benefits to a range of critical plant growth and development parameters. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Lepidext LLC
SBIR Phase I: Accelerated Discovery of Species-Specific Sterilizing Viral Biopesticides
Contact
1122 OAK HILL DR
Lexington, KY 40505--3322
NSF Award
2537778 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to provide farmers with viable alternatives to chemical pesticides by transforming how biological pest control agents are discovered and developed. Current pest management relies heavily on chemicals that leave residues in food and water, harm beneficial insects, and lose effectiveness as pests develop resistance. This project seeks to harness naturally occurring, species-specific biocontrol agents that currently go undetected by conventional methods, offering targeted, sustained pest suppression without the drawbacks of chemical inputs. By reducing reliance on chemicals, this approach supports sustainable agriculture and improves economic stability for farmers facing rising control costs and increasing crop losses. Reducing resistant pest populations also extends the longevity of valuable crop traits, protecting broader agricultural biotechnology investments. This work enhances scientific understanding of the biological solutions that already exist in natural systems, with implications beyond agriculture, including public health and other pest management contexts. If successful, it would enable a scalable platform for targeted pest control across diverse crops and regions, supporting food security, strengthening rural economies through reduced input costs and improved crop reliability, and opening new commercial markets for crop protection products developed without chemical pesticides. The initial crop of interest is corn, which represents a large market with significant growth potential.
The proposed project addresses the critical bottleneck in biocontrol development: the inability to systematically discover and isolate viable insect viruses for pest management applications. Current approaches rely on chance observations of naturally occurring outbreaks, or discovering symptomatic insects during unrelated research, limiting discovery of potential biological control agents that are largely asymptomatic in natural populations. This project develops an integrated platform that combines molecular surveillance of field populations, novel amplification methods, and targeted molecular techniques to make previously unusable viruses into biocontrol candidates. The research objectives are to establish molecular detection methods for identifying viral presence in moth populations, develop scalable propagation systems for viruses that have not previously been isolated, and establish molecular approaches for inducing infection states suitable for biocontrol. The anticipated results include validated protocols for systematic biocontrol agent discovery, reproducible methods for pathogen isolation and amplification from field-collected specimens, and demonstrated activation of previously inaccessible biocontrol agents. Success will produce a systematic framework that transforms biocontrol development from a reactive, chance-dependent process into a proactive, targeted discovery platform that can be applied across multiple agricultural pest species.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MACROCYCLE TECHNOLOGIES
SBIR Phase I: Low-Cost, Waste-Resilient Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) and Polyester Upcycling Through Macrocyclic Chemistry
Contact
750 MAIN ST
Cambridge, MA 02139--3544
NSF Award
2507694 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is the development of an efficient recycling technology that converts mixed and contaminated low value polyester textile waste into a high-purity, high value solution. This innovation enhances scientific understanding of recycling through investigation of impurities in plastic waste and the removal of the latter. Commercially, the technology addresses a global market exceeding 100 million metric tons and >$130B per year, where demand for high-quality recycled content is rapidly growing. The initial market focus will be on packaging and textiles, sectors actively seeking cost-effective, virgin-grade recycled plastic. By avoiding costly breakdown into lower value components and high energy inputs, this technology achieves cost parity, providing a sustained competitive advantage over incumbents. It enables domestic supply chain resiliency, while diverting strategic resources into fuel and energy rather than plastics, and waste away from our waterways. The business model involves direct sales of recycled plastic to converters and brands. Because the recycled plastic meets virgin performance specifications and integrates seamlessly into existing supply chains, it enables customers to meet recycled content targets without a cost premium. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project develops a new process to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyester materials through a non-destructive and selective process. In the >$100 billion PET and polyester markets, existing mechanical recycling is very limited given typically observed contamination levels and the inability to remove them. Chemical recycling technologies, such as Methanolysis, Glycolysis or Enzymolysis of PET back into its monomers, have the potential to derive virgin-grade PET from wastes but are complex, costly, and thus mostly not economically competitive with fossil-based plastic production. This SBIR Phase I project develops a new technology that does not follow the depolymerization of plastic waste to monomers but performs the formation of macrocyclic oligomers from polyester waste by means of solvents and catalysts, the ring-opening polymerization thereof to obtain virgin-grade PET, while removing non-PET impurities such as dyes and other contaminants along the process. In this project, new impurity removal steps will be developed to make the technology resilient to mixed waste streams, product quality will be assessed and benchmarked with state-of-the-art analytics to elucidate fit for market demands, and technoeconomic analysis will be performed to assess the process? competitiveness with fossil PET production and other technologies. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
MCKEON MINING LLC
SBIR Phase I: Heavy Mineral Mining Impeller Accelerated Separator
Contact
2649 ZERO BAY RD
Patterson, GA 31557-
NSF Award
2507241 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is to increase the domestic supply of critical minerals that are necessary for the prosperity, welfare, and defense of the Unites States of America. This research aims to develop a new centrifugal assisted gravity separator that can be used at the first stage, shortly after initial extraction. This can unlock critical minerals by significantly reducing the capital, cost, and energy required to mine and extract these resources. The technology will directly increase the titanium, zirconium, and rare earth minerals extracted in the USA, decreasing the reliance of foreign sources by increasing efficiency and reducing waste; this will allow low-grade deposits to be economically viable. This technology will increase mine life, extending higher paying jobs in rural areas. As this technology develops, other mining sectors beyond heavy mineral sands mines, such as iron ore, tin, garnet, chromite, and tungsten will also benefit from this advancement. The technology developed through this SBIR program can be coupled with other proprietary technologies to create specialized versions tailored to customer needs. This technology will create a broad-based platform for future growth of products and services for the company. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a novel method for extracting critical minerals Ilmenite (Titanium), Zircon, and Monazite, containing Praseodymium, Neodymium, Dysprosium, and Terbium, from quartz sands, which are used in the production of electric vehicles, electronic devices, cell phones, aircraft and spacecraft, medical devices, and nuclear energy. The objective of the project is to develop a benchtop prototype unit of the new mineral separator with a correlating computational fluid dynamics model. This will be studied for future scale-up and testing, featuring a unique separation mechanism capable of processing run-of-mine ore faster than currently possible, including automated operating functions. An iterative computer-aided design and prototype construction process will be used to optimize the separation mechanism. Computational fluid dynamics modeling, visual observation of separation processes in prototypes, x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and particle size analysis will be used to predict and measure separation efficiency and inform the prototype design. The fully developed technology will reduce total material transport to less than half of current typical mining operations by enabling pre-processing of ore at the excavation point, and reduce energy, water consumption, waste, and production and capital costs. Its deployment will immediately benefit the mining industry, enabling mining of low-grade deposits, expanding domestic supply, driving economic growth, and creating jobs. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
MICROMEDICS INC.
SBIR Phase I: Design and Development of the mPancreas:A Wearable Biomimetically Designed Microfluidic BioArtificial Pancreas
Contact
24548 EILAT ST # A2
Woodland Hills, CA 91367--1029
NSF Award
2537342 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,926
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of a new bioengineered platform designed to support insulin-producing cells outside the body for the treatment of diabetes. Diabetes affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and leads to severe complications including kidney failure, blindness, cardiovascular disease, and early death. Although transplantation of insulin-producing cells can restore natural glucose control, the therapy remains limited by poor survival of transplanted cells and the lack of technologies that maintain proper oxygen and nutrient delivery. This project aims to address the issue by creating a compact implanted bioengineered device that recreates the small-scale environment required for these cells to function and survive. If successful, the technology could enable safer and more reliable cell-based therapies for diabetes, reducing dependence on insulin injections and lowering long-term healthcare costs associated with complications of the disease. The platform may also support broader applications in regenerative medicine and drug testing involving endocrine tissue.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop and test a micro-engineered device designed to support the survival and function of insulin-producing cells by recreating key aspects of their natural biological environment. The central challenge in cell-based diabetes therapy is maintaining adequate oxygen, nutrient delivery, and waste removal while protecting the cells from harmful conditions that impair function. The research objective is to design and evaluate a miniature device that uses thin permeable membranes and precisely controlled fluid channels to regulate the transport of oxygen, nutrients, and metabolic products. The research will involve fabrication of prototype devices, characterization of membrane transport properties, and laboratory studies measuring oxygen delivery and metabolic exchange across the device. The anticipated outcome is the demonstration of a controlled microenvironment capable of sustaining viable and functional insulin-producing cells under laboratory conditions. The results will establish whether the device architecture can provide the transport conditions required for long-term cell survival and insulin secretion. Successful completion of the Phase I effort will provide the technical foundation for further development of a therapeutic platform aimed at improving the safety and effectiveness of cell-based treatments for diabetes.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MITO-BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC.
STTR Phase I: Novel Bio-Intervention to Attenuate Neurological Damage Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Contact
30934 WAKEFIELD DRIVE
Spanish Fort, AL 36527--5280
NSF Award
2335218 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,855
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 02/28/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project hold global consequences in healthcare and scientific advancement. Foremost, it addresses an unmet medical need. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of injury-related death and disability with an estimated annual world-wide incidence of 69M people. Project success will improve the quality of life of millions and lessen TBI?s social and economic burden. This intervention will stem TBI?s progression to follow-on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson?s and other forms of dementia which, in turn, will broaden our scientific understanding of neurodegenerative pathways and reveal potential other novel drug targets. This technology also offers a mechanism that provides a drug agnostic delivery system across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). It has direct implications for US military combat readiness and veterans, noting 19% of deployed troops (Iraq & Afghanistan) suffered TBI. This project?s success will be most beneficial for Black and Hispanic patients, who are more susceptible to the after-effects of TBI. Importantly, this construct may hold therapeutic utility in myriad other disorders, including Alzheimer?s, Parkinson?s, ALS, stroke, myocardial infarction, insulin resistance, etc. As a first-to-market product, the commercial potential to treat TBI is considerable.
The proposed project will test a novel fusion protein construct (NFP), which can cross the BBB and deliver a biologically active, targeted therapeutic payload to repair mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in neurons. Significantly, restoring neuronal mtDNA integrity enables proper encoding of proteins required for cellular energy production and reestablishes bioenergetic levels to avert programmed cell death pathways and ensuing neurodegeneration. The project will advance understanding of the extent of bioenergetic dysfunction and its role in neurodegenerative progression. To achieve technical success in the setting of TBI, NFP must be able to maintain structural integrity within the circulatory system, traverse brain capillary endothelial cells, penetrate neuronal cells, and then target and enter mitochondria to deliver the protein payload at the site of mtDNA damage. The goals of the proposed R&D program will verify NFP?s technical capability for such complex navigation and demonstrate its ability to attenuate neurological damage following TBI ? to be confirmed through in vivo animal evaluation of TBI biomarker assays and analysis of behavioral changes. Program objectives will also achieve optimization of the protein?s component structure, quantify target site bioavailability, and identify a time-related dosing profile, with intervention occurring at differing time points from initial insult.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MODULAR MATTER, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Universally-Adjustable Modular Prosthesis Socket
Contact
300 W PRATT ST STE 200
Baltimore, MD 21201--6512
NSF Award
2528353 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2026 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to create a universally adjustable, semi-flexible modular socket system that adapts to fluctuations in limb volume and shape changes while providing a secure and comfortable fit. The modular design enables the product to be assembled, configured, and reconfigured to suit the specific limb shape of the patient. The system represents an alternative to current prosthetic limbs utilizing more expensive materials and equipment, and requiring hours of custom fitting. The system us proposed for fitting during a single office visit rather than over the course of several weeks and iterations, and without the expense of sending the designs to a composites manufacturing house. The system is suitable for various limb shapes, for both upper and lower limb sockets, and growing patients. The broader impact is a simpler modular system that will reduce fitting time by 2/3rds with a single visit, to represent a novel standard of care for the $2.7B annual US prosthetics market.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to develop a novel prosthesis that utilizes discrete mass-producible modular components to create fitted adjustable sockets. The system is components are fabricated in preassembled sheets using selective laser sintering to create a system with comparable manufacturing characteristics as injection molding. The modules can be assembled configurations and provide a mechanism for conforming to the shape of the individual?s residual limb. The system enables quickly replacing broken components and socket modifications to long-term changes in limb shape. This accomodates minor adaptive changes, dimensional changes typically observed with a growing child, or complete rebuilds using the same components. During Phase I, expandable, modular prototypes integrated into a durable harnessing system will be developed and furthered, particularly in the context of coupling a semi-flexible socket system to soft tissues. The completed systems will then be characterized and validatated including maximum and minimum pressure and hotspot mapping under physiologically simulations of loading and torque observed during routine daily use. The results will provide the necessary confines for a validated design and specifications for human use at a future phase.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MOTIBERA, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Twin Bearingless Motor with Integrated Thrust and Radial Suspension
Contact
3330 MARSH RD
Madison, WI 53718--6924
NSF Award
2538100 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is the development of more reliable, efficient, and maintenance-free electric motors for industrial systems. Mechanical bearings are a leading cause of failure in motors used in compressors, pumps, and other energy-intensive equipment, creating downtime, high maintenance costs, and energy losses. This project will address the challenge of eliminating mechanical contact inside motors by enabling stable magnetic support of rotating shafts without physical bearings. The project will investigate new ways to generate and control axial forces inside electric motors, which is a major barrier to fully eliminating mechanical bearings. These advances could reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, and improve the reliability of critical infrastructure such as heating, cooling, and industrial systems.
This project will investigate a high-risk, hard-to-replicate approach for generating controllable axial force directly within an electric motor, enabling full magnetic support of a rotating shaft without mechanical bearings. Conventional bearingless motors can stabilize shafts radially but lack the ability to generate sufficient axial force, requiring separate thrust bearings or auxiliary systems. The primary innovation explored in this work is a motor architecture that produces axial force using the same electromagnetic structures that generate torque, eliminating the need for dedicated thrust components.
The scope of the project includes the design, modeling, and experimental validation of a motor system capable of producing independently controllable torque, radial and tilting forces, and axial force. The intellectual contribution of this work is the development of new magnetic field configurations and control strategies that intentionally create axial force while maintaining torque and radial force performance and stability. This represents a departure from traditional motor designs which intentionally avoid axial forces.
The proposed methodology combines analytical modeling, three-dimensional electromagnetic simulation, and hardware prototyping. The project will develop physics-based models to predict force generation, validate these models using numerical simulation, and construct prototype hardware to experimentally measure axial and radial force performance. Control methods will be evaluated to demonstrate independent force regulation without degrading torque output. The results of this work will establish the feasibility of fully magnetically supported motors and provide a foundation for future development of oil-free, friction-free, high-reliability rotating machinery.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MUJIELECTRIC LLC
STTR Phase I: Holistically Designed Perovskite Based Solar Cells.
Contact
18308 W SPRING LAKE DR SE
Renton, WA 98058--0602
NSF Award
2507769 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,996
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project are in the area of solar cells, and specifically, Perovskite-based solar cells (PSC). The PSC are of great interest to capture sunlight, and convert it into electricity more efficiently and cheaply than traditional solar panels. They are lightweight, flexible, and have the potential to make solar power more affordable and accessible. The PSCa can be manufactured using methods that are similar to a newspaper printing press, and thus are orders of magnitude (more than 10 X) less expensive to produce, than conventional silicon solar cells. The specific PSC technology to be developed in this project would work well on its own as well as it can be combined with other solar cell materials, like silicon, to produce highly efficient solar cells. The developed PSC devices will be semi-transparent in nature, could be made to fit a wide variety of module sizes and form factors ? including being flexible. The proposed devices will find a wide array of markets ranging from niche portable and transportation applications, to large area utility scale deployments. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project seeks to develop and scale-up novel, Wide Bandgap ?1.7eV, Perovskite-based solar cells (PSC). To gain the maximum benefit from these devices a number of steps and issues need to be overcome. First, the devices will be scaled up from <0.1 sq-cm, to 1 sq-cm while maintaining high, >20%, power conversion efficiency. Secondly, repeatable processes will be developed with stabilized constituent chemicals. Thirdly, formulations will be developed that would be amenable to large-scale fabrication processes. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
MYXTEK BIO, LLC
STTR Phase I: A Scalable Bruchs Membrane Platform to Find Better Treatments and a Cure for Age Related Macular Degeneration
Contact
490 W 3800 S
Nibley, UT 84321--6826
NSF Award
2604339 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2026 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to enable the development of a reliable laboratory model for age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide. This disease affects millions of older adults and creates substantial personal and economic burdens through medical costs, lost productivity, and long-term caregiving. Progress in developing new treatments has been slowed by the lack of consistent and physiologically accurate laboratory models of Bruch?s membrane, a thin structure in the eye that plays a central role in disease progression. This project will validate a scalable and reproducible membrane platform that can be manufactured in a standardized format for research use. By improving the accuracy and consistency of preclinical testing, the resulting technology has the potential to accelerate therapeutic discovery, reduce research costs, and lessen dependence on animal models. The commercial opportunity lies in supplying standardized laboratory kits to academic researchers, pharmaceutical developers, and contract research organizations engaged in retinal disease research within a well-funded and growing biomedical market.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project seeks to validate a novel laboratory model of Bruch?s membrane using engineered structural proteins that self-assemble into thin, tunable membranes. Age-related macular degeneration is closely associated with changes in the thickness, stiffness, and permeability of Bruch?s membrane, yet existing laboratory systems cannot reproduce these features in a controlled and reproducible way. The research objectives are to establish quality control standards for the protein material, define fabrication parameters that govern membrane thickness and mechanical properties, and determine whether human retinal pigment epithelial cells respond consistently to independently produced membrane batches. The technical approach includes protein purity testing, controlled membrane fabrication, physical characterization of thickness and mechanical behavior, and measurement of cell barrier integrity and disease-relevant biomarker expression. The anticipated result is a reproducible, tunable in vitro membrane model that reliably induces stage-specific cellular responses associated with disease progression, establishing feasibility for further development and commercialization.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.NANODESK, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Software for Collaborative End-to-End Development of DNA Nanostructures
Contact
45271 ELECTRIC TER UNIT 402
Fremont, CA 94539--8469
NSF Award
2451274 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 10/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to advance structural DNA nanotechnology by developing a next-generation software platform for designing DNA origami nanostructures. DNA origami enables precise nanoscale assembly with applications in drug delivery, biosensing, materials science, and molecular computing. However, existing design tools often require researchers to use multiple disconnected applications, leading to inefficiencies in research and development. By streamlining the design-build-test-learn cycle, this technology has the potential to reduce development time and costs, accelerating the path to market for DNA origami-based innovations. The platform will be commercialized through a tiered software-as-a-service model, ensuring accessibility for academic researchers while providing robust solutions for industry users. The initial target market includes academic institutions, biotechnology startups, and pharmaceutical companies engaged in DNA nanotechnology. The broader impact of this project includes fostering scientific discovery, enabling new applications in nanotechnology, and supporting advancements in healthcare, materials science, and photonic technologies. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will focus on developing a computer-aided design application for DNA origami nanostructures, addressing key limitations in existing software. The research will emphasize user interface improvements and the development of features that support the entire lifecycle of DNA origami design, from initial modeling to experimental validation. Through iterative prototyping and testing, the project will evaluate the technical feasibility of a comprehensive design platform that facilitates advanced DNA nanostructure engineering. The team will create interactive prototypes to demonstrate core functionality and gather feedback from potential users. Success will be measured by the development of multiple functional user interface prototypes and the demonstration of the platform?s ability to streamline complex DNA origami design tasks. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
NANOFRESH LLC
SBIR Phase I: Nanocomposite Coating to Extend Shelf-Life of Produce
Contact
9 BARTHA AVE
Edison, NJ 08817--2439
NSF Award
2538112 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop an edible, compostable coating capable of extending the shelf life of produce beyond that achieved by current wax coatings. In addition, this project will help reduce postharvest byproducts and strengthen food security.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I will develop a coating with its performance derived from its micro- and nanoscale layers and structures. The approach is differentiated from other state-of-the-art methods by providing advantages through its composite multifunctional structure. This new coating overcomes the challenge of achieving effective barrier properties. Furthermore, the coatings offer potential for nutrient fortification. Prior work demonstrated promising shelf-life extension nearly tripling shelf life as compared to control groups. While these lab-scale results are promising, the performance of the coatings under commercial-scale processing and variable storage conditions remains untested. This Phase I project will advance the prototype and lead to the development of a scalable, commercially relevant formulation and application process suitable for pilot testing.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.NCO Technologies LLC
SBIR Phase I: Scalable Production of High-Performance Metal-Organic Framework Membranes
Contact
720 BILLINGS ST
Aurora, CO 80011--6753
NSF Award
2507732 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in its potential to significantly improve the performance, cost, and durability of energy storage systems, which are critical to enabling the widespread adoption of renewable energy. Current long-duration energy storage technologies, such as redox flow batteries, are limited by high operating costs and performance degradation. This project aims to address these issues by developing a new type of advanced membrane using a novel porous material that can enable better selectivity, efficiency, and longevity. If successful, this innovation could lower the total cost of ownership for energy storage systems, enabling utilities and grid operators to store renewable electricity for use when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing. The technology is scalable and compatible with continuous manufacturing processes, which supports its eventual commercial deployment. The first market entry point will be long-duration stationary energy storage, with the potential to expand to water treatment and chemical separations. The innovation could enhance U.S. leadership in clean energy technologies, advance grid reliability, and contribute to national efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It represents a durable competitive advantage in an emerging, fast-growing market. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project introduces an innovative manufacturing approach for advanced membranes based on metal-organic frameworks, a class of porous materials known for their tunable structure, high selectivity, and chemical stability. Despite their promise, metal-organic framework membranes have faced major barriers to commercial adoption due to challenges in large-scale fabrication and integration. This project addresses these limitations by developing a continuous, scalable roll-to-roll process for coating porous polymer substrates with metal-organic framework layers. The approach enables uniform, adherent coatings over large areas and is compatible with existing membrane formats, positioning it for industrial relevance. The research will focus on optimizing metal-organic framework substrate compatibility, improving coating uniformity, and ensuring mechanical durability. Performance will be assessed through rigorous characterization and electrochemical testing. The membranes are intended to address critical needs in advanced electrochemical systems that demand precise ion selectivity and long-term stability. One promising application is in non-aqueous redox flow batteries, where membrane performance hinders its commercialization. This work will establish the technical foundation for scale-up and broader adoption in clean energy and other high-impact applications. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
NITRO BIOSCIENCES INC.
STTR Phase I: A platform to overcome immunodominance in vaccine development
Contact
279 PEACH RD
Newark, DE 19711--4511
NSF Award
2507491 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,438
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to advance a novel vaccine platform to develop engineered vaccines that provide longer lasting protection against infectious diseases. Several current vaccines face challenges in reliably protecting populations against rapidly evolving pathogens where prior exposure negatively impacts vaccine effectiveness. This project develops an innovative approach aimed at boosting the immune response to critical parts of pathogens, overcoming limitations associated with previous exposures or immune system biases. By directing immune responses toward conserved, essential regions of pathogens, the innovation has significant commercial and societal potential, including the development of vaccines that are effective across multiple pathogen variants. As an initial area of translation, the technology will be applied toward prevention of healthcare-associated infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This approach addresses an unmet clinical need and offers healthcare systems substantial cost savings and improved patient outcomes. The market opportunity for such vaccines is substantial, with potential annual revenues exceeding $200 million by the third year of commercial production. The resulting technology and its applications could provide durable competitive advantages through enhanced vaccine effectiveness, positioning it as a key factor in enabling commercial success and improving public health. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to overcome a significant limitation in vaccine development known as immune imprinting, which occurs when prior exposure to pathogens biases immune responses away from protective targets. The objective is to utilize a novel method involving engineered antigens containing chemically modified amino acids to enhance immune recognition and stimulate targeted protective responses. The research goals are to validate computational methods for accurately predicting optimal sites for antigen modifications, demonstrate increased antibody production specifically targeting essential pathogen regions, and confirm that these improvements enhance cross-strain protection. Research activities will include computational modeling to predict antigen modification sites, genetic engineering techniques to produce modified vaccine candidates, and immunological studies in animal models to evaluate effectiveness. Anticipated technical outcomes include validated predictive tools that significantly reduce experimental trial-and-error, proof-of-concept demonstration of enhanced antibody responses toward targeted regions of antigens, and improved vaccine induced protection in animal models. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
NOARA THERAPEUTICS CORP.
SBIR Phase I: Leveraging Sequence-Structure-Function Relationships to Improve RNA Therapeutics
Contact
75 CARROLL ST # 1
Watertown, MA 02472--3331
NSF Award
2538015 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader and commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of a new approach for improving the efficacy, durability, and safety of RNA medicines. RNA-based therapies often fail to achieve sustained effects in the body or trigger unwanted immune responses, limiting their usefulness for chronic and serious diseases such as autoimmune disorders, cancer, and genetic conditions. This project addresses these challenges by exploring new design strategies that enable therapeutic RNAs to function more predictably and for longer periods after administration. If successful, the work will strengthen the scientific foundation for next-generation RNA medicines that require fewer doses, reduce side effects, and are applicable across a broader range of disease indications. The innovation is expected to enhance scientific and technological understanding of RNA medicine by establishing generalizable design principles that link molecular structure with biological performance. From a societal perspective, the project supports improved health outcomes, reduced long-term healthcare costs, and increased preparedness for emerging medical needs. The activity also contributes to strengthening U.S.-based capabilities in the design and manufacturing of therapeutic RNAs. From a commercial perspective, the work lays the groundwork for scalable technologies that support economic growth, high-quality job creation, and U.S. leadership in advanced biotechnology.
The proposed project addresses a fundamental technical barrier that limits the performance of therapeutic RNA molecules when they are chemically modified to improve stability and safety. Although such modifications are widely used, they can interfere with essential molecular functions, reducing effectiveness and reproducibility. The research objective of this Phase I effort is to identify and validate design strategies that preserve RNA function under these challenging conditions. The project will combine systematic molecular design, high-throughput experimental testing, and functional data-driven refinement to evaluate how RNA sequence and structural features influence performance. Experimental results will be quantitatively measured and used to guide iterative optimization. The anticipated technical outcomes include validated functional elements, performance benchmarks under modified conditions, and predictive design rules that inform future development. The scope of the research is limited to feasibility demonstration and technical risk reduction, providing a foundation for expanded development in a subsequent phase.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.NOVATECH INNOVATIONS LLC
STTR Phase I: Cutting-Edge Nitride Based Distributed Bragg IR-Reflectors
Contact
7190 CALABRIA CT UNIT B
San Diego, CA 92122--6000
NSF Award
2505135 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,448
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project lie in advancing laser targeting, range finding, light detection and ranging (LIDAR), free-space optical communication, and active sensing. The development of nitride-based reflectors will provide enhanced durability, efficiency, and optical performance. The global high-power laser market is expanding rapidly, with increasing demand for reliable, long-lasting optical components. This project will contribute to scientific and economic progress by advancing technological knowledge in semiconductor materials, optoelectronics, and photonics. This technology has wide-ranging applications that include improving national security by enhancing military laser systems, increasing the precision of LIDAR-based remote sensing for autonomous vehicles and improving industrial systems. Beyond these technical advancements, this project is expected to generate high-tech jobs in semiconductor manufacturing, laser system design, and research and development. The commercialization of this technology will foster economic growth and reduce energy consumption in laser-based systems. By integrating these advanced reflectors into various industries, this project will support long-term technological progress, strengthening the broader scientific community, and contributing to innovation-driven economic development. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project focuses on developing highly reflective nitride-based Distributed Bragg Reflectors (DBRs) for infrared applications. Current oxide-based reflectors suffer from limited efficiency, laser damage susceptibility, and broad reflection bands, which hinder performance in high-power laser applications. To overcome these challenges, this project will utilize nitride single crystals with varying compositions to achieve more than 99.5% narrow band reflectivity at 1030-1070 nm enabling high-power laser resistance. By fine-tuning layer thickness and composition, we aim to achieve superior optical performance while minimizing point and extended defects formation. Advanced metal-organic chemical vapor deposition techniques will be employed, optimizing growth parameters such as temperature and metal organic flow rates along with the use of nitride native substrates to control film quality. Substrate removal and wafer bonding techniques will be explored to integrate nitride DBRs with silicon and other materials, ensuring compatibility and stability. The project will develop high-performance, crack-free nitride reflectors consisting of AlInN/GaN multilayers, achieving 99.5% reflection and a 40 nm stopband at ~1050 nm. These advancements will enable practical deployment in high-intensity IR environments, supporting next-generation laser technologies. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
NOVO HEAL, INC.
STTR Phase I: Anti-scarring Therapies for Vocal Fold Injury
Contact
3704 CHIMNEY RIDGE PL APT 105
Durham, NC 27713--9129
NSF Award
2605017 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is significant, and successful commercialization will provide significant clinical benefits to millions of patients with vocal fold injuries in the United States each year, improving communication, employability, community participation, mental health and quality of life. Importantly, the product provides anti-scarring efficacy to help patients to achieve fewer interventions, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, and lower overall costs.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project addresses the difficulty of restoring vocal fold micro-architecture by developing a treatment for voice injury. Injury factors include surgery, overuse, trauma, radiation, intubation, reflux, and infection. Vocal fold fibrosis leads to chronic dysphonia, currently with no approved therapy to restore the needed micro-architecture. The goal of this Phase I project is to develop a scalable, potency-verified vocal fold therapy with a proven safety profile and antifibrotic effects in large animals. To address this need, the team developed a vocal fold therapy, which inhibits TGF-?1?driven fibrosis and has the potential to provide a pro-healing environment to restore vocal fold function. Expected outcomes of this proposal include a scalable solution of anti-fibrotic vocal fold therapy with verified stability and reproducible potency and dose-dependent efficacy and safety in a large laryngeal injury model. This grant will significantly reduce the risks associated with this unique platform, designed specifically for the vocal fold, and prepare for future grant applications.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.OBORO LABS, INC.
STTR Phase I: Unlocking Commercially-Relevant Amounts of Cyclic Polymers with a Tungsten-Based Catalyst
Contact
16765 BRIDGE CROSSING CIR
Delray Beach, FL 33446--0012
NSF Award
2538012 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,989
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project stems from the creation of cyclic polymers at an industry relevant scale, which is only enabled with the company?s catalyst technology. Polymers are used in a number of markets like advanced electronics, medical devices, high-performance coatings, energy storage, and healthy packaging, yet previously only linear polymers were accessible. Cyclic polymers have superior mechanical properties over linear polymers, and thus their incorporation at an industrial scale would result in greater longevity, better safety, enhanced performance of a wide variety of products. Collectively, the adoption of cyclic polymers could lead to substantial societal impact by enabling more energy-efficient technologies, safer medical solutions, improved health outcomes, enhanced data communication, broader access to advanced technologies, and increased reliability in critical systems. The company will drive revenue through three streams: 1) sale of catalysts and polymers via distribution partners, 2) licensing of the catalyst production process, and 3) contract research projects with customers to further develop cyclic polymer technologies. The development of products for cyclic polymer production is the only product vertical at the company, and thus the proposed technology is key in enabling commercial success for the company.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will focus on systematically characterizing the cyclic polymers to provide insights into the most technically viable markets for their innovation. The company?s key innovation for this Phase I project is a novel catalyst that enables the rapid synthesis of many different types of cyclic polymers at low cost and in high yield, effectively bypassing many of the barriers to producing cyclic polymers at a commercial scale that has otherwise hindered their utilization. The company has already demonstrated technical feasibility of producing small volumes of cyclic polymers using their catalyst but has not yet performed an in-depth characterization to determine which applications would be the most suitable for their polymers. To that end, this Phase I project includes the following Objectives: 1) Expand the cyclic polymer portfolio that can be produced in sufficient quantities for characterization and industrial use; 2) optimize cyclic polymer performance when exposed to electrical and physical forces. Completing these objectives will allow the team to identify the most suitable applications for their cyclic polymers based on their composition, mechanical properties, and technical performance under standard testing conditions.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.OPAL HTM INC
STTR Phase I: Novel Medical Equipment Utilization Tracking System for Improved Patient Safety and Hospital Efficiency
Contact
3827 FAWN LN
White Plains, MD 20695--3310
NSF Award
2321886 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2023 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Mara Schindelholz
Peter Atherton
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project relates to the development of a novel system capable of measuring medical equipment utilization with high accuracy and scalability. This innovation will arm healthcare technology managers with the insights needed to optimize inventory size and composition according to actual patient needs, thereby saving hospitals an estimated $23.3 billion annually in equipment-related costs, in addition to making possible usage-based predictive maintenance that can effectively prevent dangerous equipment failures. Beyond these core value propositions, comprehensive medical equipment utilization insights may be leveraged to facilitate strategic resource management in public health emergencies, increase energy efficiency of healthcare facilities, and improve regulatory surveillance of emerging equipment safety issues. The results of this project will form the basis for a hardware-enabled service and clear the path towards development of deployable products, clinical pilots, and early sales. Through commercialization under a sustainable business model, the envisioned product will substantially increase the economic competitiveness of US hospitals, which comprises one of the largest sectors of the American economy. The project will also advance the health and welfare of the American public through improved medical device safety and management.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will establish technical and commercial feasibility for an innovative, asset-agnostic, medical equipment utilization tracking system which will integrate state-of-the-art techniques for non-intrusive load monitoring, deep learning, and edge computing in order to overcome previously insurmountable asset monitoring challenges posed by the heterogeneity and churn of hospital equipment inventories. Key technical hurdles to be addressed relate to the capture and characterization of medical equipment electrical load data, real-time translation of this data into accurate usage statistics suitable for hospital decision-making, and distributed implementation of this process through non-invasive sensor modules that are broadly compatible with sundry medical equipment. The proposed research will overcome these hurdles through (i) systematic collection and analysis of power consumption data from a representative group of medical equipment under various operational states, (ii) formulation, training, and validation of adaptive artificial neural networks that predict usage from power data, (iii) construction of a proof-of-concept intelligent sensor module, and (iv) system performance testing in a simulated clinical environment. Through completion of these objectives, this project will advance knowledge in the fields of hospital asset management and industrial Internet-of-Things.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PALANQUIN POWER INC
SBIR Phase I: Ultra-Efficient Data Center Power Conversion
Contact
2300 FORD ST UNIT A
Golden, CO 80401--2428
NSF Award
2528149 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Mara Schindelholz
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR) Phase I project will center on the development of novel power converters and control schemes for an ultra-efficient rack-level data center power supply system. The data center industry presents a large and growing load on America?s power grid - approximately 200 billion kWh in 2022, roughly 4% of total domestic energy consumption. This rapid growth is straining utilities? ability to provide power to future data centers and current customers. As a result, demand-side efficiency improvements may have an outsized impact. This project aims to develop extremely low-loss and high-density power conversion systems utilizing an innovative differential power processing system. Broadly, server power supplies are an estimated $2.9 billion market. Successful development of the proposed system will reduce energy consumption from the data center industry and may enable the deployment of power-hungry and economically critical AI technologies. The intellectual merit of this project involves the development of converter topologies and associated control strategies that enable the integration of a differential power processing (DPP) approach into existing data center power distribution. The DPP approach has been successfully demonstrated at low-power in academia, but never deployed in real-world, kilowatt-scale systems. One important challenge that this project aims to address is interfacing the DPP architecture with the main data center buses. This will be achieved via two thrusts. The first will focus on legacy AC distribution systems, aiming to develop a highly efficient isolated three-phase AC power factor correction & rectification converter with current-mode control. This is not achievable with commercial off the shelf converters and necessitates novel topological innovation. The second thrust will center around integrating with emerging high voltage DC distribution systems and will involve developing converters with fault-tolerant control schemes unique to the DPP architecture. Both research directions will entail a combination of circuit simulation and physical hardware prototyping. Successful completion of the Phase I project objectives would substantially de-risk the DPP approach in data center environments and could enable full system integration and high-power demonstration. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PARALLEL ROBOTICS LLC
SBIR Phase I: A Novel Architecture for blending Human Power and Computer Control in Surgical Robots
Contact
5963 ROLLINGWOOD DR
Ann Arbor, MI 48103--8800
NSF Award
2507711 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is enabling greater widespread adoption of novel robotic surgical manipulators within existing surgical suites and workflow. Surgical robotics are currently larger complex systems that result in cost prohibitive barriers in lower volume or rural locations served by community hospitals or ambulatory surgery centers. The proposed innovation aims to develop a novel surgical manipulator architecture platform for maintaining motion and control with a less complicated design approach that maintains the necessary degrees of freedom, accuracy and precision required for enabling robotic surgery including abdominal, cardiothoracic, orthopedic, and neurosurgery. The system aims to enable greater rapid expansion of the $4B annual medical device robotics market currently growing at over 20% per year.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop and demonstrate the technical feasibility of a novel human-machine architecture for robotic surgery combining human power with computer control that provides needed dexterous manipulation, haptic sensation, and ergonomic human factor considerations for surgical procedures. The proposed hybrid scheme combines human power and computer control for use in an operative environment, based on the natural articulation and response of the human wrist. This innovation in medical robotic systems development includes technology development advancemments to actuation systems, information processing, and intelligent controls. The Phase 1 project scope includes (a) the design and fabrication of pre-clinical prototypes of the proposed robotic surgical manipulator, (b) development and testing of the mechatronic and software systems that facilitate the control of the robotic manipulator, and (c) systematic evaluation of the robotic manipulator by surgeons in a simulated surgical environment to quantify and demonstrate the efficacy of a prototype system.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PARMAN TECH, LLC
SBIR Phase I: An instrument for Analysis and Purification of Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Using an Novel Optical Resonator
Contact
815 14TH ST SW UNIT C250
Loveland, CO 80537--6364
NSF Award
2538046 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,996
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will be the development of a key enabling technology: a high-power optical cavity with an integrated microfluidic cell. This technology will enable a host of applications in which a material in a microfluidic channel is exposed to a high-intensity laser beam or a standing wave optical field for the purpose of either characterizing or improving the material. One example is the characterization and purification of the nanoparticles used in nanomedicine. Nanomedicine can also be described as targeted drug delivery using nanoparticles, a recently developed approach to attacking resistant diseases. Over half of existing nanomedicines are used for treating cancer. This project will make nanomedicines more effective, more affordable, and safer for millions of Americans fighting cancer and many other devastating diseases. This project will also benefit industries in which nanoparticles are utilized, including semiconductor manufacturing, airborne and water-borne threat detection, and rapid disease diagnosis.
This project will address the challenges of making a resonant optical cavity that also contains a microfluidic device. The presence of any component inside an optical cavity is a potential challenge to maintaining the cavity?s resonance features including finesse. Even an optical quality element has finite reflection due to index of refraction differences that can create multiple resonance if the surface is aligned with the cavity?s optical axis or losses if the surface is not aligned. More challenging is the presence of a microfluidic channel containing a liquid. Common microfluidic devices are rarely optical quality and those that are near-optical quality don?t have all the optical characteristics required to exist inside an optical cavity without unduly perturbing the cavity resonance. The ability to create circulating intensities that are high enough to steer nanoparticles presents additional challenges. Among these is the heating of intra-cavity materials and cavity mirrors that shift cavity resonances dynamically and make cavity locking a real challenge. This project will address these challenges by testing and implementing new materials and new geometries to achieve a stable frequency-locked optical cavity with circulating powers high enough to change the trajectories of biological particles of the type used in nanomedicine. It is highly desirable to shorten the cavity length as much as possible, but this conflicts with certain design aspects of a microfluidic device. Resulting modifications will test the limits of manufacturability, another critical constraint on design. Manufacturability will be explored with external custom manufacturers of optical components and microfluidic devices.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PARTICLE4X, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Inline Monitoring of Particulate Matter and Sterility for Continuous Manufacturing
Contact
6275 COUNTRY RD
Eden Prairie, MN 55346--1342
NSF Award
2507422 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,972
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will be focused on a transformational approach to real-time quality assurance in injectable drug manufacturing by introducing a compact, low-cost and scalable sensor capable of detecting both particulate matter (PM) and microbial contaminants inline. Leveraging recent advances in imaging and machine learning, the system delivers automated, label-free particle analysis with high sensitivity and throughput. While standard quality tests are typically conducted offline and manually, this new technology fills a critical gap by enabling continuous, inline monitoring, supporting the industry?s shift from batch to continuous manufacturing. Real-time monitoring allows earlier identification of contaminants, reducing production downtime, minimizing waste, and improving product safety. Specific broader impacts of the research include strengthening U.S. competitiveness in smart manufacturing and quality assurance through advanced sensor integration and real-time analytics. The project is expected to cut recall and quality control costs by as much as 20%, potentially saving large manufacturers hundreds of millions annually. Its broader applicability spans food safety, environmental monitoring, and biodefense, offering scalable benefits for public health, ecological protection, and national security. The intellectual merit of this project lies in the development of a real-time, inline sensor system which integrates Digital Inline Holography (DIH) and deep learning for dual-function analysis of particulate matter (PM) and sterility in liquid production environments. Key innovations include high-throughput, label-free imaging; low false-positive detection of viable microbes; and robust PM classification with real-time visualization. DIH employs a low-power laser to illuminate particles in flow, generating interference patterns (holograms) captured by a high-resolution camera. These holograms are reconstructed into three-dimensional optical fields from which particle morphology, phase, and optical characteristics are extracted. A customized deep learning model, trained on those features using a diverse database of PM and biocontaminants, classifies contaminants at the single-particle level. The system also integrates a high-throughput preconcentration module to enhance detection sensitivity, achieving limits below 0.1 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) at throughputs exceeding 1 mL/min. The modular, compact system design enables deployment at multiple stages of production. The deep learning model leverages transfer learning techniques, allowing efficient adaptation to new products and contamination types. This research will address key challenges in deploying optical sensors in industrial settings, including integration with fluid systems for robust, reliable operation under real-world conditions. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PAVEX LLC
SBIR Phase I: AI-enabled Affordable and Autonomous Road Condition Assessment System
Contact
97 GARDENIA DR
West Lafayette, IN 47906--9066
NSF Award
2537992 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to develop a low-cost, vehicle-mounted sensing approach that can be deployed widely to collect street-level data and produce practical road condition ratings that help agencies plan repairs sooner and more efficiently. By enabling more timely maintenance decisions, the project can reduce vehicle damage costs while improving safety.
This project will investigate an automation framework that enables complete, lane-level road coverage using low-cost mobile sensors while reducing two major operational bottlenecks: manual route planning and manual validation of uncertain distress detections. The project will investigate a scalable route optimization architecture that combines offline graph partitioning with online deep reinforcement learning to generate traffic-aware, constraint-aware inspection routes that reflect real-world road networks. This project will develop methods to convert municipal geographic information system road files into directed, traffic-weighted graphs and partition them into feasible daily subgraphs. A deep reinforcement learning agent, augmented with graph neural network embeddings, will then learn efficient within-partition traversal strategies and adapt to changing conditions during deployment. In parallel, the project will improve distress detection reliability by developing a Bayesian multi-frame data fusion framework that integrates redundant observations across consecutive frames. Rather than treating each image independently, the fusion approach will combine evidence over time to suppress false positives and strengthen consistent detections, improving accuracy and reducing reliance on human review. Phase I success targets include measurable reductions in route planning overhead and human validation effort, while improving detection performance under real-world variability. The resulting methods will advance artificial intelligence for infrastructure monitoring.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PERAWATT ENERGY INC.
STTR Phase I: Scalable Soft Magnetic Composite for High-Frequency Power Electronics
Contact
4049 COLEMAN CIR
Richmond, CA 94806--1860
NSF Award
2528417 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to significantly improve the efficiency and performance of power systems in data centers, power supplies, and consumer devices by innovating upon one of their most fundamental building blocks: magnetic materials. In every power system, electricity must be converted ? between alternating and direct current or across different voltage levels ? and today?s magnetic materials waste significant energy as heat during this process. These losses raise operating costs, limit how compact devices can be, and place added stress on the electric grid. This project aims to commercialize a new class of magnetic material while enhancing scientific understanding of how nanoscale particles influence key magnetic properties. The first market entry will be high-frequency power supplies for industrial uses, where efficiency gains translate directly into lower operating costs and cooling needs. The durable advantage of this innovation comes from combining higher efficiency with a scalable manufacturing method not available in existing materials. Commercialization will begin with domestic manufacturing of magnetic components. If successful, the technology will become a cornerstone for advanced electronics, strengthening U.S. leadership in next-generation power electronics and power systems. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will tackle the technical barrier of achieving high saturation flux density and low core losses in soft magnetic materials to enable optimized efficiency in power electronics operating in megahertz frequency ranges. Incumbent materials including ferrites and amorphous alloys do not offer the combination of high saturation magnetization, low loss, and thermal stability demanded by modern wide bandgap-based power converters. The project?s primary research objectives are to (1) synthesize and characterize the novel powder composites at different volume loadings and nanoparticle sizes, (2) measure electromagnetic properties across a broad frequency range, and (3) develop a finite element model that characterizes the behavior of this novel magnetic material. These results will form the technical foundation for scaling the material and pursuing pilot applications in high-frequency power conversion systems. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PHASE, INC.
STTR Phase I: Redefining How PDMS Microfluidics Are Made Through Advanced 3D Printing to Facilitate Complex Biological Mechanism Studies
Contact
11148 TREYNORTH DR STE A
Cornelius, NC 28031--8242
NSF Award
2537925 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,761
Start / end date
06/01/2026 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to enable reliable, high-resolution 3D printing of microfluidic devices using a widely trusted silicone material that is foundational to biomedical research. Microfluidic systems, often called ?labs on a chip,? are essential tools for studying diseases, testing new drugs, and developing advanced models that replicate how human tissues function. However, current manufacturing methods are slow, costly, and difficult to scale, limiting access and slowing innovation. This project advances a new manufacturing approach that allows complex microfluidic devices to be produced rapidly without specialized cleanroom facilities, while preserving the well-understood material properties that researchers rely on. By combining advanced modeling with precision fabrication, the technology enhances scientific understanding of how thermally cured polymers behave during additive manufacturing and enables more consistent device performance. The initial commercial focus is the organ-on-a-chip and biomedical research market, where demand is growing rapidly as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies seek better preclinical testing platforms. The business model centers on device sales and supporting software tools, creating recurring revenue while establishing a durable competitive advantage based on material fidelity, automation, and scalability.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project addresses the fundamental challenge of predicting and controlling the thermal curing behavior of polydimethylsiloxane during laser-based additive manufacturing. Unlike thermoplastics or photocurable resins, this silicone material cures through time- and temperature-dependent crosslinking, making feature-scale accuracy highly sensitive to geometry and processing conditions. The research objective is to develop and validate a physics-based computational tool that integrates a high-speed thermal model with an experimentally calibrated curing kinetics model to predict spatial variations in degree of cure and resulting geometry. The proposed work includes three aims: (1) development of a predictive thermal and curing simulation framework capable of processing device-scale geometries in under one hour; (2) experimental calibration and geometric validation of printed test structures using quantitative metrology and surface characterization; and (3) fabrication and functional demonstration of a biologically relevant microfluidic device for extracellular vesicle transport studies. The anticipated technical outcome is an automated, model-guided parameter optimization system that reduces empirical trial-and-error and enables first-pass fabrication within ±15 percent dimensional tolerance. This effort advances the intellectual merit of additive manufacturing by coupling analytical heat transfer solutions with autocatalytic curing kinetics to enable scalable production of high-fidelity microfluidic systems.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PHOTOPICA LLC
STTR Phase I: AI-Accelerated Simulation Platform for High-Power Fiber Lasers
Contact
1120 CASTLE BLUFF CIR
Woodway, TX 76712--7565
NSF Award
2537980 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 06/30/2029 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to create an AI?powered simulation tool that makes it much faster and easier to design high?power fiber laser systems. This project will remove a major challenge in laser development by cutting down the time needed to model complex optical effects. Using advanced machine?learning methods, the new technology will help speed up progress in key areas such as defense, manufacturing, and medical devices, supporting U.S. leadership in the global photonics industry. It will also help grow the STEM workforce by offering modern computer tools that can be used for teaching, training, and research.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I will explore how machine learning can make the simulation of nonlinear optical effects in high?power fiber lasers run faster. The work will build an advanced modeling system that combines a ?phase?matched? model of transverse mode instability with machine learning to get past today?s limits on laser design. The key breakthrough is the phase?matched model, which uses the idea that transverse mode instability acts like a three?wave interaction, where two optical modes mix with a heat?based pattern in the fiber?s refractive index. With this approach, the model can use larger step sizes and still stay accurate, allowing much faster calculations. The plan also includes training neural networks to predict laser behavior across many designs and connecting these tools into one complete physics?based simulation engine. The result will be a flexible computer tool that can model major laser effects more precisely and in far less time. By blending the phase?matched model with machine learning, this project will greatly reduce simulation time while keeping strong accuracy, enabling quick testing and real?time design improvements for high?power lasers. These advances will deepen scientific knowledge about nonlinear processes in fiber amplifiers and create a powerful new platform for future photonics research and engineering.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PIEZO THERAPEUTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: A Novel Low Cost Intradermal Delivery Platform For Nucleic Acid Vaccines
Contact
4250 HARRISON PARK DR
Cumming, GA 30041--8492
NSF Award
2437939 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,742
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a new portable low cost vaccine delivery platform for nucleic acid vaccines, commonly used to treat infectious diseases and cancer. Current vaccines are delivered using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) which are generally considered complex and generally more costly to produce. Furthermore they can exhibit undesirable side effects. These challenges have caused a steady decline in actual adoption despite their demonstrated efficacy. This project aims to develop a new technology to deliver nucleic acid vaccines without LNPs or carriers in general, using a simpler scalable approach leveraging electroporation. If successful, this platform could expand access to vaccine delivery with fewer side effects, improve their tolerability/acceptability, and support ultra-rapid deployment for biosecurity threats, to provide a new delivery method for vaccinations. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of delivering naked nucleic acid vaccines without lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) using a simple handheld pen design. The device delivers electrical pulses through microelectrodes to create temporary pores in skin cells allowing direct vaccine delivery to immune cells without systemic exposure. In this project, the pen will be: 1) optimized in vivo to maximize gene delivery and protein expression by varying electric pulse voltage, duration, and mechanical micro needle configurations and 2) benchmarked for their vaccine delivery effectiveness against an FDA-approved vaccine with the goal of showing superior or comparable immune responses despite eliminating lipid nanoparticles, in a mouse model. These result will demonstrate preclinical feasibility of a novel delivery platform to match LNP efficacy for vaccines while reducing cost, complexity, and side effects compared to existing systems. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PLASMACHEM SOLUTIONS, INC.
STTR Phase I: Plasma Electrochemical System for Cost Competitive Air to Ammonia Production
Contact
8 BLUEBIRD LN
Buffalo, NY 14228--1024
NSF Award
2527792 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is the development of an on-site ammonia synthesis reactor that can be deployed anywhere with grid connectivity, expanding ammonia access for the agricultural sector. Ammonia is one of the most widely produced chemical compounds worldwide, with the incumbent Haber-Bosch process accounting for over 96% of global production. However, this process is highly energy intensive, requiring fossil fuel-derived hydrogen and centralized production to accommodate the extreme temperatures and pressures needed for production. This results in energy intensive processes, high emissions, and complex and unreliable supply chains. In contrast, decentralized, on-site ammonia generation promotes local agriculture by providing communities with a reliable, on-site source of fertilizers with reduced transportation and storage costs. Integration of this technology, which uses water and air as free and reliably available raw materials, reduces reliance on international natural gas prices and helps mitigate cost volatility and supply chain disruptions. By enabling direct air-to-NH3 conversion at room temperature, this technology is expected to enhance supply-chain stability, lower costs, and reduce energy reliance for fertilizer production. The technical innovation of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) project lies in the ability to independently control the nitrogen activation chemistry in a non-thermal plasma reactor and the selective ammonia conversion in an electrochemical reactor, something that neither plasma catalysis nor electrocatalysis alone can accomplish. This process enables the direct conversion of nitrogen into ammonia under ambient conditions, relying solely on atmospheric nitrogen, water, and renewable electricity. Technology development will occur through the following two main objectives. 1) Determination of the ideal residence time in the reactor and refinement of the hydrodynamics of the plasma field to maximize N2 activation into NOxHy; and 2) Enhancement of NH3 production through the identification of the most energy-efficient intermediate from the plasma reactor, the tailoring of reactor conditions to optimize its formation, and the development of a high-performance catalyst in the electrochemical reactor to drive efficient NH? synthesis. These investigations will determine the most energy-efficient system configuration, enabling technology to achieve cost parity with Haber-Bosch while matching its nitrogen activation yield and energy efficiency. Each unique set of plasma conditions will be tested and the outputs characterized using GC-MS, UV-vis and NMR while high entropy alloys will be screened using computational algorithms. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PLAUT PEDAGOGY, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Creating Immersive Courseware for Calculus Pedagogy
Contact
6604 SEVIERVILLE PIKE
Knoxville, TN 37920--6522
NSF Award
2538031 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,027
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 01/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to modernize how calculus is taught and learned by addressing a growing mismatch between instructional practice and real-world problem solving. Each year, approximately 800,000 students enroll in calculus as foundational preparation for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, defined here as technical fields that rely on analytical reasoning rather than manual computation. However, traditional calculus instruction and assessment continue to emphasize low-level calculations that are rarely performed by professionals, often obscuring conceptual understanding and discouraging persistence. This project develops immersive learning exercises that allow students to make real-time problem-solving decisions while the software manages routine calculations. By shifting the focus from arithmetic accuracy to strategic reasoning, the approach enables students to practice more efficiently and build deeper understanding. Requiring continuous decision input also reduces reliance on readily available online solutions, preserving authentic learning experiences. The innovation advances technological understanding by demonstrating how interactive digital environments can better align instruction with contemporary analytical practice. The initial market includes secondary and postsecondary calculus programs seeking improved learning outcomes. A licensing-based distribution model is anticipated. By year three, the technology is projected to impact tens of thousands of students nationwide, with outcomes measured through adoption rates and demonstrated improvements in problem-solving performance.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project investigates a technically demanding approach to advancing calculus pedagogy through decision-centered digital learning environments grounded in learning engineering principles. The central technical challenge is whether expert-level calculus reasoning can be formally represented as executable decision structures that preserve student agency while enabling real-time instructional response. The research objective is to determine if immersive exercises can integrate instruction, practice, and assessment by inferring latent problem-solving states from incomplete and noisy student decision data. The proposed research constructs internally developed decision frameworks for individual calculus problems that encode multiple valid and invalid reasoning pathways under conditions of uncertainty. Students interact with these exercises by making continuous decisions in response to contextual prompts, with all actions, omissions, and timing information recorded as high-resolution behavioral traces. These traces are used to iteratively validate and refine the decision frameworks through controlled student testing. As data volume increases, machine learning methods are applied to model strategy selection, detect shifts in conceptual understanding, and adapt instructional responses at the individual level. This project will demonstrate that formally structured, data-driven decision environments can support individualized calculus learning while generating actionable diagnostic insight, establishing feasibility for a proprietary, technically scalable instructional system.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PRICING SERVICE, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Scalable AI-Enabled Automated Pricing Tool for Service Industries
Contact
3005 HEIDELBERG DR
Boulder, CO 80305--7007
NSF Award
2451100 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$299,700
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Parvathi Chundi
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to empower organizations that are exposed to dynamic pricing ? such as in the transportation, retail and e-commerce sectors - with affordable, automated revenue management tools that enhance pricing decisions and improve financial performance. Organizations in these sectors often lack the resources, data infrastructure, and expertise needed to implement advanced pricing strategies. This project aims to provide access to smart pricing technology by developing an artificial intelligence-driven platform capable of operating effectively in data-scarce and competitive environments. The broader societal impacts include strengthening small businesses and supporting the economies surrounding dynamic pricing sectors. The innovations in forecasting, optimization, and competitive analysis have potential applications across a range of sectors experiencing dynamic pricing, thereby offering the potential for substantial commercial impact. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the challenge of optimizing pricing decisions in dynamically priced market sectors with limited historical data and intense price competition. The research objectives are to develop (1) novel demand forecasting methods that combine observational data with lightweight online experimentation; (2) an automated competitor analysis engine using econometric and machine learning tools; and (3) fast heuristic optimization algorithms to support real-time, network-wide pricing decisions. The project will implement and validate these innovations using real-world data and simulated operational settings. Anticipated technical results include accurate demand forecasts, robust pricing algorithms, and demonstrated revenue gains in pilot environments - laying the groundwork for scalable commercial deployment and continued innovation in dynamic pricing. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PRIME PACIFIC ENTERPRISES LLC
SBIR Phase I: Autonomous Drone System for Predicting Erosion and Safeguarding Coastline Communities
Contact
476 KEOPUA ST
Honolulu, HI 96813-
NSF Award
2528376 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is the development of a breakthrough autonomous Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) designed to monitor coastal erosion with high precision over time. This innovation addresses urgent needs in vulnerable coastal communities where rising sea levels and shoreline loss threaten homes, infrastructure, and ecosystems. The system enables faster, safer, and more consistent data collection than manual or satellite methods, helping decision-makers identify erosion patterns and plan effectively. This project supports the national interest by strengthening disaster resilience, reducing public costs, and improving safety through better geographic data for planning and response. Beyond monitoring, the technology has commercial potential in infrastructure inspection, land surveying, and emergency response. By lowering operational barriers and expanding access to high-quality aerial data, this innovation enables safer, smarter, and more sustainable monitoring. It offers communities a clearer view of coastal changes, supporting evidence-based decisions for long-term protection. This project addresses the high-risk challenge of developing an autonomous flight control system capable of guiding Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) through unpredictable and dynamic coastal environments. The innovation lies in combining three essential components?path planning, sensor-based position estimation, and onboard flight adjustment?into a single control system that operates continuously during flight. The system must maintain high accuracy despite wind, terrain changes, and sensor interference?factors that are difficult for others to replicate without deep integration and field experience. The goal of this Phase I effort is to test and validate the control system in a software-based simulation environment, proving its ability to carry out coastal monitoring missions more accurately and efficiently than current methods. The key technical contribution is the design of a flexible flight control framework that can adjust its course based on real-time environmental inputs. The system will use principles from advanced control theory to calculate efficient flight paths, while combining data from onboard sensors such as LiDAR, inertial motion units, and GPS to improve positioning and stability during each flight. The onboard system will make mid-course adjustments when conditions change, helping the UAS stay on track and gather reliable, repeatable data over time. By the end of Phase I, the project aims to show that this approach works through simulation testing, providing a strong basis for building and flying a working prototype in Phase II to support future coastal monitoring efforts. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUTI INTELLIGENCE INC.
STTR Phase I: Commercializing a Unified 3D Perception Model on Real Robots
Contact
9191 SW SALMON ST
Portland, OR 97225--6766
NSF Award
2538140 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,736
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project is to develop a comprehensive digital brain that allows robots to see and understand their surroundings in three dimensions. Currently, many robots struggle to recognize objects or navigate environments if their view is partially blocked or if lighting is poor. This project addresses these limitations by creating a system that reconstructs a full 3D map of a room in real time, identifies what specific objects are, and even predicts the hidden shapes of items that are only partially visible. Such a breakthrough will empower robotics startups to build smarter machines for critical tasks. By improving how robots perceive the world, this technology promises significant public benefits, including the safer inspection of crumbling bridges and roads, more precise environmental monitoring, and enhanced situational awareness for emergency responders. This investment serves the national interest by advancing American leadership in automation while fostering technologies that improve human safety, sustainability, and overall quality of life.
This project addresses the high-risk technical challenge of integrating real-time, high-fidelity scene reconstruction with semantic object understanding and geometric shape completion within a single, unified neural framework. The primary innovation lies in the development of a shared-backbone architecture that simultaneously performs localization and dense mapping while inferring the complete 3D geometry of occluded or partially observed objects. By utilizing a single image encoder to process visual data for multiple downstream tasks, the system overcomes the significant computational overhead that typically prevents complex perception models from running in real time on mobile robotic platforms.
The proposed methodology employs an advanced generalizable Gaussian splatting technique for simultaneous localization and mapping. The system processes color and depth data through a deep network to generate 3D Gaussian primitives, which are merged across successive frames to create a high-resolution map. Simultaneously, the project implements an instance completion algorithm that leverages the same extracted features to predict the full volumetric form of segmented objects. This dual-purpose approach ensures that the robot maintains an accurate camera trajectory while populating its map with complete, plausible object models rather than fragmented surfaces. Research activities will focus on scaling training datasets for both indoor and outdoor environments and optimizing the underlying code to achieve low-latency performance. The successful execution of this project will provide a robust foundation for autonomous systems to operate reliably in uncertain, real-world environments through superior spatial and semantic awareness.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PeliMicrosep Corporation
SBIR Phase I: Sub-micron Centrifuge for Treatment Systems
Contact
3979 RIVERSTONE DR
Suwanee, GA 30024--1891
NSF Award
2537713 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in investigating the feasibility of removing microscopic organisms from high-volume flows without using chemicals or disposable filters. Phase I project objectives include testing a laboratory-scale prototype and utilizing numerical analysis to optimize separation efficiency under broad range of conditions. Successful implementation will offer industry a cost-effective reliable solution.
This project investigates a novel centrifugal separation system for chemical-free treatment, designed to achieve high-throughput removal of microscopic organisms without disposable filters. The primary technical risk involves maintaining high purification efficiency and operational stability across a range of conditions while minimizing energy consumption. The research will establish feasibility for various settings, specifically targeting challenges like low salinity, cold temperatures, and high turbidity. A key focus is on the systematic evaluation of how adjustable parameters influence separation efficiency and scalability. This methodology integrates laboratory experimentation with numerical analysis, beginning with the design and fabrication of a lab-scale prototype featuring configurable rotating components. Bench-scale testing using representative surrogates will quantify organism removal, throughput, and power requirements, while numerical modeling will simulate system behavior to interpret results and refine operating parameters. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the removal or destruction of submicron and neutrally buoyant organisms at industrially relevant scales. Successful Phase I completion will provide the technical foundation for prototype scaling and extended validation, offering a robust, low-maintenance solution.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.QUANTUM COPPER, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Polymer Based Current Collectors for Enhancing the Fire-Safety of Electric Vehicle Batteries
Contact
8400 W SUNSET RD
Las Vegas, NV 89113--2283
NSF Award
2414894 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,610
Start / end date
12/01/2024 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is safer and greener batteries. Batteries have become one of the most essential tools in our daily life. Batteries are found in toys, cell phones, watches, machinery tools, portable gadgets and lights, e-bikes, electric energy storages, cars and not too far in the future airplanes. However, one of the biggest problems with batteries is fire and how to prevent it. Advances in research are progressing to find alternative materials for use in batteries to minimize and lower the possibility of fire to zero. This project is to develop and confirm a new material, which can be used outside and inside the battery to prevent fire and lower the possibility of fire. It can prevent a fire from starting or stop the fire from spreading. The material can be used outside, as a casing for the battery, and inside to replace some of the components inside the battery. A secondary characteristic of the material for this project is, it is also not hazardous but friendly to the environment. This is in line with providing a greener environment. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a new material needed to increase the safety of lithium-ion batteries including replacing some components with fire extinguishing polymer and polymer composites. Due to their power density and reactive components, damaged and abused batteries can ignite and burn. These fires are difficult to extinguish. The proposed work will replace one of the battery components to decrease the weight of the battery and increase the fire safety of the battery. By replacing the metallic current collector with a metalized, thermally responsive, self-extinguishing, polymer based charge collector, a lighter weight battery will now have a fire retardant material inside the battery. With this thermally responsive material, the conductivity of the collector decreases as the battery temperature approaches the thermal runaway temperature, therefore decreasing discharge and heat generation. If this mechanism does not stop the thermal runaway, any fire will be suppressed by the collector?s flame retardant polymer core. The net result of this proposed work will be lighter and safer batteries. With these new safer and lighter batteries, the electric vehicle market can grow with the knowledge that there will be fewer fire and enhanced range. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
QUANTUM FORMATICS CORP.
SBIR Phase I: AI-Accelerate Superconductor Discovery for High-Field Magnets
Contact
1044 NE 22ND AVE
Gainesville, FL 32609--3844
NSF Award
2528312 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is the development of novel superconducting materials that can be easily manufactured and operate at higher temperatures than those used in today?s commercial systems. Superconductors are critical components in technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fusion energy, but current materials either require complex manufacturing process and/or ultra-cold operating temperatures limiting their widespread use. This project aims to discover materials that can reduce both cost and complexity of using superconductors. The innovation could dramatically lower the cost of MRI machines and expand their availability in underserved healthcare settings. In the energy sector, these materials could help advance the commercial viability of fusion reactors by improving magnetic confinement efficiency and vastly reducing reactor?s cost. The project addresses a long-standing challenge in a multibillion-dollar market. It also supports national interests by facilitating domestic manufacturing of advanced materials, reducing dependence on scarce resources like helium and improving energy efficiency. The technology, if successful, offers a durable competitive advantage by enabling the in-house discovery and production of new superconducting wires that outperform current market incumbents. The long-term vision includes scaling discovered materials to full wire production and integrating them into next-generation medical and energy systems. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to accelerate the discovery of next-generation superconductors using an AI-accelerated workflow. The technical challenge addressed is the discovery of new superconducting materials that are not only high-performing but also stable, synthesizable, and suitable for industrial manufacturing. The project will use a combination of advanced artificial intelligence models, first-principles simulations, and experimental synthesis to identify compounds with high superconducting transition temperatures and practical manufacturing characteristics. The research will focus on generating a large database of candidate materials, and screening them by predicting critical properties including stability, manufacturability and superconducting properties. A subset of the most promising candidates will be synthesized and experimentally characterized to assess their manufacturability and superconducting performance. The most performant candidates will be formed into a mono-filament wire. These findings will serve as a foundation for developing manufacturable wire prototypes in subsequent work. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
R7 INSTRUMENTS INC
SBIR Phase I: Acoustic Expander for Air-Cycle Flash Freezers and Ultra-Low Temperature Refrigerators
Contact
45 HEATH ST
Somerville, MA 02145--2428
NSF Award
2507737 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$303,669
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact /commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a new low temperature freezer system that does not use potentially harmful refrigerants. These freezers are used in flash freezing of food products, preservation of biological samples, and in the healthcare industry. The advantage of this technology over the current refrigeration solutions is that air can be used as the refrigerant instead of a synthetic refrigerant which may prevent ice build-up and improves technoeconomic performance. If this technology demonstration is successful, there will possibly be a joint partnership with an establish US manufacturer to commercialize the technology for the public. The unique patented acoustic based cooling system is the key enabler of this low temperature freezer concept. Initial market adoption is projected to be realized in the food processing space. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is focused on a novel air cycle -80C refrigeration system that uses an acoustic expander to provide the cooling effect. Air cycle systems offer advantages over traditional vapor-compression machines that use synthetic or flammable refrigerants. These advantages are single compressor architectures, non-hermetically sealed components, and low ice build-up in the freezer all while maintaining similar or higher Coefficients Of Performance to that of a vapor-compression machine at much lower capital cost and with fewer operational/regulatory restrictions. Previous air-cycle systems were limited by the expensive turbine-based compressors and expanders. This project improves on previous attempts with an off the shelf compressor and a mechanically simple acoustic expander. The acoustic expander is a fundamentally different expansion machine is a drop-in replacement for a turbine expander in a Brayton-style refrigeration architecture. This dramatically reduces capital cost and can leverage existing off-the-shelf heat exchangers and compressors to reach scale. This SBIR will aim to demonstrate a reliable, 1 kW acoustic expander-based cooling system at -80C. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
RARE EARTH GENOMICS TEXAS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Developing 'SAFE' (Smart-Activity-Focused-Eco) Plant Terpenoid Derived Biopesticides
Contact
5005 RIVERWAY DR STE 440
Houston, TX 77056--2123
NSF Award
2528163 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project addresses the urgent need for effective agricultural pest control solutions that protect human health and environmental quality. Conventional pesticides leave persistent residues in soil, water, and food products, with nearly two-thirds of global agricultural lands currently impacted by agrochemicals exceeding safe levels. This project will develop natural pest control products derived from plant terpenoids that provide effective pest management while breaking down rapidly in the environment, leaving minimal residues. These innovations directly serve the national interest by supporting the transition toward sustainable agriculture, reducing chemical contamination of food and water supplies, and protecting ecosystem biodiversity. The technology will benefit organic farmers, greenhouse vegetable producers, and consumers seeking pesticide-free food options. By expanding the availability of effective natural pest control methods, this project supports food security, environmental protection, and public health objectives aligned with national priorities for sustainable agricultural innovation.
This project addresses the high-risk technical challenge of identifying synergistic combinations of multiple terpenoid active ingredients while balancing isolate availability economics, pest efficacy, and human safety to create commercially viable products. The innovation lies in developing precise multi-component formulations where terpenoids are combined in specific ratios with natural emulsifiers and surfactants. These formulations will achieve controlled delivery and enhanced mortality against difficult-to-control pests such as spider mites, while maintaining rapid environmental degradation and minimal off-target toxicity. Testing combinatorial synergy presents significant complexity due to the vast array of possible terpenoid combinations and concentration ratios that must be systematically evaluated against multiple pest species. The research scope includes expanded phytotoxicity research across diverse crops, mortality assays against additional insect pests and fungal pathogens, antibacterial activity assessment, and residue tracking in whole plant tissues across full crop cycles. This project will employ greenhouse bioassays, analytical chemistry methods for residue quantification, formulation stability testing, and particle size optimization techniques. The intellectual contribution will establish foundational knowledge for developing future terpenoid combinations with targeted pest control capabilities and enhanced safety profiles that reduce occupational exposure for producers and residue intake for consumers. The internal data generated will directly inform the development of new formulations and commercial products that can be simultaneously safe, effective, and economical for both producers and consumers while competing with conventional synthetic pesticides.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RARETERRA, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Assessing and Enhancing Microbiological Rare Earth Element Recovery for Domestic Production
Contact
211 KOSHLAND HALL
Berkeley, CA 94720--0001
NSF Award
2604674 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$303,808
Start / end date
09/01/2026 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to establish a domestic supply chain for rare earth elements and critical materials required for electric vehicles, wind turbines, consumer electronics, and defense systems. This project develops a biological approach to extract and separate rare earth elements from industrial by-products such as magnet manufacturing scrap and discarded electronics, materials currently shipped overseas or sent to landfills. By using microorganisms as natural extraction tools, this approach eliminates the need for hazardous chemicals, high temperatures, and energy-intensive processes common in conventional methods, thus reducing production costs. The first commercial market targeted is permanent magnet manufacturers, who currently dispose of or export significant quantities of rare earth-containing by-products. This technology converts these materials into high-purity rare earth materials for reintroduction into domestic manufacturing, reducing import dependence and strengthening national supply chain resilience.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the challenge of recovering and separating rare earth elements using an engineered microbial platform. Conventional rare earth extraction requires concentrated mineral acids, organic solvents, and high-temperature processing steps that generate large volumes of hazardous chemicals and are economically viable only for high-grade ore sources. The proposed research leverages bacteria engineered to produce specialized small molecules that selectively dissolve and bioaccumulate rare earth elements from industrial by-products, including magnet manufacturing scrap and shredded electronics at ambient temperature and neutral pH. Three interconnected technical objectives are pursued: first, engineering genetic modifications to increase the microorganism's rare earth extraction and intracellular storage capacity, achieving sufficient recovery concentrations for scale-up; second, developing downstream purification methods using multi-stage filtration and ion exchange chromatography to intracellular rare earth mineral granules at industrially-relevant yields; and third, generating microbial strains with industry-standard selectivity between light and heavy rare earth element subgroups, enabling differentiated high-value product streams. Successful completion will advance the technology from early proof-of-concept to a validated bench-scale prototype ready for pilot-scale development.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RAYLIFE INC.
SBIR Phase I: Development of Novel Optoelectronics Technology for Non-Invasive, Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring
Contact
12 CHANNEL ST STE 202
Boston, MA 02210--2399
NSF Award
2537536 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,898
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of a needle-free, wearable device for continuous blood glucose monitoring. Today?s glucose monitors require a sensor inserted under the skin that must be replaced every 10?14 days, creating pain, inconvenience, and high costs that discourage many people from using them. This project will explore a new optical technology that measures glucose without breaking the skin, making monitoring more comfortable, affordable, and accessible. If successful, this approach could empower millions of people with diabetes and prediabetes to better understand and manage their health, reducing complications and healthcare costs. Beyond medical use, the device could also serve the growing wellness market, where consumers track nutrition and fitness through wearable technology. Public investment in this research supports national goals of advancing healthcare innovation, reducing chronic disease burdens, and driving U.S. leadership in next-generation biosensing technology.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will investigate a high-risk, high-reward innovation: a broadband optoelectronic platform for non-invasive, continuous glucose monitoring. The primary technical challenge is achieving clinical-grade accuracy across variable users and environments, a feat that has eluded decades of prior attempts. The proposed device employs volumetric spatiotemporal spectroscopy across the visible, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared spectrum (500?2500 nm), capturing depth-resolved optical signals over a broad skin surface. This rich dataset will be interpreted through physics-informed machine learning models that separate glucose-specific absorption features from confounding signals such as tissue scattering, temperature fluctuations, motion artifacts, and ambient light. The scope of Phase I includes optimizing source-detector geometry to maximize sensitivity, implementing closed-loop temperature compensation to suppress thermal drift, integrating digital lock-in amplification for noise rejection, and compensating for motion artifacts and device coordinate shifts with a real-time Inertial Measurement Unit. A pilot human subjects study will validate the system?s ability to generate reproducible optical data under real-world conditions. Success will be measured by inter-subject mean absolute relative difference (MARD) compared to invasive continuous glucose monitors, signal stability across variable environmental conditions, and demonstration of scalable design for future manufacturing.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.REACHAMY INC.
SBIR Phase I: Agentic Artificial Intelligence System
Contact
254 CHAPMAN RD STE 208
Newark, DE 19702--5422
NSF Award
2537722 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,950
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/ commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in developing an agentic artificial intelligence (AI) powered digital platform. The platform is aligned with human-centered AI principles and adapts to changing contexts while preserving user control and operational reliability.
The technical innovation of this project is the development of an agentic artificial intelligence system unlike conventional civic platforms relying on passive notifications, this approach employs bounded autonomous agents operating within transparent, explainable frameworks aligned with human-centered AI principles including fairness, accountability, and robustness. The core technical challenge is designing agents capable of dynamic task sequencing and context-sensitive coordination that respect human autonomy while ensuring reliable performance under uncertainty. The Phase I scope will establish technical feasibility through design and testing of an agentic framework using structured workflows and a controlled participant cohort. The key focus is on designing coordination architecture grounded in responsible AI principles, that integrates interpretable decision logic, behavioral models, and policy-governed workflows to support sustained activities. The system will process contextual information through explainable algorithms, with transparency and accountability as foundational requirements. The methodology includes: (1) constructing secure, privacy-preserving data pipelines; (2) implementing human oversight mechanisms and algorithmic accountability measures; (3) developing decision protocols with built-in auditability; and (4) conducting controlled experiments assessing system stability, engagement persistence, and coordination effectiveness. Natural language generation will provide clear explanations supporting user understanding and informed consent.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RECLAMATION FACTORY, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Multimodal Acoustic Sorting for Cost-Effective Plastic Recycling
Contact
6613 RIDGEVILLE ST
Pittsburgh, PA 15217--1314
NSF Award
2604986 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,929
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to improve the effectiveness, affordability and efficiency of plastic recycling in the United States. Current sorting technologies struggle to accurately classify plastic resins, especially materials that are black, shredded, or contaminated, leading to high costs, material loss, and increased landfill use. This project investigates a new approach that uses sound to identify plastic types, potentially enabling accurate sorting across a wider range of polymers at lower cost. By making advanced sorting technology accessible to smaller and rural recycling facilities, this work aims to increase reclamation rates, reduce waste, and expand the domestic supply of high-quality recycled materials. These improvements will support U.S. manufacturing by reducing reliance on imported recycled plastics and strengthen local supply chains. The project also has the potential to reduce environmental impacts associated with plastic waste and contribute to national recycling and sustainability goals.
This project will investigate an unexplored and versatile modality for plastic classification based on acoustic signatures generated by material impacts. Unlike conventional near infrared, visual, or density-based methods, which are limited by color, form, and contamination, this approach leverages the intrinsic vibrational response of materials to enable classification independent of appearance or optical properties. This approach may also be fused with complementary sensing methods, such as computer vision, to improve performance across diverse material streams and form factors. The proposed work will evaluate whether acoustic data, collected using a low-cost sensor set, can achieve the precision and robustness required for industrial plastic sorting applications. The scope includes three core objectives: (1) development of a scalable dataset of synchronized audio and visual data for high-priority polymers and form factors, including municipal waste and shredded electronic plastics, (2) conducting audio feature sensitivity studies and machine learning model benchmarking to optimize classification performance, and (3) an investigation of relationships between acoustic signatures and underlying material and chemical properties through comparison with laboratory-based characterization. Key technical risks include sensitivity to material additives, environmental noise, and variability in real-world waste streams. If successful, this research will demonstrate a new class of low-cost, non-destructive material identification technologies capable of improving sorting accuracy, reducing system costs, and enabling broader deployment across diverse recycling and manufacturing applications.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RENEWCAT, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Catalytic Conversion of Secondary Source Polyvinyl Chloride into Higher-Value Hydrocarbon Waxes
Contact
3342 NW ROOSEVELT DR
Corvallis, OR 97330--1170
NSF Award
2604345 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,524
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/ commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in its potential to strengthen the supply chain resilience by converting secondary source polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into higher-value chemical products. Despite its prevalence in construction and packaging sectors, PVC is rarely used as a secondary source because its high chlorine content and complex additives disrupt conventional processing technologies. This proposed technology addresses this bottleneck by safely extracting and harvesting chlorine for industrial reuse while simultaneously transforming the remaining mass into valuable industrial wax. It provides the chemical industry with an important and economic alternative for secondary PVC sources, creating new market opportunities for high-purity waxes. Ultimately, this innovation establishes a circular economy model for one of the world's most challenging plastic materials.
This project pursues the development of a novel catalytic process designed to selectively convert secondary polyvinyl chloride into higher-value saturated hydrocarbon waxes through integrated dechlorination and hydrogenation. The core technical innovation centers on the design of highly active, poison-resistant alloy catalysts that favor polyene hydrogenation over competing side reactions that typically produce low-value gas or carbonaceous char. A primary goal of the research is to achieve 100% chlorine removal, ensuring the resulting wax meets the stringent purity standards required for downstream industrial applications. The project will establish critical structure-property relationships governing selective hydrogenation in the presence of complex PVC additives and residual halogens. The methodology integrates the synthesis of catalysts with tailored surface compositions and particle structures, followed by model compound studies to isolate and understand fundamental reaction pathways. These findings will be validated through performance testing using real-world PVC materials obtained from strategic partners, allowing the team to evaluate catalytic activity and stability under realistic, contaminated conditions. To ensure a viable path to market, outcomes will be characterized by quantifying wax yield, molecular weight distribution, and the precise degree of hydrogenation. Furthermore, the project will validate scalability by comparing results across bench-scale and kilogram-scale experiments. This rigorous approach will produce a definitive set of catalytic design rules and process benchmarks, establishing a solid foundation for transitioning to a continuous pre-pilot system. By demonstrating the feasibility of producing market-ready hydrocarbon waxes from secondary PVC sources, this work provides a potentially transformative solution for domestic manufacturing and resource conservation.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RESOLET LLC
SBIR Phase I: Development of a Compact Magnetic Resonance Relaxometry Sensor Operating at 0.1 Tesla for Measuring Iohexol Concentration in Blood Samples
Contact
38 W MAIN ST
Carmel, IN 46032--1764
NSF Award
2605121 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop a low-cost, portable diagnostic tool for measuring iohexol concentration in blood samples, which is important for assessing kidney function. This medical device potentially enables accurate measurements of kidney function and can impact tens of millions of people who live with kidney disease, for whom the current standard tests often provide only estimates of kidney function that can be highly inaccurate in certain settings. This capability enables doctors to make faster, more accurate decisions for staging of kidney disease or early detection of kidney injury. The potential societal benefits include improved patient outcomes across transplant patients and primary care settings, particularly in community clinics that currently lack access to advanced testing. From a commercial perspective, the project addresses a significant need in the kidney diagnostics market by offering a faster and more affordable alternative to current laboratory-based methods for iohexol-based measurement of kidney function. By shifting testing from centralized labs to the bedside, this technology reduces medical costs and increases efficiency for hospitals and clinics.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the urgent need for a rapid, radiation-free method to measure kidney function. Most clinical assessments currently rely on endogenous biomarker estimates that can vary significantly from the true health status of a patient. This project aims to miniaturize the core physics of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner into a compact, benchtop sensor. The technical objective is to develop a low-field magnetic resonance sensor operating at 0.1 Tesla that can quantify the concentration of iohexol, a common contrast agent, in blood samples. The research involves designing a specialized magnet assembly and implementation of a miniaturized MRI spectrometer operating at an ultra low-field strength. Technical tasks include constructing the prototype sensor, validating the accuracy of the sensor, and ensuring consistent and precise results across multiple devices. The anticipated result is a functional prototype capable of quantifying iohexol concentration in less than one hour. This innovation represents a significant advancement in diagnostic engineering by providing laboratory-grade precision in a portable format, overcoming the logistical and technical barriers that currently limit accurate kidney function testing to specialized laboratories.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RESONANTIA DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Acoustic Sensor Based Point of Care Diagnostic Platform for Rapid Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Contact
701 W MAIN ST STE 200
Durham, NC 27701--5012
NSF Award
2451554 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
03/01/2025 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in addressing the growing global burden of antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infections (UTIs), which affect an estimated 150 million people annually. Current diagnostic methods are slow, requiring days to deliver results, which delays effective treatment and contributes to antibiotic misuse. This project seeks to develop a transformative diagnostic platform capable of identifying pathogens and determining their antimicrobial susceptibility within 60 minutes directly from unprocessed patient samples. By enabling rapid, evidence-based treatment decisions at the point of care, this technology has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and combat the rise of antibiotic resistance. Beyond healthcare, the platform?s adoption could enhance public health preparedness by providing scalable diagnostic solutions in various clinical settings. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on advancing a next-generation diagnostic platform that integrates novel acoustic sensing technology. The project will achieve three technical objectives: (1) demonstrate accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) at pathogen loads as low as 10^3 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL), (2) validate AST against one antibiotic from six major classes, and (3) expand testing to include a diverse range of pathogens (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungal species). Meeting these objectives will establish the technical feasibility of a point-of-care diagnostic capable of rapid and reliable pathogen identification and AST. This innovation aims to address a critical unmet need in diagnostics, providing actionable results within 60 minutes at the point-of-care. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
RETRN BIOWORKS INC.
STTR Phase I: High-performance biopolymer platform for sustainable, safe packaging
Contact
1029 LANCASTER AVE
Syracuse, NY 13210--3029
NSF Award
2414139 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project are rooted in the reduction of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and plastics such as polyethylene (PE) as barrier coatings for paper-based packaging. The industry is seeking to phase such plastics out as they are non-renewable, non-degradable, carry health risks via ingestion of microplastics, and are energy-intensive to produce and poorly recyclable, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. With PFAS linked to reproductive and developmental abnormalities, immunotoxicity, carcinogenicity, thyroid damage, and many other health risks, upcoming legislative bans on its use in the food packaging industry have left suppliers without adequate replacements. Biodegradable bioplastics are among the most sought-after technologies to replace conventional plastics but are hampered by their use of food crops as the primary raw material, which adversely affects product sustainability and limits commercial feasibility. The proposed biodegradable bioplastic technology 1) uses abundant agro-industrial wastes as the raw material to drive down costs while supporting sustainability and 2) has significant technical performance advantages (i.e., mechanical properties, tunability, scalability) over current bioplastics. This innovation is poised to advance the market for commercially viable, biodegradable bioplastics, enabling the replacement of both PE-based plastic coatings and PFAS-based coatings.
The proposed project seeks to develop and validate a platform to deliver biodegradable coating solutions for the packaging industry. Customer discovery has revealed an unmet need for sustainable coatings with the properties needed for mechanical processability at scale (melting temperature, flexibility) and barrier performance of the coated fiber-based product (water vapor, liquid holdout, melting temperature, flexibility). While industry experts point to advanced polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics as a potential technical solution, the scalable production of PHAs with medium-chain length (MCL) comonomers that improve processability and range of applications has remained out of reach. A fermentative process has been developed to overcome this hurdle in which sugars obtained from hydrolysis of lignocellulosic waste are fermented using inhibitor-resistant recombinant microorganisms with modifications that direct feed components toward P4HB (poly-4-hydroxybutyrate)-based MCL copolymer synthesis. This novel technology enables the production of high-performance, fully biodegradable, and tunable P4HB-co-MCL copolymers fit for a range of applications. Phase I objectives are: 1) Create a process for producing P4HB-co-MCL copolymers from non-structurally related feedstocks and 2) Demonstrate industry-relevant mechanical and barrier properties of developed copolymers. This will establish commercial viability of the platform to transform waste feedstocks into P4HBs with desirable and tunable mechanical properties amenable for commercial adoption.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ROKE BIOTECHNOLOGIES LLC
STTR Phase I: Low-Cost Production of Agricultural Peptides Using Semi-Continuous Fermentation
Contact
701 W MAIN ST
Durham, NC 27701--5013
NSF Award
2538032 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to develop a manufacturing platform that reduces production costs, enabling broader access to safer, more sustainable products. This technology supports national goals to strengthen domestic biomanufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.
The proposed project will develop and validate a semi-continuous bacterial fermentation system integrated with simplified purification methods that eliminate expensive chromatography steps. Traditional protein manufacturing relies on batch production with costly, time-intensive processes that require extensive customization for each new product. These limitations make production economically viable only at very large scales, excluding many applications where demand is more modest. Additionally, scaling up batch processes from laboratory to commercial scale is technically risky and often fails due to unforeseen challenges. This project addresses three technical challenges: maintaining stable protein production over extended operation without genetic drift, integrating multiple processing steps into a coordinated continuous system, and protecting sensitive peptide products from degradation during purification. The research will establish operating parameters through computational modeling and validate a laboratory-scale prototype system. Success will be measured by achieving target expression levels, purification yields above ninety percent, and continuous operation for seventy-two hours or longer without performance decline.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ROWLAND ROBERT REEVES
SBIR Phase I: The Pulsar Rocket Engine; A Valve-Pulsed Detonation Rocket Engine
Contact
1934 DELGADO WAY
Sacramento, CA 95833--1415
NSF Award
2404698 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project will be substantial. This new advanced rocket engine with its increased thrust, efficiency, and simple design will significantly increase spaceship launch to orbit capabilities and reduce kilogram to orbit costs. Spaceship launch sizes in terms of cargo weight and volume will be significantly increased compared to the current most advanced rocket engines. The commercial impacts will be significant. For the first time space tourism on a large scale will be made possible. The general public can realistically expect to participate in the great space adventure that only a relatively few astronauts and other adventurers have experienced to date. Dreamers, entrepreneurs, scientists, and the space industry in general using this rocket engine will be able to plan and actually build orbiting artificial gravity structures providing multiple uses. For example, the enabled space infrastructure can be utilized as orbiting factories, habitats, science platforms, bases for asteroid mining, and tourism opportunities to name a few. The power and efficiency of this innovative rocket engine will enable launch to orbit efficiencies that will stimulate rapidly expanding space based commercial activity for decades to come.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to demonstrate the advantages of using pulsed reactant detonations as a means to increase engine thrust via the detonation of the fuel and to use those same reactant detonations to temporarily vacate a combustion chamber between detonations. In a vacated/partial vacuum condition backflow pressure to the turbo pumps from the combustion chambers is greatly reduced enabling significant increases in mass flow rates. For all current rocket engines backflow pressure is a significant impedance to the turbo pump?s ability to inject reactants into the chamber. Thus, the insight gained here is that the thrust from reactant detonation is not the primary benefit of pulsed detonation engines. The primary benefit of detonation of reactants is in the momentary partial vacuum that occurs within the combustion chamber that is created between each detonation cycle. Because of the momentary partial vacuum and resulting lack of back pressure within the combustion chamber far greater volumes of reactants per second can be injected into the chamber by the turbo pumps. Mass flow rates are greatly increased resulting in increased thrust and engine efficiency. The engine generates added thrust by detonating the reactants and by greatly increasing the mass flow rate.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RUMEDICAL NOVA LIMITED LIABILITY CO
SBIR Phase I: Next-Gen Portable Bio-Chip for Rapid and Accurate Early Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Contact
9535 KETONA CV
Austin, TX 78759--6260
NSF Award
2537614 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in creating an affordable, portable, easy-use technology that can diagnose lung cancer at its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, largely because it has minimum symptoms until it reaches a late stage. By enabling early and accurate detection in a non-invasive, easy-access, and low-cost manner, this project has the potential to greatly improve survival rates, reduce the financial burden on families, and lower national healthcare costs. The diagnosis chip can be broadly adapted to other cancers and diseases that lack reliable early detection methods, such as pancreatic cancer, as well as conditions like neurodegenerative diseases and infections. Overall, the capability could transform current medical diagnostics by providing accessible, affordable, and painless screening that benefits patients, healthcare providers, and society at large. The anticipated commercial opportunities are substantial, with potential to establish new markets in point-of-care diagnostics and strengthen U.S. leadership in healthcare innovation.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to design and validate a compact chip-based platform capable of detecting lung cancer biomarkers in body fluids such as blood serum with high sensitivity and speed. The research efforts will focus on developing an innovative nanoscale sensing element that can recognize disease signals at extremely low concentrations in a rapid, sensitive, and reliable fashion. Key performance metrics, such as accuracy, sensitivity, and reproducibility, will be benchmarked with state-of-the-art technologies. Once successful, this work will establish a solid technical foundation for a fully functional prototype capable of detecting clinically relevant low-concentration biomarkers in body fluids, suitable for integration into a regular doctor office visit. The project will also expand the scientific basis for next-generation diagnostic platforms with broad applications in cancer and other major diseases.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SENPHONIX, INC
STTR Phase I: A New Class of Injection Molded Biosymbiotic Devices for Long-Term, Multimodal Physiological Monitoring
Contact
1 HILL FARM RD UNIT 100
North Oaks, MN 55127--1300
NSF Award
2537968 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,950
Start / end date
10/01/2026 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to improve patient health outcomes through earlier detection of anomalies and to improve the efficiency of health care by helping nurses take and document vital signs automatically. The commercial impact is vast, since nurses can spend up to 20% (and in some cases more) of their time measuring vital signs manually. Helping to automate these processes can save hundreds of millions of dollars for hospital systems, in addition to directly addressing nursing shortages and nurse burnout. Current clinical grade medical wearables use adhesives and straps and are not suitable for long-term wear due to discomfort and a lack of patient convenience overall. Consumer-oriented watch and ring form factors are not useful for collecting clinical grade data, primarily because hands and wrists are not the ideal location to collect such data. This project will result in demonstration of adhesive-free, non-bulky, comfortable, clinical grade wearables that will lead to a large business enterprise serving multiple clinical segments.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project utilizes a lightweight mesh wearable sleeve with embedded microsensors, coupled with advanced electronics for wireless charging and data capture. The sleeve is coupled with a wireless charging station, remote radio communications for long range data collection, and a software-as-a-service system for data analysis and communication with electronic health records (EHR) systems. The wearable is a highly engineered polymeric sleeve designed for user comfort and long-term wearability using human factors engineering methodologies. The sleeve contains micro antennae and sensors capable of measuring heart rate, respiration, temperature, and motion; and it can communicate remotely to a single radio receiver that would serve an entire hospital floor, or a mobile app on the patient?s smartphone, both of which communicate to a HIPAA-compliant cloud for secure storage and transmission to the EHR. The combination of multiple materials, biomedical and electrical engineering, software, and artificial intelligence technologies results in a significant advancement of patient monitoring capability.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SENSATE ROBOTICS INC.
SBIR Phase I: Tactile-enabled Robotic Quality Control Cell
Contact
329 N VAN NESS AVE
Los Angeles, CA 90004--1523
NSF Award
2526616 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,917
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project addresses significant challenges in manufacturing and agriculture by enhancing the capabilities of robotic automation with tactile sensing. Tactile-enabled robotic cells will allow robots to perform complex tasks such as gauge checking in machining and quality sorting of agricultural products. Often in a robotic pick-and-place operation, an object needs to be moved from an assembly line to a quality assurance (QA) step prior to packaging (for example). Combining this pick-and-place operation and QA step inherently saves time ? creating a clear value proposition. By integrating advanced touch-based sensing technology into robotic grippers, this project promises substantial improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and safety in manufacturing quality control and agricultural sorting. Consequently, it supports national interests by strengthening U.S. competitiveness, reducing workplace injuries associated with repetitive manual tasks, and fostering job creation in advanced technical fields such as robotics and automation engineering. The technical objective of this project involves developing a novel robotic handling system integrated with advanced tactile sensing capabilities. This project seeks to overcome the limitations of traditional robotic systems, which rely heavily on visual sensing and struggle to manage delicate or irregular objects. The innovation will enable robots to perform complex handling and quality assessment tasks through tactile feedback. Unlike vision systems, where the camera passively collects data from an object without interacting with it, touch-based systems require object interaction. The data received from the tactile sensors is highly dependent on the movements made by the gripper fingers. Thus, the handling unit and sensors must be designed together in order to extract haptic properties like object stiffness. A primary high-risk factor lies in creating robust tactile sensors capable of accurately measuring object interaction properties under challenging real-world conditions. Existing tactile sensors often lack durability, have limited resolution, slow framerate and cannot reliably operate in harsh industrial environments. Furthermore, this project proposes a unique design featuring a limited number of physical sensors and a method to create virtual ?taxels? to greatly up-sample the resolution of the device. This technique seeks to significantly increase sensor resolution without increasing hardware complexity. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SENTEC, LLC
STTR Phase I: High Temperature Pressure Sensor for Process Monitoring
Contact
22 FORT DR
Simpsonville, SC 29681--8308
NSF Award
2507745 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is in a range of fields, which includes electric vehicle technology, advancing geolocation capability, and improving efficiency of industrial processes. A high temperature pressure sensor will be developed. The sensor?s material layers will be designed to optimize sensitivity, refine the device and manufacturing process to enhance performance, and develop a durable package capable of withstanding high temperatures. Once fabricated, the sensors will undergo rigorous testing under varying pressure and temperature conditions to ensure reliability and effectiveness. This design can directly replace current silicon-based sensors. These new sensors will be packaged and tested at industrial partner?s high-temperature facility. The project activities will create extensive training opportunities for PhD students and internship opportunities for students visiting from the university partner and other nearby colleges/ universities. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project focuses on the unmet market need for reliable pressure sensors operating at high temperatures, where traditional silicon (Si) piezoresistive pressure sensors are unsuitable. To meet this market need, a circular membrane-based pressure sensor made of wide bandgap semiconductors, will be developed, which can operate at high temperature due to their wide bandgap suppressing thermal carrier generation. This will enable the realization of a highly sensitive deflection transducer that can be integrated at the periphery of the pressure sensor element. The intellectual merit of the proposed project is in the development of novel wide bandgap based high temperature pressure sensors with much improved device performance compared to the state-of-the-art Si based piezoresistive sensors, due to several unique design aspects that include: (i) usage of wide bandgap and inert semiconductors that are capable of operating at high temperature and harsh environment, (ii) usage of a novel sensor element with depleted carrier density to maximize deflection sensitivity, (iii) usage of optimized surface passivation layer to reduce charge instability and (iv) usage of bridge network of sensors to reduce instability due to temperature changes or vibrational noise in the sensor output. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SET THERAPEUTICS INC
SBIR Phase I: Isolating and Reformatting Immune Receptors into Targeting Therapies for Oncology, Auto-Immunity, and Infectious Diseases
Contact
65 HALL AVE
Somerville, MA 02144--2003
NSF Award
2537433 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be in the creation of new drugs to treat life-altering diseases. Despite leaps in medical technology, the world still grapples with infectious disease, cancer, and auto-immune disease. Auto-immune conditions and allergies are on the rise along with some types of cancers-particularly in young adults (e.g. colorectal cancers). The field needs new disease-specific targets that can be leveraged by current and next-generation therapeutic approaches. To achieve this goal, technologies to discover those disease-relevant targets and ways to exploit them in patients are essential. Among these targeting tools are T-cells: immune cells that are critical in the body?s defense against viral and bacterial infections as well as cancer. This SBIR project focuses on the development of a platform for isolating T-cells specific to disease and a process which will take disease-specific T-cell receptors and convert them to a druggable, widely accessible format. Together, these two platforms may provide a system for mining diseases to develop a sustainable pipeline of new therapies. These therapies would contribute to the $200B oncology market, the $72B auto-immune market, and the $70B infectious disease market.
The proposed project is focused on a method to discover drugs against new targets and a method to convert those potential drugs into therapeutics. This SBIR project aims to develop a unique method of isolating disease-relevant T-cells. Tens of millions of different T-cells will be co-cultured with diseased cells in microscopic compartments. T-cells that recognize the diseased cells are ?activated?. These activated cells will be identified and isolated to recover their associated disease-specific receptors. Specifically, the work here will focus on isolating rare, disease-reactive T-cell receptors (TCRs) from large pools of human T-cells: a step that is critical for the technology to be exploited for drug discovery against new targets. However, the TCRs that are encoded by the isolated T-cells are naturally expressed on the surface and are not fit for making adaptable, affordable, and easy-to-manufacture therapeutics. This SBIR project will also strive to format these TCRs into a therapeutic modality that is manufacturable and deliverable to patients. These methods will leverage the latest in drug design technologies such as the use of artificial intelligence and high-throughput optimization.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SILICOAT ENERGY LLC
STTR Phase I: High Energy, Fast Charging, Long Cycle Life Si-based Rechargeable Batteries at Low Cost
Contact
1203 W 33RD ST
Chicago, IL 60608--6305
NSF Award
2527575 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,997
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to achieve high energy, fast charging, long cycle life silicon-based rechargeable batteries at low cost. Silicon anodes are one of the most promising anode materials for the next-generation lithium ion batteries because of the high theoretical specific capacity (3,579 mAh g-1, which is about 10 times of the specific capacity of graphite anodes used in today?s commercial lithium ion batteries). However, the volume expansion (> 300%) of silicon during lithiation has led to continuous capacity decay as charge/discharge cycle increases. This project will address this continuous capacity decay problem using a patent-pending synthesis process to manufacture silicon nanoparticles with internal engineered voids and carbon coatings. Such engineered silicon-carbon composites will have long cycle life and be produced via a scalable, environmentally benign, low-cost manufacturing method, leading to a new-generation of lithium ion batteries with higher energy density and lower cost.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project addresses the volume expansion of silicon particles during lithiation that has traditionally resulted in continuous capacity decay, owing to mechanical fracture of the Si electrode, loss of inter-particle contact, and repeated solid electrolyte interphase layer formation and collapse. Introducing engineered voids allows silicon to expand inside the silicon particle without causing outward volume expansion and thus avoids fracture, loss of particle contact, and fracture and re-formation of the solid electrolyte interface during charge/discharge cycles. The carbon coating can force silicon expansion into the engineered voids, while improving the electronic conductivity of the silicon particle. Such engineered silicon-carbon nanocomposites will be fabricated via an innovative manufacturing method, composed of three major steps: (i) high-energy ball milling of micron-sized silicon particles to obtain silicon nanoparticles, (ii) carbon coating on the surface of silicon nanoparticles to obtain carbon-coated nanoparticles, and (iii) partial etching of the silicon core to obtain nanoparticles with internal engineered voids and carbon coating (i.e., Si@void@C particles). Different sizes of carbon-coated silicon nanoparticles require different partial etching conditions to generate different volumes of the engineering voids for different sized nanoparticles so that the cycle life will be improved while minimizing the loss in the specific capacity. This project will establish cost-effective methods to separate different silicon-carbon nanoparticles in four size groups and optimize the partial etching conditions for each size-group to achieve high specific capacity, fast charging, long cycle life Si@void@C anode materials at low cost.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SIMPLYBREATHE L.L.C.
STTR Phase I: Steroid eluting biodegradable implant
Contact
96 TERN ST
New Orleans, LA 70124--4413
NSF Award
2537987 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,857
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is a novel implantable material and manufactured platform. The proposed device will facilitate extended release of steroids. This project advances materials and manufacturing methods to create a novel drug delivery platform offering mechanical structural support that is also bioabsorbable.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop steroid-eluting dissolvable implants. The implant utilizes Hot Melt Extrusion (HME) to develop a prototype, which includes the design and engineering of procedural tools needed to properly place the device. Prototypes will be developed, then implanted in suitable models. The prototypes will be refined and fabricated using mixed dissolvable polymers with powdered steroids, produced at a low enough temperature to avoid steroid degradation. The formulation of dissolvable polymer will be further defined and validated for bench performance. The in vivo performance of the devices will then be characterized, and in vitro elution data correlated with in vivo absorption for meeting regulatory performance requirements. The prototypes will validate elution and biostability and degradation for developing implantable device prototypes at a future stage.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SINGULAR IMMUNE, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Novel Protein-Based Platform for In Vivo Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Generation
Contact
3060 PEGASUS PARK DR BLDG 6
Dallas, TX 75247--6204
NSF Award
2605160 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,909
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to expand access to advanced immune therapies by developing a new, protein-based approach that avoids genetic modification of cells. Current engineered immune cell treatments can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per patient, require specialized manufacturing facilities, and involve complex, patient-specific processing. This project seeks to enable a more scalable and potentially lower-cost alternative by using manufactured proteins that can be administered directly and temporarily program immune cells inside the body. By leveraging established protein production methods, this approach could reduce manufacturing barriers and increase availability in community hospitals and resource-limited settings. The technology has potential applications in cancer, autoimmune diseases, and emerging infectious diseases, representing large and growing markets in need of safer and more accessible therapies. If successful, this project could support a new class of immune treatments that are more affordable, more rapidly developed for new disease targets, and more broadly distributed across the United States and globally.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will evaluate a modular protein platform that enables immune cells to recognize and eliminate disease targets without altering their genes. Instead of inserting genetic material into cells, the project delivers pre-formed targeting proteins that attach to natural immune cells and temporarily give them new targeting abilities against diseased cells. The research will test whether this platform can be systematically adapted to different disease targets by swapping one targeting component for another while preserving overall function. Specifically, the project will design and produce a new version of the protein directed at a well-established immune cell target involved in autoimmune disease, then assess its structural stability, ability to bind the intended target, and capacity to activate immune cells to selectively eliminate harmful cells. Comparative studies across multiple versions of the protein will be used to establish general design principles that predict performance. The anticipated results include validated evidence of modularity, defined performance benchmarks, and a framework to guide future development of non-genetic immune therapies.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SITKANA INC
STTR Phase I: Modular Tidal Energy Systems for Power Generation in Remote Coastal Communities
Contact
2917 SIMPSON AVE
Juneau, AK 99801--2046
NSF Award
2507857 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to enable remote coastal communities to lower their electricity rates by providing them with a locally deployable marine energy technology that harnesses energy from ocean tidal currents. Many coastal communities in the United States lack reliable access to grid electricity and instead rely on diesel generators that are expensive to operate logistically due to the need for constant resupply of fuel. This project supports the development of a modular energy system that captures the predictable motion of tidal currents to produce emission-free and reliable electricity. If successful, this innovation could provide a more affordable and more resilient source of electricity than diesel generators for many communities across Alaska and other coastal regions around the world. This project also has the potential to create high-skill jobs in engineering, manufacturing, and utility operations upon scale-up and broad adoption. The technology aligns with the National Science Foundation's mission to advance science and promote the progress of science for societal benefit and economic growth. Its long-term commercial potential could support domestic job creation and tax revenue by developing a new industry centered on modular scalable marine energy systems. The intellectual merit of this STTR project lies in the development of a novel power take-off system for the company's modular tidal energy technology. One core technical innovation is the use of a drag-based shrouded rotor, which minimizes material usage while maximizing structural rigidity. The rotor also has the property of shedding thrust force as rotational tip speed increases, which could allow for drag-based rotors to operate in higher-velocity currents while shedding the high thrust forces. An issue with designing a power control system around this rotor is this requirement that the rotor operates at a low rotational speed with high torque - a unique challenge for small-scale systems because voltage must be raised above battery voltage. This requires either (1) a high gear ratio gearbox or (2) a boost-type circuit. Both approaches are generally more expensive, which is a challenge for commercialization. The shaft seal also adds significant parasitic torque and must be optimized to accommodate dynamic forces in demanding marine environment. The goal of this Phase I project is to design a system capable of charging a battery in off-grid environments with a robust power controller. If successful, this work will help build the foundation of knowledge around drag-based rotors for power generation, supporting a path toward full commercialization in coastal communities. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SOFAB INKS LLC
SBIR Phase I: SnO2 Layers for Scalable Fullerene-Free Perovskite Solar Cells
Contact
11351 DECIMAL DR
Louisville, KY 40299--2445
NSF Award
2604993 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$300,165
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to address key barriers preventing perovskite solar technology from reaching commercialization. Current high-performance perovskite solar devices utilize materials and processes that are expensive and difficult to scale. This project develops a new class of liquid-processable tin oxide nanoparticles that are affordable and compatible with industrial coating methods. By improving these materials, the aim is to lower the cost of solar manufacturing while increasing module performance and lifetimes. This work strengthens the domestic energy sector by enabling cost-competitive domestic production of high-performance solar materials. Reducing reliance on expensive fabrication technologies and foreign supply chains strengthens energy security and supports broader solar deployment. The project also advances understanding of the key electrical properties and process parameters needed to overcome current performance limitations.
This project investigates how solution-processed SnO? nanoparticle films can be engineered to achieve the coating uniformity and electronic quality required for high-performance, scalable perovskite solar cells. Achieving this in a solution-processed system is inherently challenging because small variations in nanoparticle surface chemistry, ink stability, and film formation can significantly alter interfacial reactions and electrical behavior. These tightly coupled factors govern resistive losses, charge extraction, and overall device performance, making consistent, high-quality film formation difficult to achieve at scale. The work focuses on establishing clear relationships between ink formulation, thin film properties, and processing conditions to enable consistent, high-quality electron transport layers. By studying the material system across solution, thin film, and device-integrated states, the project will develop structure?process?performance relationships that link material design to functional outcomes. These insights will guide both material optimization and scalable manufacturing strategies for fullerene-free perovskite solar cells. Experimental efforts will evaluate how variations in ink chemistry and processing influence film formation and interfacial behavior, with particular emphasis on ink stability, uniformity, electronic performance, and device stability. Coated films will be assessed under scalable deposition methods, and device-level testing will be used to quantify performance metrics such as resistive losses, hysteresis, and operational stability.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SORCERER CORPORATION
SBIR Phase I: Constellation of Small, High-Altitude Balloons for Atmospheric Data Collection
Contact
466 BRANNAN ST
San Francisco, CA 94107--1713
NSF Award
2528394 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,963
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in addressing the critical challenge of inadequate weather forecasting due to the scarcity of in-situ atmospheric data over oceans and under-sampled regions. Improved forecasting can lead to better preparation for weather-related disasters, saving lives and property and aiding in climate adaptation efforts. The proposed project has significant potential impacts on society and the environment by enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasts globally. Accurate weather forecasting is critical for sectors such as agriculture, logistics, insurance, and renewable energy, and this project can contribute meaningfully to meet those needs. In agriculture, farmers may use hyper-local, high-accuracy forecasts to optimize planting, irrigation, and harvesting, potentially boosting agricultural output and improving food security in disaster-prone regions. Logistics companies could streamline shipping routes and reduce fuel costs by anticipating weather disruptions with greater accuracy. The insurance industry may leverage detailed weather data to better assess risks and offer more targeted coverage, saving billions in payouts due to inaccurate predictions. With days, not hours, of advance warning for hurricanes, floods, and other extreme events, thousands of lives can be saved each year, and economic losses reduced by billions. Governments and military agencies may gain unprecedented access to detailed weather data, crucial for strategic planning and operations. The intellectual merit of this project is in developing a global network of long-duration, low-cost, lightweight weather balloons to significantly reduce or eliminate weather forecast uncertainty by filling data gaps over oceans and developing countries. The project aims to deploy a constellation of balloons capable of remaining aloft for 60+ days, collecting atmospheric data. The goals of the proposed R&D are to deploy an initial constellation of systems capable of atmospheric sensing and real-time communication and to develop data assimilation partnerships with industry and government to use this new data effectively. The plan involves iterative testing of the balloon systems, validation of their performance in real-world conditions, development of fleet management and mission control software, and deployment of a pilot-scale constellation. Each balloon carries a sophisticated payload, including miniaturized sensors, satellite communication, and a unique non-consumable altitude control system. This patented technology aims to allow the balloons to transition vertically between sea level and the stratosphere, collecting detailed atmospheric profiles and even "station-seeking" over specific regions of interest. This would translate to dramatically increasing the resolution and frequency of weather data compared to sporadic radiosonde launches. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SPECTRAL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: A Faster, Cheaper Way to Discover New Drugs: Using Tiny Laser Barcodes to Test Millions of Compounds
Contact
865 ROSE RANCH RD
San Marcos, CA 92069--1122
NSF Award
2528478 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,950
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to accelerate public health advancements by democratizing access to advanced drug discovery tools. The new technology may enable the rapid and cost-effective identification of novel medicines, allowing academic institutions and smaller biotechnology companies to pursue challenging or historically difficult targets. By reducing the cost of initial screening by up to 90% and accelerating the timeline from months to weeks, this innovation leverages research spending into neglected tropical diseases, rare diseases, and efforts in pandemic preparedness. Furthermore, the ultra-miniaturized benchtop design of the technology reduces plastic waste and required reagents by over a thousand-fold compared to traditional systems, minimizing the costs and resource footprint of drug development. The initial market segment to be reached will be preclinical biotech and pharmaceutical companies globally that are seeking to validate new targets and require high-quality, comprehensive screening data to inform their lead compound selection.
The proposed project addresses the critical gap in modern molecular discovery: the tradeoff between the speed and cost-effectiveness of current high-throughput screening methods and the critical need for high-quality, quantitative activity data. The research objective is to develop a novel, data-rich, ultra-miniaturized platform for quantitative activity screening of chemical compound libraries. This will be achieved by integrating III-V semiconductor laser particles, which serve as unique, narrow-emission spectral barcodes, into polymer beads. These spectrally-encoded beads will then be screened in high-density microwell arrays, enabling over one hundred thousand simultaneous assays at nanoliter volumes. The research will first validate the accurate matching of barcodes across different detection methods (flow-based registration and planar-based scanning). Next, the project will demonstrate the controlled release of model compounds from the beads and conclude by proving the platform?s capability to measure the kinetic activity of known inhibitors in a high-throughput, real-time assay.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.STEMORA INC.
SBIR Phase I: Biochemical Modulation of Resident Skeletal Stem Cells for In Vivo Hyaline Cartilage Regeneration
Contact
5042 GAITHERS CHANCE DR
Clarksville, MD 21029--1486
NSF Award
2604938 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in addressing one of the most widespread and costly health conditions affecting society: the loss of cartilage that leads to joint degeneration and osteoarthritis. Cartilage injuries and early stage osteoarthritis affect millions of individuals and often progress to disability, pain, and the need for invasive joint replacement surgery. Current treatment options do not regenerate true cartilage, leaving a major unmet medical need. This project aims to develop a minimally invasive, one step therapeutic approach that restores healthy cartilage by activating the body?s own regenerative capacity. If successful, this technology could reduce long term healthcare costs, delay or prevent joint replacement surgeries, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life for a broad patient population. The project also supports economic growth by advancing a new regenerative medicine platform with potential applications in sports medicine, military medicine, and veterinary care.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to develop a therapeutic strategy that enables the regeneration of native hyaline cartilage by guiding the activity of skeletal stem cells that reside within joint tissues. Cartilage has very limited ability to repair itself, and existing surgical procedures often result in the formation of fibrocartilage, which lacks the durability and mechanical properties of healthy cartilage. This project builds on scientific discoveries showing that skeletal stem cells can be directed toward true cartilage formation when exposed to specific biochemical signals delivered in a controlled manner. The research will optimize a combination of clinically established microfracture surgery with a controlled release formulation containing growth promoting and vascular modulating factors. The project will evaluate release kinetics, biological activity, and cartilage regeneration in relevant animal models such as a large animal model of osteoarthritis. Anticipated outcomes include a validated therapeutic formulation, evidence of improved cartilage quality, and foundational data supporting future translational studies. The results will advance understanding of stem cell driven tissue regeneration and establish a path toward a clinically scalable therapy.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SYNLIBRIS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Platform for Continuous Evolution of Helper Genes to Enable High-Yield Protein Biomanufacturing
Contact
29 PLEASANT ST APT 1
Cambridge, MA 02139--3752
NSF Award
2545668 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,957
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be the significant reduction in the cost and complexity of manufacturing high-value biological products. Currently, many potentially life-saving therapeutics, consumer targeted proteins and industrial enzymes are difficult to produce at scale because they are toxic to the production cells or fail to secrete efficiently. Traditional methods to fix these problems are slow and labor-intensive, often taking months to yield only marginal improvements. This project develops a technology that mimics natural evolution at an accelerated pace to rapidly discover genetic solutions that allow cells to manufacture these complex proteins efficiently. By unlocking the production of difficult-to-express proteins, this innovation may lower the cost of biologic drugs, enable novel industrial enzymes for the bio-economy, and strengthen the U.S. position in advanced biomanufacturing.
The proposed project aims to develop a scalable, continuous evolution platform capable of engineering yeast strains for high-titer protein secretion. The technical innovation utilizes an orthogonal DNA replication system that allows a specific set of helper genes to mutate at extremely high rates without damaging the host cell's genome. The research objectives for this Phase I project are to validate three proprietary selection systems that couple cell survival to protein secretion and stability. Specifically, the project will evolve yeast strains to tolerate and secrete toxic or unstable benchmark proteins that currently pose manufacturing challenges. The key technical result will be the identification of novel genetic variants that dramatically improve protein yield, and validation of transferability to common production organisms, demonstrating a generalizable workflow for rapid strain engineering that outperforms rational design methods.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.TACTORUM INC.
SBIR Phase I: Development of a system for automated pain behavior testing across preclinical disease models in rodents
Contact
185 CLAREMONT AVE APT 6A
New York, NY 10027--4020
NSF Award
2516905 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
01/15/2026 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will include fewer resources being needed for pain behavior studies, and fewer mice being needed. The system that results from this project may reduce the time necessary for experiment completion by 50% and training of researchers from 5-6 months to 1 hour, and reduce waste by producing cleaner data faster, saving money, and assisting in research animal use reduction efforts. The complete automation of the system?s operation could further benefit the ~$3.3B global preclinical pain research market while improving the translational viability by generating cleaner data, measuring pain, and not just stimulus sensitivity. By year 3 of production post-award, $1.85 million in revenue is expected from hardware and software products. In addition, this system lowers the impediments and reduces injury potential for researchers who traditionally could not perform pain behavior assays due to their high training requirements or physically demanding nature. This is expected to benefit trainees, spur innovation by allowing new labs to easily access these assays. The proposed project aims to assess the commercial feasibility of a new behavior testing and analysis system for use in preclinical pain research. Preclinical rodent pain research is a key part of the development of new pain-relieving therapies for the 20% of US adults currently living with undertreated chronic pain. Unfortunately, the current gold standard of von Frey testing has significant confounds due to manual aiming and stimulus delivery and suffers from limited behavioral readouts, hurting translatability. The new system eliminates these confounds by automating delivery and using machine learning to measure both high-speed reflexive and affective pain behaviors. This system has only been validated in inflammatory models, but new tools must demonstrate robust validation across various established models to be viable, as validation often makes or breaks new research tools. This project will address this challenge by testing it across three diverse rodent pain models for neuropathy, chemotherapy, and osteoarthritis, comparing it to von Frey. This project will then use the resulting data to determine if a new version of this automated analysis strategy, combining 3D tracking with machine learning behavior identification, can overcome previous accuracy limitations to create the groundwork for a commercially viable analysis software product. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TAILWATER INFORMATICS HOLDINGS, CORP.
SBIR Phase I: AI-Driven Cloud Application Programming Interface for Quantum-Accurate Materials Simulation
Contact
5525 LA CRESCENTA
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067--9615
NSF Award
2603825 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,905
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 01/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the development of an AI-driven platform that accelerates discovery of advanced materials critical to next-generation electronics, including semiconductors, energy systems, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing. Today, identifying and testing new materials often requires hundreds of thousands to millions of high-performance compute hours, taking months to complete. This project develops technology designed to reduce these calculations to minutes, lowering computational costs by more than 90% and enabling researchers to evaluate hundreds of thousands of candidate materials in weeks rather than months. This capability is increasingly important for U.S. national security and technological competitiveness. Advanced materials underpin next-generation semiconductor chips, AI computing infrastructure, defense systems, and energy technologies, yet first-principles simulation remains a major bottleneck limiting commercialization and deployment. This technology is designed to remove this bottleneck and accelerate the pace of American scientific and industrial innovation.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to solve a severe computational bottleneck in materials science: the exponential cost of quantum mechanical simulations required for next-generation electronics discovery. The research objective is to develop a foundational AI model that predicts the electronic structure of solid materials with high-fidelity accuracy in seconds. To achieve this, the proposed research involves constructing a massive, rigorously standardized training dataset derived from plane-wave calculations. Using this uniform data, the project will train an equivariant graph neural network that natively outputs the effective Hamiltonian in a maximally localized, completely orthogonal Wannier basis. Unlike competing machine learning tools that produce non-orthogonal outputs requiring computationally expensive matrix inversions, this orthogonal architecture uniquely enables direct subspace projection. By isolating specific energy windows near the Fermi level, this capability dramatically reduces the Hilbert space, turning previously intractable downstream transport and scattering computations into routine tasks. The anticipated technical result is a linear-scaling computational framework capable of evaluating systems containing over one million atoms. Ultimately, this technology will provide the fast, quantum-accurate engine needed to accelerate the autonomous evaluation and design of novel semiconductors, quantum processors, and advanced energy storage materials.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.TD POLYMERS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Nanostructured Bioplastic Films with Tunable Biodegradation
Contact
1001 W CLEVELAND ST
Tampa, FL 33606--1913
NSF Award
2507283 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,633
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to provide an environmentally sustainable solution to plastic waste in packaging and agriculture. Traditional biodegradable plastics degrade unpredictably or too slowly under real-world conditions, making them impractical for applications with specific shelf-life or disposal requirements. This project addresses that gap by developing compostable multilayer structures with tunable biodegradation profiles, enabling materials that can disintegrate at desired rates depending on end-use. This approach allows for more reliable waste management, especially in composting and controlled disposal environments. The proposed innovation could significantly reduce plastic pollution and support circular economy models. The target initial market includes compostable produce packaging and mulch films for agriculture. The value proposition lies in programmability, performance comparable to conventional plastics, and compatibility with existing film-processing equipment. This innovation also supports the goals of enhancing public health and environmental stewardship, reducing landfill burden, and advancing materials science literacy. By aligning biodegradation rates with application needs, the project may set new benchmarks in the design and commercialization of bio-based plastics with a durable competitive advantage. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop and validate compostable multilayer polymer films with programmable biodegradation profiles by engineering structured morphologies through multilayer coextrusion. The technical problem addressed is the inability of current biodegradable materials to provide both performance and predictable, tunable degradation under industrial composting or environmental conditions. The core research objective is to demonstrate that specific polymer?polymer interfaces and layer arrangements can control degradation kinetics without compromising mechanical and barrier properties required in flexible films. The project will investigate blends of commercially available biopolymers such as polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, and polybutylene succinate, structured into multilayers using coextrusion techniques. Characterization will include tensile testing, oxygen barrier analysis, and accelerated biodegradation assays under simulated composting environments. Metrics for success include achieving film mechanical properties and barrier properties comparable to polyethylene, and controlled mass loss over a defined timescale. The anticipated outcome is a proof-of-concept multilayer system with demonstrated tunability of biodegradation via layer design and polymer selection. This technical advancement lays the foundation for scalable, sustainable film packaging solutions and could open new research avenues in structured polymer degradation. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TEXAS MICROSINTERING LLC
SBIR Phase I: Microscale Selective Sintering for High Throughput Metal Additive Manufacturing of Interconnects in Semiconductor Packaging
Contact
909 E 53RD ST
Austin, TX 78751--2213
NSF Award
2507416 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is the commercialization of microscale selective laser sintering (?-SLS), a new 3D printing technology that drastically lowers the cost and time required to produce custom interconnect structures for semiconductor chips. Currently, the high cost of creating specialized chip interconnects limits innovation in critical fields such as national defense, medical devices, and scientific research. This project introduces an advanced 3D printing process that builds microscopic metal connections on chips directly from a digital file, eliminating the need for expensive custom tooling. This innovation significantly reduces the financial barrier for producing small batches of high-performance chips, enabling faster prototyping and development. The initial market will be defense electronics, followed by expansion into other specialized sectors. The business model involves licensing this proprietary technology to equipment manufacturers, ensuring widespread adoption and a durable competitive advantage based on a unique combination of speed, precision, and flexibility. By strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and enabling new technologies, this project serves the national interest by advancing national security, economic prosperity, and scientific progress. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the technical challenges of creating a viable additive manufacturing process for semiconductor packaging. It provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional lithography for the low-volume, high-mix production required by custom semiconductor applications. This project investigates microscale selective laser sintering (?-SLS), a novel process which uses a digital micromirror device to pattern laser energy and fuse metal nanoparticles into 3D interconnect structures. The main research objective is to transition this process from glass substrates to industry-standard silicon wafers. Key research activities include updating thermal and coating models, fabricating multi-layer copper test structures, and characterizing their properties. Anticipated results include a validated process for producing copper interconnects on silicon with sufficient mechanical adhesion (>5 MPa) and electrical conductivity (>50% of bulk copper). This work will also establish the limits of key material properties, such as the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, Young's Modulus, and shear strength, which are critical for thermomechanical reliability of the fabricated electronic package. These results will define the operational limits for future device design and demonstrate the technology's commercial potential. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TOPOLIGHT, INC.
SBIR Phase I: High-Power, Surface-Emitting, Single-Mode Laser Chips with Photonics Crystal Cavity Design
Contact
2010 5TH ST UNIT 470
Berkeley, CA 94710--1996
NSF Award
2528031 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project are to advance the development of compact and scalable laser technology that can enable more precise and energy-efficient systems for applications such as remote sensing, environmental monitoring and mapping, satellite communication, and biomedical devices. Current high-performance lasers are either bulky and expensive or small and underpowered, limiting their use in space-constrained platforms like drones and satellites. This project aims to address these limitations by developing a new class of chip-scale lasers that deliver high power, low-divergence beams while maintaining a small footprint. These lasers have the potential to reduce energy consumption, improve sensing capabilities, and lower the cost of deploying advanced optical technologies in both public and private sectors. The initial target market will focus on compact sensor systems, with long-term diversification opportunities in manufacturing, communication, surgery and diagnostics, and defense. This project will enable foundational demonstration of this laser technology which if successful, could result in a suite of next-generation lasers that will be optimized for specific applications across multiple commercial sectors. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on the development of a new laser architecture that allows single-mode operation to be maintained over large emission areas. The central innovation is a cavity design that produces a uniform optical field across the entire surface of the gain material, allowing power to scale with area without degrading beam quality. This enables the laser to emit narrow-divergence, high-coherence light even at watt-level power outputs from a compact, surface-emitting chip. The research will involve optimizing the photonic crystal structure, investigating material platforms for different wavelengths, and testing prototype devices for beam quality and power output. The project will also evaluate the thermal and structural performance of these devices when bonded to substrates suitable for heat dissipation and packaging. The expected outcome is a fully characterized prototype laser capable of room-temperature operation, high beam quality, and integration into sensing systems. This research addresses fundamental challenges in photonic design and has the potential to advance both commercial and scientific laser applications. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TORO BIO, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Automated System for Point of Care Manufacture of Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes Cell Therapies
Contact
618 TOPAZ ST
Redwood City, CA 94061--1308
NSF Award
2506679 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,870
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to expand access to personalized cancer therapies by enabling cell therapy manufacturing at the point of care. This approach could significantly improve outcomes for cancer patients by reducing wait times, improving the consistency of therapy, and lowering treatment costs. Decentralizing cell manufacturing makes these advanced therapies more accessible, not only in premium locations but also in regions with limited access to centralized cleanroom facilities. In addition to improving health outcomes, the project will reduce the cost of cell therapy logistics by eliminating the need to ship live or frozen cells across long distances. The system's built-in analytics and imaging capabilities will contribute to better scientific understanding of cell growth and help train future generations of scientists and technicians in advanced biomanufacturing. This project supports economic growth, technological advancement, and the development of a more resilient healthcare system. The proposed project addresses critical limitations in current cell therapy manufacturing by developing an intelligent, single-use bioreactor system designed to automate the expansion of therapeutic cells in an aseptically closed environment. The system supports the full process from small initial volumes to large-scale expansion without the need for multiple containers or manual cell transfers. The project will focus on three technical goals: (1) manufacturing and verifying Alpha prototypes of the disposable bioreactor, (2) developing and testing bioreactor nests to support parallelization and scalability, and (3) validating the complete Alpha system with real cell cultures and benchmarking against existing commercial systems. These innovations aim to reduce cleanroom dependency and manual labor while enabling decentralized, reproducible, and high-quality manufacturing of cell therapies. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TRELLIS ROBOTICS INC
STTR Phase I: Fast non-destructive inspection of confined-space industrial assets with a novel vine robot
Contact
2130 CALIFORNIA ST
Mountain View, CA 94040--1625
NSF Award
2538085 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,985
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project focuses on improving the reliability and safety of industrial infrastructure through advanced robotic inspection. The project addresses how autonomous systems can detect early-stage faults in pipelines before they escalate into failures, costly shutdowns, or dangerous incidents. By enabling proactive maintenance, the system reduces operational disruptions and delivers economic benefits across industries including energy, manufacturing, water systems, and semiconductor production. It also has strong public impact by protecting workers in high-risk confined spaces.
The technical innovation in this Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project lies in the development of a pressure-driven soft eversion robot capable of controlled growth, navigation, and retrieval within sub-6-inch pipe networks, an innovative approach that tightly couples compliant materials, fluid-driven actuation, and embedded sensing in ways that are difficult for competitors to replicate. The project addresses fundamental challenges in achieving reliable locomotion and sensing in confined, tortuous, and contact-rich environments where conventional rigid or tethered inspection systems fail. The scope of the project is to design, prototype, and validate a soft robotic inspection platform that grows from its tip through eversion of a thin-walled tube, carrying miniaturized sensors for real-time inspection and localization. The intellectual contribution includes advancing the understanding of friction-limited soft robot propagation, improving maneuverability in complex geometries, and developing new strategies for integrating sensing and mapping within severe size and power constraints. This work will contribute to the broader fields of soft robotics, autonomous systems, and infrastructure monitoring. The proposed methodology combines mechanical design optimization, control strategy development, and experimental validation. First, the project will enhance navigation and retrievability by refining material properties, pressure regulation, and operator control schemes to better handle bends, diameter transitions, and variable surface conditions. Second, it will develop a compact localization and mapping system that integrates embedded sensors with algorithms tailored to low-diameter, global position system-denied environments.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.TREYSTA MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
SBIR Phase I: Development of a Burn Care Therapy to Prevent Fibrotic Pathologies
Contact
3733 NW 53RD LANE
Gainesville, FL 32653--0862
NSF Award
2528240 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,984
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this small business innovation research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in its potential to transform outcomes for US burn injury survivors; a population burdened by disfigurement, physical limitation, and long-term psychological impacts. While current treatments focus primarily on survival, many patients face permanent reductions in quality of life due to scarring and contractures. This project aims to develop a novel burn care system that actively manages serious burn wounds to reduce scarring and provide better patient outcomes. If successful, the technology could reduce long-term complications, support social reintegration, enable return to work, and enhance quality of life. The economic burden on US health systems is also significant: the average cost of care for a serious burn injury requiring hospitalization exceeds $250,000 and may extend for months or even years. Globally, medical systems pay over $2.6 billion annually on the care and rehabilitation of individuals with serious burns. This project addresses a critical unmet need by aiming to improve patient healing outcomes, and as a consequence will also reduce the need for secondary surgical revision and therapy, thereby decreasing the cost burden on health systems across the country. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Project seeks to validate a technology that integrates a three-part sequence of topical anti-scarring therapeutics with a purpose-built dressing designed specifically for the unique and challenging conditions present in serious burns. The project will address key technical risk factors of the combination product including infection prevention, biocompatibility, and dressing functionality. Finally, a capstone porcine study will demonstrate the ability of the complete technology to prevent scarring in vivo. This work will establish critical feasibility data necessary for regulatory filings and clinical development, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes for patients with severe burns. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TUNABOTICS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Pneumatic Shell Grippers with Highly Tunable Adhesion for Compliant Manipulation
Contact
6413 CRICKLEWOOD GREEN LN
Jamesville, NY 13078--8408
NSF Award
2528233 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to create a new type of robotic gripper using soft shells. These shell grippers can gently pick up and release small, delicate, and curved items?things that current robots struggle to handle. These items are common in electronics, healthcare, and agriculture, where automation has not worked well due to a lack of suitable grippers. The new shell grippers will use air pressure and have highly tunable adhesion, so they can hold fragile objects without breaking them and let go without sticking. This technology could address labor shortages, speed up production, improve product quality, and make workplaces safer. It will also help turn university research into real products, train skilled workers, and support the U.S. in staying a global leader in robotics and automation. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will significantly advance a soft robotic gripper technology based on the highly tunable adhesion of elastomeric shells toward commercialization. Existing grippers typically struggle to handle small, delicate, and curved objects. This project will develop shell grippers to overcome this limitation using a fundamentally different approach to gripping, which will enable automated manipulation of challenging objects such as those encountered in microelectronics assembly. These soft-shell grippers have the potential for highly tunable dry adhesion (~1000 times) with fast activation time (< 1 second), low activation pressure (~10 kPa), and high resistance to misalignment and surface contamination. Through this project, high risk technical challenges in developing such reliable shell grippers with low-pressure actuation will be addressed through a comprehensive research and development plan. These challenges include the optimization of shell geometry to improve activation speed, the judicious adoption of novel elastomeric composites to remove undesirable electrostatic effects, the characterization of the fatigue performance of the shells over many cycles in various operating environments, and the characterization of shell adhesion against surfaces with different levels of contamination. Successful completion of this project will further develop this soft robotic gripping technology towards real-world commercial products. This foundation will enable future integration of the soft-shell grippers with intelligent software systems that include computer vision and machine learning algorithms for further simplification of human-machine interactions during manipulation tasks. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Takachar Limited
SBIR Phase I: Physics-Informed Control and Optimization of Thermochemical Reactor Arrays
Contact
1301 S 46TH ST
Richmond, CA 98404--4600
NSF Award
2604364 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/ commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to enable more efficient conversion of secondary organic materials into value-added products by optimizing the monitoring and operation of small-scale industrial reactors. Current secondary organic materials processing systems often rely on sparse, noisy sensor data, necessitating manual adjustments that decrease efficiency and inflate operational costs. This project addresses the challenge of extracting actionable insights from imperfect data in harsh settings by utilizing physics-informed neural networks (PINNs). By advancing fundamental methods for learning from real-world industrial data, this research supports national priorities such as economic development and energy independence. This technology will improve reliability across a broad spectrum of distributed energy and manufacturing systems, providing a scalable solution for durable resource management. It also has the potential to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
This project will pursue a first-of-a-kind approach to learning reliable physical behavior from sparse and potentially unreliable sensor data from an actual fleet of chemical reactors already deployed in the field, where conventional data-driven models often fail. The central technical risk lies in embedding physical constraints directly into machine learning models so that they can generalize across varying operating conditions while remaining robust to missing or corrupted measurements. The scope of the Phase I research is to establish the feasibility of physics-constrained learning methods for inferring unmeasured internal reactor states and supporting operational decision-making in small-scale thermochemical systems. The intellectual contribution of this work is the development and evaluation of learning frameworks and techniques that combine simplified physical models with data-driven representations, allowing models to respect conservation laws and known process behavior while adapting to real-world variability. The project will investigate methods for conditioning these models on changing boundary and initial conditions, identifying and filtering faulty sensor data, and quantifying uncertainty in inferred states. Performance will be assessed using quantitative criteria tied to predictive accuracy, robustness to noise, and consistency with known physical trends. Successful completion of Phase I will demonstrate that physically informed learning can extract decision-grade information from limited data, laying the groundwork for scalable optimization and control methods in Phase II and beyond.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Tolefin Inc.
STTR Phase I: Conversion of Low-Value Polyethylene into Surfactant-Relevant Olefins
Contact
112 PRIMROSE DR
Blacksburg, VA 24060--1816
NSF Award
2535860 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2026 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is the development of a thermochemical process that converts high-volume, low-value plastics into valuable chemicals as raw materials for surfactant production. This technology establishes a plastics-to-surfactant pathway and creates a circular materials loop. The process uses controlled temperature gradients under relatively mild reaction conditions to selectively deconstruct polyethylene into smaller polymers with defined chain lengths. This technology would provide a scalable pathway to produce high-value alpha-olefins and related hydrocarbon products used in surfactants, lubricants, adhesives, and plastic additives.
This project aims to design and develop a fully automated, continuous process-development reactor for chain-length-selective thermal degradation of mixed polyolefin plastics. The system will utilize a spatial temperature gradient and mild degradation conditions to precisely control the chain-length distribution of hydrocarbon products. It will also investigate the tolerance of various contaminants and additives commonly present in low-value plastics, assessing their impact on process performance at larger scales in a continuous configuration. The project will deploy an automated temperature gradient control system to ensure process repeatability and enable high-throughput combinatorial screening. By refining control over the temperature gradient, the project seeks to optimize reaction product chain length distribution and abundance. Furthermore, it will explore how different temperature profiles influence chain scission kinetics and the resulting product characteristics. Following optimization of yield and product purity, the process will be scaled by a factor of five.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.VECTORWAVE CORPORATION
SBIR Phase I: Spectrum Coexistence Digital Twin
Contact
70 PACIFIC ST APT 206
Cambridge, MA 02139--4204
NSF Award
2528405 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,638
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is the development of a new hardware technology that directly addresses a looming "spectrum deficit." Soaring demand for wireless data, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G, is outstripping the capacity of available radio frequencies. The core issue is that the most valuable spectrum, worth over $100B for commercial use alone, is also essential for critical defense and weather radar systems. Current spectrum sharing solutions are slow and inefficient, sometimes taking nearly an hour to resolve interference conflicts. This project?s innovation is an integrated hardware device that filters out interference in real-time, enabling seamless coexistence between commercial and government users. This supports U.S. technological leadership and national security while unlocking massive economic value. The initial market will be telecommunications and defense contractors, with a business model based on selling a modular device before licensing the core technology as a specialized integrated circuit, creating a durable competitive advantage in a vital new market. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will address the limitations of dynamic spectrum sharing, where digital signal processing is too slow and power-intensive for real-time mitigation. The project's intellectual merit is a novel analog processing unit that uses physics-based deep learning for nanosecond-scale, low-power inference directly on radio frequency signals. The research will mitigate three key technical risks. Objectives include: 1) achieving high classification accuracy by leveraging the analog processing unit?s speed for multi-shot signal integration; 2) ensuring algorithmic robustness against time-varying channels through real-time channel estimation and in-situ training; and 3) overcoming receiver desensitization from self-interference using nanosecond-scale sensing and active analog cancellation techniques. The project will use a hardware-accurate digital twin for rapid validation, aiming to produce a definitive analog processing unit design for 5G/radar coexistence that demonstrates a minimum 40 dB in interference rejection. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
VELLEX COMPUTING, INC.
SBIR Phase I: An Analog Hardware Accelerator for Power Systems Feasibility Studies
Contact
528 PASEO BELLA MONTANA
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405-
NSF Award
2527695 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project are to enhance national energy security and maintain U.S. competitiveness in key technology areas including high-performance computing. Connecting new energy resources and loads, like advanced nuclear power plants and large-scale data centers, currently involves complex studies that can take years, creating a major bottleneck that increases costs and delays deployment. This project introduces a new type of hardware that can run these critical simulations thousands of times faster, reducing study times from months to days. This innovation will help utilities and energy developers bring new power projects online faster and at a lower cost. The technology provides a durable competitive advantage through its unique hardware design. The initial market will be utility companies and engineering firms, addressed through a cloud-based, pay-as-you-go service model. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will address the computational limitations of simulating modern power systems. The slow speed of conventional digital software makes it difficult to analyze the complex dynamics of today?s electric grids. The primary research objective is to advance a proven analog computing architecture from a circuit board prototype to a scalable, integrated circuit. The proposed research involves the complete design and verification of a custom system-on-chip using a standard semiconductor process. This analog processor is designed to solve the full AC optimal power flow problem, a highly complex and nonlinear challenge. The project will also develop a software interface to allow the hardware to be controlled by existing industry-standard simulation tools. The anticipated technical result is a finalized, manufacturable chip design capable of simulating a standard 118-bus network with an accuracy of less than one percent error compared to traditional methods. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
VERDE TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
SBIR Phase I: Perovskite Solar Cells on Metal Foil Substrates: Enabling Low-Cost and Flexible Solar Technology
Contact
403 MORSE RD
Waterbury, VT 05676--9418
NSF Award
2528317 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2026 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will be the development of a lightweight, flexible, and potentially recyclable solar manufacturing approach that can expand the range of applications for solar energy. Conventional solar panels are rigid and heavy, which limits installation on many rooftops and structures. This project will investigate a new approach for making solar cells directly on metal foil, with the goal of reducing manufacturing cost, lowering installation burden, and enabling new applications such as portable power and power generation on weight-sensitive surfaces. If successful, this technology could strengthen U.S. energy dominance, and support advanced manufacturing jobs.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will focus on a high-risk approach for fabricating perovskite solar cells directly on metal foil substrates instead of conventional glass or plastic-based platforms. The key technical risk is that metal foil surfaces are significantly rougher and more difficult to process, which can introduce defects, reduce charge transport, and limit device stability. A second major challenge is the development of a transparent top electrode that allows light to enter the device efficiently while maintaining electrical conductivity. The project will advance the field by developing interface engineering strategies, thin-film deposition methods, and transparent contact designs for flexible perovskite photovoltaics. The scope of the work includes three main objectives: improving the metal foil surface to support high-quality thin-film growth, integrating efficient transport and absorber layers onto the metal substrate, and evaluating pathways for transparent top contact formation and substrate reuse. The methodology will include tasks related to substrate surface treatment, slot-coating of functional layers, controlled film formation, and electrical and stability testing of completed devices. Successful completion of this work will establish the feasibility of a scalable manufacturing pathway for flexible perovskite solar cells compatible with roll-to-roll production.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.VIAT SERVICES LLC
SBIR Phase I: Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Assessment Tool for Spatial Orientation
Contact
896 SENECA RD
Venice, FL 34293--6648
NSF Award
2528215 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,998
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to design the first scientifically valid, immersive virtual reality?based assessment tool for measuring spatial orientation. This ability is essential in fields such as aviation, healthcare, and public safety, where over 10 million Americans are assessed each year. Despite its importance, existing tools?relying on conventional computerized assessments?are not reliable and fail to activate the sensory systems involved in spatial orientation. The proposed project integrates insights from cognitive neuroscience and human-computer interaction to create a scientifically grounded, portable, and scalable solution for accurate spatial orientation assessment in personnel selection, training, and diagnostics. It will also advance scientific understanding of the processes involved in spatial orientation and how immersive virtual reality can support reliable assessment and training of this ability. The business model involves annual licensing to key industry sectors. By year three, the tool is expected to be deployed in at least three major industries, reaching thousands of users, with impact reflected in licensing uptake and institutional implementation. This technology will be a key driver of the company?s commercial success, marking the start of developing valid immersive virtual reality tools for assessing cognitive abilities. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop the first scientifically validated immersive virtual reality?based assessment tool for spatial orientation, the capacity to imagine a reoriented self or a change of perspective within an environment. Current spatial ability assessments primarily measure allocentric processing?object-to-object encoding from a fixed viewpoint?and fail to engage the multisensory systems essential for encoding egocentric spatial relations between the body and surrounding objects. The proposed assessment instrument integrates immersive virtual reality with unique design features that activate vestibular and proprioceptive input from the environment and systematically constrain allocentric strategies. The research will follow an iterative development process, combining behavioral testing, real-world navigation tasks, and EEG-based neurophysiological validation. Key parameters such as reorientation angles, pointing directions, and response dynamics will be optimized to isolate egocentric processing. Anticipated outcomes include a portable and scalable assessment tool with strong internal and predictive validity, and the establishment of a new psychometric framework for assessing spatial orientation. This project advances both cognitive neuroscience and applied assessment technologies, with high-impact applications across aviation, defense, healthcare, and STEM education. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
VISIONARY TRAINING RESOURCES, INC.
SBIR Phase I: FlowStateVR
Contact
4033 PRESIDENTIAL DR
Palm Harbor, FL 34685--1029
NSF Award
2537835 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,702
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to help address growing national pressures on the aviation ecosystem by developing a Virtual Reality (VR) training platform that personalizes training based on inferred pilot mental states (e.g., fatigue, stress, workload) to improve learning outcomes and reduce training costs. The United States faces substantial aviation workforce shortages, which impacts American companies and citizens every day. Current training systems cannot meet increasing demands due to reliance on costly flight simulators. This project operates within the intersection of applied cognitive neuroscience and aviation psychology and advances the scientific and technological understanding of human performance by developing new knowledge of pilot mental states and their influence on performance outcomes. This project offers a durable competitive advantage in commercial aviation training by developing new capabilities for VR, beyond what is possible using flight simulators and other VR devices. This project will be developed into Software as a Service, and Data as a Service business models giving commercial airlines new levels of understanding of their pilots. By year three, measurable outcomes include thousands of pilots trained, faster time-to-competency, improved performance metrics, and higher training throughput across the ecosystem.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop and validate an adaptive virtual reality training system that: 1) integrates multimodal sensing and interpretable machine learning to infer cognitive microstates during aviation training tasks, and 2) adapts task demands to improve training experience and learning outcomes. The project addresses a core technological and engineering challenge in distinguishing multiple cognitive microstates that share overlapping data signatures across eye tracking, autonomic, and behavioral sensor modalities making them difficult to disentangle with existing multimodal or low-resolution systems. Objectives include: 1) multimodal feature extraction and fusion pipeline for an existing VR pilot training platform, 2) interpretable machine learning classifiers capable of microstate discrimination under sensor noise, and contextual ambiguity, and 3) develop a prototype pilot training flight scenario with varying difficulty levels that can be evaluated by aviation subject matter experts. Methodologies include feature engineering, ensemble methods, supervised machine learning, and dimension reduction approaches. Anticipated results include reliability and validity testing of microstate-relevant features and models, initial classifier performance benchmarks, and a functional VR prototype demonstrating stable real-time adaptation. These outcomes establish the scientific and technical foundation required to deploy a scalable, neuroadaptive simulation training device in operational aviation environments.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.WAVR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
STTR Phase I: Modular, Efficient, and Low-Cost Solid-Liquid Atmospheric Water Harvesting System
Contact
8400 W SUNSET RD STE 300
Las Vegas, NV 89113--2283
NSF Award
2538242 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2026 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project lies in creating a reliable, energy-efficient method to produce clean water from air. The project addresses a critical question: can an atmospheric water harvesting system operate year-round in the driest climates while using far less energy than current technologies? It will test a novel capture device using gel materials and explore converting captured water into potable water with vapor compressors. If successful, this technology could provide water-stressed communities with a constant, local water source, supply industries with water-positive cooling and high-quality water for manufacturing and enhance resilience against natural or man-made disruptions. The project aims to deliver a modular, rapid, and efficient atmospheric water harvesting system that is significantly lower in cost than existing solutions and scalable for broad deployment.
This project carries high technical risk by developing two new technologies based on a novel liquid-desiccant architecture, a scalable platform that enables simultaneous air-water capture and thermal distillation?a major departure from current methods. The first technology is a high-surface-area mass exchanger made of a hydrogel and rigid-polymer composite membrane. Optimizing material properties and geometry to achieve high water mass flux could significantly reduce system footprint and cost. The second is a thermal distillation process that converts liquid-desiccant water into freshwater using mechanical vapor compression and heat recycling, potentially reducing energy use by an order of magnitude versus current systems. To de-risk capture, the project will study how polymer composite structure, hydrogel chemistry, desiccant flow, and exchanger geometry affect mass flux under varying temperature, humidity, and airflow. Small unit-cell tests will guide scalable designs. To de-risk distillation, a flow loop with vacuum boiling, compressors, and heat exchangers will be tested across desiccant concentrations, measuring heat transfer, transient responses, and specific energy use to refine system design. Finally, data-driven and experimentally validated process models will predict system performance and uptime under different weather conditions, enabling technoeconomic assessment from Phase I to commercial deployment.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.WINDWARD ENGINEERING, L.C.
SBIR Phase I: Development of an ultra-low-cost distributed wind turbine
Contact
10768 S COVERED BRIDGE CYN
Spanish Fork, UT 84660--9207
NSF Award
2225406 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$272,019
Start / end date
10/01/2023 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to address the declining U.S. distributed wind turbine (DWT) market and support the transition to renewable energy sources. The DWT market has experienced a decline since 2012, mostly due to low reliability and high levelized cost of energy. However, the deployment of DWTs is crucial to meet ambitious green energy goals set by utilities and governmental agencies. This project addresses these challenges by increasing the ease of manufacturing and using readily available materials. The project will also improve an ultra-efficient load path that yields a uniquely low-cost and low-mass structure. Additionally, the proposed design achieves a larger rotor-swept-area and increases overall power extraction efficiency, making the wind turbine more efficient, lighter, and inexpensive compared to typical horizontal-axis and vertical-axis wind turbines. The value proposition for consumers is a cost savings of approximately 40% or more with respect to DWT competitors.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop a new wind power technology and provide a proof-of-concept for its viability. The project team includes experts in structural dynamics, control system design, turbine design, computer-aided engineering, power electronics and power transfer, and prototype and certification testing. In Phase I, a complete full-scale design of the DWT will be created, including detailed aeroelastic modeling, control development, and structural evaluation of the components. The research pillar of Phase I involves the creation of a rigorous aero-servo-elastic model, a detailed 3D solid model, and finite element analyses of the key components. The control system will be developed based on analytical analyses, and the team will work toward proper control specifications and constraints to be met by the dynamic system. The anticipated technical results include a refined estimate of the power coefficient, an optimized strategy for independent blade control and load reduction, improved design driving load values for the key components, decreased potential for aero-elastic instabilities and resonances, and the improved refined levelized costs of energy estimates.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.XILIOR TECHNOLOGIES INC
STTR Phase I: Compact, Comfortable Wristband for High-Fidelity Gesture Recognition via Distributed Strain Sensing, Analog Multiplexing, and Edge Machine Learning
Contact
13731 OAK CREST DR
Cerritos, CA 90703--1451
NSF Award
2538142 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$305,000
Start / end date
10/01/2026 – 04/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to overcome a longstanding limitation in how people interact with computers. Most digital work today relies on input tools originally designed for flat screens, even as computing increasingly moves into three-dimensional environments used for design, analysis, communication, and accessibility. This mismatch affects tens of millions of Americans who use digital systems for work, education, and creative activities, leading to inefficiency, physical discomfort, and barriers to participation. This project addresses the problem by developing a wrist-worn interface that allows users to interact with three-dimensional software through natural hand movement rather than rigid controllers or keyboards. The innovation advances scientific and technological understanding by demonstrating how wearable sensing and data-driven interpretation of human motion can enable intuitive interaction across diverse real-world settings. The technology is situated within the field of human-computer interaction, with an initial market focus on professional design and engineering workflows where productivity, comfort, and seamless integration are critical. The value proposition is driven by a proprietary approach that tightly couples wearable sensing with software-level interpretation, creating a durable competitive advantage. By year three, the technology is projected to reach early professional users nationwide, with impact measured through adoption, workflow efficiency, and reduced physical strain.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project investigates a wearable sensing and decoding architecture for enabling continuous and discrete hand interaction using wrist-mounted strain sensing. The technical problem addressed is whether soft, body-worn sensors can reliably infer hand intent with sufficient bandwidth and stability to support real-time interaction, while avoiding the power consumption, occlusion, and form-factor limitations of vision-based or rigid input systems. The research objective is to evaluate whether distributed strain sensing coupled with compact signal processing and learning-based inference can support robust hand state estimation under realistic use conditions. The proposed research integrates compliant textile-based sensing elements with an ultra-low-power analog front end that encodes multiple sensing channels onto a shared signal pathway. Time?frequency features derived from the encoded signal are processed using a lightweight machine learning architecture that estimates reduced-order continuous hand state alongside discrete interaction events. Phase I evaluation emphasizes signal separability, decoding accuracy, latency, and robustness, assessed through benchtop characterization and controlled user studies using independent motion reference data. Anticipated results include evidence that wrist-mounted strain sensing with analog spectral encoding can support reliable, low-power hand interaction, establishing a scalable technical foundation for subsequent system refinement and broader interactive applications.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.YOLO IMMUNE INC
SBIR Phase I: Novel Immuno-therapy for Specific Depletion of IgG4 Subtype of Autoantibodies
Contact
733 INDUSTRIAL RD BLDG 2
San Carlos, CA 94070--3310
NSF Award
2451302 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$304,665
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the creation of a drug that allows for the specific depletion of a subclass of human antibodies (IgG4) that cause several different human diseases. Current treatments that deplete human antibodies do it without regard to antibody subclass, leading to a broadly suppressed immune system. In addition, there are over 10 IgG4-related diseases where the role of IgG4 is thought to be important but not the source of the disease. These include thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, pemphigus vulgaris and pemphigus foliaceus, anti-muscle-specific kinase myasthenia gravis, and primary membranous nephropathy. The proposed drug would allow the entire field to investigate the role of IgG4 in a specific disease. The mechanism by which the candidate drug proposes to deplete IgG4 could be leveraged to modify serum IgG4 with other similar drugs. Thus, the candidate drug would serve as a proof of concept for a mechanism that promises the drugmaker the ability to recombine endogenous serum IgG4 with additional drugs and modifications. These will have broad implications in a series of diseases ranging from IgG4s immunosuppressive role in oncology to anti-drug-antibodies that block the effect of many medicines. The proposed project supports the creation of a drug that will recombine with endogenous pathogenic IgG4s leading to their rapid depletion. One Fab Arm Exchange Therapeutic (FAET) has already been identified that successfully recombines with hIgG4 in vitro, demonstrating proof-of-concept that this molecule is chemically competent for recombination. The final in vitro confirmation step will use Surface Plasmon Resonance to check the FcRn binding of the FAET molecule and the recombined hIgG4-FAET molecule. Due to mutations engineered within the FAET-Fc, it is expected that there will be no binding between FcRn and FAET, and minimal binding with the hIgG4-FAET molecule. Once confirmed the proper behavior of the molecule in vitro, the FAE efficacy will be assessed in vivo, with the anticipation that it will cause a decrease in the hIgG4 concentration. This basic mouse experiment, where the target hIgG4 will be injected along with the FAET molecule, can be used as a workhorse experiment to optimize different aspects of the FAET molecule and the mutations used to evince them. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
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