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Phase I
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37DEGREES, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Portable and modular system for long-term live cell & tissue culture imaging
Contact
748 TANAGER LN
Geneva, IL 60134--3152
NSF Award
2423518 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 enable a personal cellular video microscopy solution which will democratize the ability of scientists to visualize dynamic biological phenomenon on a regular basis and at an affordable cost. A large proportion of scientists in the US and globally are currently limited to single-frame time-point images, consistently loosing rich information and insights from cell culture-based experiments that multi-frame videos can provide over hours, days and weeks. Overcoming these limitations will empower the usage of cellular video microscopy into high-impact areas such as research efforts in academia, industry and within service-based contract research organizations (CRO) units, and in science education in university settings. While the former would result in augmentation of research and discovery efforts, the latter would empower the strengthening of STEM education domestically, particularly in the growing field of cell biology. The commercial impact of the project is the spawning of a next-generation cloud-based ecosystem that uniquely supports an exponentially growing library of cellular videos and analysis algorithms with social sharing and monetization paradigms, one that speaks seamlessly with integrated hardware devices located in common biological laboratories, field research and educational facilities.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to resolve key technical problems limiting cellular video microscopy. A first essential problem is keeping cell culture alive in their native incubated environments for extended periods of time (hours, days and weeks), while performing the video microscopy. Existing approaches of engulfing microscopes within large incubation chambers or placing microscopes within large incubators are expensive, cumbersome, contamination-ridden and / or space-intensive. In this project we resolve this problem by modifying a compact, portable and modular incubator with a specially designed optical port to allow for video imaging. This module then integrates with a newly designed video imaging module for automatic alignment and video capture. Seamless integration, multi-day automatic and stable video collection of live cellular samples will be technical results of the project. A second problem involves managing very large video data volumes (often in several Terabytes), analysis, storage and data sharing bottlenecks that ensue. This project resolves these problems by leveraging rapid advancements in Graphical Processor Units (GPUs) and device-to-cloud architectures. Technical results will therefore also include real-time on-board video analysis by GPUs to dramatically reduce data volumes and achievement of a cloud ecosystem to share processed video data.
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. -
ACATECHOL, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Anti-infective Foley catheters for long-term prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections
Contact
1396 POINSETTIA AVE
Vista, CA 92081--8504
NSF Award
2334168 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,982
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 anti-infective coating to mitigate catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). These infections often lead to severe complications, resulting in an estimated 13,000 annual deaths while incurring nearly $6.2 billion in direct and indirect U.S. healthcare system costs. The hybrid catheter technology aims to provide continuous protection against infections caused by biofilms, offering chronic antimicrobial and biofilm-repelling properties through a synergistic combination of biofilm-repelling and static antimicrobial surface moieties. The proposed catheter technology aims to demonstrate significant decreases in infection rates, improved catheter longevity, and broad-spectrum protection against pathogens to reduce the risks of infection associated with long-term catheter use, reducing the reliance of patients on antibiotics. The scope of this technology's application has broader potential beyond urinary catheters to include other catheter-based applications and acute in-hospital use medical devices. The overall technological objectives are to improve infection control practices and risk reduction for many common U.S. in-hospital procedures.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a novel device surface coating with enhanced anti-pathogen and biofilm resistance. The objective is to develop and validate in vitro an innovative catheter design that offers prolonged resistance to biofilm formation, superior to current single modality approaches. During this Phase 1 project, the anti-biofilm properties of zwitterionic moieties will be combined with the durable static microbicidal action of a Gemini-dicationic moieties into a single coating. Initial bench tests at the materials level demonstrate a significant reduction in biofilm formation superior to currently available methods. Invitro testing will be completed on the novel combined mode material to demonstrate reduced infection risks relative to existing antimicrobial Foley catheters. The proprietary material will then be integrated into manufacturing processes to prevent infection in catheter-use medical 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. -
ACTUALIZATION AI LLC
SBIR Phase I: Reducing Medical Insurance Claim Denials with Code-Augmented Policies
Contact
14809 CARNATION DR
Tampa, FL 33613--1809
NSF Award
2423392 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,926
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 to provide a framework so that AI systems can follow rules given by humans, in the form of policies, laws, contractual agreements, or the like. This will allow for trustworthy chatbots and interactive AI agents, which are already becoming widespread amongst all industries despite their known limitations (particularly problems of hallucination) and inability to behave in accordance with the given policies. Actualization?s technology will streamline build the medical claims creation process, by allowing for complex insurance policies and regulations to be incorporated into the considerations of healthcare management systems. Given that virtually all industries with a customer interaction component are turning to chatbots, the economic impact of the project is significant. Furthermore, this work will advance the scientific and technological understanding of how to design rules such that they can be consistently interpreted not only by different humans, but by artificially intelligent systems. To establish commercial feasibility, market and customer hypotheses will be tested through a survey, customer discovery interviews, expert feedback, and the development and testing of a pilot prototype.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project seeks to develop an automated method for converting policies, rules, and laws into a format that can be understood and enforced by both humans and machines. It does this by using a combination of state-of-the-art natural language processing techniques developed through prior research on automated legal reasoning to convert policies and examples of that policy?s interpretation into code-augmented policies (CAPs), and to generate test cases designed so that human experts can evaluate whether the CAPs capture the intent and spirit of the original policies. The CAPs can then be integrated into existing frameworks, focusing initially on the domains of customer service chatbots and healthcare claims. Because legal, regulatory, policy, and contractual language are open-textured to allow for flexibility in interpretation, it can be difficult for automated systems to reason about whether a novel action is permitted. And because it is typically impossible to anticipate all possible boundary cases and implications of policies, writing policies can be difficult. Thus, this project will establish technical and commercial feasibility via three experiments designed to discover which AI approaches best overcome these technological hurdles, and which automatic measures of policy-CAP fit best reflect human preferences.
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. -
ADA TECH LLC
SBIR Phase I: Methods for Embedding User Data into 3D Generative AI Computer-aided-Design Models
Contact
65 PAMELA DR
Holliston, MA 01746--2055
NSF Award
2335491 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
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 novel Artificial-Intelligence-powered generative design solution that is able to address the needs of industrial and consumer-product manufacturers by exploiting the abundance of data (social media, usage, telemetry) currently available. The proposed framework will create new opportunities for American design and manufacturing firms to better align their products with rapidly evolving consumer needs while reducing the product development challenges that currently exist. It also enables faster cycle times for product development and the near-real-time inclusion of consumer sentiment into product design. The proposed computational methods will translate consumers? digital insight into new ways to increase the quality of the design concepts and the diversity of consumer perspectives incorporated into AI-generated design concepts, thereby enhancing the designers? ability to innovate socially aware, consumer-centric products. This project will foster the design of novel, effective, and efficient design models, augment designers? creativity, promote designer-AI co-creation and bias mitigation, and bridge the gap between consumer-needs discovery, Design for Excellence (DFX) engineering, and social impact. This has ramifications for nearly every industry and application.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will enable a generational leap in three-dimensional generative design capabilities by integrating qualitative and quantitative information into generative AI models for the efficient production of novel designs. The primary objective is to develop a testable demonstrator for fusing consumer data, data from the Internet of Things (IoT), and Design for Excellence (DFX) engineering specifications into 3D geometric data. The Phase I project will focus on exploring new methods for natural language processing, generative modeling, and data fusion models to integrate consumer data and technical requirements with IoT-based telemetric data, drawing inferences for product design, and building novel semi-supervised models to inject these data inputs into 3D CAD generative models. The project will determine how to directly connect consumer needs with functional performance and study the real-world effectiveness and efficiency gains from the generalizability of 3D generative design. The project will address several challenges of current generative design solutions, including the translation of qualitative and quantitative metadata into concepts, the control and iteration of automatically generated designs, and their seamless integration into manufacturing processes and workflows.
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. -
ADAVANCE NANOLYTICS INC
STTR Phase I: AAV QC using SANE Sensor
Contact
7223 ARBOR OAKS DR
Dallas, TX 75248--2201
NSF Award
2415309 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
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 it will demonstrate a plasmonic nanopore sensor device for all-in-one DNA loading characterization of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) used for gene therapy. In the longer-term, the company anticipates that it will extend uses of this device to accurately test the drug or DNA/RNA loading consistency of soft nanoparticles such as exosomes, other viruses, and liposomes, to make this quality control (QC) technology applicable to all nanoparticles with biological applications and beyond. This project has inextricable interests in biochemistry, nanoengineering, photonics, and resistive pulse sensing which would be beneficial to encourage more students to pursue STEM degree through its outreach program. The PI will lead the company?s outreach in the Dallas County Community College District, whose mission is to build up the local workforce to today?s market needs, with nanosensor demonstrations and discussion of broad applications. The proposed technology also has the potential to drastically reduce the time and resource demands of AAV QC processes and increase success rates in early-phase gene therapy trials, accelerating FDA approvals for desperately needed treatments.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will demonstrate a plasmonic nanopore sensor device that will outperform existing analytical techniques by capturing multiple optical-electrical data types per AAV particle to enable, for the first time, unambiguous payload classification (single-stranded DNA versus double-stranded DNA, or empty) at low, pre-scale-up concentrations to optimize formulations in small batches, enabling significant savings in subsequent large-volume production. The proposed work will show feasibility of the proposed device to be nanofabricated in a scalable manner by electron beam lithography, namely optimize sensor nanofabrication protocol for accuracy and production reproducibility of the 3D plasmonic trap, and ensure accurate laser source alignment with bonded optics, and a photodetector collecting optical signals transmitted through the sensor. In addition, this work will optimize machine learning-based sensor discrimination between empty versus partly and fully loaded AAVs by optimizing the spectrum of AC pulse frequencies that scan each particle during trapping. Once successfully tested, the prototype?s nanofabrication and machine-learning workflows will be ready for further development into the company?s first commercial device after a subsequent Phase II.
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. -
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 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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. -
AEPNUS TECHNOLOGY INC
SBIR Phase I: Novel electrolyzer architectures to enable electrified chemical manufacturing at industrial scales
Contact
2828 FILBERT ST
Emeryville, CA 94608--4513
NSF Award
2321842 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,986
Start / end date
09/15/2023 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 an economical and climate-friendly method to produce valuable commodity chemicals from inexpensive feedstocks such as chemical waste streams. Chemical manufacturing accounts for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions: waste produced from manufacturing battery chemicals and recycling Lithium batteries could be converted back into input chemicals. The technology focuses on developing new electrodes that use electricity to produce acid and base from sulfate-containing waste streams. This innovation will stimulate the US manufacturing sector by improving energy efficiency, competitiveness, and environmental sustainability. This technology could eliminate 3 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions through electrification of chemical manufacturing, while recycling or eliminating the production of a hazardous waste. Moreover, the technology is more economical than current methods, increasing the likelihood of widespread adoption. Replacing outdated manufacturing plants with clean, efficient electrolysis systems would provide high-paying jobs and tax revenue for the region.
Conventional salt electrolysis systems rely on titanium electrodes coated with a precious metal catalyst (e.g., iridium oxide) to enable efficient operation. The metal catalysts used for these coatings are expensive, rare, and fragile. This means that the capital cost of existing salt splitting systems is high, while their operating conditions (e.g., temperature, current density, and operating efficiency) are fairly limited. This innovation will develop gas diffusion electrodes that can help produce acid and base electrolytically from sulfate waste streams at industrial cost parity. The unique microstructure and materials design of the electrodes minimizes the use of precious metal catalysts to lower costs, enhances lifetime for robust operation under corrosive environments, and achieves higher operating temperature (>75 C) and improved current density (5000 A/m2) for lower operating costs. In this project, Design-of-Experiment principles will be used to determine the best combinations of binder, catalyst, and filler/support materials to outperform conventional systems. Optimal chemical and electrochemical properties will be sought for high electrical conductivity, ability to withstand corrosion in highly acidic environments, and minimal oxidative dissolution of catalyst. The durability and efficiency of the new electrodes will be tested first at the lab scale (25 cm2) for 100 hours and then scaled up to 500 cm2 cells for pilot-scale analysis. In all studies, actual sodium sulfate waste obtained from industrial partners will be utilized. The effects of impurities ions in the feed stream on the electrode and membranes will be tracked via spectroscopy and electron microscopy.
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. -
AERHART, LLC
STTR Phase I: Passive Actuation for Enhanced Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Capability
Contact
6461 KANAN DUME RD
Malibu, CA 90265--4039
NSF Award
2334180 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,999
Start / end date
05/15/2024 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project provides increased efficiency and range for urban air mobility (UAM) air-taxi systems. This research allows aircraft to reconfigure in-flight, enabling the craft to land in cityscapes while still being able to fly significant distances. As UAM aircraft primarily use electric power, this technology will facilitate the transition to greener modes of transport in cities, while alleviating surface level congestion due to traffic. The primary focus of this project is on improving the safety of in-flight reconfiguration to promote the well-being of passengers and payload. The UAM sector is set to rapidly expand in the coming years, providing services and creating jobs. By laying the groundwork for improved performance while maintaining high safety standards, the sector, passengers, and public will benefit.
Aerodynamically-actuated wings on urban air mobility vehicles come with the risk of asymmetric deployment. This project aims to mitigate risks by producing a closed-loop aileron control method that promotes symmetric deployment while simultaneously ensuring that even an asymmetric deployment does not induce aircraft instability. Wind tunnel data will be generated for a number of static and dynamic fold conditions. Methods for governing when and how fast reconfiguration takes place will be tested to bridge the control gap between motorized and aerodynamic actuation. Implementation of these methods will allow for operations resembling motorized actuation, without the associated weight penalties and disadvantages. Wind tunnel data will be used to produce the closed-loop aileron control method which will then be tested in the wind tunnel to verify that the level of expected roll torque variance is observed throughout asymmetric reconfiguration. Success will show a marked decrease in roll torque variance compared to reconfiguration where no closed-loop corrective action is taken. Together these methods and risk mitigation techniques will overcome the need for a mechanical actuation device, reducing the complexity and barriers to entry of reconfigurable designs. Introducing such benefits to size constrained aircraft will translate to a better performing urban air mobility sector.
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. -
AGIL THERAPEUTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes through Cryoablation of the Duodenum
Contact
155 EASTWOOD DR
San Francisco, CA 94112--1227
NSF Award
2321818 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
02/01/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase (SBIR) I project is a novel procedural treatment for the 5-10 million people in the U.S. with medical refractory Type 2 Diabetes. Current treatments require self-management of insulin injections and/or medication, frequent visits to specialists, and a controlled diet. Patients can fail to achieve optimal glycemic control due to the individual medication dosing requirements, safety, and tolerance limits. Poorly managed patients can suffer from adverse events including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage, blindness, and early death. This Duodenal Cryoablation system aims to provide an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure for controlled ablation of the duodenum utilizing a standard, cost-effective endoscopic approach. If successful, the novel therapy will decrease or eliminate insulin and/or medical therapies in patients suffering from medical refractory Type 2 Diabetes.
This SBIR Phase I project aims to develop a novel cryoablation system that delivers a highly controlled and targeted cryoablative agent for freezing the duodenum. The system is based on emerging evidence of duodenum remodeling upon ablation resulting in restoration of glucose control and regulation. The technical engineering milestones include managing high pressures of the cryogenic fluid within extreme dimensions including small luminal diameters and long length, within a unique and tortuous path. A key objective is to produce a system ensuring consistent cryogenic fluid delivery down a small diameter, insulated, long length lumen to a set of sprayers placed in the duodenum. A second objective is the development of a method of consistent cryogenic fluid distribution through the sprayers to the target tissue. The final objective is the development of bench methods and testing capabilities validating consistent cryogenic fluid delivery. The design will be tested in preclinical models and the harvested tissue evaluated via histopathological analysis for ablation efficacy.
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. -
AIKIDO TECHNOLOGIES INC
SBIR Phase I: Detailed Engineering of 100kW Self-Upending Floating Wind Platform
Contact
3101 20TH ST
San Francisco, CA 94110--2714
NSF Award
2346763 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 in the development of a next-generation floating wind platform that could dramatically reduce the time, cost, and equipment/vessel requirements of installing commercial-scale floating wind farms. It is estimated that by 2050, there will be over $1 trillion (T) invested in floating offshore wind projects around the world, totaling up to 250 gigawatts (GW) of capacity. A major challenge facing the floating wind industry is the massive size of turbines and floating platforms, prohibiting them from fitting in existing United States (US) port infrastructure. Furthermore, the supply chain is severely constrained as only a few shipyards and port facilities in the world, can build, assemble and load-out these massive structures. The proposed platform solves these challenges because it can be assembled and transported horizontally, significantly reducing the required depth, overhead clearance, and overall footprint.
The intellectual merit of the project relates to the development of the upending procedure for an offshore floating platform with a pre-installed turbine. The platform can be assembled and transported in a horizontal position, and then unfolded into its vertical position through an upending process that only uses ballast water. During this project, the upending procedure of the platform with a pre-installed turbine will be studied to determine the optimal design to ensure the turbine can withstand the mechanical forces associated with assembly, transportation, and upending, as well as the materials challenges associated with an offshore environment. In addition, the upending procedure will be modeled in a variety of conditions to determine the maximum weather conditions in which the upending procedure can safely occur.
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. -
ALGOFACE INC
SBIR Phase I: Face Analyzer / Semantic Search
Contact
37204 NORTH TRANQUIL TRAIL
Carefree, AZ 85377--9633
NSF Award
2335287 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,996
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 significant as the company?s advanced Face Analysis AI technology will accelerate AI projects by 18-24 months. This innovative technology is poised to have a positive influence on various sectors such as retail and public safety, offering applications that go beyond facial recognition/identification. By focusing on collaborative human-AI facial tracking and analysis, this technology addresses ethical concerns and mitigates the risks and consequences of traditional facial recognition technologies. The project promotes diversity and inclusion in STEM fields by emphasizing a diverse team to combat bias and equity issues in technology development. The technology can contribute to national defense efforts by enabling efficient search for facial attributes of interest based on semantic queries. This aspect is particularly relevant in public safety scenarios with large crowds and high-security concerns. By reducing bias, improving accuracy, and addressing privacy and ethical concerns, the technology can have a lasting impact on the AI industry while advancing the welfare of the American public and supporting security efforts.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to create Face Analyzer/Semantic Search, an AI system bridging descriptive text and facial photos. Unlike conventional face recognition systems, which necessitate a probe photo for comparisons, the company's innovation seeks to eliminate this requirement. This approach offers benefits in terms of time, cost, and accuracy, challenging the conventional wisdom in the field. The project's initial challenge involves assembling diverse training datasets with labeled face photos and textual descriptions, establishing a scalable data pipeline to enhance accuracy and mitigate bias. The second challenge is assessing the accuracy of facial attribute classification models derived from text and images across various attributes, image types, sizes, and ambient conditions. The third challenge involves optimizing model size and computational efficiency for cost-effective deployment. The proposed solution entails constructing a comprehensive training image dataset, expanding computer vision capabilities, developing a natural language processing module, and implementing a matching system. Key milestones for product development include creating precise facial image indexing modules, enabling the extraction of facial attributes from textual descriptions, and efficiently deploying the system in the cloud. The innovation promises to streamline and enhance facial analysis, potentially reshaping the field of face AI.
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. -
ALL-IN PEPPERS AND SPECIALTY PRODUCE LLC
SBIR Phase I: Developing an Indoor Method to Produce Morel Mushroom Fruiting Bodies
Contact
673 FOXTREE CIR APT 5
Burlington, WI 53105--1694
NSF Award
2325697 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
01/15/2024 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project creates disability-friendly food production equipment for growing highly nutritious morel mushrooms. Creating equipment that is disability-friendly allows more work for an immensely underserved population and a greater employee base for farmers, who regularly need more employees than they can find. The project also focuses on farmers in both rural and urban food deserts, where nutritional needs aren?t being met. Leftover colonized agar media and fruiting bodies will be dehydrated and extracted into further nutritional supplementation. Morels and their mycelium are shown to be rich in nutrients and have many health benefits. Making the mushrooms easier for the general public to purchase consistently will improve the health and well-being of Americans. The higher supply of morel mushrooms will allow for their use in widespread nutritional supplements and a renaissance of mushroom cooking in the culinary world.
This project is based on a novel, self-contained method to grow fresh morel mushroom (M. esculenta) fruiting bodies on agar media using a single inoculation step. There are no existing commercial production methods that meet the market demand. The main supplier of fresh morels is through foraging, which is extremely labor intensive, ecologically destructive, and has a small window of procurement opportunity every year. This severely limits the availability of this incredibly nutritious and delicious food source. Two major technical hurdles must be overcome in order to bring this production method to market. The first hurdle is demonstrating microclimatic conditions for consistent production output. The project must identify a modified approach from the preliminary method in order to definitively determine appropriate microclimatic conditions. The second aim is to incorporate protective measures from adverse effects, such as the ongoing Trichoderma spp. epidemic which plagues mushroom farms worldwide. SBIR Phase I success will be measured by the ability to retain production output while producing morels with consistency of taste equal to or better than wild morels. Taste will be evaluated by a team of chefs who are experienced with their 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. -
ALLIUM ENGINEERING, INC
SBIR Phase I: High-performance, chloride-proof, ferritic steel for cold spray coating of steel rebar
Contact
6 BIRCH ST
Peabody, MA 01960--3324
NSF Award
2231660 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,993
Start / end date
04/01/2023 – 03/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 develop and commercialize a new type of steel rebar which resists corrosion but outperforms existing rebar and is cost competitive. The advanced steel rebar from this project will enable safer and longer lasting concrete infrastructure, requiring fewer repairs and replacements. This technology will provide increases in the lifetimes of concrete structures thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions while also supporting a number of clean energy technologies, such as offshore wind, hydroelectric, and nuclear power, all of which require long-lasting reinforced concrete.
This SBIR Phase I project aims to develop a novel custom composition of stainless steel to serve as a protective outer cladding for low-cost carbon steel infrastructure. Several technical challenges will be addressed including tailoring of the composition to be highly corrosion resistant in high chloride environments, maintaining a ferritic structure and mechanical compatibility with a carbon steel substrate, and developing a cold-spray compatible processing technique. This project promises to shift the paradigm in corrosion resistance of steel and concrete infrastructure, enabling a novel coating composition and method to integrate into existing steel mills. If successful, this technology will enable low-cost steel components to reach the lifetimes of stainless steel components at less than half the price, extending lifetimes of key infrastructure as much as 3-fold and avoiding massive public costs and carbon emissions.
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. -
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY MATERIALS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Dry Powder Pressing Additive Manufacturing (DPP-AM)
Contact
730 SW STALEY DR
Pullman, WA 99163--2077
NSF Award
2419486 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,915
Start / end date
12/01/2024 – 11/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 be the development of a new additive manufacturing technique for ceramic materials. Technical ceramics provide unmatched performance in harsh environment applications found throughout the energy, defense, healthcare, and IT sectors. Applications requiring miniaturization or process intensification would benefit from a novel additive ceramic manufacturing that can form internal microfeatures and combine different materials into functional layers for chemical reactions, imaging, or energy transfer. This proposal will advance from proof-of-concept to a functional prototype of a dry powder pressing additive manufacturing printer. This work will improve our understanding of the fluidization and aerosolization of ultrafine and dense nanopwders that are prone to compaction and static adhesion. The high-resolution from dry powder pressing additive manufacturing will lower monolith fabrication cost an order of magnitude to accelerate the adoption of emerging ceramic technologies. No existing ceramic production technology can combine multiple functional materials in the same layer or produce internal flow features at the proposed sub-mm scale. The technology will be leased or sold to advanced ceramic fabricators to enable further technology developments in the ceramics industry. The manufacturing will first be applied to the energy market, but has the potential to impact defense and health imaging technologies as well.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to scale the throughput capacity of a dry-powder pressing additive manufacturing technique that can fabricate multifunctional ceramic monoliths with internal flow structures. Five key capabilities distinguish dry-powder pressing additive manufacturing from existing ceramic additive manufacturing methods: i) applicability to materials not amenable to laser sintering, ii) co-deposition of multiple materials with high lateral precision, iii) densification of materials typically incapable of pressureless sintering to full density, iv) a quality control step can reject a layer prior to adhering to prior layers, and v) co-deposition of fugitive material can form internal gas routing that eliminates costly and complex ceramic sealing technology in harsh environment applications. The proposed work will advance the technology by creating a high-throughput printing system to deposit patterned 50 cm2 layers in a single pass, representing a 100x throughput increase. Automation will also address two precision targets; layer deposition below 7.5mg/cm2 and lateral resolution less than 0.5mm. The scope of work will advance the science of dry powder deposition and transfer to refine the processing capability for thinner layers and finer microfeatures while simultaneously engineering a high throughput device representative of pilot-scale 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. -
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 – 09/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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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. -
AMHYTECH LLC
SBIR Phase I: Solvent-Free Ammonia Electrolyzer: Efficient Ammonia to Hydrogen Conversion at Ambient Conditions
Contact
16790 CHANDLER RD APT 2319
East Lansing, MI 48823--7139
NSF Award
2423448 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,127
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project centers on overcoming hydrogen storage and delivery challenges using ammonia as a hydrogen carrier. As of 2023, the global hydrogen market is valued at $242.7 billion and is expected to grow to $410.6 billion by 2030. Despite its vast potential, the deployment of hydrogen in decentralized applications, such as refueling stations and remote power generation, remains restricted due to logistical hurdles related to its storage and transportation. Ammonia offers a viable solution, due to its efficient transport capabilities, high hydrogen content, and carbon-free nature, positioning it as a key facilitator in the hydrogen economy. Unlocking ammonia?s potential as an energy carrier requires an efficient ammonia cracking solution. This project proposes an innovative ammonia cracking system based on electrolysis that allows for the on-site conversion of transported ammonia back to hydrogen under ambient conditions. By simplifying hydrogen logistics, this technology aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in sectors such as transportation and stationary power generation, which account for over 74% of global emissions. This advancement not only promises substantial commercial returns but also supports environmental sustainability and enhances technological understanding in clean energy.
The intellectual merit of this project stems from its innovative strategy for liquefying ammonia under mild conditions and efficiently cracking it through a tailored electrolysis system. Key technical challenges include achieving solvent-free ammonia liquefaction and creating an optimized electrolysis setup for effective ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion at ambient temperatures. The Phase I objective focuses on designing and optimizing a stable, conductive system for ammonia liquefaction, alongside developing an electrolysis-based cracker to maximize hydrogen conversion efficiency and purity. The research will involve comprehensive physicochemical and electrochemical studies, material characterization, and integration efforts to ensure optimal performance across various operational conditions. Anticipated outcomes are a high hydrogen yield with minimal energy consumption, scalable system design, and enhanced robustness under real-world conditions. This project aims to substantially improve the viability and sustainability of ammonia as a clean, carbon-free hydrogen source.
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. -
AMRF LLC
SBIR Phase I: Design and Develop Decade-Bandwidth Beamforming Integrated Circuits
Contact
1811 RONIE WAY
San Jose, CA 95124--3631
NSF Award
2415054 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,993
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the design and implementation of wideband radio-frequency front-end systems with phased arrays, which are poised to transform wireless communication hardware development. The front-end market continues to expand with a fast annual growth rate of >13% till 2030 to reach 60 billion USD. However, this market is highly fragmented in terms of applications and frequency bands. While customized front-end components are commonly developed for specific applications, the potential for wideband designs to unify and standardize solutions has yet to be realized at an economic scale. The proposed Radio-Frequency Fractional Hilbert Transformation design theory in this project establishes a crucial foundation for developing ultrawideband beamforming integrated circuits. In addition to this type of products, the company plans to expand its portfolio by incorporating wideband functional blocks such as power amplifier modules.
This Small Business Innovation (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on exploring the feasibility of designing ultra-wideband beamforming integrated circuits using the innovative Radio-Frequency Fractional Hilbert Transformation design theory. Through this project, the company aims to validate the ultra-wideband beamforming concept, assess its performance impacts, identify crucial design parameters, and create a prototype to demonstrate its effectiveness in a 1x4 phased array. As the initial phase of the project, the team will design and implement multiple radio-frequency signal processing units using commercially available components and printed circuit boards. These units form the fundamental building blocks for the project's objectives. Upon successfully completing the second step?assembling and characterizing the performance of ultra-wideband beamforming circuits using signal processing units?a 1x4 phased array demo system will be developed. This will highlight the technology's capabilities and potential. The ability of this array to scan radiation patterns across frequencies from 2 to 18GHz will be critical in demonstrating the successes of Phase I and setting the stage for Phase II of the project. Additionally, the company will explore integrated circuit-based solutions to further enhance the implementation of ultra-wideband circuits within the project.
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. -
ANEURISK, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Aneurisk - A Clinical Decision Support Tool to Manage Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Patients
Contact
5504 BEACON ST
Pittsburgh, PA 15217--1904
NSF Award
2422725 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will provide a novel software solution that enables clinicians to potentially improve the treatment of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Abdominal aortic aneurysm is the ballooning of a major blood vessel in the body that if left untreated can rupture, leading to almost certain (85% mortality) death. AAA is the 13th leading cause of death (1 in 100,000) in the United States. The current clinical standard for surgical intervention relies on measuring the diameter of the aneurysm from medical images. This undesirable method leads up to 23.4% of patients rupturing before reaching the diameter that indicates safe, surgical intervention/repair. Therefore, there is a need to help doctors identify and treat high-risk patients who remain below the threshold of safe aneurysm diameter. This STTR project supports the development of a unique, artificial intelligence, solution that combines aneurysm diameter with stress, strain, shape analysis, and patient information to predict future patient outcomes and aneurysm growth. The patent-pending technology can disrupt how doctors currently watch and follow aneurysms by providing them with a risk profile to avoid dangerous rupture events allowing them to provide the patients with the right treatment at the right time
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop and validate machine learning models for risk classification, growth projection, and wall stress prediction for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the 13th leading cause of death in the United States, with a mortality rate exceeding 85%. The current clinical standard for intervention is based on the diameter of the aneurysm, however, between 7 and 23.4% of patients rupture before the threshold is reached. The Aneurisk team is developing artificial intelligence-based tools to accelerate image, biomechanical, and morphological analyses. Additionally, the Aneurisk team will perform cross-validation of previously trained long short-term memory recurrent neural networks to forecast diameter and a classifier that predicts patient outcomes (remain stable, eventual repair, or eventual rupture). The toolset is effectively a method to achieve virtual surveillance to provide clinicians a method to better understand when to treat patients. If successful, the Aneurisk approach will reduce the number of surveillance visits to track diameter, reduce patient anxiety, and reduce costly and high-mortality rupture events.
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. -
ANOVA BIOMEDICAL, INC.
SBIR Phase I: 3D printing of personalized vascular grafts using novel elastomeric resins
Contact
237 KING RD E
Ithaca, NY 14850--9448
NSF Award
2431804 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,811
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact potential of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is that the proposed resin, and the devices whose manufacturing it enables, will advance treatment of cardiovascular disease ? one of the leading contributors to medical spending and death in the United States. Current vascular grafts used for treatment of vascular disease have poor long-term success and lead to a tremendous amount of patient suffering, rehospitalization, reoperation, and premature death. Thus, there is an urgent unmet need for improved treatment options. Successful translation of the proposed technology will result in an entirely new class of vascular prosthetics for this patient population to improve quality of life and decrease morbidity, all while alleviating a tremendous financial burden on the American healthcare system. Commercialization of this technology will generate new jobs in the biotechnology/additive manufacturing sector in upstate NY ? a region that is severely lacking in these industries ? demonstrating a positive potential impact on the economic advancement of the region.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project consists of three distinct objectives that will further development of our product, and significantly derisk the technology. The development of our novel 3D printing resin in this proposal is focused toward production of personalized, elastic, bioresorbable vascular grafts. Development, characterization, and optimization of this resin is the primary objective. Once the resin is produced, its ability to be manufactured into personalized vascular grafts will be demonstrated by using human CT angiography images to 3D print vascular prosthetics. Finally, vascular grafts produced from the resin will be implanted in the rat carotid artery to demonstrate the bioresorption of the material over time as an elastic neo-artery regenerates in its place. To date, we have demonstrated the ability to produce one-size-fits-all bioresorbable grafts that fully transform into elastic neo-vessels. This work will enable the growth of that technology for use in situations that can benefit from a personalized device ? pediatric patients, arteries with diameters below 6mm, and branching arteries, to name a few.
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. -
ANYGLABS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Autonomous System for DNA Sequencing Prep in Space and Austere Environments
Contact
5770 OBERLIN DR
San Diego, CA 92121--1723
NSF Award
2344191 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
03/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to democratize access to advanced diagnostics tools by building an automated, miniaturized system for DNA extraction and preparation for sequencing for both in space and austere environments. This automated and miniaturized approach has the potential to contribute to a higher throughput acceleration of in-space R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization for biotechnology. DNA sequencing is used for various purposes in research and medicine ? for example, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, monitoring of pathogens in water supplies and food, and study of the effects of the environment on human, crop, and pet health. Yet nearly 50% of the world?s population has little or no access to such advanced diagnostics tools, and at least 2.2 billion people lacked safe drinking water in 2022. Even though there is high interest in genetic testing among individuals of low socioeconomic status, such tests are inaccessible due to cost or availability. The global DNA sequencing market size of $11B in 2022 is expected to grow to over $50B by 2032. This project is disrupting the status quo and addressing an unserved market by developing a small, portable, automated, high throughput, and cost-effective system for extracting DNA from a variety of biosamples to prepare them for next-generation sequencing. The in-space environment has the potential to leverage microgravity advantages for a wide range of biotechnology-based advances but is currently capacity and throughput-constrained. This project will further accelerate a high-throughput, faster iterative approach to in-space R&D to achieve more of the disruptive solutions possible from microgravity.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes a unique approach to technology development ? building the technology for space and microgravity, the most extreme environment. Currently, no such automated, miniaturized technology exists in space for DNA extraction and sample preparation. Space is a unique environment that can offer novel scientific insights. The availability of advanced tools in microgravity, such as the technology proposed in this project, will enable scientists to push the boundaries of knowledge across a variety of disciplines, from aging and longevity research to cancer medicines to stem cell expansion and organoid production in space. Furthermore, by solving for space ? an extreme, harsh environment with many constraints ? the technology will also solve for Earth?s austere environments and provide a high-caliber diagnostic system for populations in remote, underserved, under-resourced, and extreme environments, which includes military field operations for national defense and security. This technology is pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery in space and democratizing health and welfare on Earth. The first product is only the beginning of a series of products for portable advanced end-point-analysis tools. The platform technology will spin off subsequent devices that will eventually enable in-home or point-of-care diagnostics.
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. -
AQUAPAO, INC.
STTR Phase I: Solar-driven, thermally responsive membranes for off-grid water purification
Contact
93 ELM RD
Princeton, NJ 08540--2523
NSF Award
2213218 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$256,000
Start / end date
09/15/2022 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this STTR Phase I project will be the development of a solar-based water purification solution that has the potential to overcome the persistent barriers to safe drinking water access plaguing the more than 81 million Americans living in counties with elevated water quality issues. As the frequency of climate-related natural disasters and the prevalence of contaminated drinking water supplies (e.g., from detection of per-/poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) ?forever chemicals?) increases, there is an urgent need for easily implementable water treatment options to maintain access to safe drinking water. Offering an off-grid, cost effective, energy-free approach, this technology is suited to provide a safe drinking water solution that can be cost-effectively deployed without requiring a water infrastructure overhaul. In contrast to existing water treatment approaches, which rely on energy inputs and infrastructure investment, the proposed technology is both sustainable and reliable, and has the flexibility, modularity, and scalability needed for facile deployment. Potential commercial impact of this disruptive technology is high, considering the number of communities currently seeking water treatment solutions that would be easily met with the technology, and the subsequent jobs created related to installation and maintenance.
The technical innovation of this project comes from the development of a solar absorber gel (SAG) membrane that passively purifies water using natural sunlight or a waste heat source. This system is designed to selectively capture clean water at low temperatures and release it under natural sunlight at higher temperatures. Compared to other passive solar water purification methods, which rely on the energy-intense evaporation and condensation processes, this technology does not rely on a phase transformation but instead absorbs and releases liquid water due to minor temperature swings and can achieve the critical temperature for water release within a matter of minutes. This system holds promise for both modular and stationary water purification in a sustainable manner. Phase I project will focus on demonstrating performance capabilities to meet drinking water standards, improving water collection rates, and enhancing the durability of the membranes. The objectives include: 1) investigating the properties and performance of SAG membranes with an open-cell membrane structure that dramatically improves the water purification rate; 2) performing detailed investigation on the SAG rejection rate to harmful mixed impurities and meeting National Sanitation Foundation standards; and 3) assessing the long-term reusability of the SAG membrane, including on accelerated degradation studies.
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. -
ARCLET LLC
SBIR Phase I: Health Communication Software Integration with AI and LMLs To Target Localized, High-Quality Health Information Messaging
Contact
18 MAIN ST
Asheville, NC 28803--1428
NSF Award
2432755 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,920
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is to enhance public health communication by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) technologies. This project aims to support health communicators in creating, customizing, sharing, and measuring the effectiveness of health messages tailored to diverse cultural and linguistic contexts. By addressing the challenges of delivering accurate and engaging health information, this innovation seeks to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities in communities across the United States. The project has significant commercial potential, with an initial market focus on health agencies, hospitals, and community-based organizations. Driven by the unique value proposition of providing a user-friendly platform that integrates multiple health communication functions tailored to diverse audiences, the project offers a promise to advance scientific and technological understanding while offering a comprehensive solution to meets the specific needs of health communicators and the patients they serve.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the critical need for culturally and contextually relevant health communication. The research objectives include developing capabilities to generate and customize health messages, creating a dataset to train novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) models, and evaluating the effectiveness of these messages in real-world settings. The proposed research involves collecting health communication materials, processing and tagging this data using Natural Language Processing (NLP), and employing large language models (LLMs) to generate initial drafts of health messages. Customization tools will refine these messages to reflect local cultural and linguistic nuances. The project will implement A/B testing to determine message effectiveness and collect feedback for continuous model improvement. Anticipated technical results include a scalable platform that enhances the ability of health communicators to deliver effective health messages, supported by robust data on message usage and impact. This research aims to bridge the gap between advanced AI technologies and practical health communication needs, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced disparities in underserved 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. -
ARED LLC
SBIR Phase I: Portable Full-Recirculation Incubator for Salmon Incubation/Restoration
Contact
730 CASE AVE
Wrangell, AK 99929-
NSF Award
2403690 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 project is in creating a new salmon incubation system to restore the wild salmon population of natural streams. Food security continues to escalate as a global crisis, especially for healthy whole foods. The proposed technology impacts both wild salmon (affecting both commercial and subsistence economies) and farmed salmon by offering tools for wild salmon restoration and advanced economic/environmentally sound aquaculture practices in salmon farms, eliminating toxic chemical use and dramatically less freshwater use. This project brings a new, self-contained, portable, full-recirculation incubation system to rear salmon eggs to the emergent fry stage of salmon development without the use of toxic chemicals and decreasing the amount of freshwater used from millions to hundreds of gallons. Further, the societal value of community involvement (STEM) in reversing extinction trends in wild salmon is immeasurable.
Wild salmon requires embryonic development with water from their natal stream. Hence, it is now recognized that the conventional central multi-million-dollar hatchery facilities are no longer suitable as they cannot accomplish this. This SBIR Phase 1 project intends to develop an incubation technology that will preserve genetic integrity, use water from the wild salmon?s native watershed, eliminate toxic chemical use, afford the ability to track restoration progress and avoid million-dollar hatchery capital costs. It will create a new salmon egg/alevin incubator by re-engineering and combining two proven salmon incubation systems together in a compact portable size. Among other features, the system will be designed for tight temperature control, having almost no vibration, and the ability to withstand major earthquakes. The system is expected to increase the survival of young fry several-fold; using water from their indigenous source, otolith mark them with a natural mark and restock the fry back into their wild stream of origin.
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. -
ARTIMATIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Artificial Intelligence for Automated Custom Avatar Creation
Contact
4190 TUCKERSHAM LN
Tucker, GA 30084--2233
NSF Award
2334192 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
12/01/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will create a way for experienced animators to rapidly make high quality three-dimensional (3D) content, and for novices to create engaging 3D content without the need for years of technical training or powerful but expensive software. Engaging computer graphic content has revolutionized education, entertainment, medical, and virtual environments. This project will use artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock the full potential of 3D graphical content, a $17.21 billion annual market, by alleviating major bottlenecks in the workflow. While there are more than 62,000 animators currently employed in the United States, fewer than 10,000 work specifically at 3D animation studios, and a smaller proportion of them possess the skills for weight painting. Weight painting is a vital technique in 3D design that adds realism to characters, enabling them to move smoothly during animation. Compounding the difficulty, weight painting 3D models is a tedious task that can take an expert up to 2 days (or around 16 work hours) to manually complete one model. Smaller animation shops often do not have the expertise to perform this task at all and are unable to compete for bigger, more lucrative contracts. Furthermore, researchers and students at universities around the world are often unable to perform this weighting task, which reduces their ability to create animations for medical, athletic, and entertainment uses in augmented reality or virtual reality.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will utilize deep neural networks (DNN) to create 3D models from text input as well as a weight-painted rig from an industry-standard skeleton system and a 3D model mesh. The technology converts the mesh and skeleton into a format that can be processed by machine learning (ML) code, introducing a brand-new data structure. Additionally, the project will explore an adaptation of the COO (Coordinate List) matrix, a sparse matrix that performs effectively with neural networks but faces challenges when applied to machine learning tasks in 3D space where coordinate ordering is uncertain. The most difficult issues, such as weight painting and modeling, have been hampered by four specific limitations: 1. Lack of ground-truth, 2. Limited training data, 3. Lack of a-priori ML architecture, and 4. Lack of robustness and specificity for non-gaussian data. This project will make inroads into each of these areas by establishing a methodology for incorporating and transforming non-gaussian data for DNN analysis and will create a comprehensive data training set while establishing a domain specific ground-truth based on the canonical Turing test.
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. -
ASIMICA LLC
SBIR Phase I: Boosting Industrial Bio-Fermentation with Microbial Stem Cells
Contact
1938 HARNEY ST STE 305
Laramie, WY 82072--3037
NSF Award
2222602 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,100
Start / end date
05/01/2023 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 reimagine bio-manufacturing with a novel platform technology that could boost the yields of many products, including food additives, biomaterials precursors, biofuels, and pharmaceuticals. The technological advancement addresses a fundamental issue that limits conventional bio-fermentation, which is that producing cells suffer limited health and viability in exchange for higher yields. In this proposal, genetic tools will be used to divide the labor of cell reproduction and product synthesis into two different cell types, called stem cells and factory cells. As older factory cells become exhausted, productivity is maintained by new factory cells, which are born from the stem cell population. The approach may be particularly well suited to biofuels and other molecules that are difficult to produce in large quantities by conventional bio-fermentation because the product is toxic to the cells that make it. It could be applied toward increasing the profitability of existing bio-processes and also for bringing new products to market, which are currently too difficult to produce. In this project, the team seeks to demonstrate the benefits of producing a fuel (limonene) and a dairy enzyme (chymosin), as proof of its application in biofuel and agricultural sectors. Broad industrial implementation will advance bio-manufacturing toward the ?green? revolution, contributing to the development of cleaner industries and decreasing US and global reliance on fossil fuels.
This project aims to solve two major limitations of microbial fermentation processes: metabolic exhaustion and genetic drift. These are nearly universal problems in the industry. Highly producing cells can become inactive due to the lack of metabolic resources, cytotoxic effects of products, and mutations that break the biosynthetic pathway. In this project, Microbial Stem Cell Technology (MiST) uncouples growth and production by establishing a multicellular system. One cell type is dedicated to product synthesis (factory cells), while another (stem cells) is responsible for cell division and the generation of new factory cells. As older factory cells lose productivity, the bioreactor is continuously replenished with new factory cells, derived from the stem cell population. By maintaining an active factory cell population, MiST-supported cultures are expected to exhibit increased production longevity and higher overall yield than conventional bio-fermentations. This project aims to validate the technology in E. coli engineered to produce limonene, a precursor for biodiesel and other useful chemicals. In the factory cells, T7RNAP will drive high-level expression of a suite of biosynthetic enzymes. Since limonene has a cytotoxic effect on producing cells, MiST-supported factory cell replenishment is expected to increase productivity by more than 2-fold compared to the conventional limonene-producing strains.
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. -
ASTRIA BIOSCIENCES, INC.
SBIR Phase I: A Blood Test to Detect Cerebral Aneurysms
Contact
1123 PINEWOOD DRIVE
Pittsburgh, PA 15234--1809
NSF Award
2335396 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
12/01/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is expected to advance the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral aneurysm (CA). CAs affect 2-5% of the population. Nearly 30,000 Americans each year suffer CA rupture without warning, resulting in approximately 50% mortality. CAs are largely asymptomatic, and therefore usually undetected until ruptured. By providing the first blood test able to detect and evaluate CAs, this project will enable monitoring at frequencies not possible today. The technology will also offer a dynamic rupture risk score that can be integrated into the patient care routine to better guide preoperative, invasive diagnosis and surgical interventions. Decreased testing costs enabled by this technology will promote more regular monitoring and early action, benefiting minorities and other groups with lower socioeconomic status who struggle to access preventative healthcare. Ultimately, this project has the potential to lead to improved patient outcomes and better quality of life for patients living with unruptured CAs and reductions in healthcare costs, as well as new insights into CA pathogenesis. The technology will bring peace of mind to those in high-risk groups and their families.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to advance the first simple, whole blood-based diagnostic test to detect the presence and monitor the progression of a cerebral aneurysm (CA). The project will develop a dynamic rupture risk score as well as novel aneurysm subgroupings. Currently, CAs can only be diagnosed with cerebral imaging such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography angiography. These approaches are not suited for regular screening due to prohibitively high costs and potential risks. This project will exploit the fact that aneurysms are dynamic and exhibit different cytokine signatures over time. With a carefully selected panel of cytokines and a proprietary model, these inflammatory signatures can be reliably differentiated in CA patients with unruptured and ruptured aneurysms. This project will generate a robust dataset of CA patient blood samples, with a focus on increasing sample representation from underserved populations. The dataset will be used to train a proprietary probabilistic equation to develop a risk of rupture metric. Data will be stratified using machine learning-based principal component analysis to create distinct aneurysm subgroups with key cytokines of interest. This analysis will open the door for precision-medicine molecular therapy against specific drivers of inflammation in those patients.
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. -
ATMOSENSE, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Optimized High Surface Area Functionalized Nanomaterials for Parts Per Billion (PPB) Gas Sensing Using Machine Learning Models
Contact
5414 OBERLIN DR STE 150
San Diego, CA 92121--4751
NSF Award
2423212 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,991
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 05/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to enable the discovery of new materials used in microchip gas sensors for fast detection of harmful gases. The company proposed this project to promote the progress of science through development of advanced materials analysis tools that can help predict which materials should be made for detecting difficult target gases, such as formaldehyde and methane. Formaldehyde is a colorless, carcinogenic gas which is present in various sealants and resins used within the home. Methane is an outdoor greenhouse gas which is more than 80x more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Significant market opportunities exist for development of low-cost, high sensitivity microchip gas sensors which can be integrated into various devices (air purifiers, air conditioners, wearable electronics, IoTs, etc.) to diagnose the air quality of our surrounding environments in real-time. The company is also pursuing a commercialization path for another developed gas sensor market segment (ozone). However, this SBIR Phase I project proposes new R&D technologies for rapid discovery and synthesis of complex nanomaterials at manufacturing scale, which can provide a sustainable competitive advantage for future detection of other difficult target gases.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes using machine learning-based materials discovery methods to model electron exchange sensing mechanisms at the target gas (formaldehyde, methane)-nanomaterial interface. This approach can help narrow down which high surface area, noble metal decorated metal oxide nanomaterials need to be synthesized via advanced experimental methods. Key objectives to be accomplished during this Phase I project revolve around accelerating development of candidate nanomaterials by integrating high-throughput synthesis and experiments with first principles computations and state-of-the-art machine learning models. Commercial gas sensors which use thin film metal oxide materials for formaldehyde gas detection typically require significant heating and have difficulty distinguishing among other cross-interferent volatile organic compounds (such as ethanol and isopropyl alcohol). Methane gas is highly stable and unreactive with thin film metal oxide materials used in chemiresistive gas sensors, even when heated to high temperatures. Machine learning-based predictions will help inform the synthesis of candidate high surface area, noble metal decorated metal oxide nanomaterials. Further materials characterization will determine nanomaterial morphology, particle size, surface area, interface active sites, and formulation stability before depositing onto micro-electromechanical microchip electrodes (with integrated micro-hotplates) and conducting gas sensor testing with an outside facility.
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. -
ATRILITY MEDICAL LLC
STTR Phase I: Development of Automated Post Operative Rhythm Identification Through Computerized Evaluation of Atrial Signals
Contact
455 SCIENCE DR STE 120
Madison, WI 53711--1067
NSF Award
2423318 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project stems from the development of methods to display and diagnose heart rhythms more accurately and continuously after cardiac surgery. Inadequate post-operative rhythm monitoring remains a significant concern in over 400,000 cardiac surgeries in the United States (US), 30-50% of which result in arrhythmias. Arrhythmias, especially when missed or diagnosed late due to inaccurate or delayed monitoring, often lead to worse patient outcomes, including stroke, cardiac dysfunction, heart failure, and death. These issues are associated with hospital expenses exceeding $9,000 per hospital stay per patient within the growing $8-billion US post-operative cardiac care market. Beyond the significant economic impact, more accurate and continuous post-operative cardiac rhythm monitoring would provide substantial, potentially lifesaving benefits to human health.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to address the limitations of current post-operative rhythm diagnosis using standard surface-based electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. The inadequacy of atrial signal quality makes it challenging or impossible for providers to interpret rhythm accurately. Additionally, significant variations in patient and ECG characteristics limit the utility of current rhythm monitoring systems, impacting the optimal care of critically ill patients. This project will develop and validate a method for continuous rhythm diagnosis and display using the highest quality atrial electrogram. The diagnosis method will be developed, validated, and optimized with real patient data, ensuring adaptability to varying patient, rhythm, and ECG characteristics. The anticipated outcome is a shift from the current labor-intensive, non-real-time, and inconveniently displayed methodology, which requires specialized training, to a real-time, more accurate, continuous, and easily accessible diagnosis system. If successful, this project is expected to substantially improve post-operative care and establish a more accurate standard for post-operative rhythm assessment.
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. -
AUDIOT, INC.
STTR Phase I: Using Audio Analytics and Sensing to Enhance Broiler Chicken Welfare and Performance by Continuously Monitoring Bird Vocalizations
Contact
311 FERST DR NW STE L1334
Atlanta, GA 30318--5602
NSF Award
2335590 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
03/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will be in enhancing the well-being of chickens on poultry farms and in equipping growers with effective tools to monitor bird conditions. As chicken is a widely consumed source of live-animal protein globally, there is a growing consumer preference for ethically raised animals. The project addresses this demand by fostering improved welfare practices in poultry farming. There are collaborative movements with major producers and institutional consumers to establish evidence-based welfare standards impacting entire supply chain. With a declining agricultural workforce in the United States, it is essential to have automated mechanisms to extend a farmer?s capabilities. This project will develop a smart monitoring system for the birds meeting these needs, resulting in improved bird welfare and amplification of the farmer?s capacity.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project uses audio monitoring and machine listening to measure animal behavior. Since poultry operations differ significantly from farm to farm and over the life of the chicken as it grows from chick to a mature bird, the machine learning algorithms must adapt. The monitoring systems must be appliance-like in that they do not require expertise or any more than minimal involvement on the part of the farmer. This research will result in the advancement and productization of acoustic machine learning algorithms which search out unusual behaviors in the animals in their environment and provide early indications of distress, sickness, discomfort, and feed and water issues to the grower based on intelligent listening and inference. Acoustic approaches do not disturb the animals, are more robust than video for long-term deployment in dusty environments, and operate around the clock and in the dark. By providing early actionable insights to the grower, this technology can correct problems early, thereby improving not only the animal?s welfare, but their productivity as well. By deploying inexpensive microphones at multiple locations in a grow-out house, activities and problems can be localized, bringing precision livestock technology to flock-based animal management.
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. -
AVANPORE, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Organic Solvent Nanofiltration Membrane Process
Contact
21C OLYMPIA AVE
Woburn, MA 01801--6307
NSF Award
2403678 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 03/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project will be enhancement of filtration capabilities across a range of industries. The project will develop a novel membrane filtration process to address the market need for energy-efficient separation and recovery of products on the molecular level from industrial process streams. This is critical across a range of industries. As an example, every day 100M barrels of crude oil is processed in refineries around the world by thermal distillation, a process that uses ~1% of global energy use. In contrast to these high levels of energy use membrane based separations have potential to provide a 10-fold increase in energy efficiency. This efficiency can also be leveraged across a range of industries including pharmaceuticals and production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This project?s novel process will increase energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the purification and recovery of products which will be enabling for chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries alike.
This SBIR Phase I project will develop a novel membrane separation technology to address the energy-efficient separation of small molecules from industrial process streams for a range of industries. Separation/recovery of molecules in organic solvents in the Molecular Weight range of 150-2000 Da is currently carried out by distillation, solvent extraction, or crystallization. Energy-intensive distillation dominates the separation of organic solvent mixtures (MW< 2,000 Da). Pressure-driven membrane processes such as organic solvent nanofiltration (OSNF), and organic solvent reverse osmosis (OSRO) are needed since they consume less energy vis-à-vis distillation. Industrial implementation of OSNF and OSRO processes is currently limited due to the limited solvent and thermal resistance of commercial polymeric membrane materials. Advances in polymeric membrane?s chemical and solvent stability are needed to rival the industrial success of membrane-based water treatment. This project will develop functionalized nanoporous membranes from commercial plastic. The engineering polymer utilized in this project will provide exceptional solvent and chemical resistance and outstanding thermo-mechanical properties. The polymer is functionalized by a reticulate synthetic methodology to form a composite membrane with separation properties in the OSNF range. The membrane preparation methodology will be advanced towards the separation of Active Pharmaceutical Intermediates (APIs). OSNF process for separation and purification of APIs from a range of industrial organic solvents will be developed.
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. -
AXPRO SEMI
SBIR Phase I: RISC-V and FPGA Pipeline-Coupled Heterogeneous Compute Microprocessor Architecture and Emulation Software Tools to Dramatically Improve CPU Performance
Contact
882 LOUISE DR
Sunnyvale, CA 94087--4138
NSF Award
2403483 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop economical, green, and powerful computers for a hyperconnected, intelligent world. These scalable computers, from wearables to cloud-based systems, will revolutionize traditional computing, making artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain, cryptocurrency, and big data more affordable and sustainable. The ongoing data explosion requires smart, instantly-analyzed, handheld, battery-operated, content-driven, and voice-image recognized access to information. Users demand secure, private, upgradable, evolving, dependable, and economical connectivity anytime, anywhere. Battery-powered supercomputers in wearables and IoT devices will significantly enhance productivity, quality of life, and flexibility. These advanced computers will provide personalized features tailored to individual needs, ensuring families are safer, healthier, and more secure. Ubiquitous connectivity with voice-controlled access will enable new, unpredictable experiences, continuous learning, increased productivity, and improved lifestyles by balancing work and family time. Real-time generative AI prompts will assist us in daily life, remind us of forgotten tasks, teach us and our children, enhance healthcare, and suggest entertainment and food options.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to revolutionize computer architecture by shifting from the traditional 60-year-old von-Neumann instruction computing to flexible content computing. This novel concept involves executing application software content as hardware images customized by the content to enhance computer metrics. Traditional computers rely on pre-defined instruction sets and hardware components, so that application software can be compiled into a sequence of selectable pre-defined hardware executables. This method is inefficient and consumes high energy, as instruction interpretation is more resource-intensive than the actual computational actions. The proposed innovation eliminates the dependency on instructions while retaining computational capabilities, thereby alleviating the data-bandwidth bottleneck. A novel hardware architecture augments a standard CPU pipeline with user-configurable hardware units. A novel compiler orchestration layer automatically generates a programmable hardware image that befits an identified software content. Flexible content computing is expected to significantly improve computer metrics, including: Super Scalar Instructions Per Cycle exceeding 30, performance increasing from 2 to 100, price reduction of 1/2 to 1/10, power reduction of 1/2 to 1/100, and code compaction by 1/3 to 2/3 times. These advancements promise to enhance computational efficiency and sustainability, setting a new standard in computer architecture.
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. -
Amplified Sciences, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Development of a SERS-based diagnostic platform for multiplexing ubiquitous inflammatory markers in cancer.
Contact
1281 WIN HENTSCHEL BLVD
West Lafayette, IN 47906--4331
NSF Award
2348543 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,750
Start / end date
03/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project stems from the fact that cancer causes approximately 10 million deaths yearly worldwide, and the economic burden on cancer patients in the United States alone is estimated to be around $21 billion/yr, excluding lost productivity. Over 600,000 people die from cancer in the United States each year, and cancer cases among the younger population are on the rise. Currently, only a handful of cancers, such as breast, colon, cervical, and prostate, have recommended early screening, and sadly, 70% of cancer deaths are caused by cancers without recommended screening. Early detection, coupled with accurate monitoring and surgery in appropriate cases, appears to be the ideal strategy to improve outcomes and quality of life and reduce healthcare costs. The availability of novel diagnostic technology for minimally invasive biomarker analysis using biofluids to accurately predict malignancy potential would greatly benefit patients and clinicians in the early diagnosis and management of deadly cancers. Development of the technology proposed herein would have a broad impact on the cancer diagnostic space in terms of accurate early detection and diagnosis, quality of life, mortality, and healthcare burden.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop multi-marker diagnostic assays to bridge a critical gap from biomarker discovery to diagnostic assay translation. This project leverages principles from synthetic chemistry, enzymology, spectroscopy, and engineering, leading to a novel biosensing platform that couples Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and a protease turnover assay to provide highly accurate methods for biomarker detection. This project will lead to developing next-generation sensors to meet the unique requirements for a multi-molecular protease activity assay from highly viscous, proteinaceous clinical samples and deliver a stackable assay workflow readily accessible to clinical laboratory staff with rapid turnaround. The technological hurdles that will be addressed during Phase I will include: 1) synthetic development of ultrasensitive SERS-active dyes and their conjugates with substrates of proteases associated with high-grade dysplasia in pancreatic cysts and other cancers, and 2) development and optimization of a multiplexed multi-protease turnover assay employing the aforementioned substrates using an automated-SERS detection platform with high-throughput capability for eventual commercialization in a CLIA lab setting. This technology has the potential to be transformative due to its multiplexing capability, high sensitivity and selectivity, cost-effectiveness, and reliable performance in complex biological fluids.
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. -
BACTRIA PHARMACEUTICALS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Combating Multi-Drug Resistant Gram-negative Healthcare-Associated Infections
Contact
820 PEAKVIEW RD
Boulder, CO 80302--9472
NSF Award
2310453 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,937
Start / end date
01/15/2024 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop therapeutic drugs that restore antibiotic sensitivity in bacteria that cause severe infections in patients that are hospitalized or receiving healthcare for another condition. Antibiotics are paramount to modern medicine. In addition to treating infections and controlling their spread, these drugs enable safe surgeris, facilitate childbirth, and provide treatments for diseases such as cancer. However, as microbes evolve and develop resistance, these life-saving drugs are losing effectiveness. Eleven potent and specific small molecules have been identified that restore antibiotic sensitivity in these bacteria. Bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by Gram-negative bacteria are two severe healthcare associated infections that despite current treatments cause significant excess mortality (150 deaths/1,000 patients), longer hospital stays, and incremental costs estimated at nearly $50,000 per patient. Developing therapeutics that restore the sensitivity of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Gram-negative pathogens to commonly used, well tolerated antibiotics addresses a major unmet medical need and would be transformative for patients and physicians.
This project involves developing small molecules to restore the sensitivity of Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria to commonly used, well tolerated antibiotics. The role of bacterial efflux pumps in MDR Gram-negative bacteria is well documented. These pumps are virulence determinants essential for infection, and by exporting antibiotics across the bacterial cell envelope they play a key role in antibiotic resistance. Eleven potent and specific small molecule inhibitors of bacterial efflux pumps (EPIs) have been identified. These EPIs are in early-stage lead optimization and this project involves three foundational assays: cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), membrane permeability, and in vitro antibiotic combination assays, followed by in vitro characterization, safety pharmacology, and liability screening. Cryo-EM provides insight into the mechanism of action and binding of these EPIs to the efflux pump, enabling in-silico docking studies and the design of new analogs. Some prior EPI research failed due to membrane permeabilization, a property that can result in apparent in vitro efficacy. Cryo-EM data together with results from in vitro efficacy and membrane permeability assays allows early deselection of poor-quality compounds, focusing screening studies on the most promising EPIs. This project may provide insights into links between MDR, persister cells, and virulence in Gram-negative pathogens.
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. -
BASS AGRITECH, INC
SBIR Phase I: Long-Term Railcar-Mounted Wheel Bearing Monitors
Contact
300 LON RD
Rogersville, MO 65742--6200
NSF Award
2423352 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$269,642
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is in improving the efficiency and safety of railroads by accelerating the commercialization of long-term railcar-mounted wheel bearing monitors. These devices can provide live temperature monitoring of railcar wheel bearings in transit, enabling railroads to proactively prevent derailments caused by overheating of bearings. This technology could dramatically reduce the economic impact of damaged equipment and infrastructure: the 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio which inspired this innovation resulted in over $2 billion in damages. Furthermore, these devices can be deployed at a cost of at least two orders of magnitude lower than the cost of existing track-based defect detectors, providing railroads with a far better solution at a lower cost. The potential benefits of this technology extend beyond railroad finances: many trains carry hazardous materials, and derailments run the risk of spilling carcinogens and other toxic substances, damaging ecosystems and harming nearby communities. This innovation can drastically lower the risk of these catastrophes.
The intellectual merit of this project stems from its goal of ascertaining the effectiveness of wheel bearing monitors deployed on railcars long-term. The primary innovation inherent in this project is the monitoring device, which will be designed to withstand the harsh environment of railroad use, update sensor readings over a cellular connection, and recharge in transit via a novel axial flux generator harvesting energy from the rotation of the railcar?s axle. The research objectives revolve around quantifying sensor durability on a railcar truck, axial flux generator feasibility in railroad IoT devices, wireless sensor network reliability in a railroad environment, and digital temperature sensor accuracy and response time on a railcar wheel bearing. It is anticipated that the technical results of this research will conclusively demonstrate that wheel bearing monitors of this type are suitable for long-term deployment in a railroad environment.
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. -
BEIROBOTICS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Unmanned Aerial Payload Systems for Live-line Access
Contact
1717 E CARY ST
Richmond, VA 23223-
NSF Award
2136680 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$256,000
Start / end date
09/15/2022 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I project is the potential use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) applications in performing inspections and repairs on a variety of live transmission equipment without the need for manned helicopter or bucket truck crews, reducing the time linemen are in harm?s way. The cost of transmission grid inspections and maintenance may decrease, leading to more frequent routine inspection and more timely and proactive inspections of infrastructure with potential for failure. Transmission grid operators may have a more resilient grids with lower losses thanks to increased and improved data from frequent inspections. The American people can potentially benefit from a more resilient grid with fewer outages and more consistent delivery of electricity. Fewer line losses conserve energy and reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned to generate electricity locally.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to develop Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) inspection capabilities enabling access to utility infrastructure unreachable and/or difficult to reach by current methods. Inspection, maintenance, repair, and auditing processes for electrical utility infrastructure are costly and hazardous to personnel. Current UAS-mounted payload technology has demonstrated initial success with inspecting connectors by approaching horizontally-arranged transmission conductor sets from above. Vertically-arranged conductors that cannot be approached from above represent a significant portion of transmission infrastructure. The project?s research seeks develop UAS payload system technology that delivers linemen?s tools to vertically-arranged, high voltage transmission infrastructure by approaching from the side and from below. To accomplish this research, new approach methods will be designed, engineered, constructed, and rigorously tested in de-energized and live environments to prove viability. Completing the research objectives of the project may establish commercial feasibility for the next generation of UAS payload technology in the electrical utility sector, paving the way for a safer and more efficient national electrical grid.
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. -
BEKEN BIO, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Liquid Biopsy Diagnostic for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer Targeting Novel Extracellular Vesicle Biomarkers
Contact
9276 SCRANTON RD STE 200
San Diego, CA 92121--7703
NSF Award
2423675 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on advancing a novel ovarian cancer (OC) diagnostic to enhance patient outcomes significantly. This initiative introduces a pioneering method for identifying biomarkers within extracellular vesicles (EVs), early markers specific to cancer circulating in the bloodstream. By targeting cancer EVs in a minimally invasive blood test, the project aims for unprecedented sensitivity and specificity in early detection. Success in this endeavor could pave the way for adapting the approach to develop diagnostics for other cancer types. The global market for OC diagnostics, currently valued at $1.3 billion and growing at an annual rate of 7%, reflects increasing incidence rates in younger populations and a growing emphasis on early detection strategies. A successful outcome from this project would position any resulting products favorably in the broader landscape of cancer detection technologies.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a highly sensitive, minimally invasive laboratory test to detect early-stage ovarian cancers (OC) by assaying relevant biomarkers on circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patient plasma. EVs provide significant advantages in sensitivity and patient outcomes over tests using circulating tumor cells or cell-free tumor DNA, as they are secreted by living cancer cells within the primary tumor. This project will utilize a novel technology to identify key proteins in EVs from various OC subtypes, engineering an assay to differentiate between patients with malignant tumors and those without cancer with high specificity. The second objective is to employ a machine learning tool to perform diagnostic classification, providing actionable information to clinicians regarding the presence of a tumor. Successful completion of these objectives will facilitate the development and validation of scalable workflows for the diagnostic assay during Phase II, with the goal of having a laboratory-developed test ready for commercialization by the end of Phase II.
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. -
BERKM INC
SBIR Phase I: Transparent Clay-PET Nanocomposite for Lightweight Packaging with Extended Product Shelf Life
Contact
22 BOND ST APT 615
Watertown, MA 02472--3758
NSF Award
2408935 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,424
Start / end date
06/01/2024 – 05/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project includes reducing plastic pollution, food waste, and CO2 emissions. The project focuses on new and economical ways of manufacturing clay-polyethylene terephthalate(PET) nanocomposite. The nanocomposite displays significantly improved material properties. The improvement in properties enables the use of up to 20% less plastic per package and reduces food and beverage waste by extending product shelf-life 5X-6X. The end beneficiaries of the technology are consumer packaged goods companies. Using the proposed technology, they can save costs from raw materials and product shelf-life extension and meet their sustainability goals. The company has several patents and trade secrets that have been developed over 30 years and the chemistry concept behind the project can be used to develop multiple additive product lines for different polymers. The estimated total addressable market size for inorganic polymer additives is $33B. The company intends to commercialize initially in specialty packaging followed by carbonated drinks.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to make clear PET soda bottles with a 2-3X improvement in CO2 barrier that displays industry acceptable yellow index. The team can achieve 5-6X improvement in the CO2 barrier on lab-scale films and is working to convert lab-scale performance to the final soda bottle package. This project aims to understand the barrier performance and haziness of the packages made from our clay-PET composite. The team will use a variety of microscopy and characterization techniques to study the nanocomposite through the bottle making process to determine if particle agglomeration, rapid crystallization, and/or micro-voids are causes for haziness. Depending on the findings, the team will develop co-monomers, high-temperature injection processes, and different compatibilizers to manage haze while maintaining CO2 barrier properties.
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. -
BETAFELD LLC
SBIR Phase I: CAS: Upcycling Farm-level Food Waste to Accelerate the Transition to a Circular Economy
Contact
245 FIRST STREET
Cambridge, MA 02142--1200
NSF Award
2335238 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,999
Start / end date
12/15/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project facilitates the upcycling of farm-level food waste using an innovative technological platform to connect farmers and buyers. Of the more than one hundred million tons of U.S. food waste generated yearly, an estimated twenty percent is comprised of fresh fruits and vegetables wasted at the farm level due to surplus or because the produce does not meet stringent aesthetic sales standards. This project connects farmers to additional buyers for whom aesthetics is not relevant, providing them with lower-cost materials and creating a circular supply chain. This reduction in food going to landfills will decrease methane emissions from landfills. Positive environmental impacts will also be discernible in the communities surrounding landfills through cleaner air, lessened water and soil contamination, and improved human health. As aesthetically imperfect and surplus fruits and vegetables enter the food supply chain, more affordable food will be available, combating food insecurity and promoting social fairness.
This SBIR Phase I project combines artificial intelligence and a powerful prescriptive analytics engine to build an innovative solution for mitigating farm-level food waste. The project?s primary innovation is creating a material valorization database for customers to access known and new alternative uses for food waste. Verification of saleable produce images will protect customer liability and improve material traceability. Novel custom decomposition optimization will account for produce aging, storage parameters, shipping schedules and consolidation, and transportation logistics to address farm-level supply chain challenges and optimize operations. Carbon-equivalent emissions reductions will also be available for each transaction. Beyond these features, obstacles such as service outages from high customer traffic and poor potential performance from neural networks will also be addressed. The project will address the complexity of large-scale transactions in optimizing farms, buyers, and operation logistics, providing a powerful, vital tool for achieving a circular economy.
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. -
BEYOND SILICON, INC.
SBIR Phase I: strain-relief interconnection and encapsulation of perovskite/silicon tandems
Contact
1101 E CHERRYWOOD PL
Chandler, AZ 85249--5622
NSF Award
2423304 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,999
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is to increase the competitiveness of the United States in photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing through the development of advanced perovskite/silicon tandem technology. Photovoltaics (PV) are an important energy source to reach 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035, and its annual deployment needs to quadruple to meet that target. However, PV companies are suffering with low gross profit margins due to little-to-no product differentation. Perovskite/silicon tandem technology offers >30% higher efficiency than today?s best-in-class silicon PV technology. This improved efficiency could drive down manufacturing cost of PVs and increase the profitability of US PV manufacturers. The high efficiency panel also further discounts the balance-of-system cost, lowering the levelized cost of electricity, which, in turn, could accelerate the deployment of PV as the dominant energy source to power a sustainable future.
The intellectual merit of this project is in the demonstration of strain-relief interconnection and encapsulation technologies for perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics. To address the challenges associated with the temperature-sensitive and mechanically delicate perovskite materials, this project will seek to first understand both the thermal and mechanical stress thresholds of tandem devices and then implement metallization and encapsulation strategies to minimize the thermal and mechanical stresses during the module fabrication processes, delivering reliable tandem modules.
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. -
BIOCOGNON LLC
SBIR Phase I:Combinatorial Platform for the Discovery of Improved Molecular Recognition Components for Use in Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies
Contact
2403 SIDNEY ST STE 255
Pittsburgh, PA 15203--2194
NSF Award
2418011 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$273,550
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the fundamental improvement of crucial antibody components that recognize and bind therapeutic or diagnostic targets. Modern antibodies are usually engineered as protein chimeras comprised of different parts, including one to several molecular recognition domains that mediate binding. The proposed research will integrate breakthroughs in next generation DNA sequencing and synthetic and computational biology to create a combinatorial high throughput platform for generating better recognition domains. The core aim is to creatively and efficiently use genetic information from patients, pathogens and antibodies for the advancement of therapeutics and diagnostics across a spectrum of diseases. The platform could expedite the design and discovery of current antibody-based therapeutics to reduce the enormous costs and time required to bring these drugs to market. The platform is ideally suited for the development of new classes of therapeutics where very rapid, adaptable and inexpensive response is required, such as in truly personalized treatments of continuously changing tumors or in rapidly evolving viral pandemics where passive vaccines need to be generated at scale.
The proposed project will demonstrate that a novel yeast-based high throughput screening platform is able to efficiently generate molecular recognition domains that specifically recognize clinically important targets. The proof-of-concept target antigens are a human receptor/ligand pair important for the immunosuppression of certain cancers and a coronavirus surface protein that mediates infection by binding a human receptor. In these screens, the use of yeast cells that surface display antibody recognition domains, and secrete these target antigens from the same cell, enables next generation sequencing to identify the genetic information encoding both the domain and the target. This dual detection capability is made possible by innovative fluorescent biosensors and is unique to this screening platform. The project will utilize synthetic biology to construct a library with a rich variety of recognition domains that will be screened simultaneously against several target antigens of varying design. Next generation sequencing analysis will show that it is practical to implement combinatorial screens using engineered recognition domains and antigens to identify recognition domains with desired binding specificity and affinity.
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. -
BIOLATTICE, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Corneal Tissue Restoration with Engineered Tissue
Contact
3401 MARKET ST STE 200
Philadelphia, PA 19104--3358
NSF Award
2342532 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,416
Start / end date
12/01/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project includes reduces the financial burden of cornea blindness and advances the medical device manufacturing industry in the US. Vision loss costs communities in lost wages and medical expenses. In 2018, the combined cost for blindness and MSVI (moderate and severe vision impairment) was $55.51 billion in North America. By providing a treatment for cornea blindness equivalent to s donor cornea, this innovation would help restore the vision of patients affected by corneal blindness, improve their ability to contribute to society, and lower the burden on their caretakers. In addition, by contributing to the general process of tissue engineering, the engineered cornea will help foster research in the field of alternatives to donor tissues, which will contribute to the well-being of individuals in society as a whole. The development of engineered cornea would also help advance the position of the US in the cornea replacement material field and more generally in the engineered tissue research field and could result in growth opportunities in the medical device manufacturing industry, therefore increasing US competitiveness.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project creates a novel acellular polymer membrane for use as a cornea substitute. The artificial cornea will differentiate itself from other artificial cornea options by offering a true alternative to donor cornea for full thickness cornea replacement (also known as penetrating keratoplasty). The artificial cornea will consist of a crosslinked polymer membrane that will provide biocompatibility with ocular tissues and suturability similar to a donor cornea. In addition, specific surface modifications will be added to the membrane to maintain its optical clarity, by preventing the adhesion of environmental and biological contaminants. These modifications will enable secure integration into the patient?s eye. The new materials will be aesthetically equivalent to existing donor cornea. By contrast to current artificial cornea options, the artificial cornea aims to provide a true replacement to donor cornea that can be used as a standard of care treatment for full thickness cornea replacement, without the risks generally associated with donor cornea tissue and without the need for refrigeration or complicated transport logistics.
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. -
BIOSUPERIOR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
STTR Phase I: Bioengineering lung surfactant for the treatment of respiratory disease
Contact
1731 PENNY WAY
Los Altos, CA 94024--6234
NSF Award
2210373 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$255,987
Start / end date
06/15/2022 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to develop a synthetic lung surfactant product for the potential treatment of serious respiratory illnesses in neonatal patients. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia affects 10,000-15,000 pre-term infants per year and has a high mortality rate. Exposure of immature lung tissue to air results in inflammation and damages lungs and airways. Decreasing bronchopulmonary dysplasia is anticipated to reduce the number of days infants spend in the hospital, the need for supplemental oxygen, and other burdens on the healthcare system. The average length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit for an infant with bronchopulmonary dysplasia is currently 103 days.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project may result in the formulation of synthetic proteins for a bioengineered lung surfactant that contains full-length critical phospholipids and anti-inflammatory agents. Currently, bioengineered pulmonary surfactants are not as effective as animal-derived pulmonary surfactants for the treatment of illnesses related to bronchopulmonary dysplasia such as neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. The synthesis of full-length, native surfactant proteins has yet to be achieved. This research seeks to synthesize proteins which may add significant viscoelasticity to the pulmonary surfactant. The protein will be combined with major surfactant phospholipids and anti-inflammatory therapeutics at defined ratios to potentially generate fully-synthetic pulmonary surfactant preparations with anti-inflammatory properties. These surfactant formulations will be screened in vitro and in vivo using a neonatal rat hyperoxia model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
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. -
BLUESTEM BIOSCIENCES INC
SBIR Phase I: Improved Proton ATPase for the Anaerobic Biomanufacturing of Organic Acids
Contact
3555 FARNAM STREET, FL 12
Omaha, NE 68131--3311
NSF Award
2342475 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$273,910
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 09/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 includes rural revitalization, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and domestic supply chain security. To meet the urgent need for more sustainable manufacturing supply chains with reduced greenhouse gas emissions and to remove reliance on foreign supply chains and petroleum, this project will include researching and commercializing the anaerobic bioproduction of commodity chemicals. Acrylates are a primary monomeric component in paints, coatings, plastics, and super-absorbent polymer applications. 3-Hydroxypropionate is a precursor to acrylates and acrylic acid. A bio-based production method must be created to significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the current petrochemical method for acrylate production. The most prevalent and heavily explored form of biomanufacturing is aerobic fermentation. However, due to their large capital and operating costs, as well as a lack of available aerobic fermentation capacity, aerobic fermentation efforts have largely been unable to scale.
The proposed project seeks to modify yeast microbes to produce chemicals as a byproduct of their growth, just like yeast naturally creates ethanol. Specifically, these chemicals should be made in a way that helps the microbes continue to grow and maintain a balanced energy state. The project is focusing on developing ways to produce commercially valuable organic acids such as 3-hydroxypropionic acid. However, unlike ethanol production, making these acids usually requires using extra energy to push the products out of the microbe cells. A significant goal for the project is to find methods to reduce the amount of energy needed for this process, as efficient energy use is essential for using these methods in settings that don't have oxygen. While previous studies have laid some groundwork, solving the energy-efficient export of these acids is still an unresolved challenge. By utilizing a vast array of documented genetic variations along with advanced computational tools for designing proteins and innovative strategies for selection, a method is proposed to find or develop an enzyme that operates within a cell membrane and can expel more than one particle for each energy molecule it breaks down, a process which is possible within the laws of thermodynamics.
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. -
BRAINSTORM THERAPEUTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Development and Validation of a Novel Parkinson's Disease Drug Discovery Platform Using Patient-Derived Midbrain Organoids
Contact
5370 TOSCANA WAY H208
San Diego, CA 92122--5656
NSF Award
2414877 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/15/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 spans several fronts, starting with advancements in public health and welfare. The project goal is to reduce risks in clinical translation and expedite the development of crucial therapies for Parkinson's disease. Additionally, the highly scalable nature of the proposed platform offers the long-term potential to extend its application to other complex brain disorders and therapeutic domains. The platform will guide therapeutic candidate discovery, stratify patient selection and refine clinical trial endpoints. Beyond health, the project impact extends to the economic competitiveness of the US. For example, by providing therapies that can help address the challenges people with neurological disorders face in the workforce, the developed product will contribute to operational efficiency, reduce healthcare costs, and boost workforce productivity. The commitment to accelerating therapeutic development also fuels innovation, attracting investments and creating high-value jobs, solidifying the US as a global leader in healthcare innovation. Furthermore, the project team actively promotes partnerships between patient foundations, academia, and drug developers in the biopharma industry.
The proposed project addresses the urgent need for effective disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson's disease. There are no approved disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson's disease due to challenges, including the lack of reliable animal models that accurately predict human efficacy, and a poor understanding of the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors contributing to dopamine neuron degeneration. To overcome these hurdles, an all-in-human Parkinson's disease drug discovery platform will be developed. This approach utilizes familial Parkinson's disease patient-derived midbrain organoid disease models, biomarker-based screening endpoints, and advanced data analytics to identify disease-modifying therapeutics that halt, prevent, or reverse dopamine neuron degeneration. This platform is positioned as a game-changer in the discovery of impactful Parkinson's disease treatments. The core innovations of the approach include patient-derived stem cells capturing human disease biology at the earliest drug development stages, human-first drug discovery reducing reliance on animal models, scalability and reproducibility of organoid production, robust and reproducible quantification of disease-specific phenotypes, and screening compatible with various therapeutic modalities. The focus on genetically validated targets and converging pathways in sporadic Parkinson's disease aims to de-risk clinical translation, reduce costs, and accelerate the discovery of transformative Parkinson's disease 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. -
CABRERA RESEARCH LAB LLC
SBIR Phase I: Thinkquery: Empowering People to Thrive in a Complex World
Contact
450 E MILLER RD
Ithaca, NY 14850--9435
NSF Award
2335521 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
01/15/2024 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project empowers individuals with enhanced cognitive skills essential for success and innovation in the modern world. In today's global economy, the ability to think critically and creatively is crucial, but many people face developmental hurdles that hinder their economic competitiveness. Unlike existing cognitive tools, this innovation offers a user-friendly, chat-based approach that leverages each individual's language skills to cultivate transferable thinking abilities. The solution guides users through a systematic problem-solving process, helping them map their mental models, fostering metacognition, and enabling them to challenge assumptions and biases. Ultimately, the technology equips users to better comprehend and address a wide range of challenges. This project's primary aim is to support the diverse and underserved populations enrolled in community colleges. The technology enables students to learn at their own pace, break down developmental courses into shorter modules, and tailor content to align with their specific career aspirations. This adaptability and accessibility have the potential to transform education, providing a flexible and effective learning tool for a wide audience. The team addresses a pressing societal need for improved cognitive skills, enhancing not only individual prospects but also contributing to the nation's economic vitality.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on enabling individuals to effectively navigate complex challenges in the 21st century by leveraging the Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives (DSRP) Theory within a machine-interpretable data structure integrated into a visual-structural recommender system. The technical objective is to empower users with a tool that facilitates in-depth exploration and understanding of various problems and topics. The project's key components develop algorithms that incorporate DSRP theory and Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create collaborative filtering and content-based filtering for generating user-specific questions. The solution creates a comprehensive reporting schema, coding, and statistical tools to validate empirical measures for different usage scenarios. The team also defines use case conditions and user experience design parameters to enhance the effectiveness of the technology. Initially, this project targets diverse, underserved, and disadvantaged students in developmental education programs who often struggle with college-level coursework. The innovation's accessibility, driven by the use of everyday language as inputs, makes it a commercially viable cognitive skills training technology with reduced friction and greater user-friendliness compared to existing solutions. The technology addresses both technical challenges and educational barriers associated with mind-mapping technologies, promising a significant impact on learning and problem-solving capabilities.
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. -
CARAVEL BIO, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Next generation enzyme engineering: high-throughput directed evolution of spore-displayed enzymes
Contact
4640 S MACADAM AVE STE 130D
Portland, OR 97239--4283
NSF Award
2409142 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 provide a novel synthetic biology platform that generates customizable enzyme solutions for industrial biocatalyst applications. The use of enzymes as industrial biocatalysts continues to expand, offering environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions to a wide range of industrial processes while driving innovation in fields such as pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and food production, and more recently biomining and carbon capture. Viewed as an alternative to conventional chemical catalysts, enzyme biocatalysts offer greater sustainability in their processes owing to their biodegradable nature, high selectivity, ability to operate under mild reaction conditions, and their ability to generate a low amount of byproduct during a reaction; they also negate the need for potentially toxic or energy intensive reagents typically needed for conventional chemical catalysis. These advantages confer downstream impacts on operational efficiency, costs, and energy requirements. With the proposed technology?s enhanced capabilities, there is potential to increase this impact by providing novel enzyme solutions that confer greater robustness and efficiency at lower costs and environmental impacts.
The proposed project aims to apply directed evolution and high-throughput screening technologies to spore-displayed enzymes, enabling rapid prototyping of spore-enzyme variants to improve important variables like enzyme activity, stability, and loading density. While enzyme catalysis is used in a wide range of industries, the ability to create enzymes with thermal and chemical stability that are also reusable remains a challenge. Using a process called spore-display immobilization, the platform uses bacteria to make and assemble enzymes on the surface of spores, a self-assembling and genetically encoded microparticle. The platform is based on key foundational research that resulted in the characterization of 37 proteins that make up the spore coat of Bacillus subtilis and their ability to act as fusion partners for enzymes. To further develop this technology, the following objectives are proposed: 1) Use the platform to implement directed evolution of a commercially relevant enzyme on the spore; establish feasibility of approach to yield improved biocatalytic properties and benchmark to industry standard; 2) Advance system screening capabilities to enable high throughput selection using a microfluidic encapsulation approach; demonstrate ability to screen >1 million enzyme variants per day, and 3) use machine learning to predict and learn from improved catalyst variants.
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. -
CARBIDE RADIO INC
SBIR Phase I: Silicon Carbide Radio Frequency Switches
Contact
6301 LILLIAN WAY
San Jose, CA 95120--1817
NSF Award
2334387 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
12/01/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on wireless communication technolog, specifically the development of a special semiconductor known as silicon carbide (SiC), which has the potential to revolutionize the industry. Unlike traditional semiconductors, SiC can operate at much higher power levels and in harsh environments, making it ideal for wireless communication devices. Currently, the industry predominantly relies on gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors, which are not only rare but also mostly imported, raising national security concerns. By demonstrating that SiC can match or even surpass the performance of GaN in radio frequency (RF) applications, this project aims to pave the way for a robust SiC RF semiconductor industry within the United States (U.S.). The RF switch market alone is estimated to be worth $2 billion by 2024. A successful SiC RF switch product would not only capture a significant share of this market but also establish the U.S, as a leader in RF semiconductor technology. The project has the potential to create jobs, foster innovation within the domestic semiconductor industry, and enhance national security by reducing reliance on foreign-produced semiconductor materials.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will produce commercially competitive RF switches made from SiC. The RF switches are intended for use in sub-6 GHz cellular infrastructure applications, such as base stations, where high power and ruggedness are difficult to achieve in conventional silicon-based technologies. SiC and, more specifically, SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), have gained significant market share in the electric vehicle industry. In contrast, SiC MOSFETs are essentially non-existent in the RF industry. The main reasons are poor mobility, resulting in high on-state resistance, and high off-state capacitance. For an RF switch, the product on-state resistance and off-state capacitance are critical specifications, with lower numbers being better. This project develops two semiconductor innovations to reduce these factors while handling high power levels. Research focuses on developing the semiconductor fabrication processes to produce an RF switch integrated circuit product that is competitive with existing high power RF switches, such as those made from GaN having insertion losses less than 0.8 dB up to 6 GHz, isolation of around 20 dB, and handling high peak RF power levels of 50 dBm/100 W.
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. -
CASIMIR, INC
SBIR Phase I: Development of devices to manipulate the structure of quantum field energy for use in electric power generation
Contact
16441 SPACE CENTER BLVD STE D200
Houston, TX 77058--2015
NSF Award
2423233 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,920
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is a paradigm shift in how electrical power is generated leading to compact, clean, and lightweight power sources able to provide consistent power no matter the environmental condition. The proposed product to be developed as part of this work offers the potential for broader societal and economic benefit. The proposed activity seeks to conduct research and development (R&D) to demonstrate technical feasibility of continuous power generation from the quantum field for terrestrial and space applications. The research activity will advance knowledge and understanding of quantum field theory and the nature of the quantum vacuum for the purpose of power generation and commercialization. This is expected to enable a continuous baseload renewable type power source in environments where other renewables are often not readily present. In so doing, the research will also enable new pathways for novel forms of radiation generation and detection, thereby enhancing space sensing and providing new communication capabilities making use of novel forms of radiation. This product may also benefit from high throughput scalable in-space manufacturing advances going forward, and serve as a reliable, light weight and abundant power source for the acceleration and growth of the large scale in-space economy. The technology is also expected to bring an array of advantages to national security and defense.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to validate numerical analysis design tools that will enable optimization of custom power cells. The research objective is to commercialize the company?s power-generating nanotechnology. These custom Casimir cavities interact with fluctuations of the quantum field to generate continuous power. The innovation in the approach is the customization of the original Casimir cavity concept to incorporate an array of electrically connected and conducting pillars arranged along the midplane of the cavity. With this enhancement, the custom Casimir cavity structure establishes an electrostatic potential between the pillars along the midplane and the cavity walls. The goals and scope of the research are: prediction of tunneling current magnitude for given metal-insulator-metal combination; and optimal selection of combinations of materials and insulator thicknesses. The methods to accomplish validation of software analysis tools are as follows: fabricate numerous metal-insulator-metal samples; conduct laboratory tests to quantify tunneling current performance; update analysis tools with measured performance data. The anticipated technical result is validated software analysis tools to predict the tunneling current magnitude for a given metal-insulator-metal combination of 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. -
CE-RI-SS MATERIALS LLC
SBIR Phase I: CHAPS (Carbon Hybrid Anchoring Precipitation System)
Contact
12512 DUDLEY STATION LN
Knoxville, TN 37922--5583
NSF Award
2417770 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,919
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is based on the manufacture of new lightweight materials made from aluminum and carbon fiber. These materials can be created with advanced properties and at accelerated production rates, resulting in superior and affordable materials used in high-performance industries. Current metal matrix composite materials have inferior mechanical properties due to defects at the interface between the metal and the carbon fiber phases and poor metallurgical bonding. Through scientific investigations into the structure and dynamics of phase formation, this project will develop materials with the low defects and effective load-transfer properties needed for commercial application. The new material has environmental benefits by reducing the weight of manufactured parts in vehicles and other applications, thus reducing fuel requirements and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Customers span high-performance sectors such as transportation, automotive, aerospace, and defense, all pursuing materials that merge mechanical excellence, energy efficiency, and cost effectiveness. The market for such composite materials in the U.S. is projected to grow to $124 million by 2028. The proposed material?s competitive advantage will be superior performance, high-throughput processing, and lightweight yet strong characteristics.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to demonstrate high-strength reinforcements in a metal matrix composite where failure is most likely. The proposed process achieves this by leveraging interface precipitates influenced by reactions between the carbon fiber, aluminum matrix alloying elements, and rare earth element coatings. These precipitates act as anchoring phases, resulting in low-defect-density interfaces and enhanced composite performance. The Phase I objectives are to (1) elucidate the microstructural evolution at the interfaces of aluminum-carbon fiber composites under the influence of rare-earth element coatings and copper in the matrix alloy, (2) identify the composition and microstructure of the anchoring phase at the aluminum-carbon fiber interfaces, and (3) understand the role of coatings in infiltration behavior during casting of aluminum-carbon fiber composites. The project uses high-resolution characterization to investigate the microstructural dynamics and phase formations, the uniformity of precipitate distribution, the influence of rare-earth element coatings on the composition and nanostructure of the interface, the infiltration behavior during casting, and the interfacial adhesion dynamics and metallurgical bonding and defect density in the material. The outcome will be a demonstration of the material?s high mechanical strength and the impact of interfacial phases on mechanical properties. The study will enable new composition-of-matter intellectual property based on unique microstructure arrangements and properties.
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 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 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. -
CHANGEAERIAL LLC
SBIR Phase I: Integrating deep learning algorithms for UAS-based infrastructure inspection: Path to fully automated, commercially viable and scalable monitoring
Contact
5022 ONSTAD ST
San Diego, CA 92110--1552
NSF Award
2420601 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,727
Start / end date
07/15/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will be improving the lives of US residents by increasing electric power grid resilience through increased effectiveness and efficiency with automated electric infrastructure monitoring based on imaging with uncrewed autonomous system (UAS) (i.e., drones). Automated UAS monitoring approaches incorporating novel AI algorithms will disrupt conventional approaches, increasing the spatial extent and temporal frequency of infrastructure inspections, and will accelerate identification of all types of defects and reduce operating expenses. Such tools and technology will also support programs for integration of large-scale renewable-based power projects and electric vehicles to help meet sustainability targets. They will also reduce wildfire risks and duration of weather-related power shutoffs. While electric utility infrastructure is the primary focus, inspection and monitoring of myriad infrastructure types such as telecommunication towers, pipelines, and bridges, both in construction and operational phases, will benefit from this technology. Step-change productivity gains through adoption of digital workflow automation will require workforce role evolution and drive new job creation. A diverse and skilled company team will be built by emulating the culture of diversity and inclusion of the co-founders? university roots.
This project will facilitate a major leap towards exploiting highly detailed imagery captured by uncrewed autonomous system (UAS) to achieve greater performance and automation for infrastructure inspection. The goal is to integrate time-sequential UAS imagery captured from the same location in the sky, with multiple AI algorithms to achieve both detection and identification of damage to overhead electric infrastructure (and ultimately many types of infrastructure). The centerpiece of the integrated AI model framework is a model that exploits temporal changes in conditions of electric utility apparatus to detect defects requiring maintenance. Another AI algorithm will simulate apparatus damages in images used to train AI routines, since actual damage is a relatively rare occurrence within the thousands of inspection images captured by UAS. A riskier but transformative research element will involve integrating the novel damage detection model with AI models that identify specific damage types from single-time images. This hybrid modeling approach will restrict the image domain for which damage is identified, to focus the attention of infrastructure inspectors on changes confirmed to be associated with damage. Temporal image sequences will ultimately feed predictive analytic models that forecast the likelihood of damage or failure and prioritize the timing of inspections.
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. -
CHASCII INC
SBIR Phase I: An Interplanetary Smallsat for Fast Connectivity, Navigation, and Positioning
Contact
1879 E ALTADENA DR
Altadena, CA 91001--2146
NSF Award
2322390 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,548
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to deploy a commercial space platform in cislunar and deep space to provide fast connectivity, navigation, and positioning to space users. This cislunar network will include nodes in low-Earth Orbit, Geosynchronous orbit and Lunar orbit to create a secure and covert gigabit network for scientific, commercial, and military applications. This project will develop a revolutionary spacecraft that will be the heart of the new network. This product will be a small yet nimble spacecraft that uses lasers, a novel architecture, and machine learning software to provide high-data-rate omnidirectional coverage of its surroundings. The company plans to place clusters of this satellite as network nodes. It is envisioned that space users can use these interplanetary small satellites (and their network) for gigabit connectivity as well as accurate navigation and positioning in cislunar and deep space.
This project will develop a novel small satellite with embedded optical communications systems. It will be equipped with two distinct optical communications terminals, one for long-range connectivity and the second one for short-range, swarm connectivity. The small satellite?s long-range terminal consists of six optical transceivers evenly distributed around the body of the spacecraft to provide omnidirectional coverage. The transceivers will be fully integrated into and commanded by a fast processor. The small satellite will have a coherent modulation architecture operating at around 1550 nanometers. The transmitter design to be pursued during this project includes a distributed feedback laser diode, a phase modulator, an optical amplifier, a circulator, and a collimator. All these components will be connected by optical fibers. The seed laser will produce a 10-milliwatt laser beam, which is passed through the phase modulator where it is modulated at high speeds (10-100 gigabit per second). After the modulator, the modulated beam is boosted via an optical amplifier and passed through a collimator to generate a collimated, high-power beam. The collimator launches the beam into free space and directs it to a steering mirror for coverage of its field of regard. It is envisioned that the system could achieve transmission speeds as high as 100 gigabit per second.
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. -
CHITOVATE LLC
SBIR Phase I: Mushroom Chitosan Biorefinery and its Application in Food Engineering
Contact
393 ABBEY RD
Caledonia, MS 39740--1014
NSF Award
2409236 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,956
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 03/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 1 project is in significant reduction of fresh food waste by providing a clear, edible coating on fresh fruits and vegetables. Food waste is a major issue worldwide. In the United States, almost 40% of food is wasted each year, yet more than 54 million Americans are food insecure. Globally, about 30% of food for human consumption is wasted, which equates to over a billion tons of food per year. Food waste negatively impacts food insecurity, greenhouse gas emissions, water supplies, and economic losses. Current fresh food preservation techniques are failing to rise to this challenge, and some techniques pollute the earth with packaging. The proposed solution utilizes mushroom chitosan extracts as an edible coating to extend the shelf life of fresh foods, reduce food insecurity, and relax pressure on precious resources.
This project employs a specific mushroom species with high chitin content to create a clear, edible coating that can double the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. Further, this project creates a greener extraction process to replace conventional chitosan extraction, which will be both cheaper and more eco-friendly compared to conventional methods. Successful mushroom-derived edible coatings will exhibit excellent antimicrobial and gas barrier properties, perform well on sensory consumer analyses, and be produced with green chemistry processes that offer cheaper, more sustainable, and scalable potential. Performance will be compared to non-treated fresh foods as well as other competitive coatings where applicable. The mushroom-based edible coating is a more sustainable alternative to many other edible coatings since the production of mushrooms does not compete with arable land, can be produced with a small fraction of the water, nitrogen, and energy inputs, and can contribute to circular bio-economy given that mushrooms are nature?s great recyclers.
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. -
CIRCULARITY FUELS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Sorbent-Enhanced Catalysis for Robust, High-Conversion Single Pass Hydrogenation for Renewable Natural Gas Production
Contact
2566 BAY RD
Redwood City, CA 94063--3014
NSF Award
2432928 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 revolutionize the wastewater treatment market for renewable natural gas (RNG), valued at approximately $2 billion. The potential solution focuses on capturing and upgrading biogas from wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs), which produce a consistent mix of approximately 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide (CO2). By converting CO2 into methane, the output of RNG can be effectively doubled, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This approach provides WWTFs with a cost-effective way to increase revenue through RNG sales and carbon credits, while addressing capital constraints that often hinder facility upgrades due to the cost of separating CO2 from waste streams. Beyond the wastewater market, this innovation has broader implications for other CO2-laden industrial waste streams and the larger anaerobic digester market, including 8,000 dairy, swine, and poultry farms across the U.S. Overall, this project not only offers significant commercial potential but also contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gasses, supporting broader societal and environmental goals. By aligning with sustainability-focused municipalities, a new standard for renewable energy production and environmental stewardship in the wastewater and agricultural industries can be set.
The intellectual merit of this project centers on advancing the understanding of sorption-enhanced catalytic processes for upgrading waste gasses to renewable natural gas (RNG). The research objectives are fourfold: 1) map the impact of varying catalyst and sorbent compositions on the sorbent enhanced catalyst (SEC) for the first model system, aiming to identify optimal configurations; 2) measure the impact of catalyst and sorbent identity on the sorbent-enhanced catalytic effect, particularly focusing on resistance to contaminants, which is crucial for long-term system performance; 3) elucidate the role of humidity in mediating the synergistic interactions between the catalyst and sorbent, an aspect critical to enhancing the overall efficiency of the process; and 4) investigate how different heating mechanisms influence the system's performance, aiming to optimize energy efficiency and reaction kinetics. These research efforts are anticipated to yield significant insights into the catalytic and sorption processes, thereby enabling the development of a highly efficient, scalable technology for converting waste gasses into RNG, with broader implications for sustainable energy production and environmental impact reduction.
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. -
CISTERNA BIOLOGICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Development of a Novel Platform for Cost-Efficient mRNA Production in Yeast
Contact
3349 LAS VEGAS DR
Oceanside, CA 92054--3809
NSF Award
2415711 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,980
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop a platform technology that manufactures high-quality messenger RNA (mRNA) at 1/10th the cost of current systems. In Vitro Transcription (IVT), the primary method of synthesizing mRNA for therapeutics and vaccines, encounters significant challenges in the form of expensive patented raw materials, complex purification processes, and supply chain shortages. There is an urgent need to fundamentally redesign mRNA production to accommodate the growing demand, enhance access to affordable, high-quality mRNA, and resolve supply chain issues. This project aims to innovate mRNA production by transforming yeast cells into efficient mRNA factories and using advanced chromatographic techniques for purification. The proposed platform could streamline mRNA manufacturing to significantly reduce costs and to broaden the scope, applicability and accessibility of mRNA. This innovation aims to provide pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and research institutions in academia, with affordable high-quality mRNA for vaccine development, therapeutics, and research purposes. This democratization of mRNA technology should accelerate innovation across different fields, shorten time-to-market for new treatments, and expand mRNA applications in emerging markets. Additionally, it may improve access for populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), significantly advancing global health.
The proposed project seeks to overcome high costs and inefficiencies associated with current IVT methods. This project introduces a novel approach to mRNA production by overexpressing a ribozyme-mRNA fusion in yeast, which is then immobilized and precisely cleaved on-column upon addition of a specific substrate that activates the ribozyme. This innovative method facilitates the efficient release and subsequent purification of the targeted mRNA directly from an RNA fusion construct expressed in yeast. Key technical objectives include demonstrating stable expression of the target RNA fusion in yeast, establishing a robust on-column purification system, and validating the purity and potency of the purified mRNA. Achieving these goals will validate the platform's feasibility and facilitate scaling of the technology to produce large quantities of mRNA, from grams to kilograms, at reduced costs, thereby revolutionizing mRNA production for diverse 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. -
CLUE GENETICS INC.
SBIR Phase I: ClueGen: a fungi-focused metabologenomics platform for natural product discovery
Contact
2748 BETTE ST
Alameda, CA 94501--7858
NSF Award
2334278 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be on addressing current global problems concerning disease, pollution and climate change through the development of a new biological technology platform powered by fungi. Many natural product chemicals with broad potential uses have been discovered through traditional bioprospecting methods. However, the Achilles heel for commercial development of products based on these discoveries is that many of the compounds are difficult, expensive, or impossible to produce at scale. Further, many potent biochemicals are not typically produced under laboratory conditions, and therefore remain concealed within their host genomes. By associating known and new commercially-relevant metabolites with the genes responsible for their synthesis, this platform will open new opportunities for accessing the powerful chemistry found in fungi through modern synthetic biology and genomics.
The proposed project will enable discovery of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) encoding bioactive metabolites from a large private collection of Ascomycetes. The mature platform will contain thousands of annotated genome sequences from this large group of relatively unstudied fungi that have high potential for producing new drugs and crop protection molecules, in addition to uncovering enzymes that can be applied to multiple industries. A set of specific targets encompassing anti-cancer molecules, insecticides, antibiotics, and novel enzymes will be used as validation guides on the route to fully developing the resources needed for novel discovery. The goals for this project are to fully annotate BGCs from 200 genomes selected from a diverse set of bioactive fungi, and design at least 15 heterologous expression constructs encoding verticillins, antimicrobials, and insecticidal compounds for a Phase 2 project. Additionally, it is anticipated that over 100 valuable enzyme candidates will be discovered for immediate value creation with customer-partners. Together, successful completion of this project will validate the tools needed for application of the platform to the remaining ~50,000 strains in the fungal library, and drive the investment needed to launch the company.
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. -
COGNI TRAX
SBIR Phase I: Subtractive-waveguide based Display for Augmented Reality Smart Glasses using Spatial-temporal Multiplexed Single-CMOS Panels
Contact
978 LEITH AVE
Santa Clara, CA 95054--1950
NSF Award
2335927 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the realization of Augmented Reality (AR) displays for smart glasses that can show digital content in the full dynamic range, including the black color. The conventional optical components currently used in AR smart glasses cause the digital content to appear translucent and, hence, lack realism. The proposed work is on developing a display technology that controls per-pixel transparency in the virtual image plane, virtual objects, and 3D holograms for black color. The blocking of light for black-colored parts in a hologram can show as realistic physical objects over the background reality. Using this approach, each display pixel can be made black, semi-transparent, or transparent at a user?s will, making visibility of digital content possible even in direct sun-lit environments.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes a holistic display solution for AR smart glasses that consists of three key elements: a spatially-multiplexed Total Internal Reflection?based subtractive-waveguide combiner; a single photo-reflective spatial light modulator (SLM) that is illuminated by two spatially-multiplexed illuminants; and a temporal multiplexing algorithm whereby the two spatially-multiplexed illuminants can be selectively modulated by the SLM during their dedicated sub-frame times. Since pixel-wise transparency control allows hard-edge occlusion, hence the proposed smart spatiotemporal multiplexed approach enables a single display that achieves pixel-wise hard-edge occlusion using only a single silicon display panel, thereby reducing cost and complexity while increasing see-through efficiency and battery life performance. These technological improvements are industry firsts and together allow for addressing a market need for AR devices for outdoor well-lit scenarios.
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. -
COSMIC EATS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Agriculture: Enhancing Post-Harvest Quality, Reducing Contamination, and Easing Sterilization for Value Added Mushroom Producers
Contact
1941 EVANS RD
Cary, NC 27513--2041
NSF Award
2423642 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,885
Start / end date
08/01/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to develop a more efficient and sustainable way of producing mushrooms in a novel farming set-up. Currently consumer demand for mushrooms exceeds supply, and demand is growing very fast in the US and across the world. Some challenges faced by specialty mushroom growers in operating their businesses include the resource intensive requirements for growing the mushrooms as well as losses incurred due to the short shelf life of the harvested mushrooms. This proposal explores deep, transformative science questions with the goal to implement a novel technology to help mushroom growers overcome these challenges. Successful implementation will result in the growers operating more successful businesses, and will facilitate more novice growers to enter the market. The overall outcome will be an increase in supply to meet the unmet demand of the US consumer. Currently there is a great reliance on imported mushrooms to meet some of the demand. This project will enable an increase in domestic production capabilities thus improving national security, and will support the White House?s National Strategy on Food Insecurity and Better Health.
The innovative research proposed in this project is to define and implement a plasma treated water sterilization method that will impact multiple stages of mushroom cultivation and has the potential to transform production processes by reducing labor, water, and energy usage while enhancing product quality and extending shelf life. The application of plasma treated water in mushroom growing is relatively unexplored but seems promising as it has known antimicrobial activity due to reactive nitrogen and oxygen species. The reactive oxygen and nitrogen species also are known to boost post-harvest quality in mushrooms. However, there is risk that antimicrobial activity could also harm fungal mycelium and delay, inhibit, or otherwise disrupt growth resulting in yield loss. The project seek to understand the impacts of plasma activated water on mushroom production and seek to minimize the deleterious impact on fungal mycelium and mushrooms while maximizing its benefit. Successful applications of plasma activated water for mushroom production through this Phase I project will bring a significant efficiency gain for mushroom growers and reduced reliance on resources will enable production of mushroom in formerly inaccessible environments (such as in austere and isolated environments), thus opening new markets while providing more sources of nutrition to the local populations.
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. -
COVALABIO INC.
SBIR Phase I: Cell-penetrating monobodies targeting oncogenic KRAS
Contact
7084 MIRAMAR RD STE 401
San Diego, CA 92121--2343
NSF Award
2321926 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in technological development of a new pharmaceutical intervention called cell-penetrating monobodies (CPM). The validation of this new CPM intervention will be demonstrated by designing potent and selective CPM-based inhibitors targeting certain cancers. The success of this project will establish a powerful pharmaceutical technology for designing personalized therapies to treat the oncogenic mutant-driven lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers, where treatment options are extremely limited. This project will also enhance the academia-industry partnership, strengthen a burgeoning life science ecosystem in the Buffalo area, and develop a globally competitive STEM workforce for the Western New York region.
The proposed project addresses a critical barrier in the clinical translation of monobodies - a class of powerful tool biologics that are not cell-permeable despite their small size. The CPM technology overcomes this barrier by combining orthogonal crosslinking ? a proprietary method to rigidify monobody structure through site-specific inter-strand crosslinking - with monobody surface supercharging. As a result, the CPM technology potentially possesses several innovative features: 1) genetic modifications facilitate recombinant production of CPM in bacteria both at research scale and for manufacturing; 2) high binding affinity and specificity toward intracellular oncogene targets can be readily obtained using well-established display technologies; and 3) robust cytosolic transport efficiency can be obtained owing to the rigid scaffold and tunable surface charge. This project aims to unlock the commercial value of CPM technology by identifying potent and selective inhibitors oncogenic KRAS mutants that proved to be elusive with the small-molecule approach. Extensive optimizations of charge distribution and physicochemical properties will be performed using a reported monobody-based KRAS inhibitor as a template, with a goal to identify one CPM with sub-micromolar inhibitory activity in the KRAS mutant-harboring cell lines.
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. -
CRABLINE ROBOTICS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Crab-like Robotic Platforms for Cutting Underwater Structures
Contact
19000 SHELBURNE RD
Shaker Heights, OH 44118--4947
NSF Award
2335382 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
12/15/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project develops a dexterous, crab-like aquatic robot for underwater construction and decommissioning of structures. With growing efforts to develop sustainable offshore wind energy infrastructure, like wind turbines, new technologies are needed to make the management of this infrastructure safer and more efficient. Existing practices often put human divers at risk in deep, cold, turbid ocean environments while existing aquatic robots or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) cannot adequately manipulate tools to execute construction and deconstruction work underwater. This project seeks to develop a new class of aquatic robotics that are highly dexterous, inexpensive, and capable of expanding U.S. engineering knowledge and capabilities. This new type of robotic platform is needed by offshore construction and salvage contractors to reduce costs associated with infrastructure management and to improve safety practices. This technology provides underwater robotics capable of supporting the projected growth of marine construction and offshore energy development.
This project creates a crab-like robot that utilizes multiple robotic legs to stabilize around a target and deliver a tool, such as an exothermic cutting rod, to the desired target. Inspired by living crabs and their ability to pull inward to grasp a substrate, this new robotic platform will stabilize on a substrate and trace a pre-defined tool path. Using the inward forces of legs combined with adjustable end effectors, the platform will demonstrate easy detachment and secure adhesion to a substrate at different phases of the gait cycle. Novel approaches will be developed to traverse challenging craggy, slippery, and bio-fouled marine structures in order to precisely deliver tools to targets. With legs with more actuated degrees of freedom than the six supports of a Stewart platform, the robot will still be able to stabilize if one leg cannot find purchase during walking motions. The goal in this SBIR Phase I project is to demonstrate a new type of aquatic robots capable of tool stabilization and manipulation at depth.
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. -
CRYPTO ASSET TECHNOLOGY LABS INC
SBIR Phase I: Quantum Resistant Cloud-Based Vault Service for Cryptocurrency Key Backup and Recovery
Contact
1010 S FEDERAL HWY FL 14
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009--7181
NSF Award
2404481 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to significantly reduce the economic and national security threats posed by the persistent theft of billions in digital assets by cyber criminals and adversarial nation states. This project solves the problem of private key mismanagement as one of the most common attacks suffered by investors, digital asset custodians, businesses and law enforcement agencies. This project?s innovation will address the technical challenge of secure and privacy-preserving cryptographic key management. Current key backup and recovery (KBR) products are cost-prohibitive, expose keys to third parties, and have recovery processes which can take up to 48 hours. This project will develop a cloud-based vault that utilizes quantum-resistant cryptography that securely stores cryptocurrency keys while guaranteeing privacy and a faster recovery process. Fundamental scientific advancements from this project will demonstrate the potential of quantum-resistant KBR, and will lead to advancements in public key infrastructure. Commercialization efforts will lead to a new product that provides crucial support to target markets, including institutional investors and government investigators. This, in turn, will lead to improved economic competitiveness, national defense, and enhanced STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) workforce development by advancing the field of cryptography.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to address digital asset security risks stemming from improper key management by demonstrating the technical feasibility of a cloud-based vault service (CBVS) utilizing multiple concurrent cryptographic protocols, including quantum-resistant threshold fully homomorphic encryption (FHE). The system will enable cryptocurrency keys to be securely stored, sharded, distributed among multiple data centers or commercial cloud providers and instantly reconstituted at will. This research aims to optimally integrate and implement FHE into the design of the CBVS to ensure efficient and secure processing, storage and recovery of secret keys while maintaining privacy and preventing third party key exposure. This includes defining the data model, encryption schemes, access controls and authentication mechanisms to protect private keys from unauthorized access or exposure while striking a balance between security and usability. A comprehensive, scalable key management system will be developed within the vault to enable users to securely generate, store and retrieve private keys as needed while enforcing strict access control and maintaining an audit trail for key operations. By addressing key technical challenges and reducing technical risk, this research will pave the way for a commercially viable and impactful product that can revolutionize the cryptocurrency security landscape.
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. -
DEBATER HUB, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Revolutionizing Learning Through AI Augmented Debate Centered Instruction
Contact
19616 ADAIR DR
Castro Valley, CA 94546--3306
NSF Award
2431521 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 transform education by developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhanced debate-centered learning platform. This innovative technology addresses the crucial need for cultivating 21st-century skills in students, with a focus on critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and self-regulation. The platform provides personalized and engaging debate experiences, aiming to democratize access to high-quality enrichment education, especially for underserved communities. The innovation applies cutting-edge AI techniques to educational contexts, including multi-agent language systems, graph neural networks, and mixture of expert models, thereby enhancing scientific understanding. The target market includes K-12 schools, universities, and workplace learning programs seeking cost-effective solutions to improve student outcomes and career readiness. The technology offers a unique competitive advantage through its innovative integration of AI and debate pedagogy, providing a scalable solution for enhancing student outcomes and career readiness across diverse educational settings. The business model focuses on scalable, subscription-based software distribution, with the potential for rapid adoption across educational institutions which aims to transform how students learn to think critically, debate with evidence and reasoning, and engage with complex ideas.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered platform for debate-centered instruction, addressing the complex challenge of enhancing student learning outcomes through advanced technology integration in education. The research objectives include developing an AI-powered Learning Management System for debate education, creating advanced natural language processing algorithms for argument analysis and feedback, and designing a scalable infrastructure for personalized learning experiences. The proposed research will employ a multi-faceted approach, combining techniques from machine learning, educational data mining, and cognitive science. Methods include developing and training specialized language models for debate contexts, implementing knowledge graph technologies for efficient information retrieval, and creating adaptive learning algorithms that respond to individual student growth over time. The research will investigate innovative approaches for ethical AI implementation in educational contexts, focusing on transparent oversight, bias mitigation, and privacy protection while maximizing educational benefits. Anticipated technical results include a functional prototype of the Augmented Debate-Centered Instruction platform, demonstrating improved learning outcomes in critical thinking and debate skills. The research aims to advance the field of AI in education by tackling unique challenges in debate instruction, such as real-time argument evaluation and personalized feedback generation while providing insights into optimizing human-AI collaboration in complex learning 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. -
DEEPBITS TECHNOLOGY LLC
SBIR Phase I: ReleaseChecker: Lastline Software Supply Chain Security via GPU-accelerated Binary Diffing
Contact
20871 WESTBURY RD
Riverside, CA 92508--2974
NSF Award
2433062 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$273,383
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to introduce unique AI-powered code diffing capabilities to defend against software supply chain attacks, capabilities that are not yet available in other software supply chain security solutions. This innovation offers several benefits. Firstly, by reducing cybersecurity operation costs, it improves the competitiveness of U.S. companies, allowing them to allocate resources more efficiently. Secondly, it bolsters software supply chain security, significantly reducing the risk of cyberattacks and protecting sensitive data for governments, enterprises, critical infrastructures, and individuals. Additionally, this innovation will extend our understanding of how to apply AI to program analysis for cybersecurity, including binary code disassembling, function feature extraction and embedding, model training, and optimization. It establishes a new program analysis pipeline based on the latest AI technology, which can be extended to many other cybersecurity applications.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the critical need for enhancing software supply chain security and compliance. Unlike other solutions that monitor each stage of the software supply chain, this project aims to leverage AI-powered code diffing technology to precisely and efficiently find the differences between two released versions of the same software. It further combines software composition analysis and large language models (LLMs) to understand the risks associated with these differences. This solution acts as the final check before the software is released or deployed. The anticipated results include improved accuracy and efficiency in diffing analysis and comprehension, as well as a prototype for testing 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. -
DEEPLUX TECHNOLOGY, INC
SBIR Phase I: Lightweight Learning-based Camera Image Signal Processing (ISP) for Photon-Limited Imaging
Contact
981 MARWYCK ST
West Lafayette, IN 47906--7234
NSF Award
2335309 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,702
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation (SBIR) Phase I project will result from the ability to operate digital image sensors at lower light levels than is currently possible. The technology is expected to be deployable in any mid- to low-level camera device, with potential applications across all industries that leverage camera technology. Consumer applications that would benefit from improved low-light imaging include dashboard cameras and notebook cameras for videoconferencing; military and national security applications include night vision and autonomous navigation; while the technology will also enable improved diagnostic capabilities in medical procedures such as endoscopies. The technology is expected to have a direct impact on workforce development, and deployment of the solution will drive economics in consumer electronics.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to achieve photon-limited image denoising using a lightweight algorithm that has the potential to be implemented on a camera chip. Accomplishing this goal requires several technological breakthroughs, collectively leading to a new image signal processor (ISP) known as a Small and Learnable ISP Module (SLIM). The key to SLIM is to identify the bottlenecks of physics-based ISPs and replace them with customized learning-based modules. Specifically, SLIM consists of five innovations: (i) learning-based frequency demodulation, (ii) guided denoising, (iii) learned feature extraction, (iv) learned indexing, and (v) learned filtering. In Phase 1, the team proposes to optimize SLIM and implement it on a field programmable gate array (FPGA). This includes shrinking the size of the filters and streamlining the indexing scheme to further speed up SLIM, introducing new encoders to improve generalization, and optimizing the memory, communication, and processing through improved programming and real-data evaluation and 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. -
DEEPSEQAI LLC
SBIR Phase I: Development of an AI-Driven Humanized and Developable Single-Domain Library Design Platform for Accelerated Drug Discovery
Contact
3400 COTTAGE WAY
Sacramento, CA 95825--1474
NSF Award
2409105 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,797
Start / end date
07/15/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact /commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to address major technical and commercial limitations in protein drug discovery. Drug discovery is currently a slow and expensive process, taking an average of 10 years and $2.6B per drug. In 2021 the US pharma industry spent almost $100B on drug research and development (R&D) efforts, with ~10% dedicated to protein drugs. Although some artificial intelligence (AI) solutions exist to support this process, fundamental problems exist: no current system optimizes multiple protein functions simultaneously, existing models rely heavily on predicting protein structures, and there is a lack of transparency in the models. This proposal supports the development of an AI system to improve the identification of small, highly specialized antibodies. The proposed technology could enhance the speed of identifying lead molecules while also reducing the cost through technical innovations. Therefore, this work has enormous clinical and commercial potential.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is intended to support the creation of an AI model to improve the identification of highly developable single-domain antibodies. These molecules have accepted advantages for therapeutic use (strong binding affinity, good thermal stability and chemostability, and less steric hindrance than conventional antibodies). However, they are typically obtained through a time- and cost-intensive process that involves immunizing a camelid or screening a large synthetic library. This proposalwill support the development and validation of an AI model specifically intended to quickly identify effective and highly developable single-domain antibody leads against a given target. In order to accomplish this goal, the proposed work encompasses training a multimodal AI model that is able to ecognize key features and residues of single-domain antibodies, then produce libraries of sufficient depth and quality to generate stable, safe leads with strong binding affinities. After the study period, the model and developed workflows will be evaluated for their ability to rapidly identify lead molecules.
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. -
DEFINED BIOSCIENCE, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Protein isolate serum replacements for low-cost cultivated meat medium
Contact
6404 NANCY RIDGE DR
San Diego, CA 92121--2248
NSF Award
2412327 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,995
Start / end date
07/15/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 enable a robust, scalable, and cost-effective means of cell expansion for cell-cultivated meat. Cell-cultivated meat offers an alternative source of animal meat products that may address issues of sustainability, conservation, and ethical sourcing. Current meat consumption is 30-40 kg per person per year in a population of nearly 9 billion people, presenting a major and growing annual demand for animal meat. Cell-cultivated meat, by bypassing animal slaughter through the growth of animal-derived cells in controlled environments, could help to meet this demand in a way that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, foodborne illnesses, and land and water usage. It also could offer more control in terms of metabolic profile, fat content, product sourcing, and food testing and analysis, a level of control from single cells to finished meat product. With concerns for animal meat sourcing over the next several decades, cell-cultivated meat may offer an opportunity for supplementing a shortening food supply and an alternative to traditional meat sourcing.
The proposed project expands on a low-cost and highly optimized cell culture medium formulation to enable scalable production of bovine cells for cell-cultivated meat. Cell-cultivated meat expects to use orders of magnitude more growth media than any previous market demand. Even pending the inevitable advancements in high-density cell culture, medium recycling and perfusion, scale-up bioreactor design, and limiting factor replacement that will all reduce this burden, there remains a profound need for lower-bulk, lower-cost media. A challenge is that cell culture has historically relied on blood serum to provide nutrients, growth factors and proteins?the most abundant and costly of which is albumin. The goal of this work is to replace high-cost recombinant albumins with plant-sourced albumin or albumin-like proteins, enabling the affordable production of cells for cultivated meat. Recombinant albumin improves on current formulations in the proliferation of bovine cells, and plant-derived fractions derived from US agricultural waste streams can similarly improve performance. This project aims to identify the highest-performing isolates among a defined set of candidates, followed by formula optimization. The resulting medium would be a low-cost solution for the growth of cells for cultivated meat?with the potential to serve other albumin 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. -
DELAQUA PHARMACEUTICALS INC
SBIR Phase I: Triblock copolymer micelles for enhanced drug solubilization and stability
Contact
7016 TURKEY FARM RD
Chapel Hill, NC 27514--9787
NSF Award
2432717 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 rooted in enhancing the therapeutic use of hydrophobic drugs and yielding improved treatment outcomes with fewer side effects. The proposed technology has the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical field by increasing the bioavailability of known hydrophobic drugs and stabilizing new drugs. The technology will improve the health of the American population by allowing more therapeutic to be injected at lower volumes, thereby increasing therapeutic availability and efficacy. The platform will enhance America?s economic competitiveness in the global nanopharmaceutical market by providing a critically needed solubility-enhancing carrier platform. Research, sales, manufacturing, and management jobs will also be created domestically. The technology will engage with pharma companies and academic research groups on the evaluation, co-development, and licensing of novel drug formulations that improve the therapeutic window and reduce side effects. The platform will hasten the development and success rates of therapies that address the unmet medical needs of patients suffering from a broad spectrum of indications including cardiovascular conditions, cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological conditions like Alzheimer?s and dementia.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will enhance the efficacy and safety of hydrophobic drugs and drug candidates through a polymeric micelle approach to drug solubilization. Estimates suggest 40% of approved drugs and 90% of molecules in the discovery pipeline are poorly soluble, thereby hindering bioavailability and efficacy and preventing many late-stage drug candidates from reaching the market. Current solubility-enhancing drug carriers require high amounts of inactive excipients, which adds costs and complexity and may cause adverse side effects. As such, there is a clear need for improved drug delivery methods. This Phase I work will establish the capabilities and safety of the polymeric micelle platform as a robust and widely applicable method of solubilizing and stabilizing hydrophobic drugs to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Objectives are to 1) improve formulation of spherical micelles for enhanced stability and drug solubilization, 2) perform initial toxicity study on polymeric micelles establishing the safety of the platform, and 3) demonstrate efficacy of the platform for solubilization of compounds of different drug classes. The proposed work will generate a scalable, well-characterized, and improved polymeric product for solubilizing active but poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients, thereby enhancing clinical development and commercialization of much-needed therapeutics.
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. -
DENCODA LLC
SBIR Phase I: Development of a DNA-linked Kinase Assay
Contact
3203 ELKHART ST
West Lafayette, IN 47906--1152
NSF Award
2332861 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,990
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 the development of a highly specific and sensitive kinase assay that can be used as a research tool to discover new therapeutic targets or a clinical diagnostic test. Kinases are involved in the dysregulation of multiple cellular processes that drive the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as cancers, diabetes, and Alzheimer?s disease. Measuring kinase activities in the early stages of various kinase-driven diseases including cancers could improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Herein, kinase activity assays will be developed in an innovative, low-cost, high-sensitivity, and multiplexed format to improve kinase activity detection and quantification for cancer-related kinases. This approach offers a critically needed innovation that could overcome multiple barriers facing existing kinase assays and better arm scientists and clinicians to understand kinase function and for personalized treatment. The development of this assay has the potential to drive new discoveries and improve clinical care across many disease areas by enabling researchers and clinicians to detect kinase activities precisely.
The proposed project addresses the unmet need for sensitive, accurate, and cost-effective methods to quantify kinase activity in disease. Current kinase assay systems lack key features required for precise measurement of disease-related kinase activities. This Phase I project aims to develop a novel DNA-based kinase assay platform that enables multiplexed quantification of kinase activities with superior sensitivity and specificity compared to existing assays. DNA-based activity assays offer advantages, including cost-effectiveness, high multiplexing ability, and sensitivity. The assay is estimated to be 10- to 100-fold cheaper than current assays due to the low cost of DNA synthesis and multiplexing capability. Successful completion of Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing this DNA-based approach for measuring kinase activities in cancer cell lysates. Subsequent Phase II studies will validate the assay with clinical samples such as patient blood, urine, and tissues. Ultimately, this DNA-based kinase assay platform aims to enable highly sensitive kinase activity profiling that is currently unattainable. This will pave the way for assay-guided patient stratification and therapeutic development by overcoming the limitations of current kinase assays.
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. -
DINYA DNA LLC
STTR Phase I: Commercializing Architect-directed DNA Synthesis
Contact
505 DOUGLAS ST
Durham, NC 27705--3888
NSF Award
2350533 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 expand innovation in the biotechnology sector through the development of a new DNA synthesis technology. DNA synthesis is a key enabling technology for synthetic biology and biotechnology.
Traditional DNA synthesis methods build DNA one nucleotide at a time and can only synthesize short strands of DNA due to fidelity limitations. These short strands of DNA can be assembled into larger DNA fragments but this process is sequence dependent and often fails. This results in high costs, delayed timelines, and even an inability to complete certain research goals. This project seeks to overcome these challenges by developing an entirely novel DNA synthesis technology that will significantly reduce costs and lead times, while also enabling the synthesis of long and complex DNA. These advances will significantly accelerate and enable innovation and development of new therapeutics, biomanufacturing, agriculture, and more.
The proposed project is focused on the commercial development of novel DNA synthesis technology. This technology is a hierarchical approach to DNA synthesis that relies on small 2-5 bp DNA precursors that can be enzymatically assembled into larger DNA sequences in an exponential fashion (eg, 2 bp to 4 bp to 8 bp to 16 bp, etc). Funding in this program will be used to i) develop new methods for ensuring higher fidelity DNA precursors, ii) reduce synthesis costs by streamlining synthesis reactions, as well as iii) characterize quality control approaches. If successful, this project will pave the way for high fidelity DNA synthesis at low costs and rapid turnaround times.
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. -
DMAG USA LLC
SBIR Phase I: Nickel-Tungsten-Carbon/Fullerene Coating with Superior Performance for Aerospace Applications
Contact
13 E MORGAN AVE
Evansville, IN 47711--4525
NSF Award
2409791 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to develop a Nickel-Boron-Tungsten-Carbon Fullerene coating which will promote safety in aerospace applications, which enable essential travel and logistics services for society. Aerospace systems require coatings that protect them against the harsh conditions they typically operate in. This project?s coating is expected to improve durability of products, which means they will last longer, be more safe/reliable, and require less maintenance. This new environmentally safer plating process replaces harmful hexavalent chromium 6 plating, which is known for polluting air and water. Additionally, the coating can benefit cell phone infrastructure by improving antenna performance and it can protect planes and satellites from unwanted radiation. Finally, the coating technology will enhance air travel safety by providing corrosion resistance, preventing essential safety parts like brakes and hydraulic cylinders on landing gear from rusting or having other failures.
This SBIR Phase I project aims to develop a coating based on boron nickel co-deposited with Tungsten, carbon fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and nano diamond that will withstand hypersonic environments to meet national level hypersonic vehicle goals. This development and expected performance is based on previous formulations that incorporated one or more of the above-mentioned materials. Prior formulations developed by the company such as nickel sulfate based electroless nickel and tungsten (Wolfram) co-deposit were tested for temperature resistance, hardness, coefficient of friction, and wear resistance, with exceptional results on non-aerospace components (heatsinks and hydraulic cylinders). That success is leading to development of incorporation of nano materials to achieve engineered characteristics for other use-cases. The key to success lies in the functionalization of the nanomaterials and incorporation into the base boron nickel bath without deleterious effects. Tungsten was selected for its high melting temperature, while boron and nano diamond were chosen for their high hardness value and wear resistance. Carbon fullerenes/nanotubes will improve lubricity, conductivity, heat transfer, mechanical strength, and ablative properties without increasing the weight of the deposit. Silicon Carbide may be incorporated to further increase heat resistance and durability.
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 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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
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. -
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 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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. -
DURAVAX INC
STTR Phase I: Development of Thermostable Formulations of mRNA Vaccines and Therapeutics
Contact
704 WILLIAM AND MARY PL
Wilmington, NC 28409--8148
NSF Award
2404627 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,991
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
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 overcome the cold-chain limitation for messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) therapy. Besides the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer, many other mRNA vaccines and drugs are under development for treating cancers and infectious diseases, gene therapy, and cell therapy. The average global revenue of mRNA therapy in the next decade is projected to be ~$18 billion annually. One main bottleneck for the distribution of mRNA therapy products is the poor stability of the mRNA drug products, which results in high cold-chain costs, big wastage, and limited accessibility to rural areas. The thermostable mRNA formulation technology developed in this project will help pharmaceutical companies to save multi-billion dollars per year associated with low stability and expand the market to the rural US and tropical countries. The thermostable formulations will make the revolutionary mRNA vaccines and drugs accessible to the approximately 60 million rural population in the US and the approximately 3 billion people living in tropical countries without adequate cold-chain facilities. Expansion of the market will also lead to more affordable prices of mRNA therapy products for low-income, especially uninsured, families.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will provide a low-cost and scalable solution to eliminate the cold-chain challenges in the distribution of mRNA active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and mRNA lipid-nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) drug products. mRNAs and mRNA-LNPs in aqueous solutions undergo degradation through various pathways. Currently, the only way to increase their stability without freezing is to remove water by lyophilization, which requires additional facility, costs, time, and process development. This STTR Phase I project aims to test the feasibility to store the thermostable liquid formulations of mRNAs and mRNA-LNPs at room temperature for transportation and long-term storage. The research plan is designed towards two objectives: (1) To demonstrate mRNA APIs with various lengths in the optimized granule formulations retain >90% activity after transportation at 20ºC for more than two weeks; (2) To demonstrate that the optimized thermostable formulations of mRNA-LNP drug products retain >90% activity after storage at 20ºC for more than six months and 50ºC for up to 7 days during tropical outdoor transportation. Completing the Phase I project will provide the evidence to support that thermostability of the proprietary mRNA and mRNA-LNP formulations can meet the industrial requirement.
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. -
DYNAMIC LOCOMOTION, INC.
STTR Phase I: Low-Cost Autonomous Sailboats for Long-Term Ocean Missions
Contact
107 CORONA AVE
Groton, NY 13073--1206
NSF Award
2213250 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$248,418
Start / end date
08/15/2022 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 new technologies to facilitate ocean data collection. Understanding the oceans is important for climate research, naval operations, maritime domain awareness, and ecosystem preservation, yet traditional data collection methods using research ships, commercial vessels, and buoys are cumbersome, expensive, and limited in their scope of discovery. While satellites have enabled remote data collection, they are affected by weather and limited in the types of data they collect. Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) - robotic boats - are promising, but even today?s smallest oceangoing USVs are too costly for many applications. Thus, many regions of Earth?s oceans are rarely studied. The technology developed here aims to meet this need by enabling low-cost deployment of sensor-equipped robotic fleets. Better access to ocean data may improve understanding of the ocean and its resources, leading to better climate modeling, improved safety, economic gains, and more effective regulations. Further, ocean monitoring and surveillance is key to understanding ocean water quality, identifying contaminants, and devising strategies to prevent future contamination and pollution of the ocean?s waters. Ultimately, cost-effective oceanic data collection may help sustain and grow the ocean economy.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to develop a small, low-cost, autonomous robotic sailboat that uses an innovative sail arrangement and weather-optimized navigation system. With a combination of affordability and utility, the technology represents a new approach for widespread oceanic data collection. This technology can be deployed virtually anywhere in the ocean, can be small (2 meters or less), and is 100% wind- and solar-powered. The research in this project seeks to further this technology by advancing two innovations: passive directional stability and weather-optimized navigation. Unlike most other robotic sailboats, the proposed USV does not need active steering to hold a course, once set. Further, the proposed USV has a navigation system that exploits the spatial and temporal variance in the weather and uses local weather data to direct the boats to navigate more efficiently. This STTR proposal seeks to address areas of high technical risk including stability of the steering system under various wind and water conditions, resistance to traveling excessively downwind during storms, effectiveness of the optimized navigation system in both actual and simulated weather conditions at locations worldwide, construction and performance of prototypes in lakes and oceans, and long-term resistance to marine 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. -
E-2 UNLIMITED TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Safeguard Kids and Maintain Privacy
Contact
304 HILLTOP LN UNIT G
Annapolis, MD 21403--1518
NSF Award
2321317 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,996
Start / end date
11/15/2023 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I proposal is making online and digital interactions safer for children between the ages of 10 ? 14 years of age by using artificial intelligence technology to monitor text communication and inform their parents of potential danger in real-time. Youth aged 10 ? 14 years are particularly vulnerable to the risks of online activity since they are newcomers to the metaverse and they are likely getting a personal communication device for the first time. Parents want their kids to have the freedom and privacy to use their devices but fear the risks involved. This project will result in the development of a mobile app that monitors text communication in real-time and alerts parents if it detects potential danger (e.g., online predation, cyberbullying, and/or school violence) or risky behaviors (e.g., drug and alcohol use, and/or self-harm), so parents can intervene to protect their child. The app will provide an attractive alternative to existing products on the market because of its sophisticated artificial intelligence engine and because it does not collect and transfer all the phone?s data ? the solution reduces the risk of data leaks while still keeping parents informed.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is advancing the state of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies by developing a detection algorithm that runs entirely on a mobile device and is tailored to the user?s activity. Unlike large language models, which are general and wide-ranging, and thus require a lot of computing at a central server, this technology will have a small footprint and be personalized and adapted for each family. Throughout this project, the team will collect and label textual communication directly from youth and use the data to improve the algorithm?s accuracy, as measured by precision and recall. The project team will also develop the technology to collect and process the data on popular models of cell phones and to alert the parent when needed. The project will result in the development of a mobile app that monitors text communication in real-time and alerts parents if it detects potential danger or risky behaviors, so they can act proactively to protect their children from harm.
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. -
E-ROOTREE LLC
SBIR Phase I: Design of E-Kit implanted as Synthetic root by biomimicking xylem hydraulics for Environmentally & Economically sustainable Holistic Tree care system for Angiosperms
Contact
1028 WILLIE RANCH WAY
Leander, TX 78641--5715
NSF Award
2432240 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$262,960
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 05/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 reduce the chemical use in the form of fertilizers and pesticides and promote tree crop agronomy. Lands being cultivated for centuries now mostly rely on fertilizers and other chemical solutions to maintain yields. Nutrient management plays a key role in tree metabolism, growth, yield and the aesthetics of crop, pest, and stress resistance which determines crop yields. Nutrient consumption is increasing annually with a current consumption of 19 million metric tons in US that is projected to grow to 117 Megatons in 2027. Agricultural emissions contribute to 11.2% of US emissions which challenge our sustainable development goals for 2050. The methods of application of these fertilizers negatively impacting our environment via acidification of soils, toxification of water bodies, harming pollinators, increase emissions and unnecessary economic costs. This project aims to create a single approach to address the multitude needs of tree crops, thereby promoting economic and environmental sustainability in fruit and nut tree crops.
This project focuses on designing a state of the art, unified and stand alone, easy use kit for diverse species of fruit and nut tree to provide regular nutrient, growth, biotic-abiotic stress and pest management from single node on a tree trunk that will cover the entire tree canopy while imparting zero environmental exposure. Such a quantum leap forward in chemical resource management and zero environmental toxification for holistic tree care is possible by integrating bio science and engineering to build a sustainable tree nutrient delivery kit based on Microelectromechanical systems, which bio-mimic the xylem hydraulic system, correlate the energy that drives the transport and allow for compatibility with anatomical structures. This proposal investigates the xylem hydrodynamics and tree susceptibilities to identify and obtain design conditions, needs, and risks in engineering the system. For the kit to function efficiently from single site it is important to control both axial and radials flows to achieve adequate distribution across the tree. The merit of this method is in engineering both flows and ability to distribute wide range of solutions with various viscosities, dosages and flow rates.
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. -
EARTHEN INC.
STTR Phase I: Packed Bed Thermal Energy Storage (PBTES) in sCO2-based thermo-mechanical energy storage for short and long durations
Contact
6401 W ORCHID LN
Chandler, AZ 85226--1140
NSF Award
2404520 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,723
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 03/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this STTR Phase I project involves the development and deployment of an integrated energy storage solution designed to harness and store excess energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar. This project addresses the critical need for effective energy storage systems to manage the intermittency of renewable energy sources. The anticipated commercial impacts include significant advancements in grid stability and the potential reduction of reliance on fossil fuel-based peaker plants. The market for grid-scale energy storage is projected to reach billions of dollars globally, positioning the technology to capture a substantial share of this growing market. Additionally, the project is expected to contribute to environmental sustainability by facilitating a higher penetration of renewable energy sources into the grid, thus reducing carbon emissions and enhancing air quality. The successful development and implementation of this technology could also foster greater scientific understanding of advanced energy storage systems and promote further technological innovations within the renewable energy sector.
The intellectual merit of this project stems from its innovative approach to combining thermal and mechanical energy storage using supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) as the heat transfer fluid in a Packed-Bed Thermal Energy Storage (PB-TES) system. The research objectives focus on optimizing the heat transfer efficiency and minimizing mechanical losses in the system, aiming for a heat transfer efficiency greater than 90% and a levelized cost of storage (LCOS) below $60/megawatt hour (MWh). The research will involve detailed design, modeling, and testing of PB-TES configurations to handle the high pressures of sCO2 and achieve efficient thermal management. Anticipated technical results include the development of a scalable, cost-effective energy storage system that can be rapidly deployed and integrated with existing renewable energy infrastructures. This project not only aims to advance the state-of-the-art in energy storage solutions but also enhances the scalability and economic feasibility of renewable energy systems, contributing significantly to the field of energy 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. -
ECATE LLC
STTR Phase I: High-resolution, spatially selective intraspinal stimulator to restore sensation in spinal cord injury patients.
Contact
3686 BARHAM BLVD APT H301
Los Angeles, CA 90068--1153
NSF Award
2403910 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,976
Start / end date
06/15/2024 – 05/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 a novel custom-made micro-probe electrode system for restoring organ function in nervous paralysis and paralysis-related conditions such as neurogenic bladder or fecal incontinence. The electrode system aims to provide real-time, bi-directional, closed-loop spinal cord machine interface to restore both sensation and volitional motor control in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. The system aims to provide restorative function for the 5.4M US paralysis victims, while providing smaller, more accurate, higher capacity implantable electrode platform for the $7.6 B neurorehabilitation and neurostimulation market.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to demonstrate the preclinical feasibility of a novel spinal cord neural interface as an effective scalable platform for rehabilitating paralysis-related conditions including neurogenic bladder and mobility. This project will develop a new type of neural interface that delivers selective stimulation to specific targeted regions of the patient?s spinal cord in order to evoke a target sensation. For example, bladder fullness will trigger the proposed intraspinal stimulator to deliver safe current pulses to the patient?s spinal cord to reenable the sensation of bladder fullness. The proposed probe will also sense the patient?s intention to urinate and relay the signal to a bladder stimulator to reenable patient?s control over their micturition. Nanopatterned stimulating electrodes will be fabricated and coupled with custom-designed complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chips to deliver safe and spatially selective current pulses. The system aims to bypass the spinal cord injury to restore communication between the subject?s body and brain. The system will be validated in rodent nervous models and characterized for future human 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. -
ECHOICS
STTR Phase I: Tunable Transceivers for Multi-Standard Wireless
Contact
308 WORTH ST
Ithaca, NY 14850--4927
NSF Award
2423440 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 will be an improvement in the quality, reliability, and coverage of wireless networks, including defense communication and commercial cellular (4G/5G) networks. By advancing scientific understanding of a new type of tunable wireless frontend, wireless networks will achieve higher data rates, a higher number and density of users, and lower energy use. These technical improvements result in lower total ownership costs for communication hardware and more reliable coverage in dense urban environments. Taken together, this project will lower the economic and logistical barrier of entry to wireless connection, enabling more equitable access to the Internet and each other. This Phase I project will help launch a fabless semiconductor business focused on a patent-pending multi-purpose wireless frontend integrated circuit based on this project?s proof of concept. The existing market for such hardware is the $8B software defined radio market, which is immediately impacted by 10x performance improvements in the same form factor as existing products. This same product family will also be suitable for use in the much larger network infrastructure market ($110B).
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project focuses on the commercialization of a novel tunable resonator circuit technique for radio frequency integrated circuits. Radio frequency systems can be designed with hardware tuning (as in frequency modulation receivers), or without hardware tuning, where the signal of interest is isolated from other radio frequency signals in software. This second approach, called software-defined radio has been lauded in academic and industry research for its potential improvements to overall modern wireless network throughput, however the lack of tuning causes software-defined radios to suffer poor efficiency, susceptibility to interference, and high cost. These downsides have prevented adoption outside defense applications. This project aims to close the gap between these two approaches by developing a transceiver that is both tuned and programmable, achieving the benefits of both approaches. Specifically, this project will develop a prototype transceiver integrated circuit with wide frequency flexibility (<400MHz to 8GHz), with built-in filtering of incoming and outgoing interference to eliminate the tradeoffs in existing software defined radio systems. This project?s software-tunable transceiver frontend will serve as a proof of concept demonstrating a path to realizing the benefits of software defined radios without the prohibitive downsides of current hardware.
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. -
EDNA INC.
SBIR Phase I: Addressing Mental Health in Underserved Athletic Populations
Contact
4 MAYFAIR CIR
Oxford, MA 01540--2722
NSF Award
2430370 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 09/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact and commercial potential of this SBIR Phase I project lies in its innovative approach to proactively monitor mental health support for student-athletes, particularly those from underserved communities. Research shows that college athletes face 20 times higher rates of mental health issues than their non-athletic peers, with students of color encountering unique challenges tied to economic, culture, and social constructs. This product will launch at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), where underfunded institutions, lack of social support, and imposed responsibilities compound the pressures of athletic competition.
This project focuses on developing an AI tool that provides conversational check-ins, identifying language indicative of mental distress. By leveraging minority data, this tool engages student-athletes in a culturally relevant manner, promoting their mental wellness. The primary objective is to train a large language model (LLM) using this data to proactively monitor the health and wellness of these student-athletes. The bot integrates subjective conversational data with objective clinical surveys through proprietary algorithms, offering a more accurate assessment of mental distress. With a projected revenue of $3 million by year three, this comprehensive approach has the potential to revolutionize mental health support for student-athletes, with broader commercial applications for other vulnerable populations.
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. -
ELIF ENVIRONMENTAL LLC
SBIR Phase I: Improving feedstock biogas methane yield via microwave and electromagnetic field application
Contact
8737 N RANGE LINE RD
River Hills, WI 53217--2032
NSF Award
2431910 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 centered on enhancing the efficiency of anaerobic digestion for the generation of biogas from organic waste. The United States produces an estimated 70 billion tons or organic waste each year. The bulk of this waste is currently disposed in landfills, where they contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental contamination. Conversely, anaerobic digestion is one of the most effective methods of organic waste management, in that it not only eliminates the environmental hazards associated with mismanaged waste (e.g., reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10-13%), but also produces biogas, a valuable renewable energy resource that has been predicted as capable of offsetting 6-9% of the world?s primary energy consumption. This project seeks to develop, model, and validate a technology that leverages microwaves and electromagnetic fields to drive improvements in anaerobic fermentation efficiency by at least 20%. The advancements toward building renewable energy-based infrastructure and reducing organic waste support public health and welfare by contributing to climate change mitigation.
The proposed effort is focused on developing a novel technology that enhances anaerobic digestion efficiency by pretreating organic matter with a combination of microwaves (MW)and electro-magnetic fields. Development of a modular system compatible with a wide range of feedstocks while retaining cost-efficient operation is a non-trivial R&D pursuit. The diverse spectrum of inputs with varying dry matter contents and compositions will require different models, operational parameters, and exploration of new technological avenues. Technical de-risking to deliver a core system that is customizable to application-specific needs will require development of 1) mathematical models representative of the technology?s performance against wide array of commercially relevant materials and digestate (e.g., manure, anaerobic digestate, aerobic activated sludge, food waste, and several combinations thereof) and 2) cost-effective operational approaches capable of responding dynamically to feedstock conditions. Technical challenges arise from the complexity of potential feedstocks and the interacting effects of the multi-component system, which could be applied in series, concurrently, or a combination of both, at various ranges of microwave radiation and electromagnetic field application intensities. To overcome these challenges, this project entails development, computational modeling, and testing of a modular system for pre-treatment of a range of commercially relevant organic wastes, to improve anaerobic digestion by at least 20% while maintaining cost- end 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. -
EMPALLO, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Developing Artificial intelligence Models to Predict In-hospital Clinical Trajectories for Heart Failure Patients
Contact
809 PEACHTREE BATTLE AVENUE NW
Atlanta, GA 30327--1313
NSF Award
2304358 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2023 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 includes improving cardiovascular management, personalized medicine, inclusivity for historically underserved populations, and clinical trial design. The project could improve the health and wellbeing of heart failure (HF) patients while saving billions of dollars in HF hospitalization costs. If the technology proves feasible, it could shift the paradigm of HF management from reactive to proactive. The proposed machine learning model extracts latent features and detects subtle patterns from clinical data, which derives digital biomarkers that can potentially enable novel phenotype discovery and eventually personalized medicine. The digital biomarkers derived from the proposed innovation, when used in clinical trials, could also improve inclusivity and greater generalizability of novel therapies when applied to diverse populations. The proposed technology could enable clinical trial sponsors to achieve the desired statistical power with smaller patient populations. This, in turn, would enable faster, cheaper, and more effective clinical trials.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project mitigates the burden of heart failure (HF), which afflicts over 6.5 million Americans. As the leading cause of hospitalization in the U.S., HF results in more than $29 billion in hospital charges and $11 billion in hospitalization costs, annually. A large portion of hospitalization costs are driven by readmissions, with about 20% of heart failure patients readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The fundamental challenge is the variability of this disease. A treatment regimen that works for one patient might not work for another, even if they show similar symptoms. Anticipating clinical trajectories, treatment response, and potential complications, and translating those insights into actionable interventions is key to improving outcomes for HF patients. To help clinicians anticipate a HF patient?s response to treatment and adverse events during hospitalization and enable personalized intervention planning, this project will develop explainable and generalizable multimodal artificial intelligence (AI) models that predict a HF patient?s clinical trajectory shortly after admission. This technology is a methodological innovation grounded in large-scale, multi-center, clinical data. The key milestone in Phase I is to yield a reasonably accurate predictive AI model, cross-validated between the data of two large healthcare 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. -
EMPIRI, INC.
SBIR Phase I: A cancer diagnostic instrument to measure empirical treatment response
Contact
7505 FANNIN ST.
Houston, TX 77054--1953
NSF Award
2322382 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,930
Start / end date
08/01/2023 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 improve personalized cancer care by developing a first in class cancer diagnostic instrument that can deliver clinically actionable, personalized, drug response data from individual cancer patients using the E-slice assay. The E-slice assay is a novel 3D culture-based assay which has been shown to accurately predict individual cancer patients? responses to treatments. The E-slice assay is currently registered as a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments Laboratory Developed Tests (CLIA LDT). The cancer diagnostic market is expected to grow from $56 billion in 2022 to $162 billion by 2027, and this test and automation could capture a significant share of this rapidly expanding market. Beyond improving outcomes for cancer patients, the automation of this assay could have far-reaching implications, such as accelerating and economizing drug screening, discovery, and development for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and academia.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the most challenging and risky portion of automating the E-slice assay. The novel engineering solutions that the team proposes to develop will automate the processing of live human tissue samples from a needle biopsy or surgery, generate precision-cut slices, and then precisely position them in a tissue culture plate for downstream culture and analysis. The new device will do so in a manner that maintains sterility, minimizes thermal, chemical, and mechanical stresses, and performs in a highly reliable way. The primary technical challenges are ensuring reliable performance that is equal to or superior than manual methods. The technical milestones include meeting thresholds for reliability, sterility, and tissue viability compared to manual processing.
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. -
ENCHROMA INC.
SBIR Phase I: Contact lens for assisting color vision deficiency
Contact
2001 ADDISON ST
Berkeley, CA 94704--1192
NSF Award
2335248 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 biocompatible dye integrated into contact lenses for improving color recognition in people with various forms of color blindness. The technology aims to improve color recognition in patients with color vision deficiency (CVD), due to either hereditary (11.3 million anomalous trichromats) or acquired (33 million retinopathies and maculopathy affecting color vision) causes. Common reasons include macular degeneration, Type II diabetes retinopathy, and glaucoma. Classroom information is also nearly 80% color-coded, and the technology poses a more equitable learning environment for color vision deficient students who wear contact lenses and in a less externally obvious manner. The system thus poses the potential impact of improving learning, task performance, and quality of life as demonstrated through spectrally identical external eyewear studies for contact lens wearers. The total addressable domestic market exceeds 5 million patients with over 1 million patients suffering from hereditary causes and 4 million from acquired color deficiencies, resulting in an annual market of up to $326 million.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to embed narrow-band hydrophobic dyes into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a primary hydrophilic contact lens (CL) hydrogel, to create a contact lens that offers color vision deficiency assistance. Narrow-band absorber dyes provide spectral shaping, modifying light reaching the eye. The technical hurdles to be addressed is developing a fabrication method which ensures the dyes and PVA are embedded into a stable format such that they do not leach out during prolonged submersion and wear. A novel chemical process that combines dyes into a common solvent, when combined with the PVA-water solution will be integrated into a contact lens such that it permeates and impermeates the porous substrate without precipitating. Upon curing and cross-linking, this embeds less than a microgram of hydrophobic narrow-band dyes to create a thin and stable lens layer. The effects will quantified using optical spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to provide a basis for a human grade contact lens.
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. -
ENCORE CO2 LLC
SBIR Phase I: Ethanol Production via Electrolytic Recycling of Byproduct CO2 from Fermentation
Contact
1624 WYOMING ST
Baton Rouge, LA 70802--8514
NSF Award
2432964 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 advance sustainable manufacturing by converting CO2 into valuable products. Traditionally, carbon-based products are produced using fossil fuels as both an energy source and carbon source. The company's electrolyzer technology uses renewable energy to transform CO2 and water into common products such as ethanol for use in beverages, sanitizers, and consumer goods. This new process reduces the carbon intensity of ethanol manufacturing by at least an order of magnitude. The project's outcomes will also enable the production of other carbon-based products like food and pharmaceuticals using only CO2 and water. At the heart of this system are novel, large-scale electrolytic processes poised to revolutionize carbon-based product manufacturing. Beyond its sustainability impact, outcomes from this project will drive economic growth centered around CO2 recycling.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to advance sustainable manufacturing by developing scalable technology to convert CO2 into high-value products. Our focus starts with ethanol production. Future efforts will expand to include other two-carbon products and derivatives including food and medicine. The project focuses scaling with high conversion efficiencies and reduced energy consumption. Key research objectives include developing new electrolyzer designs along with more durable, high-performance electrocatalysts and electrolyzer components that maximize CO2 conversion rates and product selectivity. The team will iteratively refine electrolyzer designs to improve performance and energy efficiency. At the end of the project, the anticipated outcome is a prototype tool capable of producing at least 1 liter of ethanol per day with minimal energy input. Beyond mitigating CO2 emissions, products from this work will drive economic growth around CO2 recycling.
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. -
ENVISION HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES INC
SBIR Phase I: ADAPTIVE PERIMETRY FOR HEAD MOUNTED DEVICES
Contact
16 STURGIS RD
Bronxville, NY 10708--5003
NSF Award
2415015 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
08/01/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 novel tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of functional visual field (VF) defects due to glaucoma.?Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness, is asymptomatic in its early stages and challenging to diagnose, often resulting in late detection.?3 million Americans have a diagnosis of glaucoma, and this number is expected to double by 2050 contributing to a market size for treatment exceeding $7 billion by 2028. Early identification of disease and disease progression is key in preventing vision loss. Using a novel testing method, this technology will capture VF changes with higher sensitivity and specificity than the current standard of care. If successful, the proposed solution will allow for earlier detection of glaucoma and glaucomatous progression and facilitate earlier clinical intervention by eye care providers, reducing the overall burden of disease and incidence of irreversible vision loss.???
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This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims?to improve the early detection of vision loss due to glaucoma through the development of fully automated adaptive perimetry software. Conventional VF testing, known as static automated perimetry (SAP), lacks sensitivity, often leading to late diagnosis of glaucoma and irreversible vision loss. With SAP, defects can only be detected when they affect at least 3 degrees of the visual field, providing only a macro understanding of vision loss. This project aims to develop a fully automated adaptive perimetry test that combines the uniformity and standardization of SAP with greater precision and individualization of an adaptive test strategy. This novel testing algorithm will intelligently adjust stimuli based on individual responses, increasing the sensitivity and specificity of early defect detection, and mapping functional deficits to retinal anatomical defects. Objectives include mathematical modeling of the retinal pathophysiology of glaucoma, development of spatial analysis for real-time test location determination, development of methods for active correction of fixational errors using eye-tracking, and determination of suprathreshold contrasts.?
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. -
ETHAR, INC.
STTR Phase I: Semantically-Enabled Augmented Reality for Manufacturing
Contact
1806 UNIVERSITY DR NW
Huntsville, AL 35801--5743
NSF Award
2335533 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
02/15/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project facilitates safer and more efficient human-centered manufacturing tasks. The introduction of context-sensitive work guidance through immersive technologies will expedite workforce training, enhance users' spatial awareness, and outperform existing manufacturing work instruction systems, leading to heightened productivity across industries. This development embodies the emergence of cyber-human relationships and Digital Twin and Smart Factory applications, reinforcing U.S. manufacturing leadership, bolstering economic competitiveness, and fortifying national security. The anticipated commercial Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution is poised to benefit approximately 10,000 U.S. manufacturing firms. Beyond its economic implications, the first-generation, open-specification Reality Modeling Language (RML) developed in this project is expected to gain widespread acceptance in the international standards community, improving spatial system automation across diverse industry verticals. Ultimately, this system will render the physical world more accessible, searchable, and comprehensively annotated with data, unlocking new frontiers in user support, safety, and efficiency.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project addresses mission-critical challenges for fully leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) tools in manufacturing environments. It draws upon ontologically structured data and a proprietary Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven knowledge system for automating the generation and display of context-specific AR content in 3D space, eliminating the need for individually designed AR interactions. The solution enables training and work instruction systems to become spatially- and contextually aware, in order to adapt to dynamic conditions impacting worker safety and efficiency. The objective of this project is to demonstrate and quantify how automatically generated, spatially- and semantically aware AR can provide work guidance, machine status data, and hazard warnings to increase worker capabilities versus conventional guidance tools. The RML will be derived and logically describe and computationally code the 3D spatial scene of a simulated factory floor, and later, RML will be released as an open code library to the developer community. The system will sense the real world and objects in real-time, learn as input is received, and prioritize and render AR content communicating context-specific suggestions and warnings. This project will demonstrate integration between workers, their environment, and the tools engaged to complete their tasks so production personnel can act confidently, safely and effectively.
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. -
EUGIT THERAPEUTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Tissue specific delivery of payloads
Contact
930 BRITTAN AVE
San Carlos, CA 94070--4002
NSF Award
2423571 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is pivotal for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which affects around 3.1 million adults in the United States. Traditional treatments are broad and often lead to severe side effects. This project develops a targeted therapeutic delivery system intended to increase treatment precision and reduce adverse effects. Specifically, it aims to provide relief for the 5-10% of patients unresponsive to existing treatments, opening a market opportunity estimated at $4.65 billion. This technology is anticipated to advance the field of precision medicine by enabling therapies that specifically target diseased tissues, potentially improving treatment outcomes for a variety of chronic conditions beyond IBD, and paving the way for reduced healthcare costs and enhanced patient well-being.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is dedicated to creating a novel platform for identifying agents that can specifically accumulate in diseased tissues. The primary goal is to develop a proof of concept showing that our platform can uncover agents capable of targeted delivery to the gastrointestinal tract. This phase involves comprehensive testing in macaques, chosen for their physiological similarities to humans, to ensure the agents maintain their targeting ability without losing functionality. Expected results include demonstrating that these agents can consistently localize to specific tissues in the gut. Success in this phase will set the stage for Phase II, where these targeting agents will be paired with therapeutic compounds to test efficacy in improving treatment outcomes. The project?s completion will enable the company to engage with pharmaceutical companies for potential partnerships and to apply for further funding through an NIH SBIR Phase II project, focusing on enhanced therapeutic 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. -
EVOLVE GENOMIX, INC.
SBIR Phase I: A low-cost field-use DNA-based rapid diagnostic device for plant diseases
Contact
1249 QUARRY LN STE 130
Pleasanton, CA 94566--8446
NSF Award
2433122 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$270,128
Start / end date
11/15/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is to enable farmers to take early action against destructive plant diseases to protect their crops, reducing reliance on harmful pesticides. Climate change and global trade have led to an increased spread of harmful pests and plant diseases like Citrus Greening. These diseases threaten the world's food supply and cost farmers billions of dollars each year. Farmers are forced to rely heavily on pesticides, harming the environment, human health, and ultimately, their sustainability. Currently, identifying these diseases often involves sending samples to centralized labs, which can be slow, inconvenient, and inefficient. This Phase I project aims to develop a user-friendly, affordable testing device that allows farmers to quickly identify plant diseases right in their fields. This early identification of plant diseases would enable the farmers to practice more sustainable farming methods that would lead to higher crop yields, improved food security, maintain U.S. competitiveness in the global food trade and preserve jobs in the agricultural industry. This on-site testing and data-driven decision making by less-skilled farm workers also leads to increased science education, thus serving NSF?s mission.
On-site testing by farm technicians is a critical need for the early detection of destructive plant diseases like Citrus Greening in the pre-symptomatic phase to reduce the spread of infection and to lessen the prophylactic use of pesticides. This project aims to enable such rapid on-site testing of vector-borne plant diseases through development of a low-cost, battery-operated, accurate, nucleic acid-based molecular diagnostic test kit that can process diverse, hard-to-lyse plant tissue samples and produces easily-readable results in 30 minutes. The main goals of this Phase I project are to develop a simple, field use-friendly hardware kit for sample homogenization, nucleic acid extraction, isothermal amplification and signal readout and to formulate optimal formulations for lysis, extraction and amplification reagents. The outcome of this 9-month project will be a universal hardware kit and a Huanglongbing (HLB) disease-specific reagent kit that would be designed and optimized to have >90% sensitivity and 100% specificity for Candidatus liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), the causative pathogen of HLB disease. The universal hardware kit can be used with other pathogen-specific reagent kits that would be developed in the 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. -
EXIGENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: An Artificial Intelligence System to Accelerate Semiconductor Production using Physics-embedded Lithographic Foundation Model
Contact
3908 VERBENA ST
Aubrey, TX 76227--1998
NSF Award
2336079 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,985
Start / end date
02/15/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 expedite the wide adoption of next-generation semiconductor chips, which is a major factor in driving technological innovation across industries and societies. As technologies rapidly evolve, shifting to extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) systems in semiconductor manufacturing has significantly increased design and manufacturing complexities, leading to prohibitively high costs and stifling innovation. This project aims to alleviate the design and manufacturing bottlenecks by integrating leading-edge artificial intelligence into these complex processes. This innovation aims to significantly boost efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate time-to-market for new chip designs, overcoming current limitations in next-generation process nodes. Importantly, this proposal is poised to strengthen domestic semiconductor capabilities, a crucial element for maintaining U.S. national security, global competitiveness, and technological leadership.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is focused on advancing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence for simulating photolithography in rapidly emerging semiconductor technologies. As technology evolves and process precisions improve, minor design and manufacturing deviations, such as the 3D mask effect and stochastic variations, can no longer be neglected. Addressing this arising technical challenge requires a swift and precise simulation tool, essential for optimizing yield, throughput, and time-to-market, to maintain competitiveness in this market. The proposed work will create the Lithography Foundation Model (LFM), a system with physics integrated deeply into its framework that understands the intricate dynamics of extreme ultraviolet lithography processes. The technical approach of embedding physical modeling into LFM enables rigorous accuracy across any permutations of process conditions. Coupled with leading-edge hardware-software optimization, LFM promises real-time simulations with exceptional precision. The versatility and modularity of LFM enables applications for various processes, including process simulation, layout correction, and manufacturability 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. -
EXOPOWER INC.
SBIR Phase I: In-Motion, Capacitive, Wireless Charging System for Material Handling Vehicles
Contact
2514 LAKE MEADOW DR
Lafayette, CO 80026--9162
NSF Award
2228928 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$251,522
Start / end date
08/15/2023 – 03/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader and commercial impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will eliminate the downtime for battery charging of material handling vehicles (MHVs) (i.e., mobile robots and forklifts) with in-motion capacitive wireless charging, thereby increasing the productivity and economic competitiveness of warehouses. Implementation of in-motion capacitive wireless charging in warehouses and roadways would enable the use of much smaller batteries (up to 80% smaller) for most electric vehicles (EVs) and MHVs, dramatically reducing costs and making them less expensive than their gasoline powered counterparts. This dramatic price reduction will speed up the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. Mass roadway deployment of in-motion capacitive wireless charging would significantly reduce air pollution and the US dependence on oil, increasing US national security.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a capacitive wireless charging system for in-motion charging of MHVs. The project will develop a robust, safe, and fully automated system capable of wirelessly charging an MHV on demand, at power levels up to 1 kW. The research will address three technical challenges: 1) achieving high power transfer in the presence of coupler misalignments; 2) activating and deactivating the charging apparatus in a seamless and safe manner; and 3) maintaining thermally stable continuous operation and achieving efficient rectification at 1 kW, 6.78 MHz with commercially available power semiconductor devices. The misalignment tolerance will be enabled through an enhanced coupler design that ensures full power delivery over a substantially enlarged area of overlap compared to conventional coupler designs. The automated activation and deactivation will be enabled by a sensing, control, and communication system comprising a modulated optical actuation scheme and power-transfer based decision making. The continuous power delivery will be enabled by a custom-designed thermal management solution. The efficient rectification at high frequency will be enabled by innovations in matching network design that mitigate the impact of the rectifier?s parasitics. Addressing these challenges will enable the technology to be commercializable.
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. -
FEMTOSENSELABS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Quantum Magnetometer
Contact
1281 WIN HENTSCHEL BLVD STE 1300
West Lafayette, IN 47906--4360
NSF Award
2403857 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,786
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 05/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will result from the development of a cutting-edge scanning magnetometer microscope. This technology will enable high-resolution imaging of novel magnetic materials with unprecedented sensitivity at the nanoscale level. These novel magnetic materials serve as fundamental building blocks for advancing computer memories and pioneering new computing technologies through the field of spintronics. Spintronics utilizes the intrinsic property of electrons known as ?spin? to engineer electronic devices. Imaging this property is beyond the capabilities of conventional microscopes. However, the magnetic footprint associated with spin can be captured using advanced techniques such as scanning magnetometer microscopes. Therefore, breakthroughs in advanced microscopy techniques are a necessity for the field of spintronics to succeed in developing novel magnetic materials. The implementation of such novel magnetic materials holds the promise of accelerating the development of faster and more energy-efficient computing devices to address the demand for more capable mobile computers.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes a new technique for utilizing atomic defects for sensing applications. Atomic defects in host crystals such as diamond have emerged as a groundbreaking platform for quantum technologies. Atomic defects are naturally protected by the host crystal which eliminates the need for complex trapping mechanisms. Better yet, unlike many platforms for quantum technologies which require vacuum and cryogenic temperatures to operate, crystal defects can retain their properties even in ambient conditions. Harnessing these features is a promising path toward realizing advanced microscopy tools with atomic resolution which can be integrated in the workflow of R&D labs. However, due to the small size of these atomic defects and their relatively weak signal, engineering a reliable instrument based on this platform faces significant challenges. The goal of this project is to develop a robust technique for harnessing atomic defects to improve the performance of scanning magnetometer microscopes and break into new territories of resolution and sensitivity. This achievement will pave the way for developing novel magnetic materials for spintronics to build faster and more power-efficient computing 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. -
FIGURE 8, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Recovery of NH3 from Livestock Manure for Clean, Zero-Carbon Fuel
Contact
6094 MADBURY CT
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401--8244
NSF Award
2332849 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,922
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 promote the swift decarbonization of industries, in particular the synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer industry which generates 33.8 Megatonnes (Mt)/year (y) of life cycle assessment (LCA) carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions in the U.S. The proposed technology provides an alternative to the current N fertilizer production by recovering N from livestock manure and producing renewable, low-carbon ammonia (NH3) as a fuel. Green NH3, on the other hand, is costly and still requires long-term development to be commercially viable. Until Green NH3 becomes affordable, the renewable NH3 produced by the proposed technology can serve as a bridge fuel to help the industries start energy transition now. This technology could replace half the current synthetic N fertilizers. Manure generates 180 Mt of CO2eq emissions by applications to the soil. This technology has a significant potential to reduce GHG emissions. The market value of the N fertilizers is about $10 billion in the U.S. The estimated dollar value of the target market would be half that amount. The proposed innovation will help advance a fundamental scientific and engineering understanding of a consecutive liquid-gas (LG) and gas-liquid (GL) multiphase and multi-component mass transfer coupled with chemical reactions, a common phenomenon in many chemical and biochemical processes.
This project's intellectual merit is in acquiring the knowledge involved in a complex, consecutive LG-to-GL mass transfer, which is essential to a wide range of industries. A new kinetic model for such a mass transfer of NH3 will be developed and applied to optimize the operating parameters to maximize the NH3 recovery efficiency, which has never been accomplished before. The Phase I objective is to increase the NH3 absorption mass transfer rate by an order of magnitude by applying the model. The model will be validated by comparing the model against experimental data to be collected in Phase I. The experiments will be conducted using two columns: one for the NH3 stripping and another for the NH3 absorption. The operating parameters will be explored to maximize the mass transfer kinetics based on the model for flushed manure samples. The anticipated result would be a new, validated consecutive LG-to-GL mass transfer model, establishing the relationship between the mass transfer rate and the operating parameters and optimizing parameters that would significantly increase the NH3 recovery efficiency, making the technology affordable to livestock farmers.
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. -
FINIKS FORGE, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Upcycling animal hair waste into regenerated textile fibers
Contact
24 BERKELEY ST
Somerville, MA 02143--1604
NSF Award
2317482 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
12/15/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project reduces the environmental footprint of the fashion industry by engineering regenerated sustainable textile fibers from protein waste. The millions of tons of industrial and post-consumer keratin waste produced every year from the food, beauty, and textile industries are targeted as sources of biomass to engineer sustainable and cost-effective protein-based textiles with properties comparable to animal fibers such as wool and cashmere. This project would allow the introduction of a new player in the eco-friendly fiber market space and contribute to the fight against the detrimental environmental impacts of synthetics. The repurposing and revalorization of keratin waste from the wool, leather and poultry industries would benefit a broad part of the US agriculture ecosystem. The fundamental research on protein self-assembly and biomaterial engineering necessary for the development of the keratin regenerated fibers will serve as a scientific asset in other industrial sectors including biomedical, high-performance materials, and green chemistry industries.
This SBIR Phase I project will develop chemical processes and material fabrication platforms to enable the upcycling of keratin protein waste into textile fibers proving processability through standard fabric manufacturing technologies. The target deliverable is planned to be achieved by 1) developing an efficient and sustainable method to extract keratin from animal hairs; 2) engineering the textile fibers at the molecular level to first match, and then improve the mechanical and sensorial properties of wool and cashmere; and 3) implementing a custom lab-scale fiber manufacturing process, demonstrating potential scalability into a multifilament production line. The following activities will be conducted to meet the planned milestones: 1) implementing a non-denaturing extraction process of keratin from hair waste and formulation of the extracted protein into a material processable through extrusion-based fabrication platforms; 2) reconstructing the fibrillar and anisotropic architecture of animal hair by chemically and physically regulating the self-assembly process of the extracted keratin during the fiber fabrication process; 3) modulating the hygroscopicity of the fiber by modifying the reactivities of both fiber core and surface; and 4) tuning the rheological properties and the liquid-to solid phase transition of the protein material under shear stress and during the fiber formation step, respectively.
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. -
FIRSTTHEN INC
SBIR Phase I: A novel caregiver-centered mobile app and artificial intelligence (AI) coaching intervention for pediatric Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Contact
5338 EMERSON AVENUE
Dallas, TX 75209--5004
NSF Award
2335539 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$273,184
Start / end date
11/15/2023 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 its potential to improve approaches addressing pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition affecting 10 percent of all U.S. children. The primary challenge families face is accessing psychosocial treatment, a crucial component of comprehensive care. Many families cannot access these interventions due to various barriers including cost, time, and a shortage of mental health professionals. This project introduces a self-guided, family-focused ADHD treatment mobile application complemented by a virtual coach. By addressing caregiver stress, which plays a significant role in treatment outcomes, this innovation offers a scalable, affordable, and effective solution. This initiative aligns with the National Science Foundation's mission to promote scientific progress and support the well-being of the American public, especially during the current youth mental health crisis. The potential commercial and societal impacts of this project include enhancing scientific understanding of ADHD treatment, providing a competitive advantage in the digital health sector, and addressing a significant market opportunity in mental health care.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMS) to create a scalable, accessible, and robust caregiver-centered mobile treatment system for pediatric ADHD, complemented by a virtual coach. The innovative aspect lies in merging human-centered design with rules-based conversational AI and an empathetic chatbot, aiming for a lasting, scalable impact on caregivers of children with ADHD. The intent is to broaden access to evidence-based psychosocial interventions, improve adherence to these treatments, and achieve superior outcomes. ADHD, a condition that hinders self-regulation and executive function, affects a significant portion of U.S. children. Despite the known advantages of early intervention, many affected children do not receive optimal care. The project's objectives include the co-design of the app, which incorporates a multi-module psychosocial intervention and caregiver coping techniques; the development of the virtual coach's role with clinician guidance using AI; and a proof-of-concept test involving caregivers. The project will assess feasibility and acceptability, and gather preliminary data on potential improvements in caregiver and child wellbeing.
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. -
FLAWLESS PHOTONICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Revolutionizing Optical Communications from Ground to Space with Novel ZBLAN Manufacturing
Contact
19345 BROOKTRAIL LN
Huntington Beach, CA 92648--5579
NSF Award
2423603 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,999
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project builds upon the unique properties of ZBLAN, short for Zirconium-Barium-Lanthanum-Aluminum-Sodium fluorides, which boast many advantageous properties, including a wide transparency window, superior optical transmission loss, and small phonon energy when compared to state-of-the-art silica. ZBLAN can unlock radical performance improvements for telecommunication products, fiber lasers, and remote sensors. However, commonplace manufacturing techniques cannot develop ZBLAN without light-scattering defects, rendering glass to applications but ineffective for many of the most important ones. Based on modern automation, robotics, and processing techniques, this project builds a path to manufacturing this fiber to limit the growth of light-scattering defects. Moreover, the manufacturing process is further enhanced when performed in space. Due to the exceptional characteristics of microgravity, it is possible to produce a ZBLAN product devoid of scattering defects, offering a transformational leap in optical transmission capabilities. After successful preliminary tests, this project will develop the necessary hardware to develop ZBLAN at scale, both on Earth and in microgravity. This project is expected to catalyze a high growth, high throughput, scalable and profitable in-space production process with meaningful societal impact.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop an instrument capable of rapidly casting molten ZBLAN glass through minute-scale apertures, aiming to streamline manufacturing by eliminating bubbles and restricting defect growth. This project seeks to overcome the challenges historically hindering ZBLAN optical preform production. The approach will produce high-value products that can radically improve optical capabilities by identifying a method to create precise preform core dimensions. Currently, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes lack the accuracy and standardization required to meet ZBLAN's stringent tolerances. This project leverages extensive theoretical calculations to optimize the melting, casting, and annealing of ZBLAN, which is crucial for minimizing crystalline defects and maximizing transparency. By leveraging novel automation techniques, harnessing the unique properties of microgravity, and effectively managing heat loads, this project is pioneering the in-space manufacturing industry, as demonstrated by the company's recent ISS experiment where astronauts pulled ~10km of ZBLAN in space. The project will develop an automated ZBLAN manufacturing technology to enable scalable terrestrial and in-space ZBLAN production. It will allow the company to develop new optical products - starting with free-space mid-wave infrared optical links. This innovative approach is poised to pioneer in-space manufacturing and propel the development of high-value ZBLAN 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. -
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 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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. -
FLO MATERIALS, INC.
STTR Phase I: Dynamic Covalent Polymers for Transition to Circular Plastics Economy
Contact
5400 HOLLIS ST
Emeryville, CA 94608--2508
NSF Award
2432707 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I project is reducing society?s reliance on hard-to-recycle plastics and transitioning towards a more circular plastics economy. 400M metric tons of virgin plastic is produced each year, <10% of which is recycled. 12% of global virgin plastic productions are thermosets which have a recycling rate of nearly 0%. In the US alone, 2% of energy consumption is dedicated to manufacturing virgin plastics, polymer resin, and synthetic rubbers. By enabling closed-loop plastic recycling with an infinitely recyclable material, waste can be reduced, costs can be lowered, energy consumption can be cut, and greenhouse gas emissions can be drastically reduced. This technology may enable plastic material recovery and significantly mitigate the volume of plastics ending up in landfills and the broader environment, ultimately curtailing a massive source of environmental microplastics that threaten human health. Incorporating commercially viable bio-based inputs will lower the environmental impacts of plastic production by upcycling agricultural waste and using plant-based feedstocks, providing domestically sourced and sustainable inputs. Overall, the technology is positioned to enable and incentivize plastic material recovery, mitigating the plastic waste issue that has allowed plastics to infiltrate water resources, the environment, and the food supply.
The technical innovation of this project lies in the unique features of Enamine Covalent Adaptable Networks (ECANs). These networks have the potential to revolutionize handling of hard-to-recycle plastics, enabling closed-loop lifecycles and significantly reduced waste. ECANs are a platform polymer technology that produces a variety of resins for manufacture into films, sheets, foams, fibers and textiles, adhesives, composites, elastomers, and other high-value raw materials. Unlike conventional polymers, ECANs are dynamic covalent polymers that can undergo associative dynamic bond exchange reactions. ECANs are chemically recyclable and can be quickly recovered and remanufactured into next-generation ECANs. Platform development will occur through the following objectives: 1) develop new pathways for the synthesis of environmentally friendly and cost effective ECANs, 2) develop a platform of ECANs with controllable properties meeting the needs of diverse customers and applications, and 3) validate recyclability over multiple lifecycles. Production of resins with tunable properties will be examined through combinations of small molecules, triketones, polyamines, plasticizers, solvents, and colorants using various synthetic and processing conditions. Thermo-mechanical and rheological measurements will be performed on each newly formed ECAN to determine performance through each new generation. Extrusion and other existing plastics manufacturing processes will be employed for customer ease of adoption of ECAN resins. Recycling parameters will be optimized to increase purity, yield while decreasing cost, energy, and CO2 emissions.
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. -
FLUXWORKS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Scalable Magnetically-Geared Modular Space Manipulator for In-space Manufacturing and Active Debris Remediation Missions
Contact
707 TEXAS AVE
College Station, TX 77840--1976
NSF Award
2335583 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$261,795
Start / end date
04/01/2024 – 03/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is the derisking and catalyzing of a novel backdrivable gearbox technology that will potentially step-improve robotic and automation system operating costs, mean-time-before failure, efficiency, high throughput, and manufacturing capabilities, especially in microgravity/space environments. Having the potential to isolate vibrations and operate far longer without maintenance compared to the status quo, integrating this backlash-free gearbox with commercial-off-the-shelf servo motors and controllers could enable commercial original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and U.S. government entities to create platforms and commercial space stations with higher throughput and faster iterative research capabilities in the microgravity environment, offering a plethora of benefits for semiconductor, biotechnology, advanced materials, and other industries. The targeted specifications are relevant to end-effectors with flight heritage to enable rapid transition for lunar, low-earth orbit, terrestrial robotic manufacturing, and scientific applications. Through investment in this technology, this HUBZone-certified firm is concurrently creating STEM and manufacturing jobs in the HUBZone area in which the company resides and increasing exposure to STEM in the community at large. Moreover, the company?s products are and shall continue to be, fully U.S.-sourced and manufactured to stimulate the U.S. manufacturing economy and supply chain security.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop and validate the operating principle of the patent-pending innovative flux angle mapping magnetic gear and determine space-actuator feasibility for the commercialization of magnetic gear technology. The proposed noncontact magnetic gear is an entirely new magnetic gearbox topology with a novel set of operating principles that differ from all other existing magnetic gearbox topologies and have never been demonstrated as an operational prototype. It has been validated previously by high-fidelity finite element analysis (FEA) simulation and analytical derivation. The first key objective of Phase I is to design, fabricate, and test a prototype FAM magnetic gearbox. The second key objective is to use FEA combined with the first prototype's experimental results to re-simulate and characterize the performance of a second-generation minimum viable product magnetic gear. The mechanism to assess success is the achievement of four milestones: (1) designing a manufacturable technology demonstrator, validating manufacturability; creating an operational prototype (2) demonstrating the expected gear ratio, validating the fundamental operating principle and (3) performing in concordance with the simulation results, validating our models; (4) designing a full-scale space-relevant gear with calibrated models, validating commercial feasibility.
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. -
FORCHUN LLC
SBIR Phase I: Universal Electric Propulsion System Gridded Hall Thruster For Satellite Life Extension And Space Debris Removal
Contact
6710 LOOKOUT BND
San Jose, CA 95120--4649
NSF Award
2335156 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,958
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project has far-reaching impacts that benefit the global community by offering crucial solutions to uncertain challenges encountered in space, both in Earth's orbits and deep space. The successful outcome of the project is an innovative electric propulsion (EP) system which will be a foundation for on-orbit servicing systems. The new EP technology will directly benefit satellite operators by potentially extending the operational lifespan of their satellite fleet with its high propellant utilization capability. It will also offer solutions for safely removing end-of-life space objects from orbit by utilizing its high thrust capabilities for de-orbiting. Furthermore, the innovative EP system opens opportunities for deep space applications, such as deflecting asteroids, which were previously only achievable using high-impulse systems like the gridded ion thruster (GIT). Overall, the new EP system holds immense potential for commercial and scientific advancements in the space industry.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to demonstrate the concept and feasibility for an innovative EP system that enables various on-orbit service activities. The project aims to combine two distinct electric propulsion technologies, namely the GIT and the Hall thruster (HT), into a single ion thruster known as the Gridded Hall thruster (GHT). This integration will involve specific performance measurements and characterizations to evaluate the success of this novel combination. The GHT addresses the limitations associated with individual technologies. It overcomes the low thrust limitation of GIT and the low specific impulse of HT, as well as mitigates the inherent process instabilities like the ionization-induced instability found in HT. By doing so, the GHT achieves optimal performance and extends its usable lifetime. Additionally, the GHT offers another potential significant benefit. It enables neutralizer-free electron generation, which simplifies the ion thruster architecture and improves overall efficiency. This advancement in electron generation represents a simpler and more streamlined approach to ion thruster design. The successful completion of this project will contribute significantly to the advancement of electric propulsion technology and pave the way for critical applications in on-orbit servicing in space.
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. -
FORSEE, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Fire-Resistant Polymer Composites Using Recycled Processed African-American Hair
Contact
1851 RIVERTON DR
Prattville, AL 36066--1918
NSF Award
2420037 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 is in addressing an increasing need to develop more eco-friendly, non-toxic fire-resitant materials in applications ranging from protective gears for firefighters, for industrial workers working in hot environments, and in construction materials such as tiles, wall panels, and roofing. Creating improved fire-resistant materials for homes, buildings, and personnel will decrease costs to homeowners and insurance companies and can potentially save lives. The rise in global temperature, and the escalating frequency and severity of structural and wildfire incidents at scale, combined with need to use non-fossil fuel based materials in industry underscores this critical need. This project is likely to to introduce a brand new natural polymer - Afro hair- to develop as an additive to fire-resistant products. A successful development of this technology is also likely to create economic opportunities for a broader section of society that would participate in this novel endeavor.
Processed African-American hair possess notable characteristics such as a high nitrogen content, robust elliptic structure, and cross-linked cell membranes. When subjected to high heat levels, these cell membranes expand and create a protective barrier, hindering oxygen from reaching the substrate and thus preventing the spread of fire and heat. The processed material does not liquefy, merge, or melt and can act as insulation or a barrier, impeding or reducing fire spread. This remarkable discovery represents a significant advancement in creating lightweight, fire-resistant building materials, clothing, and reinforcing fire-resistant plastics. Phrase I R&D plan focuses on optimizing material compositions where African-American hair loading in the composite mix will adjusted through scientific experimentation for processing ease and improvement of desired properties. These compositions will be then used to develop prototype products that meet or surpass the industry performance standards set by existing fire-resistant 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. -
FOURIER LLC
SBIR Phase I: Thermoformable Technical Ceramics for Thermal Management Solutions
Contact
40 WEDGEWOOD ROAD
West Newton, MA 02465--1918
NSF Award
2415557 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
08/01/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 establish, understand, and improve a thermoformable ceramic technology that uniquely provides a scalable pathway to overcome significant thermal management limitations faced by next-generation electronic systems, including 5G cellular devices, high-performance vehicles, renewable energy, and consumer electronics. Thermal management limitations in electronics are a $26B dollar problem that spans industries and is the cause of 55% of all electronic system failures. Within this space, thermal management materials are considered the innovation bottleneck in electronic applications, especially for components with reduced size and weight requirements. The thermoformable ceramics and scalable manufacturing processes proposed in this project offer a new materials paradigm to deliver thermal management solutions with high production volumes, short lead times, and low prices. Further, this project provides a critical path to reestablish U.S. manufacturing of these next-generation technical ceramics enabling domestic economic benefits and supply chain resiliency.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to address and mitigate the remaining technical challenges for the commercial adoption of thermoformable ceramics in thermal management applications. Thermoformable ceramics are uniquely positioned to provide thermal management solutions for electronics due to their ability to conduct heat effectively while remaining electrically insulative, like diamond. However, unlike diamond, thermoformable ceramics can be manufactured at scale and with precise three-dimensional geometries, offering unprecedented thermal materials solutions for the electronic industry. The first technical challenge addressed in this project is to understand and improve the material's robustness against solvent attack. This enhancement will expand the target markets to include maritime technologies and fluid-based heat exchanger technologies. The second challenge is to establish the scalability of part sizes and feature complexity. Successfully addressing this will enable thermoformable ceramics to accommodate larger part sizes, higher production volumes, and entry into higher-value markets. The third challenge is to achieve best-in-class performance in application-based testing. Meeting this objective will facilitate faster customer adoption by reducing the technology's risk through market-relevant 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. -
FREESCALE LLC
STTR Phase I: Development and Analysis of Functional NanoInks for Printed Neuromorphic Electronics and Smart Sensors
Contact
103 HAMPTON LEE CT APT 2C
Cary, NC 27513--5540
NSF Award
2334413 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,972
Start / end date
03/15/2024 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project from Freescale LLC will be on scalable additive manufacturing of micro and macro scales for analog electronics, artificial intelligence (AI), and sensing applications. The project will leverage recent advancements in electrohydrodynamic and micro-transfer printing, alongside AI-controlled manufacturing, to produce micro and macro-scale electronic devices with a submicron resolution. The resulting devices will have the capability of computing and sensing, similar to biological brains. The project will strengthen domestic microelectronics innovation and production capabilities and support US leadership in AI and quantum computing. New intelligent systems developed using these techniques can help address challenges in healthcare, aerospace, defense, transportation, energy, and more.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to demonstrate the manufacturing of
fully printed functional devices using an innovative multifunctional printing platform for next-generation electronics. The platform will provide development, optimization, and delivery of specialty inks with
conductive and semiconductive properties that will be printed on rigid and flexible surfaces to produce analog computing and sensing functionality. The platform will support printing at micro and macro scales, leveraging real-time feedback and artificial intelligence (AI) control for intelligent composition modification, delivery parameter optimization, and scalable manufacturing. Currently, conventional lithographic fabrication of functional devices is expensive and inefficient, as it requires complex supply chains, expensive hardware, and offshore production. This STTR project will combine precise inkjet printing for thin layer deposition and micro-transfer printing for large-area development to enable seamless fabrication of functional devices for sensing and analog computation in days instead of months, bypassing the complexities of modern silicon 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. -
FREYYA, INC.
SBIR Phase I: An ambulatory pelvic floor monitoring and feedback device for use in physical therapy
Contact
1305 S CONCORD ST
Salt Lake City, UT 84104--2901
NSF Award
2304490 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
11/15/2023 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 device that enables pelvic therapists to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients during activities responsible for pelvic floor symptoms. One in four women in the US has a pelvic floor disorder and this disorder results in $20 billion in annual costs and negative recurring patient experiences. Pelvic physical therapy is the recommended first-line treatment but requires regular management, burdening the patient and clinical resources with each visit. Current systems are limited to static patient conditions with specific situational muscle conditions. This novel pelvic floor monitoring device aims to provide optimized pelvic floor muscle feedback during chronic ambulatory conditions when a significant percent of pelvic floor events occur.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a novel device to reduce the burden of pelvic floor disorders in a patient self-managed manner. A wearable pelvic floor monitoring device will provide dynamic evaluation and treatment for chronic ambulatory conditions. This project aims to design and prototype the components and system of a pelvic floor force sensor for use during exercise. The device will be integrated into a comfortable and ergonomically fitted silicone shell with interchangeable sleeves to fit different patients? anatomies, and a wireless biofeedback software for communicating data from the device to the patient and therapist. The system will be benchtop tested to ensure accurate and robust performance of the sensors and data transmission. The ergonomic shape will be tested in a limited patient pilot for comfort and vaginal retention. Successful completion of this project will demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility of a novel ambulatory pelvic floor monitoring and feedback device for patients.
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. -
FRINGE METROLOGY LLC
SBIR Phase I: Rapid and Accurate Large Aperture Surface Metrology for Future High Speed Communication
Contact
2842 N TUCSON BLVD
Tucson, AZ 85716--1824
NSF Award
2335106 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,769
Start / end date
03/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project seeks to revolutionize how high-precision antenna dishes for satellite communications and radio astronomy are constructed. By developing an optical metrology system capable of measuring large antenna dishes with micron precision in minutes, this project addresses a critical bottleneck in the production of high-accuracy, low-cost, mass-manufactured antenna dishes. Current metrology methods like holography and photogrammetry are slow, costly, inconvenient, and lack the accuracy required for future dishes. The commercial impact of this project targets the growing multi-billion-dollar market of satellite communications and radio astronomy, with an addressable segment valued at approximately $2.3 billion for the next-generation Very Large Array (ngVLA) alone. The goals of this project not only promise to enhance global connectivity and defense communication networks but also support groundbreaking discoveries about the universe.
The intellectual merit of this project lies in its pioneering approach to optical metrology, stretching the capabilities of current systems to their limits for measuring objects up to 18 meters in diameter outdoors. The research objectives focus on overcoming fundamental challenges such as maintaining high precision and accuracy over large areas, construction of lightweight and portable hardware, and designing a system that is ready to be deployed by antenna technicians. Anticipated results include a prototype system capable of significantly advancing the field of optical metrology and providing a scalable solution for the high-volume production of precision antenna dishes. This innovation will produce significant advancements in satellite communication and radio astronomy by streamlining the construction and maintenance of high-precision dishes.
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. -
FUM TECHNOLOGIES, INC
SBIR Phase I: Materials Science Digital Experts and AI-Powered Data Platform
Contact
178 HARVARD ST
Cambridge, MA 02139--2723
NSF Award
2423569 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
06/15/2024 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project lies in its potential to significantly streamline the process of discovering and utilizing novel materials, vital for advancements in sectors like healthcare, energy, and national defense. A large portion of essential materials data is currently inaccessible, hidden within complex documents or known only to a handful of experts. This project aims to develop a technology that transforms this inaccessible data into useful information, drastically reducing the time needed for material selection from weeks to minutes, thereby accelerating scientific and technological advancement and enhancing national prosperity and security. The market for advanced materials is projected to grow to $2.1 trillion by 2025, and the business model for this initiative focuses on providing technological services to materials suppliers, ensuring a sustainable competitive advantage by improving access to and usability of critical data. Initially targeting the semiconductor industry and industries reliant on polymers, the strategy is to achieve significant market penetration, with anticipated substantial annual revenues by the third year of production, underlining its impact across multiple high-value industries.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the critical challenge of "dark" data in materials science?valuable data that is unutilized because it is trapped in diverse formats or accessible only to a few experts. The primary research objective is to develop an artificial intelligence-driven platform capable of extracting and synthesizing this data into an accessible and interpretable format. The proposed research involves the creation of a customizable, conversational digital expert system that leverages advanced Large Language Models (LLMs) to interact with and learn from heterogeneous data sources, including natural language texts and inconsistent file formats. This system will enable the transformation of complex datasets into structured, actionable insights, facilitating rapid and accurate materials selection and application. The anticipated technical results include the successful demonstration of the platform's ability to interpret and organize large volumes of dark data, significantly reducing the time and expertise required to access this information. This breakthrough has the potential to catalyze discoveries and innovations in materials science by making decades of accumulated data readily available for research and commercial 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. -
Forward Edge AI, Inc.
SBIR Phase I: A Cyber Assured Space Internet Device
Contact
10108 CARTER CYN
San Antonio, TX 78255--2458
NSF Award
2327618 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 presents urgently needed improvements to cybersecurity in space to enable a larger scale, higher throughput, and a more securely interconnected ecosystem. This includes enabling high-throughput on-orbit manufacturing for the next ten years and is aimed squarely at small and medium manufacturers (SMM), large manufacturers, and original equipment manufacturers (OEM) that will supply large-scale space production industries. The ability to use Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) to remotely modify, optimize, and enhance the resiliency of Cube Satellites to cyberattacks is crucial to this evolving industry. The solution extends to the high growth commercial space industry-related Earth Observation (EO), and Direct Satellite to Device/Smartphone markets. The development of small satellites has notably increased the interest of private companies and government agencies in investing in this field, as it allows for more affordable access to new business models in space, including satellite constellations. Space applications, ranging from machine to machine (M2M), the Internet of Things, and Earth observation use cases, are expected to reach more than $22 billion in service revenue by 2031. The market is rapidly moving from an infrastructure-heavy investment cycle towards an as-a-service-focused recurring revenue business model.
This SBIR Phase I project will develop the technology needed to accelerate the commercial development of the hybrid space and terrestrial communications architectures, in-space manufacturing, and industrial infrastructure. ML algorithms that can differentiate between anomalies triggered by natural phenomena and cyber-attacks represent a significant advancement. This can be applied at increasingly larger scales, higher-throughputs, and speeds for robust security and acceleration of this sector. Through adaptability and precision, ML can significantly reduce the occurrence of false alarms but also excel at predicting the source of the anomaly and attributing the anomaly to its origin. Applying the ML predictive capabilities enhances early warning systems, fortifies cybersecurity measures, and ensures continuous monitoring in an ever-evolving threat landscape. The project would accelerate the integration of terrestrial telecommunications networks and satellite communications technologies, decrease costs, increase service coverage, and provide added resilience and multi-level security compatibility to the nation?s communication infrastructure. Mimicking the operational capabilities of the human immune system will allow for the long-term and evolving effectiveness of a space platform's cyberattack detection and response capabilities. This decentralized approach will be able to leverage decentralized autonomous organizations and strategic defense capabilities to accelerate human endeavors in space.
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. -
Funxion Wear
SBIR Phase I: On-Demand Color Changing Materials
Contact
8622 OLD MAPLE LN
Humble, TX 77338--2126
NSF Award
2304234 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
02/15/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will validate the commercial potential of an erasable dye technology intended for apparel. The transformative nature of the approach lies in its ability to reduce environmental impact every time a new design is downloaded. The conventional apparel industry consumes vast amounts of water and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) for every piece of clothing produced. This project aims to drastically reduce these environmental implications while providing consumers with a quick and climate-friendly alternative. By tapping into proprietary light-programmable color-changing dyes, this endeavor seeks to disrupt the fashion industry. By targeting the millennial and Gen Z market segments, which are increasingly conscious of sustainability, the project foresees significant commercial uptake, initially in the $8 billion custom domestic T-shirt market.
The intellectual merit of this project stems from its unique combination of advanced functional materials science, chemistry, and manufacturing to create a sustainable apparel solution. At the heart of the method lies a proprietary dye system which can provide repeatable color changes. Unlike conventional photochromic dyes that degrade quickly under visible light, this dye system is engineered to be durable, enduring repeated cycles of color change. The research objectives focus on refining this dye system to make it commercially viable, especially for the initial use case of custom and re-printable T-shirts. With the successful realization of this technology, the fashion industry will witness a paradigm shift, paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative 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. -
GENALPHA NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGIES LLC
SBIR Phase I: Development of Metal Foam-based Neutron Sensors for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Instrumentation
Contact
1510 VETERANS DR APT 12
Traverse City, MI 49684--3403
NSF Award
2404863 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a metal foam electrode-based neutron sensor that can withstand the harsh, high-temperature and radiation-suffused environments of advanced nuclear reactors. Such a product does not yet exist on the market. Advanced nuclear reactors could become a major contributor to our planet?s clean energy solution in the coming decades. Since their safety and performance rely on instrumentation and control systems, advanced reactors? successful deployment is contingent on developing commercially viable, adaptable high-temperature and high-sensitivity neutron sensors. Currently, domestic and global market sizes for neutron sensors are approximately $12 million and $50 million per year respectively; both these figures are expected to double over the next two decades. More broadly, the sensors being developed could find numerous applications in other industries, including medical diagnostics and treatments, medical isotope production, sterilization, space radiation effects, national security/nonproliferation, manufacturing, industrial processes, oil and gas, and direct (electric) energy conversion power devices. Any situation requiring radiation detection and measurement, in any environment, is a potential target market for the proposed sensors.
The intellectual merit of this project lies in gaining an understanding of the complex physics occurring in open-cell metal foams when subjected to nuclear radiation. Under these conditions, these structures both generate and contain a nuclear-excited low-temperature plasma through which an electrical current ? at high densities ? can be extracted. The goal of this project is to understand how nuclear-excited low-temperature plasmas in metal foams are affected by various parameters including: radiation type and intensity, foam composition, and foam porosity. The team will execute a research campaign using a nuclear reactor which characterizes these parameters? effects on sensor performance at both ambient and high temperatures. The experimental findings, validated by modeling and simulation methods, will test the sensor electrodes? performance. If successful, the Phase I outcomes are expected to show sensor performance that will significant exceed that offered by state-of-the-art competing devices, ultimately validating this novel concept.
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. -
GENEXGEN INC
STTR Phase I: GEX: an mRNA-based tolerogenic vaccine for viral-based gene therapies
Contact
169 E PORTOLA AVE
Los Altos, CA 94022--1242
NSF Award
2337317 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,763
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 develop a scalable, relatively affordable, easily programmable and specific solution to the problem of unwanted immune response in cell and gene therapies, autoimmunity, and transplantation. If successful, this could greatly expand the number of patients who are able to be treated by these types of therapies, including many suffering from rare diseases with little or no current treatment options.
The proposed project uses mRNA technology and novel anti-adjuvant technologies, to train the immune response to ignore an antigen encoded in the delivered mRNAs. This project focuses on adeno associated virus-based gene therapies, but the insight gained can be applied in other conditions when hyperactive immune response against self or foreign antigens creates unwanted result. Current gene therapies face a number of challenges associated with immune response to delivery vehicles or the therapeutic proteins. Achieving high and persistent level of therapeutic product expression has been a challenge, often leading to failure of therapies and necessitating redosing. The proposed mRNA based tolerogenic vaccine, will prepare the body to receive multiple doses of gene therapies and to achieve higher level of transgenes in light of body?s response to gene 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. -
GEOFINANCIAL ANALYTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Tiered multi-satellite observation scheme for methane quantification and attribution
Contact
141 BULKLEY AVE
Sausalito, CA 94965--2231
NSF Award
2405214 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/15/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 being able to assess and mitigate company-level methane emissions from oil & gas operations across the globe. Methane, with its global warming potential 85 times that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, represents a critical target in meeting the climate change goals. Specifically, the proposed intervention could help flatten the methane emissions curve ? cutting emissions of US oil & gas producers by 75% over five years. This 75% reduction in emissions from fossil fuels aligns with the International Energy Agency?s goal for 2030 that would enable limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Additionally, decreased global warming mitigates the frequency and severity of climate-related disasters such as wildfires, floods, and heatwaves. These changes have profound implications for biodiversity, ecosystems, and human livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable regions which includes much of the U.S.
The proposed technical innovation is a computationally efficient, tiered multi-satellite monitoring system that tracks daily-to-weekly methane emissions from oil & gas assets across the globe. These are then used to assess company-level emission performance and benchmark companies amongst their peers. The technology integrates satellite observations from multiple sensors, deep learning models, and statistical data aggregation. A crucial component is a deep learning model which automatically detects methane plumes in high-resolution imagery from satellites not designed to detect methane, like the Landsat suite and Sentinel-2. These plumes are used to refine TROPOMI baseline observations. Most quantification methods, and deep learning models in particular, are too computationally expensive to use at a global scale. Thus innovative, computationally efficient methods for emission quantification and statistical data aggregation must be developed. A significant technical risk is that these new computationally efficient methods may sacrifice some accuracy in methane quantification. Larger uncertainties using these methods could result in a data product that lacks meaningful insights. The intellectual merit of the proposed project is in developing computationally efficient new methods which strike the appropriate balance between efficiency and accuracy that meet real-world information needs of key stakeholders.
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. -
GFORCE ANIMATION INC
STTR Phase I: Fire Ground VR
Contact
26410 OAK RIDGE DR STE 112
Spring, TX 77380--4352
NSF Award
2333972 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,828
Start / end date
12/01/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 revolutionize firefighter training by creating a virtual environment that mirrors real-world scenarios, such as interactive fire equipment usage. This training program reduces training costs, improves safety by reducing training injuries, and reduces the environmental impact of live firefighter drills. The potential commercial and societal impacts of the project include enhanced training effectiveness, broader accessibility and inclusivity, standardized training, research and development, crisis management and preparedness, and global collaboration. The project may also have applications in diverse fields such as emergency response, industrial safety, and specialized vocational training.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project offers immersive training environments for firefighters, a departure from traditional classroom and live fire exercises. The technical innovation of this training solution incorporates mobility, real-time data sensors, and tactile feedback mechanisms, such as a haptic nozzle, to enhance the training experience. The project will employ a controlled laboratory setting to test the virtual reality environment, leveraging advanced technologies like gaming computers, spherical cameras, and specialized headsets. These tools blend real-world interactions with digital content, creating a virtual reality that mimics natural dimensions across various sensations. The project will also assess graphic technology's adaptability to integrate with online platforms for data management, ensuring secure access, storage, and retrieval. This adaptability ensures scalability and efficient data retrieval, further enhancing the training experience.
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. -
GLOBAL ENERGY CORPORATION
SBIR Phase I: A Fusion-Fast-Fission Reactor
Contact
5025B BACKLICK RD
Annandale, VA 22003--6044
NSF Award
2423343 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,936
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is a safer, less expensive, proliferation-resistant hybrid nuclear technology. Previous experiments fissioned natural uranium without enrichment, thereby removing nuclear proliferation as one of the roadblocks to the use of nuclear power. The hybrid sub-critical reactor has no chain reaction and can't run away. The hybrid is cooled with helium gas which can't become radioactive. Without cooling water, a large pressure dome isn't required reducing plant cost and site size. The hybrid produces fusion neutrons without large lasers or enormous magnets while keeping its fuel at a billion times the fuel density of tokamaks. The fast fusion neutrons will fission thorium and spent reactor fuel. A good business case comes from being paid twice to fission existing nuclear waste while generating electricity. Hybrid fuel rods can be installed in existing reactors to "burn" nuclear waste on-site while reducing the time between refueling cycles. The hybrid reactor makes the best use of fusion's fast neutrons and fission's high energy density without the complications of either. A new, safer, cleaner nuclear technology can reduce carbon emissions and present environmental advantages.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to characterize the Lattice Confinement Fusion-Fast Fission of depleted uranium through time-resolved neutron spectroscopy. Lattice Confinement Fusion holds deuterium fuel in a metal lattice as an electron-screened, cold plasma at a billion times the plasma density of a tokamak. Extended Electrodynamics may provide insight into the fusion driver. Earlier experiments measured the fast fission of deuterium-loaded natural uranium and thorium by high-resolution gamma (HPGe) spectroscopy, alpha/beta scintillator spectroscopy, and solid-state nuclear track detectors. Neutron energies were calculated to average 6.4 MeV. Phase I will use these diagnostics and measure the fast neutron spectrum with multiple neutron scintillator spectrometers with 500 MHz sampling rates and 200 keV energy resolution from 300 keV to 20 MeV. We expect to observe the 2.45 MeV Deuterium Deuterium (DD), 14.1 MeV Deuterium Tritium (DT) fusion neutrons and conventional neutron fission spectra peaking at 1 MeV, averaging 2 MeV with a Maxwellian tail past 10 MeV. Phase I control, and active experiments will be shielded against cosmogenic neutrons. Four sets of ten-day runs are planned with four simultaneous micro-reactors per run. The neutron flux, drive currents, and voltages will determine the scaling efficacy of a fusion-fast-fission sub-critical hybrid reactor 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. -
GNU COMPANY, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Safety Syringe Needle for Prevention of Unintended/Accidental Puncture (Needlestick Injury)
Contact
147 HIGHLAND AVE
Winchester, MA 01890--1435
NSF Award
2219892 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$249,369
Start / end date
05/01/2023 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 medical device for intramuscular injections that will reduce needlestick injury. Unintended or accidental puncture is the second most common occupational hazard for healthcare staff. An estimated 385,000 needlestick injuries occur in the United States each year impacting 5.6 million healthcare workers. Needlestick injury represents one of the largest risks, both financially ($258 million annually) and medically (e.g., bloodborne pathogen exposure), to healthcare providers. This project aims to develop a novel, flexible hypodermic needle with a safety syringe that enables rapid injections while replacing sharp needles and significantly reducing risks of unintended health care provider injury.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project provides a novel, flexible, polymer needle-based safety syringe for health care providers to perform intramuscular injections in patients. A novel and variable stiffness shaft is integrated with an external safety lumen mechanism to create an integrated delivery system with the same delivery reliability and repeatability as standard needlesticks. The design will be prototyped and evaluated under a variety of human factors considerations. The device will be required to pass several mechanical tests for puncture, insertion, and lumen integrity in a consistent manner, as anticipated during routine clinical 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. -
GRAYSKYTECH, INC
SBIR Phase I: Enhanced Parallelism for Faster Simulation and Validation of Integrated Circuits
Contact
19505 219TH AVE NE
Woodinville, WA 98077--6732
NSF Award
2414353 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be in significant reduction of the time required to design complex integrated circuits (ICs) and accomplish comprehensive verification. ICs are integral part of modern electronic devices and play a critical role in determining device performance and cost. However, exponentially rising demand for better smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc., is forcing IC designers to include more features within a smaller format. These complex designs can take months for complete verification using the current state-of-the-art tools (simulators and emulators). Due to extremely high market competition, IC manufacturers are doing partial design verification and launching the products in the market. This is causing increased revocation of launched products, consumer dissatisfaction, loss of billions of dollars, and generation of e-waste. This work will enable comprehensive verification of ICs at a faster rate and lower cost thereby preventing massive economic losses and environmental pollution.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a technology that will provide IC design houses a distinctive advantage over the competition concerning time-to-market, risk, and remediation of post-silicon bugs, and design NRE (non-recurring engineering) by dramatically improving simulation performance. The innovation is based on successfully minimizing the limitations imposed by Amdahl?s law. To overcome Amdahl?s law, the company is developing an instruction-less, configurable computer architecture. It incorporates a bulk synchronous data flow architecture, using a proprietary data format and algorithm. The technology can in effect turn a single FPGA (field-programmable gate array) into hundreds of incredibly fast virtual processors that can concurrently solve product terms for equations at the speed of the processor-to-memory interface. The company has developed an initial virtual processor called the Boolean Processing Unit (BPU). The software converts the design from Verilog into a set of Sum-of-Product form Boolean equations, that the BPU can solve via targeting IC behavioral simulation computing, 30x faster than existing simulators. The innovation has the potential to provide emulator performance at simulator cost and features.
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. -
GREENKEY, LLC
STTR Phase I: Nanocellulose Derived from Sargassum Dissolving Pulp
Contact
27 AMANDA DRIVE
Penrose, NC 28766--8802
NSF Award
2423491 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 transforming Sargassum seaweed, an invasive species, into low-cost nanocellulose for sustainable packaging. This innovative approach addresses the environmental challenge of Sargassum blooms while contributing to the circular economy by creating valuable products from waste. The project's potential impact includes significant environmental benefits by reducing plastic waste and reliance on non-renewable resources, stimulating economic growth in coastal communities affected by Sargassum, and fostering green technology innovation. By making biodegradable solutions more accessible and cost-effective, this project supports the national interest by promoting scientific progress, advancing national health and prosperity, and enhancing environmental welfare. The technology offers a market opportunity by providing a competitive alternative to traditional packaging materials.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to develop a novel, cost-effective process for producing nanocellulose from Sargassum seaweed. The technical challenge addressed includes overcoming the high cost and energy requirements associated with current wood-based nanocellulose production methods. The research objectives are to validate a proprietary pulping process, optimize energy and water usage, and achieve efficient nanofibrillation of Sargassum dissolving pulp. The proposed research involves detailed characterization of the resulting nanocellulose, comparing its properties and production costs to those derived from hardwood pulp. Anticipated technical results include establishing a scalable method for producing high-quality nanocellulose, demonstrating reduced energy and water consumption, and providing a sustainable alternative to conventional materials. This project builds on preliminary research that has shown the potential of Sargassum-based nanocellulose to meet industry standards, with significant implications for materials science and environmental 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. -
GROUND CONTROL ROBOTICS, INC.
STTR Phase I: Weed Control Via Terradynamically Robust Robots
Contact
720 HUNTING VIEW POINT
Atlanta, GA 30328--2784
NSF Award
2335553 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
02/15/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project develops a robotic platform that can provide automated weed control throughout crop development stages. In recent years, weed control costs have been growing due to the rise of herbicide-resistant weeds and the increase in costs of agricultural labor. Additionally, increased demand for fruits and vegetables leaves these specialty crop farmers struggling to find options to increase productivity while keeping expenses manageable. Several companies offer automated weed control in vegetables; however, these large platforms struggle not to damage fruit in berry orchards. This project aims to develop swarms of robotic devices that can operate underneath the plant canopy to provide mechanical weed control for berries throughout the year without impacting plant growth. This technological development will enable domestic fruit production to meet the growing consumer demand and allow for less chemical use in fruit production, reducing herbicide-associated health risks to farm workers and consumers. Long term, these devices can augment weed control strategies in other crops and perform different agricultural tasks such as fungicide treatments and plant health monitoring, with the goal of automating agriculture to be more efficient and sustainable.
This Small Business Technology Transfer project aims to develop rugged, low-to-the-ground, multi-legged robots that can locomote in various agricultural fields. This technology builds off of recent works demonstrating the effectiveness of centipedes and centipede-like robots when traveling over diverse terrains. When properly coordinated, these mechanically redundant legged systems demonstrate robust locomotion in complex terrain without the need for sensory feedback. This project will leverage this platform and perform systematic robot experimentation and theoretical modeling to develop coordination schemes for various maneuvers in agricultural terrain analogues. These strategies will then be implemented on a hardened robot to reliably locomote beneath the canopy in crop fields and identify weeds using an onboard camera and computer vision techniques. This device will make use of low-cost components and principles of mobility in complex environments to deliver guaranteed locomotion in these unpredictable terrains. Eventually, swarms of these devices will be deployed on various crop fields to provide autonomous weed management throughout the growing season, decreasing the costs of production for farmers and consumers. This project will result in a robust robotic platform that can provide cheap, reliable, all-terrain locomotion and such a device can extend beyond agriculture to address other U.S. sectors such as search-and-rescue and defense.
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. -
GROUP1, INC.
STTR Phase I: Potassium Ion Battery with Intermediate Charge Rate Competes with Lithium Ferrophosphate (LFP)-based Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs)
Contact
3055 HUNTER ROAD
San Marcos, TX 78666--6460
NSF Award
2332113 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,986
Start / end date
03/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project addresses the growing demand for "beyond lithium (Li)-ion" technologies by developing Potassium (K) Ion Batteries (KIB) as sustainable alternatives for Lithium (Li)-Ion Batteries (LIBs). In 2022, the market for Lithium-Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries was valued at $12.5 billion, and projections suggest it will reach $52.7 billion by 2030, with a notable 19.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2030. The main driver behind this growth is the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). KIBs have the potential to become a cost-effective performance alternative to LIBs in EV and stationary applications with a domestic materials supply chain. The primary objective of this project is to enhance KIB performance, particularly focusing on enabling fast charge cycling for EVs applications. This endeavor aligns with the pursuit of a sustainable energy future, reduced dependence on critical materials, and the promotion of economic growth.
The intellectual merit of this project addresses a key question in ?beyond Li-ion? energy storage systems: Why do non-Li architectures, that should in principle function as well as Li architectures, fall short at faster charging rates and how can this be resolved? While individual non-Li components (cathode, anode, and electrolyte) are highly promising in terms of charge transfer and storage behavior, why does the holistic system fall short? In a broader sense, resolving this quandary could potentially enable other earth abundant non-Li architectures to become viable, enabling domestically sourced energy systems to flourish. The commercially focused effort operates at the core of structure-functional properties relations within non-Li systems, where there is markedly much less understanding versus existing LIBs. The project will unravel key structure-properties relations in the nominally more reactive K-based architectures. This collaborative effort will allow for a broad spectrum of learning, starting at basic mechanistic insight at meso scale and advancing to commercially relevant full KIB pouch cell 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. -
GROW OYSTER REEFS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: CAS: Biomimetic 3D Printed Metal Mold to Mass Produce Dry-Pressed, Modular, Biophilic Concrete Reef Substrate
Contact
4400 MECHUMS SCHOOL HL
Charlottesville, VA 22903--6951
NSF Award
2334667 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
02/01/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is focused on the development of an innovative 3D printed metal mold that works with industry standard concrete block production machinery to mass produce dry-cast, nature-based, concrete reef restoration substrate units. These modular units will be suitable for use for shoreline protection and ecosystem restoration along estuaries, rivers and vulnerable coastlines. Offshore, these units will provide the US offshore wind industry with the means to restore the seabed, while protecting cables, creating sanctuary reefs, increasing biodiversity, and improving water quality. Produced by existing concrete block manufacturers in coastal locations, or on-site, using the novel metal molds, the substrates, located in the inter-tidal zone attract and protect embryonic shellfish including oysters, mussels and clams, and a multitude of other aquatic organisms including crabs, fish, and submerged aquatic vegetation. In deep water, the same substrate units attract abundant cold-water corals and sponges. Working with nature, these units can help protect coastal communities from the impact of climate change, storm surge, rising water levels, and erosion ? creating jobs in concrete fabrication, restoring wetlands, reviving fisheries and commercial aquaculture, and increasing revenues from tourism ? with reefs teeming with life.
This SBIR Phase 1 project encompasses the design and fabrication of an intricate 3-D printed steel mold suitable for the production of dry pressed, biophilic concrete, modular shoreline protection and aquatic ecosystem restoration units. This project addresses considerations of ecological impacts, technical constraints in the concrete industry and both offshore and coastal infrastructure construction practices. Additive metal manufacturing will be used to fabricate the mold. Biomimetics, learning from the reef-building capacities of oysters, corals and other calcitic organisms, will inform the geometrically complex surfaces of the dry-cast, calcium carbonate rich, modular unit produced by the mold. The cast will resemble the benthic topography of a reef, providing a stable substrate for larvae that supports their growth from spat to maturity, providing protection from predators. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations will be used to examine water flow within and around the larval settlement surfaces. The unit will include fissures, cavities, cracks and crevices, dimples, linear channels, and large and small holes to provide a variety of interstitial spaces at multiple scales (micro and macro) that sustain multi-species cooperation in a diverse aquatic ecosystem.
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. -
Goeppert LLC
STTR Phase I: Ultrascalable Non-volatile Memory with Multifunctionality by MOCVD Direct Growth Two-Dimensional Materials
Contact
2200 ARCH ST UNIT 504
Philadelphia, PA 19103--1343
NSF Award
2420854 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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) project is to advance the development of high-performance, energy-efficient artificial intelligence (AI) hardware. The proposed innovation enables the scalable integration of adaptive, non-volatile memory elements based on atomically thin molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) into complex silicon trench structures. This approach promises to overcome density and bandwidth limitations in current memory technologies, providing a platform for specialized AI accelerators with tightly coupled computation and storage. Successful commercialization could significantly enhance the capabilities of machine learning systems across various domains, offering societal benefits in fields such as healthcare, transportation, and scientific research. The project fosters collaboration among academic institutions, government agencies, and industry partners, strengthening the U.S. position in the strategically important AI hardware sector.
This STTR Phase I project proposes to develop a novel manufacturing process for integrating two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 material into trenches composed of CMOS-compatible materials to make high-density memristors in a high-aspect-ratio microstructure. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of directly growing conformal MoS2 monolayers on complex 3D topographies using a low-temperature metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) technique. The research objectives include optimizing the growth parameters to achieve reliable resistive switching performance and assessing the scalability of the integration scheme. The anticipated technical results comprise a proof-of-concept demonstration of multifunctional MoS2 memristor arrays with improved storage density as well as fabrication process uniformity compared to planar designs. This project aims to establish the groundwork for further development of this technology toward commercially viable AI hardware solutions for less energy-hungry, multifunctional, and highly efficient computing.
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. -
H-BAR INSTRUMENTS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Liquid Helium Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Sample Holder for Atomic Imaging of Next-Generation Materials
Contact
625 REVENA PL
Ann Arbor, MI 48103--3639
NSF Award
2322155 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,771
Start / end date
12/01/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to enable atomic- and nano-scale imaging of materials and devices at temperatures as low as 10 K through the development of a stable liquid helium transmission electron microscope (TEM) specimen holder. Though TEM imaging modalities are amongst the most powerful metrology tools used in materials science, a long-standing lack of stable ultra-low temperature capabilities limits the range of their application to materials and technologies that operate at relatively high temperatures. Stable ultra-low-temperature capabilities are urgently needed for state-of-the-art TEM machines to enable scientific discovery and development across a broad range of emerging, previously inaccessible fields. This project targets and expands the electron microscopy market (expected to exceed $10 billion by 2028) which is rapidly growing in tandem with metrology needs of semiconductor, quantum device, renewable energy, and life-sciences markets.
This project includes the development and testing of a novel cryogenic specimen holder with high stability as well as the quantification of high-resolution TEM imaging and stability metrics at liquid helium temperatures. To successfully gather atomic resolution or high-quality spectroscopic data, high thermal and vibrational stability, long hold times, and precise temperature control are necessary. Current low-temperature holders are not only incapable of reaching cold enough temperatures, but they suffer from significant instabilities and thermal losses, heavily affecting image resolution. They rely on small cryogenic dewars which lead to severe temperature fluctuations and vibrations as the unstable cryogen (liquid helium) rapidly evaporates. This project incorporates an innovative design with controlled liquid helium flow cooling, vibration decoupling, and precise temperature regulation over long hold times. The technology will result in the development of a commercial instrument that turns any TEM into an ultra-low-temperature imaging platform capable of characterizing novel materials for next-generation 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. -
HENDTECH LLC
SBIR Phase I: Computer Vision for Merchandizing Forest Products
Contact
111 BELLS CREEK DR
Simpsonville, SC 29681--4294
NSF Award
2329601 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
02/15/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will result from applying leading-edge artificial intelligence technology to the logging industry. Logging (wood harvesting) is the first step in the production of paper packaging, health and hygiene products, clothing fibers, and even resins that are used in our technology devices. The forest products industry employs nearly one million people and contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to the US economy each year. Yet, there has been very little technological innovation in logging in recent decades. This project aims to research and develop computer vision technology that will augment a person?s ability to grade harvested trees accurately. The resulting technology may increase the number of jobs available to unskilled workers in rural areas, ensure effective and efficient utilization of harvested trees, and increase revenues for thousands of small businesses in the wood supply chain.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a computer vision system to augment the skills of human-machine operators in the tasks of grading and sorting logs. During the project, a suitable domain-specific dataset will be established, a new chain of computer vision models will be created and trained, and a fully integrated prototype will be deployed in a remote environment. To achieve these goals, the company will research the use of self-supervised learning to expedite the creation of a domain-specific dataset, along with adaptable chains of models and model compression to enable efficient inference at the logging site (i.e., without the need for cloud computing resources). The company will also create new methods for determining specific objects of interest (such as defects) and assessing the grade of each log. If successful, the project will demonstrate a computer vision system that is able to identify and locate specific logs of interest, track the logs, assess each log?s dimensions, locate defects on the logs, accurately determine a grade for each log, and give visual feedback to a machine operator ? all within the operator?s brief decision timeframe.
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. -
HENSUN INNOVATION LLC
STTR Phase I: Colleague: An AI-Enhanced Assistant Empowering K-12 Teachers with High-Quality Math Instruction
Contact
906 W 2ND AVE STE 100
Spokane, WA 99201--4540
NSF Award
2423365 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will contribute to the development of the nation?s STEM workforce through enhancing K-12 students? mathematical proficiency beginning with support for educators. The artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced platform augments K-12 teachers? capacity to develop high-quality and inclusive math instruction to meet diverse students? learning needs. The innovation leverages rapid advancement of AI in transforming both the workforce and educational landscapes, providing educators with a companion to significantly improve students' math performance, critical thinking skills, and readiness for a future AI-enhanced workforce. Importantly, this platform will democratize access to high-quality educational resources, particularly benefiting teachers in under-resourced schools by alleviating their workload stress and fostering a community of shared knowledge and practices. The adoption of this platform offers significant commercial opportunities within a $15bn market for educational technology in K12 education and offers a model of industry-university partnership in the development of educational technology, providing a robust and research-based solution to enhance scientific innovation and practical, classroom-based applications of AI while keeping humans in the loop through participatory co-design with educators. The project not only aligns with the national interest by promoting scientific progress and educational excellence but also holds substantial promise for economic returns.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to tackle the pressing challenges in K-12 math education in terms of widened achievement gaps among student demographics, by developing education-specific AI technology. Phase I research and development will integrate new AI models which assist teachers in their ability to retrieve or generate lesson materials, catered to teachers? instructional approaches and their students? learning needs, and meeting research-based math instructional quality criteria. Personalized instruction, including formative assessment, auto-scoring and generation of diagnostic reports, targeted materials for enhanced student mastery or remediation as well as student feedback will be infused into the platform through iterative, participatory co-design student with 30 math educators and A/B testing with thousands of educators. Utilizing retrieval and augmentation models, nudging algorithms, and domain specific generative AI models that work alongside teachers to inspire creativity, agency, and growth that works alongside teachers, acting as a trusted companion, to prompt teachers to refine parts of the drafty lesson plan. This platform aims to shift the nature of AI-powered instructional technology with research-based practices tailored to domains and provided to educators in real time to transform how educators develop lesson materials and amplifies their ability to provide learners with more effective, personalized, and engaging instruction.
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. -
HOOFPRINT BIOME, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Bioengineering probiotic yeast to mitigate methane emissions from cattle
Contact
840 OVAL DRIVE
Raleigh, NC 27606-
NSF Award
2322126 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$273,111
Start / end date
01/15/2024 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project develops a technology that could drastically reduce the impact of livestock production on the environment. Methane emissions from livestock account for over 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which must be reduced significantly in order to meet climate change reduction targets. Simultaneously, profit margins in beef and dairy farming are slim, leaving farmers unable to adopt climate-friendly practices that are too costly. This product could increase the profitability of cattle farming while playing a key role in achieving net zero emissions from the food system.
This team develops enzymes to be secreted from a probiotic yeast to eliminate methane emissions from cattle. The company has previously identified a set of enzymes that restrict methane production in the rumen of cattle. This project will further develop and package these enzymes in a probiotic yeast strain which has already been shown to increase milk yield by over 5%, thereby offering a dual benefit to the farmers. Project success requires a) screening an enzyme library to identify lead candidates for reduction of rumen methane, b) optimizing enzymes for further methane reduction, and c) demonstrating enzyme secretion and cost-efficient enzyme delivery by the probiotic yeast. Completion of these objectives will yield a product that will decrease cattle methane emissions by a minimum of 30%, and potentially by up to 98%, while simultaneously improving the health and productivity of cattle.
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. -
HPLUS INC
SBIR Phase I: ADVANCING PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE WATER ELECTROLYZER TECHNOLOGY USING A MULTIFUNCTIONAL POROUS TRANSPORT LAYER TO PRODUCE LOW-COST GREEN HYDROGEN WITH LOW ENERGY
Contact
990 CHELTENHAM RD
Santa Barbara, CA 93105--2234
NSF Award
2430376 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$269,334
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the stress on the nation?s energy infrastructure by reducing carbon pollution through increasing energy and electrical efficiencies and integrating renewable energy sources. Electrolysis, a promising hydrogen production option, addresses all these areas and has a global polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzer market valued at $131.01 million in 2022, predicted to reach $2.304 billion by 2031. Phase I of this project targets key design advancements that benefit the broader scientific community, through increased efficiencies of these electrolyzers. The proposed efficiency improvement ensures the United States maintains a technological lead in developing and deploying advanced energy technologies and enhances economic and energy security by lowering the $/kilogram (kg) of hydrogen, making green hydrogen cost competitive. This, in turn, helps reduce imports of energy from foreign sources as green hydrogen is incorporated, resulting in a reduction of energy-related emissions.
The intellectual merit of this project aims to reduce electrolyzer operating expense, constituting 50% of the total ownership cost, by improving electrolyzer efficiency by 20%. This enables polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) to use only 44 kilowatt-hour (kWh)/kg hydrogen (H2), surpassing the Department of Energy?s 2026 targets, and is more efficient than current PEMWE tech at 53 kWh/kg H2. This is realized in Phase I through systematic studies to improve porous transport layer (PTL) design and validate the efficiency improvements under normal commercial operating conditions. As such, Phase I technical objectives are to: (1) Develop an advanced multi-scale, physics-based numerical model to understand the impact of microstructure parameters on mass transport and access the efficiency gains in the tunable 3D space; (2) Harness photochemical etching of the novel titanium microfluidic-based PTL prototypes for precise control of morphology and related performance; (3) Conduct performance tests for design validation and to understand performance and ohmic loss mechanisms; (4) Address market risks relevant to PTL design through mechanical durability and hydrogen crossover testing. Anticipated results include higher efficiency and cost reduction from PTL design optimization, successful implementation of manufacturing leading to scalability and cost effectiveness, and addressing market risks, advancing the product toward 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. -
HYPERKELP INC
SBIR Phase I: Feasibility of an L5 GPS-Based Tsunami Detection and Alerting System
Contact
1702 SWALLOWTAIL RD
Encinitas, CA 92024--1259
NSF Award
2345775 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,694
Start / end date
06/01/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in the development and deployment of an effective, affordable, and globally accessible detection and alert system for tsunamis on coastlines worldwide. Tsunamis are among the most significant ways in which the ocean impacts human civilization. With the increasing population density along coastlines and the global rise in sea levels, the potential for tsunamis to cause unprecedented harm is higher than ever. The proposed product providing enhanced wave height and arrival time maps to its customers could provide significantly more timely alerts to at-risk populations, providing them with essential evacuation information and crucial hours to prepare for approaching waves. This could herald a major shift in tsunami preparedness and resilience. This technology offers wide-ranging benefits for various groups and industries such as small island economies, defense operations, and commercial port operators.
To develop these capabilities, this project proposes a buoy-deployable software product that takes advantage of new generations of Global Positioning System (GPS) to detect tsunamis at sea, hours before they make landfall. It will use revolutionary advancements in GPS technology, particularly in vertical accuracy, to detect, prepare for, and mitigate the formidable threat of tsunamis. For the first time, new generations of GPS provide sufficient resolution to detect the subtle vertical displacement of the ocean surface caused by passing tsunami waves with a single receiver even in open ocean. The project will focus on the development of novel methods of signal classification using Dense Neural Network (DNN) and optimize them with rapid Machine Learning (ML) methods. This is expected to help demonstrate that tsunami signatures can be perceived in real-time by low-cost and low-power on-edge processing capabilities. When this new on-edge technology is deployed on widespread ocean buoys, it would form a robust tsunami detection network. These buoys will serve as sentinels, capable of sensing distinct sea level changes that signal an impending tsunami.
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. -
Himet Materials LLC
STTR Phase I: Wafer-Integrated Soft Magnetic Composite Films for Inductors with High Power Density and Efficiency
Contact
16433 MONTEREY ST. SUITE 120
Morgan Hill, CA 95037--7168
NSF Award
2304631 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,972
Start / end date
09/01/2023 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to revolutionize the miniature-powered Integrated Circuit (IC) converter market, widely used in cellular phones, Internet of Things devices, and microsensors. The technology will provide form factor reductions of various modules, leading to the further miniaturization of on-chip components. A manufacturing facility can service several IC companies by providing foundry capabilities to integrate inductors according to each customer?s design. The technology can provide US manufacturers of such devices with a significant competitive edge in the very large mobile electronics and miniature electronics markets both in commercial and defense markets. Establishing manufacturing capability in the US will support a revival of component packaging and back-end integration business.
Mobile device miniaturization is increasing at a rapid rate. In on-board power converters, passive components such as inductors and capacitors are among the largest components. The non-availability of IC-compatible, low-cost, soft magnetic cores with low loss, high frequency (>10MHz), and high saturation magnetization limits the implementation of on-chip inductors. The project aims to create innovative, soft magnetic composite (SMC) materials for inductor cores. IC-compatible high-performance SMC films, with thicknesses that can be scaled to 50 microns and above without losing performance, will be developed for the first time. The project's initial goal will be to develop physical and electrochemical synthesis methodologies for high magnetic moment, low loss, SMC materials that can be used to fabricate on-chip inductors, replacing ferrite core-based inductors in circuits. The approach can be scaled to handle different ranges of power and can be integrated on wafers, package substrates, or boards. These cores will enable inductor thickness to be reduced by at least 10 times for use in low form factor, point-of-use, direct current (DC) to DC power converters and IC voltage regulator circuitry.
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. -
ICONIUM ENGINEERING COMPANY
STTR Phase I: Refrigerant Ionic liquid Separation
Contact
2029 BECKER DRIVE
Lawrence, KS 66047--1620
NSF Award
2232475 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
04/01/2023 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will be to provide the refrigerant industry with the first commercial designs for separating complex, multi-component, azeotropic refrigerant mixtures for economical recycling. The American Innovation and Manufacturing Act authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase down production and consumption of refrigerants causing global warming by 85 percent over 15 years. The societal, economical, and environmental benefits are estimated to create thousands of jobs and increase manufacturing by billions of dollars in the U.S. while reducing venting and incineration, and subsequently global temperature rise. There are millions of metric tons of mixed refrigerants that cannot be reclaimed using current fractional distillation technology. The proposed ionic liquid extractive distillation technology will make possible the separation and reuse of these complex refrigerant mixtures. The startup company funded through this project will provide a novel separation technology to the refrigerant industry that is of strategic national interest. Outreach activities, especially toward the inclusion of women and underrepresented minorities will be supported through this project.
This STTR Phase I project proposes to demonstrate that complex, multi-component, azeotropic refrigerant mixtures can be separated using ionic liquids, and that the products can meet industry standard specifications. Refrigerant mixture R-404A, used broadly throughout the commercial refrigeration industry (e.g., grocery stores) is a complex, ternary azeotropic mixture containing HFC-143a (1,1,1-trifluoroethane), which has a high global warming potential. HFC-143a will be one of the first refrigerants to be reused in new low global warming blends containing hydrofluoroolefins if the HFC-143a can be economically separated. Over 100 complex, multicomponent refrigerant mixtures exist in the market. This project will enable the development of processes, technologies, and systems designs required for industry to meet and exceed the phase down goals. The program objectives include the separation of R-404A into components, the creation of a process model, and testing of recovered R-404A from industry to understand the effects of impurities. The results will be used to develop a technoeconomic model and commercial scale designs that the team will build and/or license to the refrigerant industry.
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. -
IHNNOVA LLC
STTR Phase I: Hand-Held Induction Heaters for Pancreatic and Prostatic Cancer Treatment
Contact
234 CALLE ERNESTO RAMOS ANTONINI, MAYAGUEZ BAJOS
Mayaguez, PR 00680-
NSF Award
2404556 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 09/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a portable device providing focused magnetic field applications for treating cancer using magnetic nanoparticle-based cancer strategies, but in patients with metallic implants (e.g., joint replacements, pacemakers, stents) who are currently ineligible for the treatment due to their peripheral effects. Cancer treatments typically require customized strategies and the appropriate tools for treatment without damaging the surrounding tissues. The proposed innovation aims to provide contactless heating of electrically conductive materials in challenging areas to directly access of the patient, enabling access to a subset of patients for an emerging therapy for cancer treatment who are currently ineligible due to compatibility issues with the form of energy delivery and their peripheral effects. The potential opportunity of the 2 million patients with either pancreatic and prostate cancer who may be contraindicated for existing systems represents a 131MM annual market opportunity.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to advance the development and evaluation of hand-held induction heaters for cancer treatment. The system aims to provide magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH), an emerging electromagnetic thermal treatment for treating cancer. The system proposes benefits to current larger and more complex systems with exclusion criteria for patients with metallic implants below their neck due to heating risks. The objectives are to (a) develop methods to deliver signi?cant thermal energy to pancreatic and prostate porcine organs in vivo, and (b) characterize and validate the extent and severity of tissue damage using patented, unique, deep technology on swine models. This project will focus on its feasibility as a cancer treatment, to advance the proposed technology from a Technology Readiness Level 4, representing laboratory validation, to Level 6 indicating the technology has been validated in a relevant environment. The Phase 1 results will finalize feasibility assessments for a novel instrument that enables an emerging MFH cancer treatment but for currently contraindicated patients, into clinical practice for human use, 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. -
ILLUMINATE THERAPEUTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: The LADDR Platform for Precise Delivery of Nucleic Acid Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer and Esophageal Cancer
Contact
16 ALISO WAY
Portola Valley, CA 94028--7527
NSF Award
2432864 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in the development of Illuminate Therapeutics? Light Activated Drug Delivery and Release (LADDR) platform technology to improve patient outcomes in head and neck (H&N) and esophageal cancer treatment. H&N and esophageal cancers are some of the most common cancers worldwide and make up 4.5% of all new cancer cases in the US. Over 60,000 cases of H&N cancer and over 20,000 cases of esophageal cancer are newly diagnosed in the US each year. The total market for H&N cancer treatment is ~$1.2 billion in 2021, with a CAGR of 12.5% during the forecast period. The esophageal cancer market is similarly sized, with the market valued at $1.14 billion in 2021, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.50%. The LADDR platform enables precise spatiotemporal delivery of small therapeutic RNAs to tumors by a combination of nanoparticle-mediated delivery and activation triggered by external light. The use of LADDR with microRNA mimics in the treatment of cancer will preserve healthy tissues, maintaining critical tissue function while eliminating the common side effects associated with current standard-of-care treatments.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is crucial to the commercialization of the LADDR technology by derisking two major potential issues: 1) predicting responsive and non-responsive tumors and 2) determining the impact of route of administration on LADDR?s basic pharmacokinetic/dynamic properties. The key objectives in this study are to: 1) identify microRNA-mimic-responsive and non-responsive patient-derived tumors, 2) select the predictive markers for responsive tumors, and 3) determine the basic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the LADDR vehicle for delivering functional microRNA mimics to tumors in vivo. The research is separated into two objectives. Objective 1 will determine the breadth of each microRNA mimic?s activity in representative patient-derived tumor organoids derived from H&N and esophageal cancers and identify biomarkers of responsive and non-responsive tumors for the development of personalized therapies. Objective 2 will determine the impact of the route on LADDR?s basic pharmacokinetic/dynamic properties. The insight gained in this study will allow the identification of the functional targets of microRNA mimics in H&N and esophageal tumors and provide a proof-of-concept for therapeutic microRNA mimic delivery using light-activated LADDR vehicles in vivo.
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. -
IN VIRTUALIS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Neurotechnology for Enhanced Access to Virtual and Physical Reality
Contact
501 N J ST APT 7
Tacoma, WA 98403--2035
NSF Award
2423677 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in developing a bi-directional interface between the mind and machine to support advanced neuroprosthetics and devices aimed at restoring functional independence to the more than 21 million Americans struggling with paralysis and motor deficits. This innovative product will enable individuals to seamlessly connect to the digital world by using thought to control adaptive Artificial Intelligence (AI) and wearable devices, linking directly to myriad devices and leveraging advanced computer vision, embodied AI, and accessible extended reality (XR). By integrating AI, existing invasive and non-invasive neural devices merge with virtual and augmented reality technologies to accelerate Brain Computer Interface (BCI) research and provide portable and accessible BCI development platforms. Additionally, the brain-to-AI interface can adapt to various user input modalities. This scalable design platform presents a significant commercial opportunity and contributes to national health and welfare by accelerating scientific progress in service of individuals with a need for enhanced physical and neurological supports.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to overcome the limitations of low bandwidth neural control in brain-computer interfaces (BCI) and accelerate the development of deployable BCI solutions that can restore independent activities of daily living (ADLs) in individuals with sensorimotor needs. To achieve this, the project will develop a Unity-based eXtended Reality (XR) BCI-development platform, a unifying API capable of handling data from diverse real-time digital signal processing pipelines, and sophisticated XR environments simulating ADLs. An inferential AI agent will be designed to translate minimal API inputs into complex ADL actions. The development of the AI agent will focus on designing a meaningful and solvable ADL challenge in virtual reality (VR), which will then be replicated in augmented reality (AR) to support future XR-BCI deployment. Anticipated technical results include the development of a sophisticated XR-BCI design platform and API, along with the successful demonstration of AI-mediated XR-BCI in both VR and AR settings. This project combines state-of-the-art AI and XR spatial computing to advance scientific development and accelerate the deployment of real-world BCI solutions that can restore functional independence to those with sensorimotor impairments.
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. -
INFORMUTA, INC.
STTR Phase I: Leveraging Sequencing to Identify and Predict Multidrug Resistance
Contact
2719 DABADIE ST
New Orleans, LA 70119--2213
NSF Award
2421262 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 develop a platform for detecting genetic antibiotic resistance motifs that are predictive of current and future susceptibility to therapeutics. Antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis that is predicted to overtake cancer and heart disease as the leading cause of death by 2050, taking 10 million lives annually. Antibiotic-resistant infections directly cause 1.2 million deaths and play a significant role in an additional 4.95 million globally. In the US, there are over 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections annually, which result in 35,000 deaths which cost the US health system >$20B in direct medical costs. Contributing to this crisis, it is estimated that half of antibiotic prescriptions are unnecessary or misused. There are currently 6,129 hospitals in the U.S. that have created a total available market for antibiotic resistance diagnostics of $3.9B. With the adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques making the required data inputs more available every day, this project will expand the 10% market share already garnered by NGS technologies for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST).
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will establish the feasibility of leveraging mutational signatures found in the DNA of bacteria and predict current and future drug resistance status. Mutational signatures are highly specific global patterns associated with mutational processes in cells. We have shown they can be indicative of past antibiotic exposure leading to an understanding of current resistance status. Additionally, we have shown specific signatures are indicative of rapid future multidrug resistance acquisition, lending to insights into the likelihood or lability of an infection to mutate and become resistant to treatment unlike any current product on the market. This approach offers two significant advantages: 1) no reliance on specific genes/mutations to identify a genotype/phenotype, enabling detection of emerging, uncharacterized resistance mechanisms, and 2) species agnosticism due to high evolutionary conservation of signatures. The current project will build upon signature analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that lead to a near 100% accuracy in predicting antimicrobial susceptibility and extend the approach to Acinetobacter baumannii, the second most burdensome resistant infection. Whole genome sequences of historical clinical samples, which have undergone extended AST with known exposure and resistance profiles, will be used to identify new signatures in a new bacterial species. These will then be replicated in the lab and finally validated in the clinic by the collection of prospective clinical samples to assess the predictive utility of the newly identified signatures.
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. -
INFRATIE SOLUTIONS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Developing a Smart Virtual Assistant-Enabled Sewer Asset Management Tool
Contact
1201 S INNOVATION WAY STE 590
Stillwater, OK 74074--1579
NSF Award
2404975 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,627
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 improve the level of service for the nation?s sewer infrastructure systems, save millions of dollars of annual spending on sewer pipe rehabilitation costs, and promote human health as the result of the reduced sewer overflows. This innovation is critical to the commercialization of the data management tool as the proposed virtual assistant can unburden data users of the required coding skills for database inquiries. The successful commercialization of the data management tool will have a significant impact on the local economy by creating jobs in sales, civil engineering, data science, and data analytics, business administration. The collaboration with academia will cultivate the future STEM workforce needed in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. In addition, the undergraduate and graduate researchers to be hired on the project will be exposed to entrepreneurship activities, which will cultivate their business thinking and entrepreneurial spirit, leading to more startup company creation in the future.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop a smart virtual assistant-enabled sewer infrastructure asset data management tool to facilitate the implementation of data-driven asset management practices in the wastewater divisions among municipalities. Several technical hurdles will be overcome by the proposed R&D activities. First, the tool should be able to map natural language queries both in text and voice (with different accents and under noisy environments) formats to the correct SQL syntax. Second, the tool should be able to interpret the natural language and precisely retrieve records from specific table/tables, and data field/fields from a large sewer database. Third, the tool needs to identify the correct analysis to present the results either in tabular or graphical formats based on data types, the number of data records, and users' personal preferences. The innovation of the proposed solution goes beyond traditional voice recognition and natural language processing techniques by designing a continuous learning framework, in which cloud large language models (LLMs) and local transformer-based models are integrated to improve the real-time responsiveness of the virtual assistant.
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. -
INIA BIOSCIENCES, INC.
STTR Phase I: Non-invasive focused ultrasound treatment to modulate the immune system for acute and chronic kidney rejection
Contact
1209 N ORANGE ST
Wilmington, DE 19801--1120
NSF Award
2312694 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
03/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 a novel medical device therapy for improving the clinical outcomes of patients receiving organ transplants. Over 100,000 kidney transplant procedures are performed worldwide each year, with up to 20% of patients experiencing rejection. Existing drug treatments, including immunosuppressants, often entail significant side effects with a high financial cost of nearly $30,000 per year per patient. This project aims to develop an external system for reducing inflammatory responses thereby reducing adverse events associated with the transplant and extending the lifetime of the new organ. Beyond kidney organ transplantation, the technology provides potential extensibility for other organ transplants as well as addressing various chronic inflammatory diseases.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project aims to develop a novel ultrasound-based medical device therapy for reducing post-transplant organ rejection. The external system stimulates targeted nerves in the spleen to modulate the immune system through established physiologic pathways. The proposal aims to optimize various ultrasonic parameters in a transplant model to further development towards a functional prototype. The key objectives include 1) developing a pre-clinical transducer delivering the desired therapeutic ultrasonic waveform to the targeted splenic nerves, 2) optimizing the treatment parameters using an accepted preclinical skin allograft model, and 3) validating the reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines in situ in accepted preclinical models. The results of this proposal will demonstrate the safety and feasibility of this technological approach toward eventual clinical patient translation.
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 – 10/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 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. -
INSILICOM LLC
SBIR Phase I: Knowledge Graph-powered Information Retrieval and Causal Inference
Contact
8117 VIBURNUM CT
Tallahassee, FL 32312--5701
NSF Award
2335357 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
02/15/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 as follows. The exponential growth of scientific literature poses two critical challenges: (1) missing important prior studies during research design can lead to resource and time wastage, incorrect conclusions, and missed discoveries, and (2) effectively utilizing the vast volume of scientific knowledge in raw text form has become increasingly difficult. This project aims to build disruptive, commercially valuable products that address these challenges, benefiting the pharmaceutical industry and academic research. In addition, the success of the project in developing advanced AI technologies will have a significant impact on the growth and development of the AI industry in Tallahassee, FL, and the broader southeast region of the United States.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop AI-powered, commercially viable applications enabled by a large-scale biomedical knowledge graph (KG) constructed recently using an award-winning natural language processing (NLP) pipeline. The KG has been further transformed into a causal KG by integrating causal relations and enhanced by incorporating data from 40 public databases and analysis results of some commonly used genomics datasets. To facilitate seamless access to the KG, the project team has developed a versatile query interface named iExplore. This interface enables highly accurate information retrieval and supports causal inference, providing users with valuable insights. In the current project, Insilicom LLC will further increase the coverage of the KG and build a novel literature alert system called iPulse. By combining the advancements in AI, the richness of the knowledge graph, and the utility of the query interface and literature alert system, this project will result in practical and commercially viable applications that will revolutionize the way biomedical knowledge is accessed, interpreted, and utilized.
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. -
INVERSAI, INC.
STTR Phase I: Integrating Vision-Guided Collaborative Robots for Postharvest Processing of Produce
Contact
111 RIVERBEND RD
Athens, GA 30602--1514
NSF Award
2208902 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$212,153
Start / end date
01/15/2023 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 empower the processors of harvested fruits and vegetables with the flexibility to use robotic automation to meet their labor needs. The automation uses collaborative robots (cobots) guided by computer vision, which are potentially safe around humans. The technology will help assure consistent produce quality and processing rates. Through a robust cobot-based solution, the project will provide an affordable, sustainable, and safe means for farms of all sizes to keep up with their production goals, which will sustain competition and the nation?s food supply. This project has the added benefit of upskilling workers in farms by creating openings for more technically oriented positions, both in monitoring and maintaining the cobots. Instead of tediously programming the cobot for each use, the project is introducing a new way of translating the tasks performed by humans to the cobot by learning from camera recordings. It will also improve understanding of how cobots can safely be used alongside humans in a shared working space.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase 1 project aims to make it possible to use cobots with human workers on tasks that go beyond the traditional pick-and-place. The proposed technology will automate processing line tasks that require computer vision, which is challenging because accurate and reliable perception must guide the robot?s motion. Research has coalesced the technical challenges on the path to a viable commercial product around five steps. These start with a formal description of the task domain followed by using robust implementations of noise-tolerant machine learning algorithms for automatically learning the task, and end with a solution that integrates the learned task behavior with a vision-guided cobot system. Phase 1 will support research toward addressing two problems. The first is to design an intuitive way to elicit a precise specification of the client?s task domain. A digital conversational assistant will utilize multiple modalities for the elicitation. The second is the inability of available implementations to generate coworker-aware and efficient cobot movements. The research will investigate and develop significant improvements to the cobot motion to improve coworker safety while reducing the processing time by an expected 50%.
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. -
IRONSIDES MEDICAL INC
SBIR Phase I: AI-Powered Otoscope for Ear Infection Diagnosis
Contact
1 MIFFLIN PL
Cambridge, MA 02138--4907
NSF Award
2419700 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 automated diagnostic medical device technology for diagnosing ear infections, a common condition affecting up to 80% of all US children by age three resulting in nearly 9 million antibiotic prescriptions each year. The diagnostic tool aims to improve ear infection diagostics in multiple settings including pediatric, urgent care, and emergency exam room, with a novel otoscope that improves diagnostic accuracy from 50-60% to in excess of 92%. The improved otoscope aims to reduce the long-term health consequences of poor or improper diagnosis including antibiotic overprescription and antibiotic resistance risks, and adverse drug reactions. The novel system will automate the otoscope access and navigation procedure, and utilize advanced adaptive algorithms to analyze digitally acquired images to improve the clinical diagnostic and prognostic measures for the nearly 500,000 physician and nurse practioners who examine ears in the United States on a routine basis. The device has an annual commercial potential of $240M.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the critical technical challenges in diagnosing ear infections by developing a guided, image analysis enabled otoscope. The Phase 1 objectives advances the steerability and maneuverability of the system, and integrates a high-resolution camera onto an active otoscope enabled with advanced Machine Learning algorithms to guide users in obtaining the optimal eardrum view. The research objectives include systems engineering and development of the prototype including hardware development and algorithm integration, followed by performance validation using a mechanical bench test model. The anticipated outcomes include demonstrating feasibility for the novel prototype otoscope and its navigational software algorithm, for enhancing clinicians and then parents ability to accurately move through the ear canal, avoid wax, and enabling eardrum access and clearer visualization. The results will enable the company?s proprietary image based algorithm for clinicians to make more accurate diagnoses.
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. -
IRRADIANT SENSING CORPORATION
STTR Phase I: Novel Fluorescence-Based Force Sensor for High-Resolution Tactile Sensing
Contact
2281 DAILEY ST
Superior, CO 80027--8318
NSF Award
2432516 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 09/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project are in the area of tactile sensing technology for robotics and biomedical instruments. The tactile sensors enable robots and machines to perceive and interpret physical touch and texture. As the robotics technology is increasingly required to perform complex and delicate operations which requires advanced tactile sensors, it is essential to ensure safe and precise interaction of robots or robotic tools with their environment. There are, however, gaps in the current tactile sensing technology. One is concerned with recognizing textures, and another is safely interacting with soft environment such as biological tissues. The sensor to be developed in this project will enable highly effective recognition of textured surfaces, which then would allow robots to recognize objects more efficiently. Also, it will lead to a safe and precise robotic tool for medical procedures. There exists a large and fast-growing market for tactile sensors which the new technology is expected to make inroads into. The initial market segment will be robotic surgery which will be followed by other robotics market such as humanoid robots.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is designed to develop a novel tactile sensing technology with applications in robotics and biomedical instruments. As the robotics technology matures, there is a growing need for an advanced tactile sensing technology to ensure safe and precise interaction of robots or robotic tools with their environment. The current technologies, however, lack several key capabilities which include high spatial resolution and high force sensitivity. These deficiencies in turn lead to grand challenges such as texture recognition and interaction with soft environments such as biological tissues. The new sensor to be developed in this project will achieve both high spatial resolution and high force sensitivity. It can be mounted on modules with small and adaptable form factors, making it applicable to a wide array of applications. The new ability to effectively recognize textures will enable highly complex and dexterous operations of robots and robotic tools including the emerging humanoid technologies. High sensitivity can be used to ensure safe and precise interaction with biological tissues, which would then enable improved medical procedures. The initial market segment will be robotic surgery which will be followed by other robotics market such as humanoid robots.
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. -
ISLEX THERAPEUTICS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Islet Targeted Restorative Therapy for Type 1 Diabetes
Contact
15 HOLLY CREST DR
Lutherville Timonium, MD 21093--4029
NSF Award
2432114 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact and commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lie in demonstrating the efficacy and safety of beta-cell restorative therapeutics in preclinical studies. This will foster investment and partnerships for further clinical development and eventual commercialization. The technology addresses a significant unmet need in the treatment of stage 3 type-1 diabetes (T1D) and other forms of diabetes with severe beta-cell loss. If successful, the innovation could lead to new therapeutic options for millions of patients worldwide, improving their quality of life and reducing healthcare costs associated with diabetes-related complications. Additionally, the successful commercialization of this therapy has the potential to create high-quality jobs within the biopharmaceutical industry, driving economic growth and innovation.
This phase 1 project aims to develop antibody therapeutics for the treatment of stage 3 (or clinically overt) type-1 diabetes (T1D) by harnessing the synergistic effects of autoimmune protection via a beta-cell masking antibody, insulin supplementation, and targeted delivery of mitogenic drugs to the pancreatic islet, the specific disease site of T1D. This research initiative will draw upon technical expertise in islet biology and autoimmunity, beta-cell regeneration, antibody-drug conjugation, islet-targeted drug delivery, and therapeutic evaluation in mouse models of T1D. The molecular target of this technology is ZnT8, an islet-specific autoantigen implicated in T1D pathogenesis. Insights into ZnT8 biochemistry, cell biology, and its role in T1D autoimmunity have been translated to address the critical need for beta-cell autoimmune protection and targeted delivery of beta-cell regenerative therapies for patients with stage 3 T1D, with potential applications extending to other forms of severe beta-cell loss, including latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. The outcomes of this proposed research include the development of a novel therapeutic product that could revolutionize the treatment landscape for stage 3 T1D and future expansion to other forms of severe beta-cell loss.
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. -
JUNO PROPULSION INC.
SBIR Phase I: Rotating Detonation Combustion Satellite Thruster Using Novel, Non-toxic Propellants
Contact
33530 1ST WAY S
Federal Way, WA 98003--7332
NSF Award
2415516 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,969
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a new satellite thruster with improved performance over competing chemical propulsion solutions. The space economy is rapidly growing to a projected $1 trillion industry by 2030. Despite the strong demand for products and services offered by space providers, there remains a large barrier to accessing and operating in space. The key driver in the economics of operation in space is the performance of the propulsion systems used for transferring the satellite to its intended orbit, performing orbital maneuvers, station-keeping, and de-orbiting at the end of life. Currently, a large portion of the satellite mass must be allocated to propellant, significantly limiting the size and weight that can be allocated to revenue-generating and mission-critical functions like imaging, telecommunications, and other scientific objectives. The thruster developed under this Phase I is projected to operate with significantly higher specific impulse than the current highest-performance solution, leading to an increase in satellite lifespan on the order of 100% in low earth orbit. This new paradigm will permit improvements such as a 40% increase in camera resolution, or an increase of 40% in the amount of mass that can be moved to geostationary orbit.
The intellectual merit of this project is the development of a new in-space thruster using rotating detonation combustion (RDC) and non-toxic propellants. RDC uses detonation combustion to burn reactants at a higher pressure and extract more usable kinetic energy for the same amount of propellant mass. This SBIR effort will also innovate the use of non-toxic propellants which heretofore have not been investigated for use in an RDC. The overall objective for the NSF SBIR program is to develop a pre-flight qualification RDC satellite thruster prototype by focusing on three major goals: (1) development of a performance and detonation prediction tool, (2) demonstration of RDC for the thrust class and propellants of interest, and (3) demonstration of the performance benefit of RDC for the application. These goals will be achieved through a parallel efforts to develop an advanced computational modelling tool as well as initiatives for production and hot-fire testing of the first prototype. By the end of the Phase I program, the goal is to advance the technology to a higher state of feasibility: demonstration of the prototype?s performance in a relevant, vacuum environment.
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. -
KAI TECH LLC
SBIR Phase I: ECG-AID: Electrocardiogram with Advanced Interpretation and Diagnosis
Contact
2224 AHA NIU PL
Honolulu, HI 96821--1009
NSF Award
2432686 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 05/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 an advanced software system for automated electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis. By integrating a large dataset with a clear delineation of normal and abnormal values and innovative machine-learning models, this technology could improve the accuracy and accessibility of ECG interpretation. The ECG-AID software is an inexpensive and user-friendly solution that provides accurate and reproducible automated ECG interpretation that may lead to timely diagnosis of heart disease. The market for this innovation is significant, given that over 300 million ECGs are performed annually in the United States alone. The commercial potential is projected revenues of $25 million by the third year of operation. ECG-AID aims to promote national health and welfare by prioritizing rural healthcare facilities.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project targets a pressing issue in the medical field: the potential inaccuracy of the diagnoses of heart conditions due to 1) a lack of specialized medical expertise leading to highly variable and inaccurate ECG interpretation and 2) outdated automated systems with poor predictive values. The project proposes to develop an innovative software prototype that significantly enhances ECG diagnostic capabilities by integrating a comprehensive ECG database, Z-score-based assessments, and novel machine-learning techniques. This project aims to facilitate the detection of subtle cardiac conditions that are often overlooked, resulting in earlier and more accurate clinical decisions. Through a structured approach involving the design of algorithm sequences, user-friendly interpretations, and automated data extraction, the anticipated technical results in a state-of-the-art ECG analytic system could improve the overall diagnostic accuracy of ECG. This prototype adds tremendous value to an inexpensive and fast test: allowing the development of large-scale high-throughput screenings, it will transform the role of ECGs in standard practice. By fulfilling these objectives, the ECG-AID project is positioned to revolutionize cardiovascular diagnostics, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a substantial societal impact.
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. -
KNOX NETWORKS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: File-Based Digital Assets
Contact
1840 CENTURY PARK E STE 1600
Los Angeles, CA 90067--2116
NSF Award
2341319 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,193
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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) project is to develop a novel technical approach to regulated forms of digital money and securities, including money and government securities, commercial bank money and corporate securities, and others via tokenization of File-Based Digital Assets (FBDAs). Tokenization represents a new frontier in finance that was originally pioneered in blockchain and cryptocurrency, and has many commercial applications to make payments and securities settlement faster, more transparent, and more reliable in the current regulatory environment. FBDAs are not blockchain based and can improve upon existing global payment solutions in making systems more scalable, easier to integrate with other payment systems, and more privacy-enhancing for institutions and consumers. The platform also allows for open sourcing and increased financial inclusion through the digital identity solution which gives the ability to move assets without friction globally. The commercial potential of FBDAs is significant, and tokenization products can be sold to domestic and international commercial and central banks, and allow third-party providers to build out their own financial products. This project will explore the technical market for FBDA-based tokenization and gain user feedback to improve the technology?s commercialization potential.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to research and create a production-ready (99.999% availability with defined RPO/RTOs) File-Based Digital Assets (FBDAs) product, a novel tokenization scheme applicable to not only currencies and tokenized deposits, but also to securities and other assets. FBDAs improve upon many of the issues that Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and traditional database systems have, particularly in the realms of scalability, interoperability, privacy, and programmability. FBDAs utilize a flexible fixed-denomination asset design that is simpler and more robust than Unspent Transaction Output UTXO-based systems while beating the performance of Account-based systems. In addition, FBDAs allow for a disaggregation of the asset layer from the transaction layer, thereby allowing for easier separation of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and from programmability rules for specific transactions. The Phase I project proposes to further explore different design choices of FBDAs and get technical and customer validation on achieving scalability, interoperability and privacy prior to large scale commercialization. The Phase I project will include a sandbox environment to test out different architectural setups, modeling of different financial instruments to expand tokenization potential, and to receive customer feedback from real-world financial institutions.
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. -
LAB2701 LLC
SBIR Phase I: Oscillator Processing Unit - Physical Reservoir Computing on the Edge
Contact
4376B N 372
Atwood, OK 74827--9738
NSF Award
2335448 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$272,615
Start / end date
03/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 will result from creating the Oscillator Processing Unit (OPU), a computational processor that would be a disruptive technology for analog computing devices operating at the network edge. The edge computing device market is projected to reach $157B by 2032. Expanding on this, machine learning, especially deep neural networks (DNNs), relies on cloud infrastructure to conduct massive computation for both model training and inference, so OPUs would have beneficial security and environmental impacts since they would reduce reliance on the cloud. The proposed OPUs could overcome the von Neumann bottleneck while also enabling a smaller form factor, increased energy efficiency, and faster speeds. As the US seeks to reduce reliance on foreign microchip manufacturers, OPUs could also provide a powerful, viable alternative that could be manufactured in the US. The technological impacts of this project would result from a more fundamental understanding of how oscillators, which are one of the most prolific dynamic systems in the universe, can also be reconsidered as physical computers.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to leverage two types of oscillator-based neuromorphic computers. By exploring the dynamics of oscillator computers, an improved understanding of how nonlinear dynamics are translated into computational ability will be developed. Further, this is expected to provide insights into how optimal oscillator cores could be constructed for Oscillator Processing Units (OPUs). These enhanced OPUs will converge two separate methods of analog computing: physical reservoir computers and adaptive oscillators. Ultimately, since an oscillator core?s memory and processing are not independent, OPUs could provide a solution to the von Neumann bottleneck. This work would establish a fundamental scientific understanding of the link between physics and information. Leveraging these two disparate forms of neuromorphic intelligence will also be the basis of a powerful Oscillator Processing Unit capable of acting as both an AI inference processor and a generalized computing processor.
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. -
LASER GRAPHICTRONICS LLC
STTR Phase I: DigitFoal: An Early Labor Warning System for Safe and Successful Foal Delivery
Contact
3605 BLUE CEDAR LN
Columbia, MO 65203--6614
NSF Award
2335352 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 09/30/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this STTR Phase I project is reflected in the innovation of DigitFoal, a sophisticated early labor warning system tailored for the equine industry. By leveraging state-of-the-art dual wearable photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors and a pre-trained deep learning algorithm, this system is poised to greatly mitigate the foal mortality due to dystocia. It is projected to reduce foal deaths by 30%, translating to a substantial economic benefit of over $82.5 million annually. The broader implications extend beyond economic savings, promising enhancements in scientific understanding and livestock management. This technology could revolutionize not only equine breeding practices but also be adaptable for monitoring other livestock and wildlife, thereby contributing to broader societal, environmental, and educational advancements.
The intellectual merit of this project is anchored in the integration of innovative PPG sensor technology with a robust echo state network model to monitor and analyze critical physiological signals of horses, which are predictive of foaling stages. This approach is designed to fill a significant void in current market offerings that largely depend on manual monitoring and are plagued by high rates of inaccuracy and labor intensity. The research will further refine the predictive capabilities of the technology, facilitating real-time, accurate assessments of foaling risks. This project is expected to yield significant advancements in non-invasive, real-time animal monitoring systems, contributing invaluable knowledge to the field of precision livestock farming and enhancing the technological landscape of animal health 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. -
LATTICE THERAPEUTICS INC
SBIR Phase I: Proof-of-concept of a customizable, next-generation RNA delivery particle
Contact
7144 13TH PL NW
Washington, DC 20012--2358
NSF Award
2413714 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,947
Start / end date
07/15/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
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 creation of a novel RNA drug delivery platform with implications for treatment of cancer and other various diseases with unmet medical need. Current delivery technologies fail to realize the potential of nucleic acid drugs because of limitations like target specificity, toxicity, and administration. Next generation delivery technologies are ultimately required to achieve the full therapeutic potential of nucleic acid drugs. The technology being developed in this project is designed to address the limitations of existing delivery modalities, resulting in a flexible platform with target- and cargo-customization ready for progression to evaluate multiple clinical disease targets. This will expand treatment options, initially for oncology targets, with further applications in gene editing and vaccines, and continue to address existing patient needs. The technology developed in this project has the potential to expand the nucleic acid delivery market and result in improvements to length and quality of life for individuals facing life-threatening diseases in multiple therapeutic areas in both the United States and globally.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will address the proof-of-concept milestones required to validate delivery of RNA cargoes to target cells using an engineerable protein nanoparticle. The particle platform has several key attributes incorporated that enable efficient and targeted delivery, and which are required for full platform functionality: 1) the ability to package nucleic acid, 2) display of targeting moiety, and 3) the ability to disassemble within the intracellular environment and release nucleic acid cargoes. In this project, particles engineered to target specific cancer cell surface markers will be 1) in vitro loaded with mRNA cargoes, 2) evaluated in vitro for delivery of RNA cargoes to specific cancer cells, 3) evaluated in vivo for delivery of RNA cargoes to target tumors with exceptional specificity, and 4) evaluated in vivo for efficacy of therapeutic RNA delivery. The result of this project will be a validated customizable delivery platform positioned for clinical development against multiple targets.
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. -
LENSGUIDE IMAGING TECHNOLOGY INC
SBIR Phase I: A nano-optical imaging microendoscope for in vivo Imaging
Contact
707 ANDERSON AVE
Rockville, MD 20850--2104
NSF Award
2432611 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 will enable researchers to visualize the dynamics of the biological events in live animals. The product, the miniaturized optical imaging micro-endoscope, will change researchers? current paradigm of only visualizing and exploring the superficial layers of tissue at a subcellular level. Visualizing the deeper layers of tissue in >1 mm depth at the subcellular level using the miniaturized optical imaging micro-endoscope will enable a range of discoveries in different areas of biomedical research. In the long term, the developed product can be utilized by physicians to improve the current standards of care in various medical applications.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is developing a nanophotonic imaging microendoscope for in vivo imaging with minimal damage. Current optical microscopy imaging cannot be used for imaging beyond 1 mm depth. The current microendoscopes have a diameter larger than 0.5-1 mm, so they cause severe damage to the tissue when inserted into the tissue. The current microendoscopes cannot provide images in >1 mm depth since the damage to the tissue changes the whole tissue structure. Miniaturized microendoscopic tools with subcellular resolution are vital for deep tissue imaging (>1 mm). The product of this SBIR project will be 100 µm diameter, a hair-size micro-endoscope allowing researchers and scientists to conduct their studies at >3 mm depth in a live animal. The state of the art of optical design and nanofabrication techniques will be utilized to make the miniaturized microendoscope. This project will lead to derisking the risks associated with the miniaturization of the optical microendoscope and enabling its usage for in vivo imaging.
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. -
LEVIOSA TECHNOLOGIES LLC
SBIR Phase I: Hybrid Computing Techniques for Quantum-inspired Ising Machines
Contact
9955 ARROWWOOD TRL
Woodbury, MN 55129--7537
NSF Award
2233642 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
05/01/2023 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 will result from the development of a high-speed, low-power solver based on standard semiconductor technologies that can directly solve combinatorial optimization problem (COP) problems. COP problems have broad applicability across manufacturing optimization, semiconductor wire routing, logistics planning and execution, and financial portfolio management. However, COP problems are notoriously difficult or even impossible to solve via classical computers on a scale suitable for commercial application. Current state-of-the-art COP solvers need tremendous computing power, are unsuitable for edge computing, rely on undeveloped technology, or use similar algorithms to classical computers. The goal of this project is to provide consumers with a drop-in replacement COP solver that is faster, more precise, more mobile, and more energy efficient than state-of-the-art classical computers and COP solvers.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to develop a complementary metal?oxide?semiconductor (CMOS) based parallel combinatorial optimization problem (COP) computing cluster accessible through a cloud interface. The proposed solution will directly solve COP problems, increasing the speed, precision, and power efficiency compared to classical computers or current quantum-based COP solvers. Additionally, the cluster uses all standard semiconductor technology allowing for near-term hardware manufacturing, unlike current quantum computing competitors. The device also works at room temperature, making it the only suitable edge device for directly solving COP problems. A hybrid computing algorithm combining the custom and classical methods will parallelize the COP solving across numerous custom chips. Many custom chips will be combined into a single cluster to maximize the speed and efficiency of the hybrid algorithms. An introductory cloud service interface will be incorporated with the custom computer cluster to facilitate outside access. The end goal of this project is to create a state-of-the-art scalable, accessible, and economical COP solver that overcomes the inherent disadvantages of quantum and classical computing.
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. -
LIEBOLD TECHNOLOGIES LLC
SBIR Phase I: High-Efficiency Liquid Desiccant Regenerator for Desiccant Enhanced Evaporative Air Conditioning
Contact
400 STAN DR
Melbourne, FL 32904--1000
NSF Award
2335500 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$266,556
Start / end date
01/15/2024 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project develops air conditioning technology, unveiling a high-efficiency, liquid desiccant regenerator that promises to unlock the full potential of liquid desiccant air conditioning (LDAC). The solution promises substantial energy savings for families and industries alike. For families, the technology translates into reduced energy costs, offering tangible financial relief and enhancing their quality of life. On an industrial scale, it stands to reshape the power requirements of various sectors, paving the way for more sustainable and cost-effective operations.
The project is focused on overcoming the efficiency barriers that have historically impeded LDAC's widespread adoption relative to today?s vapor-compression air conditioners. A suitable membrane technology is adopted for the regeneration of the liquid desiccant as it promises to substantially improve the coefficient of performance for the LDAC. The plan is to develop design specifications for an LDAC that combines the size and cost characteristics of today?s conventional air conditioning systems with the anticipated leap in energy efficiency. The key challenge is in designing a system where membrane behavior at extremely high salt concentrations is robust and predictable. The experimental development is focused on the assessment of performance of various membranes under various flow rates and salt concentrations. The resulting experimental data are modeled with established mathematical models from literature. Computer simulations of the liquid desiccant regeneration process are developed using the experimental membrane models to demonstrate the regenerator's feasibility and predict its efficacy and value.
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. -
LIFE SEAL VASCULAR, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Aneurysm Sealing Device (ASD) for Endovascular Applications
Contact
2744 GANNET DR
Costa Mesa, CA 92626--4755
NSF Award
2407378 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,547
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
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 its revolutionary approach to treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), a significant health concern especially prevalent among the elderly. This project aims to introduce a novel device that promises to significantly lower the rates of aneurysm related complications and reduce the need for repeat invasive procedures, which are common with current treatments. By potentially saving significant healthcare costs and reducing the frequency of medical interventions, the device presents a transformative solution that could ease the financial burden on healthcare systems and patients alike. Moreover, the project has the potential to expand access to life-saving treatments in underserved and remote areas, thus leveling the playing field in healthcare accessibility. The commercial and societal implications of this innovation could spur economic growth through intellectual property generation and job creation, thereby contributing to the advancement of the biomedical engineering sector.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to address the limitations of current endovascular treatments for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) by developing a new device that aims to completely seal the aneurysm sac, eliminating the risk of post-procedure endoleaks. The research objectives include validating the device's adaptability to different aneurysm profiles and its compatibility with various aortic locations, ensuring broad patient applicability. The technical approach involves a compressible body unit designed for precision deployment and a dual function that allows for drug delivery post-deployment. The anticipated technical results include demonstrating the device's effectiveness in sealing aneurysms in a benchtop flow model, thereby setting the stage for potential regulatory approval. This project represents a significant leap forward in the treatment of AAAs, offering a more reliable and versatile solution compared to existing 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. -
LIGHT RESEARCH INC
STTR Phase I: Snapshot, on-machine metrology system for high-precision optical manufacturing
Contact
4815 N ROCK CANYON RD
Tucson, AZ 85750--6064
NSF Award
2322208 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,524
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 09/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project advances precision manufacturing. The on-machine metrology system will have a transformative effect on highly efficient and precise optical manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and precision machining. These industries currently face a shared technical challenge: the lack of real-time quality control during fabrication. The on-machine metrology tool's real-time quality control capabilities will not only drive efficiency in high-precision manufacturing but also contribute to reduced manufacturing costs and enhanced product quality. Overall, the project's anticipated outcomes include an efficient high throughput manufacturing process with on-machine metrology, the development of a compact, snapshot, multi-wavelength on-machine metrology system, and the establishment of a next-generation innovation and entrepreneurship training program.
This STTR project seeks to develop a compact, snapshot, dual-mode, multi-wavelength interferometric system for in situ metrology in high precision manufacturing. The lack of real-time quality control during fabrication is a critical hurdle, leading to delays and manufacturing errors. This system integrates unique techniques to overcome this challenge and enhance throughput and accuracy. The technology utilizes a polarization-based, multi-wavelength, snapshot technique providing real-time measurements of machined surfaces with minimal environmental impacts. By offering instant feedback on surface quality, reducing iterations for diamond tool centering, and improving throughput and accuracy, the system becomes the smallest interferometric system suitable for integration into existing equipment for in situ metrology. The project's goal is to develop a market-ready, on-machine metrology system through prototyping, software development, and performance validation. This real-time, in-situ metrology process is estimated to achieve efficiency improvements of 30% or more in diamond-tool alignment and 50% or more in surface metrology. Successful development and commercialization of this system will hold significant intellectual merit, overcoming a critical hurdle in high-precision manufacturing and enabling real-time quality control.
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. -
LIMAR AI INC
SBIR Phase I: Semantic 3D for infrastructure asset modeling, maintenance, and predictive analysis
Contact
11569 PRAIRIE SHADOW PT
San Diego, CA 92126--8000
NSF Award
2344140 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,904
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 03/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 on the effective maintenance, construction, resilience and performance of large-scale infrastructure. The technology developed in this work will dramatically improve the productivity, accuracy, and quality of the information products generated by surveyors and engineers charged with assessing, designing, and maintaining infrastructure. For example, the roughly 200M utility poles in US should be surveyed and corresponding solutions engineered approximately every three years for weather robustness, fire mitigation, line capacity, and for future overhead and underground extensions. The technology has broad application in adjacent domains like water, natural gas, mining, oil and gas, power generation, transportation, mapping, and construction.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project integrates geometric methods for constructing detailed three-dimensional (3D) models from photographs with semantic methods used to segment and classify features or objects in two-dimensional (2D) photographs. Key challenges include building 2D-3D correspondence across the geometric (3D) and semantic (2D) techniques, improving computational efficiency, and creating user interfaces to interact with and label data. The integrated computer vision capability will be validated on datasets for electric power distribution infrastructure to extract critical features like line attachment points, pole height and inclination, wire gauges, pole deterioration, vegetation intrusion, electrical component types.
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. -
LIMELIGHT STEEL INC.
SBIR Phase I: Laser furnace to thermally decompose iron oxides for cost-competitive green iron production
Contact
2431 PERALTA ST STE 2471A
Oakland, CA 94607--1700
NSF Award
2404156 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
05/01/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 reduce emissions, energy consumption, and hydrogen demands associated with one of the world?s more carbon-intensive industries?steelmaking. The leading green steelmaking process, green hydrogen direct reduction and electric arc furnace (H2 DR-EAF) is expensive, energy-intensive, and requires high-grade iron ore as a starting material, which accounts for only 3% of global iron ore resources. This project develops on a sustainable, low emissions, and energy-efficient laser heating method to convert low-grade iron ore into molten iron metal and steel. This approach lowers costs by 1) enabling the use of the low-grade feedstocks that make up 97% of the world?s iron ore supply and 2) implementing an energy-efficient and thermo-kinetically optimized heating approach. The commercialization of this technology would deliver a sustainable steelmaking process that is more cost-efficient than current green steel technologies and has a lower carbon footprint than any existing steelmaking approach, helping the United States steel industry secure a competitive advantage over other global producers of green steel. This approach has the potential to yield a market-disrupting technology poised to supplant carbon-intense, resource-demanding iron and steel production processes, resulting in an economically viable pathway to green steelmaking.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a laser furnace that thermally decomposes iron oxide while reducing the amount of hydrogen required to produce green iron and steel, using blue laser diodes to rapidly heat iron ore to temperatures needed for thermal decomposition. Phase I will establish the feasibility of the approach as economically favorable to leading sustainable steelmaking techniques and validate its potential to significantly reduce energy consumption. In Objective 1, decomposition of low-grade iron ore, which contains <67% iron and higher amounts of impurities, into wüstite will be pursued by exploring the relationship between ore composition, laser heating parameters, and purity of the partially reduced ore. The thermal decomposition reaction mechanism and degree of decomposition will be evaluated. Objective 2 focuses on reducing wüstite from low-grade ore to iron metal, leveraging unprecedented temperatures enabled by laser heating, and investigating methods and process conditions to minimize hydrogen demand. Reduction reaction mechanisms, degree of reduction, and impurity content will be characterized. This work will provide a novel opportunity to produce molten iron metal from low-grade iron ores and reduce hydrogen demands, avoiding the need for high-grade ores and hydrogen requirements that limit other fossil-free ironmaking techniques.
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. -
LOOMIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Development of the thinnest, most flexible, sustainable and cost-efficient hands-off-detection sensor and steering wheel heating insert for autonomous vehicles
Contact
67 35TH STREET
Brookly, NY 11232--2245
NSF Award
2404987 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 05/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to develop a Hands-Off-Detection (HOD) system for the vehicle steering wheel with integrated heating functionality, addressing the performance and implementation issues of current solutions, and replacing traditional, more cumbersome systems with a simplified design and the use of proprietary electronic textiles. The broad impact of this project is helping to mitigate human errors that cause driving accidents, significantly reducing the economic costs associated with motor vehicle accidents, and ultimately, helping to save lives. Additionally, the innovation promotes sustainability by minimizing waste and material consumption through the integration of electronic components directly into fabric. This eco-friendly approach will not only enhance fuel efficiency in transportation applications but also offers streamlined manufacturing processes and ease of recycling, addressing the challenge of electronic waste. Furthermore, the project supports the advancement of flexible circuit technology, potentially benefiting other sectors such as medical devices, robotics, and smart clothing. Hands-Off-Detection is a crucial and mandatory element of any steering assistance system. Specifically, all cars with Line-Keeping-Assistance are required to have Hands-Off-Detection. The global market size for this component is estimated to reach $721 million by 2030.
The intellectual merit of this project lies in its innovative approach to integrating a Hands-Off-Detection system with heating functionality within a vehicle steering wheel using special electronic textile technology. The core innovation replaces the traditional, bulky two-electrode capacitive touch sensors with a single antenna system, enhancing reliability and reducing material use. The primary research objectives are to demonstrate the feasibility of this new Hands-Off-Detection and Heating component by ensuring it meets critical technical parameters, performs consistently across the full automotive interior temperature range, and achieves a reduced carbon footprint. The research will involve building and testing a functional prototype in a controlled lab environment, focusing on minimizing false readings and interference, optimizing sensor response time, and achieving uniform heating performance. Anticipated technical results include a thinner, more flexible, and easier-to-integrate Hands-Off-Detection & Heating component that not only meets but exceeds the performance standards of existing solutions. Additionally, this project aims to validate the environmental benefits of the proprietary electronic textile technology used to build this automotive component, ensuring it provides a sustainable alternative to current market leaders. This project is expected to advance the field of electronic textiles, providing a robust, scalable solution for automotive and potentially other 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. -
LUMONIQ INC
SBIR Phase I: Nanoscale Hybrid Optical Interconnect Platform
Contact
3175 HANOVER ST
Palo Alto, CA 94304--1130
NSF Award
2423362 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will involve revolutionizing internal computer chip connections, called interconnects, by replacing materials like copper with light-based connections. The high-speed interconnects are the information highways of modern-day computing systems, and, unfortunately, these highways are hitting fundamental peak capacities and interconnects are now a critical limiter to computer system performance. This project will advance photonic integrated circuits and computer interconnects by researching commercialization pathways for a new photonic approach, called coupled hybrid plasmonics (CHP), that uses the interaction of light and metals to squeeze light and devices down to nanometer-scale sizes. Commercialized CHP will potentially enable durable interconnect product advantages in bandwidth, power, area, and cost. The ultimate go-to-market motivation for commercializing CHP is to enable short-distance (meters down to millimeters), all-optical interconnects and replace electronic interconnects in computer systems (e.g., in the multi-trillion-dollar Information Technology and Telecommunications markets). The first commercialization challenge for CHP is to develop a manufacturing flow that uses mainstream processing.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will bridge the gap between CHP principles and industrial manufacturing. The primary challenge this project faces is that the CHP effect requires a new multi-layer stack ? metals, dielectrics, and semiconductors ? that does not exist today in mainstream silicon-photonics/semiconductor chip manufacturing facilities. Industrial CHP manufacturing recipes and device architectures are the gateway to future proof-of-concept prototypes and then products. The project will employ industry-standard simulation and modeling tools to rapidly design and evaluate candidate CHP recipes, devices, and circuits. It will quantitatively benchmark CHP devices and transceivers against today?s state-of-the-art silicon photonic circuits (e.g., ring-resonator based) and assess candidates based on the bandwidth, area, and energy consumption they achieve. The overall project goal is to create preliminary industrial manufacturing recipes and a design-library of CHP-based devices and transceiver circuits.
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. -
LUNEXUS SPACE, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Silane Recycling from Decommissioned Photovoltaics using Microgravity-analog Fluidized Bed Reactor with Sonication.
Contact
1449 7TH ST
Denver, CO 80204--2011
NSF Award
2323566 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
02/01/2024 – 10/31/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to enable on-orbit manufacturing by providing raw materials recycled or sourced in space, directly on-orbit. Manufacturing hardware on-orbit can potentially relieve the costs and qualification lead times of space operations by significantly reducing launch costs. However, on-orbit manufacturing will still require inexpensive feedstock. This project?s business approach which is space production from in-space materials addresses this core problem of orbital manufacturing. This project will bring significant transformations to a wide range of space activities, promoting a circular space economy, lowering the cost of orbital power, and simultaneously providing an economic incentive for satellite/debris reclamation, thus mitigating orbital debris and congestion. Providing raw materials sourced in space for on-demand, on-orbit manufacturing holds the potential to increase the economic competitiveness of the US through financially feasible space operations by reducing launch mass, costs, development time, and current payload and size limitations, supporting the US national defense by improving military power projection and logistics resilience, supporting future scientific studies of the solar system and deep space, expanding the limits of long-term exploration missions, and reducing dependence on cargo missions through in situ manufacturing and recycling capability.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop a novel approach for recycling photovoltaics in an orbital environment. The vacuum environment of space will be optimal for many steps in semiconductor manufacturing and can be considered a high-potential application for orbital manufacturing, enabling silicon production to scale well beyond the current constraints of terrestrial vacuum chamber bottlenecks. However, while the vacuum will be beneficial overall to silicon production, nearly every process in modern chemical manufacturing is reliant on gravity and needs to be adapted to function in a microgravity environment. This project focuses on the development of a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) for microgravity analog production of monosilane gas from end-of-life silicon photovoltaics and various hydrogen sources, as it constitutes the most critical step in the silicon production line. Within the scope of this project, particulates produced from PV cells will be characterized, a basic model of the thermochemical reactions will be developed to determine design parameter nominals and a benchtop prototype to characterize the mechanics of particle and gas flows in an analog to microgravity will be developed, establishing its feasibility for in-space processing for the envisioned 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. -
M3D, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Gamma Camera Design Studies for Intraoperative Imaging
Contact
812 AVIS DR
Ann Arbor, MI 48108--9649
NSF Award
2404776 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact and commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is a novel capital medical imaging system enabling new 3-Dimensional (3D) image capture and analysis for real-time guidance of surgical cancer biopsy and resection procedures. The system aims to significantly improve radio-guided surgical procedures with a novel means of rapidly and accurately detecting gamma-ray emitting radiotracers used to identify the location of lymph nodes (LN) and drainage of lymphatic fluids from tumors to be biopsied for determination of whether the primary cancers have spread. The overall benefits include shorter durations and more accurate sentinel lymph node biopsy procedures. If successful, the system represents a new standard of care versus current non-imaging technologies including Geiger pens, and targets a $3B initial opportunity for an initial target market of skin cancer accounting for 1.5M annual new US cases per year. The system provides potential to impact other similar performed procedures used to assess suspected breast, pelvic and head and neck cancers.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop the company?s proprietary gamma ray radiation imager suitable for use for image guided tumor diagnostics. The project will include individual and grouped characterization of the design parameters and their effect on diagnostic sensitivity for acquiring images, and whether convolutional mathematical approaches to iterative image reconstruction can reduce the time needed to produce the final image of a medical radiotracer. The final objective is to determine the optimal collimation design parameters and image reconstruction techniques, followed by validation. The end result will be to demonstrate proof-of-principle that the novel gamma imager can produce fast, high-resolution images adequate for radio-guided lymph node biopsy and resection surgeries. The result will demonstrate superiority to current gamma camera approaches that utilize parallel-hole, pinhole, or coded-aperture collimation allowing them to produce either 1) low-resolution images rapidly or 2) high-resolution images slowly, but not the fast and high-resolution imaging needed for surgical guidance.
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. -
MAGNIFY BIOSCIENCES INC.
SBIR Phase I: Unlocking the Full Potential of Next-Generation Expansion Microscopy through Automation
Contact
1632 NORMAN DR
Sewickley, PA 15143--8557
NSF Award
2415004 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,998
Start / end date
06/15/2024 – 05/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 stems from addressing critical barriers in nanoscale bioimaging?specifically, the prohibitive costs, technical complexities, and specialized expertise required for super-resolution and electron microscopes, which range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars with sample preparation costs up to thousands and processing times exceeding a week. This project introduces a transformative solution by automating Magnify Expansion Microscopy into a cost-effective device, enabling conventional optical microscopes to achieve detailed biological insights at the nanoscale. By reducing sample preparation costs to under $10 and cutting processing times to less than a day, this technology will democratize nanoscale imaging, expanding research capabilities across various scientific domains. It enables researchers in labs without advanced microscopes to explore molecular and structural changes in diseases, discover new biomarkers, and develop diagnostic and prognostic tests. Societal benefits include pioneering discoveries in untapped territories, innovative diagnostic and prognostic tools, and significant healthcare cost reductions. Commercially, equipping existing microscopes with the AutoMagnify device is set to revolutionize the high-end microscopy market, potentially creating a billion-dollar industry by dramatically enhancing speed, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use, paralleling the transformative advancements seen in next-generation sequencing in genomics.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop an automated AutoMagnify device that physically expands biological specimens up to 1000 times in isotropically in 3-dimensions, while preserving their spatial and molecular integrity. This advancement will enable conventional light microscopes to achieve imaging resolutions down to 25 nm, capabilities typically reserved for super-resolution and electron microscopy. By shifting the focus from costly optical enhancements to physical specimen magnification, this project offers a practical, scalable solution for widespread nanoscale bioimaging. The AutoMagnify system reduces the sample preparation time from traditionally over a week to less than 24 hours, dramatically lowering both the financial and technical thresholds for super-resolution imaging. This project builds upon foundational Magnify Expansion Microscopy techniques to develop new rapid protocols and leverage durable gel compositions that address machine handling and reliability issues. The expected result is a fully functional prototype that standardizes sample preparation and staining protocols, enabling researchers in academia and pharmaceutical companies using conventional microscopes to access super-resolution quality images for their discovery needs. This pivotal innovation not only makes advanced imaging techniques more accessible but also significantly extends the research capabilities of scientific laboratories globally, potentially redefining the landscape of nanoscale imaging.
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. -
MANZANITA COOPERATIVE, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Domestication of Western Lupine - Manzanita Cooperative
Contact
44280 GORDON LN
Mendocino, CA 95460--9758
NSF Award
2414864 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$254,903
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project lies in generating a novel sustainable, climate-resilient food source through development of lupine hybrids. By focusing on US-native, drought-tolerant lupines, this project will introduce alternative high-protein, low-water, native-derived options to traditional protein crops? ecological footprint. This project will enhance food security while increasing productivity from marginal lands with native crops? reduced input needs- aligning with NSF priorities toward ecological and public health stewardship. Project outcomes will provide more sustainable options for farmers than traditional commodity crops- without sacrificing land profitability. By introducing a protein-rich, low-water-use alternative crop, the project will promote consumers? access to nutritional density. As demand for plant-based protein grows, commercialization of these cultivars could position them toward the lead of a burgeoning plant protein market. This will support one FT position and one researcher to screen hybrids for desired traits to enable Phase II hybrid selection and patent protection. Upon Phase II completion, the project will move toward commercialization. Following this, at least 3 FT and 3 PT employees in R/D, Product Manager, Business Development and other roles will be filled to support projected growth.
This project proposes rapid domestication and commercialization of novel, native-derived lupines to address the need for sustainable, climate-resilient crop protein sources. This initiative focuses on development of heterozygous F1 lupine hybrids, incorporating the pauper allele from the 'Amiga' cultivar of European White lupine (EWL, Lupinus albus) into four drought-tolerant, US-native species (Lupinus arizonicus, Lupinus stiversii, Lupinus succulentus, Lupinus arbustus). This allele confers reduced alkaloid content, enhancing lupines? palatability without sacrificing the drought and disease resistance of native lupines. Phase I of the project will generate these hybrids through genetic marker-accelerated introgression of the pauper allele while overcoming challenges, including potentially reduced fertility from aneuploidy among US-native and EWL parents. The project?s comprehensive approach includes PCR-based genetic analysis to confirm presence of the pauper allele, alkaloid profiling to ensure the trait's expression in various tissues, and evaluation of growth and yield. Intellectual property protection is a cornerstone of our strategy, ensuring novel cultivars' commercial viability while maintaining control over the seed-to-consumer cycle to safeguard company innovations. Resulting crops will bolster modern agricultural resilience with a focus on sustainability, reduced crop inputs, and improved nutritional value, aligning with our aim to utilize native biodiversity for food security.
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. -
MARK O'NEILL, LLC
SBIR Phase I: New Traffic Stripe 1,000 Times Brighter than Current Technology
Contact
9500 RAY WHITE RD
Ft. Worth, TX 76244--9105
NSF Award
2432539 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,524
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 05/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 be a substantial reduction in fatalities from vehicle crashes at nighttime by using a new ultra-bright traffic stripe. Brighter road stripes reduce crashes, and the new stripe is 1,000 times brighter. By enabling the development of the new traffic stripe from an environmentally friendly polymer, this project will also help eliminate a major source of environmental damage. When fully adopted, the new traffic stripe will reduce the tons of arsenic and lead dumped onto American highways each year when applying conventional traffic stripes composed of glass beads dropped into white paint. Considering only the white edge lines on U.S. interstate highways, the market for the new traffic stripe is $3.6 billion at $3 per foot installed cost and over 1,300 lives could be saved per year. Economic analysis of the new stripe shows a huge benefit to cost ratio due to the economic value of American lives saved.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will attempt to advance a unique ultra-bright traffic stripe technology from the laboratory toward the highway. The new stripe uses prismatic structures on both top and bottom surfaces of a thin polymer film to retroreflect incident light from distant headlights back toward the driver and sensors of the vehicle. The new stripe has already been shown in certified retroreflectivity testing of early prototypes to be 968 times brighter than the 2022 Federal Highway Administration standard of 50 mcd/m2-lux. Under the NSF SBIR program, a radical new approach to master tooling will be attempted, using gray scale lithography to cost-effectively provide millions of microscopic cube-corner prisms on the bottom surface of the film. Two sets of light-turning prisms for dry and wet conditions will be molded onto the top surface of the same thin film of transparent polymer. In Phase I, small building blocks will be tooled, molded, and assembled into testable prototype stripes, with retroreflectivity measured in a certified laboratory. In Phase II, a mass-production process will be implemented, and on-road qualification testing will be done. These critical results will enable the technology to be licensed to an established manufacturer.
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. -
MATERIALIZE BIO, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Bioengineered Next-Generation Tympanostomy Tubes to Improve Patient Outcomes
Contact
7 COLLEGE HILL RD
Somerville, MA 02144--1219
NSF Award
2423477 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,999
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
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 advancement of implantable medical devices through innovative use of natural biopolymers, specifically silk and chitosan. Through the development of a novel manufacturing approach optimized for biopolymers, this project addresses significant limitations in traditional manufacturing methods and unlocks the potential of biopolymers for complex medical applications. The anticipated commercial impact includes reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes, particularly for the millions of children requiring tympanostomy tubes annually. This project aims to eliminate the need for surgical removal of tympanostomy tubes by creating degradable, biocompatible, and antimicrobial alternatives, ultimately enhancing the quality of pediatric care and expanding market opportunities for advanced biomaterials in medical devices.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on a groundbreaking method to manufacture biopolymer-based implants using 3D printed molds, centrifugation, and polymerization. Unlike traditional manufacturing techniques, this approach ensures high fidelity to intricate geometries, minimizes waste, and allows for rapid prototyping. The project aims to develop degrade on-demand tympanostomy tubes from natural biopolymers with inherent antimicrobial properties. The research objectives include optimizing the manufacturing process, testing mechanical properties, and ensuring consistent quality. Anticipated technical results include demonstrating scalable production of complex 3D structures with superior mechanical integrity and biocompatibility, paving the way for broader application of natural biopolymers in various medical fields.
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. -
MATHINVESTMENTS, INC.
STTR Phase I: A Technology for Learning to Infer from Unlabeled Financial Data
Contact
3120 LEEMAN FERRY RD SW
Huntsville, AL 35801--5325
NSF Award
2343777 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,936
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is to enable long-term, above-average profit returns from investing into the U.S. stock market. Currently, investors rely on the financial models that can forecast the future business performance of company only by looking through a rear-view mirror, and, consequently, create risks for the speculative stock trading that does not deliver any actual goods or services. If successful, this STTR project will make an important social impact that is controlling speculation by discouraging stock trading of company without material changes to its valuation. The research and educational impact of the current project is that selected results from the proposed studies beneficial to the fundamental research will be made available to the U.S research community for analysis, data mining, and search and will be also used to enhance contents of undergraduate and graduate courses. The economic impact is that the proposed efforts will create new financial technology related jobs in the North Alabama region.
This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project will develop and validate innovative technology capable of learning to infer from time series financial data in a resource-scarce environment. This technology will address the following technical hurdles: (a) well-documented deficiencies of machine reasoning of the qualitative parts of financial reports and earning call transcripts containing information that is much richer than just the financial ratios; (b) current reliance of the language-based models including ChatGPT on human annotation in resource-scarce environment, (c) difficulties with transfer learning for extensive, specialized documents, and (d) scarcity of labeled financial text. The technology will be based on innovative algorithms that use language-based models to augment original unlabeled data and utilize such augmented data for predicting the company valuation far ahead of the existing models. The feasibility of the proposed technology will be conducted in collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
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. -
MATTIQ INC
SBIR Phase I: The Impacts of Microgravity on Catalyst Crystallization and Performance - Ultrahigh-Throughput Investigations of Reversible Fuel Cell Catalysts
Contact
8045 LAMON AVE
Skokie, IL 60077--5318
NSF Award
2420066 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project lies in the exploration of an entirely unexplored design knob for the preparation of inorganic catalyst materials. Inorganic catalysts impact nearly every aspect of the modern world and economy, as nearly all physical materials have at least some component that was manufactured via a catalytic process. Researchers have spent decades turning all traditional design knobs, such as composition, size, shape, etc., to improve catalyst performance by even a fraction of a percent, which can have massive implications for downstream economics. Yet, as catalyst research has previously been confined to Earth, there is limited understanding of how gravity impacts catalyst material formation and performance. This project will explore the impacts of gravity on catalyst formation and performance in the most expansive and broad conceivable fashion to generate a robust fundamental understanding of the impacts of gravity in catalyst formation and performance. This work will allow uncovering previously unknown design levers that can be tuned to improve catalyst materials for existing and emerging renewable applications. Additionally, the project?s small-scale but high-throughput technology enables unparalleled information yield from experiments performed on the International Space Station (ISS).
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to utilize a ultrahigh-throughput catalyst synthesis and screening technology to directly compare a broad range of unique catalyst materials (>1M) synthesized either under Earth gravitational conditions or low-Earth orbit gravitational conditions. There is limited present understanding of how gravity affects the crystallization and subsequent performance of catalyst materials; This project will fill this gap in understanding by synthesizing catalyst libraries, each containing ~50,000 unique catalyst compositions, under both gravitational conditions and characterizing both their crystal structure and their catalyst performance. This direct comparison across such a vast materials space will allow the approach to unearth gravitational impacts on catalyst crystallization and performance, and subsequently leverage those impacts to improve catalyst performance for a myriad of applications. Ultimately, this work will result in both a structural and functional comparison of a broad range of novel catalyst materials prepared under vastly different gravitational conditions, potentially opening an entirely new era of catalysis science and understanding.
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. -
MAXWAVE LLC
SBIR Phase I: Long-Range, Millimeter-Wave, Wireless Power Beaming with Enhanced Efficiency
Contact
2616 DUBLIN WAY
Waunakee, WI 53597--9457
NSF Award
2334557 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
12/15/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to drive high-tech industry development in the Midwest region of the United States. This team develops and deploys wireless, power-beaming technologies for applications in both civilian and military contexts. The project explores wireless generation and distribution of mass energies through electromagnetic waves. The resulting technology spans applications from the wireless charging of vehicles to green energy distribution and solar power beaming. Immediate applications include long-distance flights of heavy-duty drones, which can be remotely charged from terrestrial power beaming stations. With the addition of relay drones, this technology may also establish a resilient airborne energy distribution network for military purposes. In the long term, the technology's scalability enables solar power beaming, a significant leap toward carbon-free green energy production.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the fundamental limitations of existing wireless power-beaming technologies. Conventional methods suffer from poor efficiency and require large physical dimensions for Radio Frequency transmitters and receivers. These limitations have made a long-range power-beaming solution impractical. To overcome these obstacles, this project aims to develop a unique operational mode for wireless power-beaming technology: power beaming at the near-field zone using millimeter waves. This approach offers significant advantages, including improved efficiency, compact dimensions, outstanding long-range performance, and safe operation. By leveraging the extended near-field range of a transmitter operating at millimeter waves and utilizing an adaptively controllable collimated beam, the technology can significantly enhance power efficiency, allowing power to be transmitted over much greater distances. Furthermore, a uniquely devised frequency plan within the low-loss region of atmospheric transmission windows enhances the system's resilience in adverse weather conditions. The utilization of shorter wavelengths in the millimeter-wave spectrum enables substantial reductions in the size of transmitting and receiving systems. Precise control of the transmitter's focal point ensures a secure and reliable power-beaming connection between subsystems. This technology has the potential to revolutionize wireless power beaming, facilitating efficient transfer of high powers and unlocking capabilities.
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. -
MAYFAIR GROUP LLC
SBIR Phase I: Intelligent Interactive Guidance System for Litigated Insurance Claims
Contact
150 W MAIN ST
Norfolk, VA 23510--3403
NSF Award
2329603 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,999
Start / end date
01/15/2024 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project enhances the efficiency, fairness, and cost-effectiveness of the United States' property and casualty insurance claims processes. This project aims to develop an advanced, artificial intelligence (AI) powered guidance system that will transform how litigated insurance claims are managed and resolved. By enhancing the decision-making process of claims professionals with automated, evidence-backed guidance, the system will significantly reduce the time and expense currently required to resolve claims, resulting in quicker payouts to claimants and decreasing the burden of legal costs. The system's innovative approach will assist in identifying critical case information, supporting claim professionals in making more informed decisions. The project has the potential to improve the overall transparency and reliability of the claims litigation processes, engendering greater trust in the insurance system. Additionally, by streamlining operations, it could lead to more efficient use of resources within the insurance industry, lowering insurance premiums for consumers and businesses.
This SBIR Phase I project represents an opportunity to significantly improve the processing and handling of litigated insurance claims. The project?s research objectives include the development of a novel approach for information extraction from massive unstructured data collections typical in insurance claims and summarization frameworks for presenting the extracted information, enabling a concise yet comprehensive view of complex claims data. The project aims to design a visualization interface that aids understanding and facilitates more informed decision-making by claims professionals. The research applies cutting-edge AI and machine learning techniques to these objectives, expanding past the boundaries of current capabilities in data analytics within the insurance industry. The anticipated technical results include demonstrating the feasibility of this innovative system to quickly and accurately present relevant decisional information from a broad array of data, providing users with essential insights for making decisions. By improving how information is processed, summarized, and presented, the project is expected to lead to better, faster decisions in litigated insurance claims management, setting a new standard for technological applications in the field.
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. -
MEDFREE, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Novel Self-Closing, Transcatheter, Edge-to-Edge Repair Device to Percutaneously Treat Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Using Jugular or Femoral Vein Access
Contact
9165 RUDDER WAY
Newark, CA 94560--7311
NSF Award
2322197 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
01/15/2024 – 12/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project develops a novel medical device enabling minimally invasive surgical revision and repair of the tricuspid valve. More than 1.6 million patients in the U.S. suffer from moderate to severe tricuspid valve regurgitation (TR) resulting in a market-size exceeding $2.4 billion by 2028. The prevalence of this repair increases with age, with women over 4 times more likely to be affected with TR than men. There are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved percutaneous devices for TR treatment. Isolated TR surgery is rarely performed due to the inherent risks associated with major surgery with post-operative complications resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates of 36.1% among severe TR patients. Hence, only about 8,000 of all U.S. patients with moderate to severe TR currently receive surgical treatment.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project develops a novel, percutaneous, catheter-based device and procedure for surgically revising the tricuspid Valve in patients suffering from Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR). The tricuspid valve is the largest of the four heart valves presenting unique challenges due to its complex anatomy including 3 thin leaflets and location. The valve is difficult to access using traditional femoral vein access. This project aims to provide a novel, low-profile catheter and implant device via the jugular vein. The Phase I objectives include demonstrating the ability to grasp valve leaflets, validating the design using a benchtop model simulating human conditions, further designing, developing and validating an animal model, and performing a transcatheter tricuspid edge-to-edge repair (t-TEER) procedure via the jugular vein in a lab setting. The results from the technology development, bench testing. and preclinical models will further the system towards eventual human 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. -
MEDIMINT
SBIR Phase I: Development of a Blockchain-Powered Medical Image Sharing Solution
Contact
2141 I ST NW APT 610
Washington, DC 20037--2366
NSF Award
2407644 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to address long-standing challenges with current medical image sharing practices. Despite electronic data transfer availability, healthcare institutions still rely on outdated physical media (CD/DVD) for medical image sharing due to interoperability issues, high costs, and security risks associated with digital data transfer solutions. This project?s platform mitigates these challenges through a secure, distributed network ensuring interoperability across various health systems through a hybrid blockchain and cloud architecture. Novel cryptographic protocols and smart-contracts safeguard data access and privacy, while decentralization provides transparency, immutability, and data integrity. By providing instant access to prior imaging, this project has the potential to eliminate the $30B national burden from redundant medical imaging. This project will empower patients with ownership over their medical data, catalyzing a transformation into a unified, patient-centric health ecosystem. The impact includes substantial reductions in healthcare expenditures, enhanced operational efficiencies, increased profitability for healthcare providers, enhanced patient outcomes enabled by real-time data access, facilitation of telemedicine adoption across diverse and underserved locations, and environmental sustainability by reducing physical media waste. The project will outperform existing solutions in interoperability, security, and patient-centricity, facilitating seamless data sharing.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop a blockchain-enabled medical image sharing platform to address the long-standing challenges associated with current medical image sharing practices. The key research objectives are to design novel security protocols and smart contracts that enable decentralized access control and data sharing across a distributed ledger, while ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations including HIPAA. The research will focus on integrating blockchain with off-chain storage to facilitate efficient and secure storage and retrieval of imaging data. Anticipated technical results include a functional prototype demonstrating seamless generation of non-fungible tokens representing medical images, with metadata references to the imaging data stored on decentralized storage networks. The platform will integrate robust access management mechanisms through smart contract rules, empowering healthcare providers to securely release medical records to patients while assigning ownership. Patients can dynamically grant and revoke data access permissions, ensuring control over sensitive health information. The platform remains vendor-neutral, ensuring compatibility and integration across various healthcare systems, with a user-friendly interface that abstracts the complexities of blockchain using gasless transactions and account abstraction. Overall, the outcomes include a functional prototype demonstrating feasibility, simulation results validating the system's performance, security, and interoperability, and a validated business model.
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. -
MEDMICROMAPS, LLC
SBIR Phase I: MedMicroMaps A Novel e-Learning Platform and Immersive Experience in the Microbial Metaverse for Life Science Learners
Contact
2208 SPRUCE ST
Billings, MT 59101--0537
NSF Award
2432936 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,388
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase I project is to advance science education in microbiology through an interactive, virtual microbe world. This innovation will make complex scientific concepts more accessible to diverse learners, including those traditionally underrepresented in STEM. The application allows students to explore microscopic organisms at various scales, enhancing understanding of microbiology, immunology, and public health. By providing immersive, hands-on experiences, it brings textbook concepts to life, potentially improving comprehension and retention. The project targets educational institutions offering life science programs, particularly undergraduate medical education, with plans to expand to other disciplines and secondary education markets. This technology addresses the growing need for engaging, technology-enhanced learning tools in STEM education. By improving science literacy on microbial infections, vaccines, and antibiotics, the project serves the national interest in advancing health and scientific understanding. The business model focuses on institutional licensing, with potential for individual subscriptions. This approach could significantly impact how students learn about and interact with the microbial world, fostering a deeper appreciation for life sciences.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the challenge of effectively teaching complex microbiology concepts to undergraduate medical students. The research objectives focus on leveraging extended reality (XR) technology and artificial intelligence to enhance the learning experience of infectious diseases and microbes. The proposed research involves developing a novel XR application using the Meta SDK platform within the Unity game engine, incorporating 3D microbial assets created with Blender and Adobe software. These assets will feature realistic textures based on microscopy images, ensuring scientific accuracy. The system will employ a bacteriophage AI-assist to adapt content delivery based on individual learning styles, including auditory, visual, kinesthetic, and text-based approaches. The anticipated technical results include a cross-platform accessible WebGL build compatible with XR headsets, mobile devices, and personal computers. This innovative approach aims to significantly improve learning outcomes for both traditional and non-traditional students by providing an immersive, interactive, and personalized educational experience. The project's scope encompasses the development, testing, and evaluation of this XR-based learning system, with the potential to positively impact microbiology education in undergraduate medical curricula.
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. -
MIMIC SYSTEMS INC
SBIR Phase I: Refrigerant-free heat pump using high-performance thermoelectric materials and methods
Contact
19 MORRIS AVE BLDG 128
Brooklyn, NY 11205--1095
NSF Award
2415650 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
07/15/2024 – 03/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is through the development of a more efficient and cost-competitive solid-state heat pump technology for heating and cooling. Buildings are one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions, substantially associated with heating, cooling, and domestic hot water production. As an all- electric technology, solid-state heat pumps can easily be powered directly by renewable power, such as solar or wind. This would not only reduce reliance on fossil fuels but will also contribute to the sustainable electrification of the built environment that is necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change. This refrigerant-free technology may also avoid refrigerant leaks that contribute to climate change. As a retrofit, it would enable multifamily residential buildings to comply with the emerging more stringent carbon emission standards. In New York City alone, this represents a potential $2.2 B market.
This project aims to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of traditional solid-state heat pumps based on thermoelectric energy conversion by leveraging new thermoelectric materials and modern manufacturing processes to surpass the performance of traditional vapor-compression heat pumps. The approach aims to integrate the active components of thermoelectric heat pumps, specifically the thermoelectric legs and electrodes, directly and in intimate thermal contact with active heat exchanger surfaces leveraging ink-based thermoelectric systems with high figure of merit. The proposed configuration and manufacturing process minimizes the deleterious interface and heat pump substrate thermal resistances, increasing the system performance. A multi-disciplinary team will integrate scalable fabrication processes for thermoelectric materials using sintering with printable electronics on metal core substrates. The goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of the approach by building and testing a representative assembly that can be easily scaled up to provide larger heating and cooling capacities. This approach constitutes a radical redesign to how thermoelectric systems are assembled, unlocking new opportunities toward delivering sustainable and scalable solutions for heating and cooling.
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. -
MINTANGIBLE, INC.
SBIR Phase I: IP Programmable Rights Units On Blockchains
Contact
12405 NORTHLAKE PL
Henrico, VA 23233--6636
NSF Award
2335060 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
02/01/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to revolutionize global participation in the intellectual property ecosystem. This company's innovation signifies a paradigm shift in how society comprehends and manages intellectual property, paving the way for increased value creation and democratizing a system historically marred by complexity, cost, and opacity. Leveraging the inherent characteristics of blockchains?decentralization, peer-to-peer dynamics, transparency, and cryptographic verifiability it is possible to establish an open, efficient, and inclusive system for intellectual property licensing and transactions. This project?s innovation will break down barriers, both legal and economic, for creators across diverse fields, including artists, writers, filmmakers, and scientific and business innovators. Technical understanding of cost-efficient blockchain based platforms, today one of the biggest barriers to large scale blockchain based use cases, will be enhanced due to the efforts of this project. Additionally, enhanced technical understanding of composable legal representations and models while maintaining business meaning will be achieved. The global intellectual property rights market is projected to be $21B by 2029 and the blockchain token/NFT market is projected to be $211B by 2030. This disruptive enabling technology has significant commercial potential.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to demonstrate the ability to deconstruct intensely complex prose based legal constructs representing intellectual property rights into ?programmable rights units? and operate these units on any blockchain in a compute efficient and cost efficient manner. The objectives are twofold. First, the project will accurately deconstruct prose-based legal documents into composable IP licensing elements, ?programmable rights units,? and represent them in non-lossy semantic meanings. These deconstructed units must be capable of execution on blockchains in a commercially viable way. Second, the project will demonstrate the ability to implement composable programmable rights in a blockchain-agnostic form. This objective is crucial for commercial success as the proliferation of blockchains will continue, thus, supporting many blockchains is required for a broad addressable market. These objectives will require usage of modeling techniques, linguistic pattern analysis (natural language processing and otherwise), technical architectural cost impact analysis as well as algorithmic evaluation of leading edge technologies such as zero knowledge proofs and cryptographically independently verifiable artifacts and identities. The anticipated results will be a proven, blockchain agonistic platform that accurately represents the semantic meaning of complex IP rights business models that can be automatically interacted with for executing commercial transactions.
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. -
MITHRILAI CORP.
SBIR Phase I: SaiFE: Trusted AI with Hardware Security Enforcement
Contact
1107 CRAB ORCHARD DR.
Raleigh, NC 27606--3517
NSF Award
2333126 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$272,773
Start / end date
02/15/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is centered on elevating economic and societal well-being by significantly enhancing the security posture of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) hardware and systems, which are increasingly ubiquitous and used in safety/security-critical applications. As this project analyzes hardware attacks and pioneers new defenses, it ensures a more reliable foundation for AI/ML technologies that society relies upon for healthcare, finance, and national security. The commercial potential is substantial; as developers deploy these fortified systems, they mitigate the risk of costly breaches, fostering trust and accelerating adoption. Economic benefits also extend to a reduction in expenditure related to cyberattacks and an increase in market competitiveness for secure AI/ML products. Furthermore, by deepening understanding of hardware vulnerabilities and defense mechanisms, the project pushes the frontiers of scientific knowledge in cybersecurity. As a result, the innovations from this project are poised to reinforce critical infrastructure against hardware-centric threats, thereby safeguarding the digital economy and reinforcing the United States' leadership in secure technological advancements.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project conducts a transformative approach to addressing the acute problem of securing AI/ML hardware systems against emerging hardware attacks such as side-channel and fault injection attacks. Recognizing the vulnerability of these systems to hardware exploitation, the project aims to comprehensively analyze the attack vectors and devise innovative defense mechanisms. The proposed research is set to employ a multi-layered methodology that integrates cutting-edge cryptographic techniques and novel machine-learning algorithms to enhance hardware security. Through rigorous experimentation and validation, the anticipated technical results include the development of trusted hardware modules, the establishment of a benchmarking framework for hardware threat assessment, and the creation of adaptable, resilient defense architectures. This will significantly advance scientific understanding of hardware security in the context of AI/ML, potentially setting a new standard for industry practices, while addressing a critical vulnerability in modern computing infrastructure.
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 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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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. -
MOLECULAR INTERFACES, LLC
SBIR Phase I: High Light-Throughput Electrodes for Top-Emitting and Transparent OLED Displays
Contact
200 W MADISON ST STE 3300
Chicago, IL 60606--3607
NSF Award
2433105 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,953
Start / end date
01/01/2025 – 12/31/2026 (Estimated)
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 is the generation of more efficient and brighter organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) which are the individual lighting emitting elements within the displays of our cell phones, tablets, and smart watches. This project seeks to provide the same quality of OLED display but at 1.5? higher efficiency, thereby allowing a phone, for example, to run at 11% less power, with potential savings as high as 19%. If one considers the power used by the 4.9 billion cell phones worldwide (equivalent to the power generation for the state of Delaware) the cumulative saved power provides a significant effect in aggregate. Beyond large aggregate energy savings, this project provides other benefits to the end consumer. These include better brightness for outdoor usage of phones/watches/tablets, better viewing in augmented reality or virtual reality headsets, and even potential improvements in see-through display applications.
The efficient and brighter OLEDs are enabled by the project?s ultra-thin chemical adlayer which is placed on top of the materials in the OLED stack, resulting in superior transparency of the top-laying metal electrode. This circumvents the problem that has long vexed OLED display manufacturers, specifically, that the thin metal electrode providing electrical current to the materials in the OLED stack needs to be both transparent and conductive. Normally, reducing the thickness of the electrode improves transparency, but severely diminishes conductivity. As such, this thin metal cannot be reduced any further, and still limits the amount of light that can pass from the OLED. The project avoids this issue by making the metal a more uniform (continuous) layer by reducing self-aggregation of the metal, allowing the metal to retain high conductivity at a much lower thickness. This effect is enabled by the project?s technology, which is an unusually effective nucleation inducer. The project validates the effectiveness of the chemical adlayer in OLED pixels and then optimizes chemical structure for increased effectiveness. The resultant chemical treatment is then capable of reaching the targeted metric of 1.5? more efficient/brightness OLED pixel.
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. -
MOLTEN MATERIALS LLC
SBIR Phase I: Upcycling waste plastics into high value thermoplastic elastomer
Contact
1269 S WRIGHT ST
Santa Ana, CA 92705--4511
NSF Award
2430937 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,991
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
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 a sustainable solution to the global problem of plastic waste. Currently, over 90% of plastics ever produced still exist in the environment, posing significant threats to ecosystems and human health. This project aims to transform waste plastics into valuable materials that can be used in infrastructure applications, such as road construction. By recycling non-recyclable plastics into high-performance elastomers, this project not only reduces the environmental impact of plastic waste but also enhances the durability and longevity of pavements. The commercial impact includes the creation of new jobs in the recycling and construction industries, generating tax revenue, and contributing to a more sustainable economy. This project aligns with NSF's mission to promote scientific progress and support innovations that address societal challenges, ultimately improving the quality of life for U.S. citizens.
The strong technical innovation in this project is the use of Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization to produce high-value elastomers from depolymerized plastic oligomers. This method allows for precise control over the polymerization process, resulting in materials with superior mechanical properties compared to traditional recycling methods. The research will explore the optimal conditions for depolymerizing waste plastics and subsequently polymerizing them into elastomers suitable for infrastructure applications. The goals of this project include demonstrating the feasibility of this approach, optimizing the material properties for pavement use, and conducting performance testing to validate the effectiveness of the produced elastomers. The methods involve a combination of laboratory experiments, material characterization, and mechanical testing to ensure the produced elastomers meet industry standards for durability and performance. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize the recycling of plastics and contribute to the development of sustainable infrastructure 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. -
MORPHOSIS INC
SBIR Phase I: Continuous Identity Verification via Wearable Neural Interfaces
Contact
1152 EUCLID AVE
Berkeley, CA 94708--1603
NSF Award
2415318 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to enhance digital security by integrating continuous biometric authentication into all human-computer interactions. The World Economic Forum cites widespread cyber-crime among the top 10 most severe global risks, with widespread impact on private industry, critical infrastructure, and cyber warfare. Recent developments in artificial intelligence compound these risks, with ?deepfake? technology and Large Language models producing highly convincing fraudulent communications that easily bypass human scrutiny. This project develops and evaluates a new form of real-time authentication based on a novel biometric sensing approach that can secure every interaction an individual has with digital systems. At scale, the technology can mitigate cyber threats to secured systems by continuously certifying the authenticity of human-computer interactions.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will commercialize a fundamentally new biometric authentication approach for secure human-computer interaction. When interfacing with digital technology, there is no direct link between a user?s actions and their identity. Current approaches to solve this problem (e.g., usernames, passwords, biometrics) are imperfect, presenting a major weak point in digital security that is commonly exploited. As humans interact with technology, their hand movements and posture arise from unique neuromuscular activity patterns that could be used for real-time identity verification. This project develops sensing technology to capture these unique signals to create a new kind of continuous, biometric authentication. This approach essentially provides a user-specific ?watermark? that the wearer?s actions (keystrokes, gestures, etc.) are authentic and authorized. Real-time user verification can streamline the authentication process and overcome core vulnerabilities in legacy approaches that make them susceptible to compromise, setting the stage for secure and intuitive human-machine interfacing.
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. -
MVMNT-X, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Optical methods for improving productivity of microalgae cultivation
Contact
563 ENCINA AVE
Menlo Park, CA 94025--1822
NSF Award
2415744 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in removing carbon dioxide and other pollutants generated by agriculture. Concentrated animal feeding operations are an integral element in the American economy and food system. Today, manure from dairy and swine operations is stored in lagoons where it festers for months before eventually being spread as fertilizer. Lagoon runoff contaminates the environment and endangers public health downstream, causing hundreds of billions of dollars in losses; methane and nitrous oxide gases pollute and warm the atmosphere; and valuable nutrients are lost. Rather than being in conflict with our environmental, health, and resource stewardship priorities, this project will help empower animal farms to be climate positive. This project creates that connection, enabling animal farm wastes today to efficiently, cleanly, and easily become fertilizer or animal feed for farms tomorrow. And because the technology captures carbon, farmers can verifiably store the carbon in soil, thereby empowering large farms and small farms alike to sell into the burgeoning carbon economy.
This project develops a new class of illumination methods that will enable an ultra-high density, high efficiency microalgae hybrid-photobioreactor scrubber for reactive carbon capture at the source in agriculture waste management systems. Algae bioreactors under development in this SBIR Phase I project may bridge the productivity gap between low-cost manure ponds and expensive algal biofuel photobioreactors. Productivity of microalgae reactors is generally limited by light distribution, as the algae nearest the surface consume all the light. New low-cost optical methods in optics and reactor management will allow natural sunlight to be delivered within the algae volume rather than at the surface, thus vastly accelerating carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus capture during wastewater processing, at no extra energy 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. -
MYANIML
SBIR Phase I: Early Disease Prediction with Cattle Muzzles Using Artificial Intelligence, Facial Recognition, and Camera Capturing Technology
Contact
14305 OUTLOOK ST
Overland Park, KS 66223--1253
NSF Award
2330500 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,866
Start / end date
07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the need for technologies that can benefit the production, protection, and health of agricultural animals, like cattle. The profit margins for cattle owners are very thin. Treating a disease costs cattle owners on average about $80 per head. By the time an owner can tell their cattle are infected, it is typically too late to prevent infection and the spread of the disease in the pen and feedlot. With the successful implementation of the proposed technology, cattle owners will save on average about $80 per head. For an average 500-head owner, pinkeye can impact 90% of the individual cattle herd if one individual animal is infected, costing over $15k to treat in the case of an outbreak. The proposed technology aims to reduce the cost to only the cost of one vaccine since the proposed system should alert the owner about this risk early, allowing early isolation before the disease is able to spread. The proposed solution would enable early disease detection, help to secure the US food supply chain, reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses, and benefit the US economy by preventing cattle loss.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel artificial intelligence (AI) technology to detect Bovine Respiratory Disease early on in a small pilot study. The company will develop an app (beta-version) that can automatically take pictures of cattle, use AI to analyze the muzzle, and then immediately send a notification of infected cattle to the cattle owner. When new calves that are sick enter a feedlot setting, they typically are not as active as healthy calves. There are also visible symptoms such as droopy ears, nasal discharge, and watery eyes. However, since the calves might be stressed due to travel, these symptoms do not necessarily mean the calf is sick, making it challenging to identify sick cattle. If successful, the proposed solution would reliably identify sick cattle and thereby enable early, targeted treatment.
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. -
MYCONAUT LLC
SBIR Phase I: Unlocking the Potential of Mycoremediation: An Integrated Biological Approach to Combatting PFAS Contamination
Contact
7260 COUNTY ROAD 550
Marquette, MI 49855--9766
NSF Award
2337246 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
05/15/2024 – 04/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in its potential to revolutionize soil remediation techniques, addressing the lack of effective treatment options for soils contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The proposed remediation method utilizes the natural mutualistic relationship between plants and fungi to remediate contaminated sites, offering distinct advantages over traditional methods. This innovation not only preserves site ecology, but also allows for the reuse of remediated soils, distinguishing it from other solutions that have high environmental impact. By mitigating soil-based sources of PFAS contamination, the project contributes to public health by reducing exposure risks and safeguarding water and agricultural resources. Furthermore, the successful completion of this project will provide compelling evidence for field trials, paving the way for regulatory approval and commercialization. This advancement has significant economic implications, enhancing the competitiveness of the United States and stakeholders by allowing for the reallocation of resources through cost savings, and addressing pressing environmental concerns. This enhanced approach offers significant promise for furthering scientific knowledge and delivering tangible benefits to society by tackling a crucial environmental issue, yielding far-reaching benefits.
The proposed project focuses on developing a scalable and effective biological remediation method that utilizes synergistic interactions between fungi and plants to degrade and remove PFAS from contaminated environments. The project aims to expand on fungi that are able to efficiently degrade PFAS and evaluate their effectiveness in degrading six specific PFAS compounds recommended by the EPA. The research expands the understanding of fungal degradation of PFAS by identifying additional defluorinators and characterizing the resulting breakdown products. The impact of several environmental factors on degradation rates will be assessed to understand how site-specific challenges may impact remediation efforts. Additionally, various delivery methods for microbial inoculation, such as pelleting, soil drenching, and in-furrow application will be evaluated for consistent inoculum application to contaminated sites. Bench trials will assess the efficiency of this approach, combining fungi and hybrid poplars, for PFAS remediation. This research addresses a critical need for effective PFAS remediation methods, expanding the frontier of scientific knowledge in fungal bioremediation, offering a fresh perspective and innovative approach towards mitigating the impacts of PFAS on our ecosystems.
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. -
NEARABL INC.
STTR Phase I: Handheld Mobile-based Dynamic 4D Mapping and Indoor Space Reconstruction
Contact
33 WEST END AVENUE
New York, NY 10023--7820
NSF Award
2416474 – STTR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project includes enabling infrastructure owners, real estate developers and trade workers to optimize their operations and reduce rework, leading to a reduction in their environmental footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future. Furthermore, the project aims to decrease costs associated with digitizing infrastructure by 40-60% and lower socioeconomic workforce barriers for knowledge workers, facilitating increased construction and renovation, ultimately transforming buildings into "smart buildings" in a cost-effective manner. Additionally, the project will make indoor spaces more inclusive and accessible for individuals with disabilities by including customizable wayfinding and accessibility options; increase the safety and efficiency of construction and maintenance workers with on-ground mixed reality based work instructions; and educate the first responders and provide essential navigation to speed up the evacuation.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project focuses on innovating mobile-based 4D progression of indoor places - with a dynamic three-dimensional (3D) mapping and reconstruction process over the time dimension, capable of augmenting the physical structure of buildings. The proposed research will develop an attention-based modeling and reconstruction mechanism to enhance 3D reconstruction, coupled with a user-friendly AI-enhanced Mixed Reality guide to improve data collection by users, aiming to achieve precise 3D modeling with data collected from mobile devices, despite their inherently low quality. To minimize the required rescan work, given the ever-changing nature of construction and maintenance projects, a knowledge-based dynamic updates mechanism will be introduced, leveraging prior knowledge of the physical infrastructure to be modeled.
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. -
NEURALTRAK, INC
SBIR Phase I: AI-Powered Low-dose, Low-cost, High-Quality CT imaging
Contact
511 LASSEN ST
Los Altos, CA 94022--3911
NSF Award
2433137 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to enable local (and global) access to high-quality, low-cost, and low-radiation exposure three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) imaging using existing 2D equipment. Examples include walk-in clinics, lung cancer screening centers, rapid stroke assessment centers, mobile platforms (e.g., ambulances), battlefield hospitals, and clinics in rural and underserved areas. This advance will result in greater public access to advanced healthcare and should result in substantially lower healthcare costs. For example, moving complex spine surgeries from hospitals to local ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) can save payors $10B in costs annually. The ASCs will also benefit; a relatively low percentage of complex monthly procedures can double their profits. Patient satisfaction should improve by moving more complicated spine surgical procedures to smaller ASCs closer to home with fewer infection risks. The useful life of legacy X-ray systems will be extended following conversion to 3D, thereby reducing waste and landfill space. Beyond medicine, the project technology has widespread applications in nondestructive testing, from manufacturing to failure analysis/prevention to archaeology and art! All these advantages will enhance US competitiveness.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will enable simple, small-footprint, mobile, two-dimensional (2D) X-ray imaging systems to generate three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images at low cost, with one-third of the X-ray dose of a conventional CT scan. The project combines recent advances in imaging physics with artificial intelligence (AI) to overcome the limitations of current CT image acquisition. This contrasts with conventional AI-based CT de-noising (image cleaning) algorithms that function only in the image domain with no physics input. The project has three primary research objectives. First, enhance deep learning-based image reconstruction's ability to produce high-quality images from limited data. Second, devise real-time geometric calibration methods to overcome mechanical instabilities inherent to simple X-ray systems. Third, develop high speed and high image fidelity data transfer methods to interface existing hospital imaging systems to the project computing platform while maintaining FDA and HIPPA compliance and avoiding disruption of hospital workflow. Successful development of the three core technologies described will be used to create a minimum viable product (MVP). Medical practitioners will use the MVP to evaluate the technology and refine the features needed for a clinical 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. -
NEUROBIONICS INC
SBIR Phase I: NeuroBionics OmniFiber: A Multifunctional Neural Probe for Advancing Neuroscience Research
Contact
16 LINDEN AVE
Somerville, MA 02143--2266
NSF Award
2423454 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$254,456
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 01/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to enable novel preclinical research into brain disorders and screening of neurological drug candidates by providing a versatile, multifunctional tool for neuroscience research. This flexible, fiber-based neural probe integrates electrical, optical, and chemical capabilities into a single implantable device for the brain, empowering scientists to combine recording of neural activity with electrical and optical stimulation along with targeted delivery of pharmacological agents in animal models. This is a crucial advance to enable insights into neurological disorders and translation of neuroscience discoveries into effective therapies. The technology has significant commercial potential in the neuroscience research market ($240M Annually) as well as the pharmaceutical market for screening of neurological drug candidates ($600M Annually) based on both primary and secondary market research. The completion of this Phase I project will significantly de-risk the commercialization of this groundbreaking neurotechnology.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will address a key shortcoming of today?s neural interfacing research technologies: a lack of available tools that can combine key methods spanning electrical, optical, and chemical modalities into a single device in a single brain region. To address this challenge, a novel neural probe will be developed based on multi-material, flexible, microscopic, bioelectronic fiber technology that integrates diverse capabilities including electrophysiological recording, optical and electrical stimulation, drug delivery, and neurotransmitter monitoring. In this Phase I project, key technical challenges to commercializing and scaling the multifunctional neural probe?s production will be addressed by (1) integrating electrodes and microfluidic channels along the length of the probe to achieve broader spatial sampling, (2) developing a novel integrated back-end connector comprising electrical pins, optical ferrules, and fluidic fittings, and (3) establishing an automated and scalable manufacturing approach. At the conclusion of the project, a versatile tool enabling novel neuroscience research paradigms will be ready for 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. -
NEW ENGLAND HEMOLYTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Rapid & Automated Pathogen DNA Extraction from Venous Whole Blood Samples
Contact
11 SYCAMORE WAY
Branford, CT 06405--6553
NSF Award
2422587 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,858
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 02/28/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to advance a technology that can significantly decrease the time to diagnose sepsis from 1 ? 5 days to less than an hour. Sepsis is a $30B healthcare problem, with over 1.6 million cases annually in the U.S. Successful treatment requires rapid and accurate pathogen identification to determine the correct antibiotic, which is not currently available. The current standard of care for patients suspected of sepsis is blood cultures followed by analysis of positive cultures. This process is not only too slow (1 ? 5 days), but also fails to detect a significant portion of cases because some pathogens cannot be reliably cultured. Therefore, the goal of this project is to develop a device that can automatically and rapidly (~20 minutes) capture sepsis-causing pathogens from a tube of whole blood, and extract the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), thus enabling their rapid and accurate identification via their DNA signature. A diagnostic test with this capability would revolutionize the standard of care for patients suspected of sepsis and would be suitable for use in all hospital labs, with an annual test demand over 20 million tests in the United States.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will support the testing and optimization of the novel pathogen extraction device across a wide variety of common sepsis-causing pathogens, including bacteria and fungi. The standard process of pathogen identification is via blood culture, which takes much too long and frequently delays life-saving treatment. The novel system being developed in this Phase 1 project integrates innovative technologies into a commercial-form instrument and cartridge, currently entering beta phase, that can deliver pathogen DNA from whole blood for analysis in under 20 minutes. The extraction instrument consists of a novel whole blood liquefaction system, a filtration-based pathogen capture system, and a high-efficiency pathogen lysing and DNA elution system, all integrated into the simple to use device. Commonly available, open-platform DNA-based diagnostic instruments and commercially available DNA detection kits are used to identify and quantify the captured pathogens, and to assess the process efficiency and overall detection accuracy of the diagnostic system. The data acquired during this study will be used to advance the reliability and efficacy of the technology, with the goal of field testing the instrument in selected hospital labs at the conclusion.
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. -
NONA TECHNOLOGIES
SBIR Phase I: Maintenance-Free Water Treatment using Ion Concentration Polarization
Contact
286 VASSAR ST APT F1
Cambridge, MA 02139--4957
NSF Award
2422906 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,994
Start / end date
08/01/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in addressing the critical issue of water scarcity through an innovative membrane-free, chemical-free, more particle tolerant desalination technology. The project aims to make desalination more accessible and affordable, thereby providing communities facing water shortages with new water sources and enhanced water recycling. The technology is designed to be energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable, reducing the barriers to widespread adoption of desalination and water recycling. By advancing the field of water treatment, the project aligns with NSF?s mission to promote the progress of science and advance national health and welfare. The successful commercialization of this technology has the potential to generate significant economic benefits, including job creation and increased tax revenue, while also addressing a pressing environmental challenge.
This project proposes a groundbreaking innovation in desalination technology through the development of an Ion Concentration Polarization system. Unlike traditional methods, the ICP system requires significantly less energy and eliminates the need for harmful chemical pre-treatments. The primary innovation lies in the scalable design of the Ion Concentration Polarization system, which can effectively transition from small-scale to large-scale applications. The research aims to optimize the internal flow architecture and electric current distribution to achieve a production capacity of 1,000 liters per hour from an initial 10 liters per hour at bench scale. The methodology includes rigorous experimentation and prototype development to ensure the technology's efficiency and reliability at larger scales. This advancement holds the promise of revolutionizing the desalination process, making it more viable for widespread use and significantly impacting water treatment 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. -
NOVINEER, INC.
SBIR Phase I: Computational Synthesis of 3D Printed Composite and Infill Layouts
Contact
1511 AVIATION CENTER PKWY
Daytona Beach, FL 32114--3857
NSF Award
2334913 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$275,000
Start / end date
12/15/2023 – 11/30/2024 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project expedites the growth of additive manufacturing for end-use parts through automated design software. Additive manufacturing has emerged as an appealing alternative to traditional subtractive manufacturing to fabricate end-use parts with tailored stiffness and strength. A critical production stage required to unlock the potential of additive manufacturing for end-use parts is the design process, which currently requires extensive engineering experience and high engineering design time. The new technology will allow a paradigm shift from the current slow, tedious, and failure-prone design process to an automated design process. The algorithm utilizes high-performance computing and designs components based on strength, specific material properties, and manufacturing constraints. The technology is expected to reduce engineering design time and, as a result, the production cost and time, which will enable the industry to scale production. Additionally, by using the automated design process, the material distribution can be tailored to achieve the desired structural responses, and lightweight structures can be fabricated. The reduction in weight results in a reduction in fuel consumption in aviation and auto industries, which will provide both ecological and economic benefits.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project advances the state of the art by (a) developing novel approaches to optimize layout, fiber paths, and plastic infill distribution, (b) generating additive manufacturing toolpaths based on structural performance and efficiency, and (c) implementing multiple failure criteria to understand failure loads in composite additive manufacturing. Due to the significant cost difference between continuous fiber filament and plastic infill, it is crucial to consider the design of fiber paths, carbon fiber reinforced regions, and plastic infill layout. Another challenge is that current design processes do not include a single failure criterion that can predict failure under different loading scenarios. To address these two challenges, the team is investigating a stiffness and strength-based topology optimization for composite additive manufacturing that will enable the design of the geometric layout and toolpath for 3D printing simultaneously. Anisotropic material properties for stiffness and strength in different directions are implemented to utilize the full potential of composite parts. Toolpath constraints such as curvature, minimum length, and width are also implemented in the optimization process to prevent print failure. Finally, an intelligent slicing program will be developed to control the movement of the 3D printer nozzle and eliminate part failure due to stress concentration.
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. -
NOVOTHELIUM, LLC
SBIR Phase I: Novel Scaffold for Nipple Areolar Regeneration
Contact
2509 KENNEDY CIR BLDG 125 FL 4
San Antonio, TX 78235--5116
NSF Award
2429456 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,194
Start / end date
08/15/2024 – 07/31/2025 (Estimated)
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will be the ability to regenerate the nipple areolar complex after mastectomy. Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women and many must undergo mastectomy, which results in the loss of the breast including the nipple. Patients report not feeling whole or complete after the loss of their nipples and this can have a devastating psychological impact on quality of life. Current nipple areolar reconstructive techniques use a surgical skin flap, where skin on the reconstructed breast is cut and sutured together to recreate the appearance of a nipple, and then tattooed for desired pigmentation. After reconstruction, only 13% of patients report being totally satisfied with their nipple reconstruction, flattening being the most common reason for dissatisfaction. Instead of just recreating the appearance of a nipple, this project enables patients to regenerate the nipple areolar complex using an acellular nipple areolar graft. The broader impact of this project would be transforming the clinical standard of care, resulting in improved outcomes and quality of life for women during their cancer survivorship. Additionally, this project further advances the understanding of extracellular matrix grafts for complex soft tissue reconstruction.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will focus on investigating cellular ingrowth into the acellular nipple areolar graft through in vivo studies. The graft is created through a patented technique, in which the DNA and cellular components are removed from donor nipple areolar tissue, leaving behind an acellular extracellular matrix scaffold. The key challenges in bringing this technology to market center on demonstrating feasibility of cellular infiltration to the entirety of the graft and maintained nipple projection. The experiments proposed in this project investigate the graft cellular infiltration, biocompatibility, nipple projection, and pigmentation in vivo. The successful completion of the proposed studies in this project will facilitate advancement of this research and support studies for clinical application.
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. -
NUCLEON POWER INC
SBIR Phase I: Hyper-Compact Neutron Generator for Advanced Detection
Contact
78 MITCHELL RD
Oak Ridge, TN 37830--7953
NSF Award
2419140 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$273,834
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project aims to transform spectroscopy systems that identify materials by detecting a specific signature of gamma radiation. Such nondestructive detection technology is used in agriculture, mining, defense, oil and gas, border security, and other industries. The proposed innovation is a novel ultra-compact neutron generator, which is an essential component of material analysis systems used for a wide range of elements. Advantages of the proposed neutron generator are its ultra-low size, weight, and power consumption, which will enable portable detection applications, reduce costs, and greatly expand the potential to adopt this detection technology in more applications and enable its use in tight spaces, such as on board small aircraft or space vehicles. The improved neutron generator will significantly enhance security by improving detection capabilities in applications such as the identification of explosives, hazardous chemicals, and special nuclear material. It will also enable wide-field surveys for agricultural, natural resource exploration, and geological applications. With the neutron-activation analysis industry valued at over $100 million domestically, this breakthrough has the potential to increase this market size by at least $14 million. Thus, the project promises substantial technical, economic, and national security benefits.
The intellectual merit of this project lies in its innovative use of lithium niobate piezoelectric transformers (PTs) arranged in a novel antiphase configuration to accelerate deuterium and tritium atoms for a nuclear fusion-based neutron generator. This approach uses resonance drive technology to leverage the high gain of the PTs and achieve acceleration potentials that maximize the fusion reaction rate without magnetic or voltage multiplier components. Furthermore, the unique in-vacuum operation eliminates the bulky and expensive high-voltage hermetic feedthroughs. This resulting neutron generator will produce 300 million neutrons per second with a weight of under 5 pounds, a power draw of less than 10 watts, and a volume of less than 90 cubic inches. The research objectives of this project are to develop an in-vacuum mounting strategy to enable the high gain of the PT, develop antiphase resonance drive circuitry, develop a target and ion source that are integral to the PTs, and design a field-forming geometry for the vacuum chamber. Combined, these advancements will result in a neutron generator that surpasses the performance of existing systems, in multiple metrics, by more than an order of magnitude, marking a significant leap in neutron generator 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. -
OBLIVIOUS LABS INC.
SBIR Phase I: The Encore Oblivious Computation Framework
Contact
508 LLOYD ST
Pittsburgh, PA 15208--2831
NSF Award
2423358 – SBIR Phase I
Award amount to date
$274,988
Start / end date
10/01/2024 – 06/30/2025 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to provide a fast, universal, and easy-to-program technology called Encore, that enables privacy-preserving computation on sensitive data. Users are becoming increasingly aware of the privacy risks of giving up private data to online services and sending sensitive queries to Large Language Models (LLMs). Further, there is a recent push by big players in industry (e.g., Google, Apple, Signal) to roll out new privacy-preserving services. The proposed Encore framework will allow businesses to ?switch on? privacy for their existing services with minimum migration cost and runtime overhead. Further, it will help companies with existing privacy offerings to scale up their privacy-preserving services to big data and save computational cost. Through the company?s open-source efforts, the proposed project will make confidential computing techniques accessible to even non-expert programmers. This will in turn encourage wider adoption of confidential computing techniques, and pave the way for a private data economy where users are in full control of their data and may choose to contribute them to data analytics tasks (e.g., clinical or population-wide studies).
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop oblivious computation techniques that allow provably secure obfuscation of access patterns to sensitive data, while minimizing the overhead. Encryption at rest is a standard technique for protecting confidential data. However, encryption alone fails to hide the access patterns to data, which can completely reveal the users? queries or intentions in many applications such as contact discovery, database search, and queries to Large Language Models. Oblivious computation relies on algorithmic techniques to ?randomize? the access patterns such that they leak nothing. Earlier, the team proposed simple and practical oblivious computation techniques which have alr