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phase II
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AALMV INC.
SBIR Phase II: A Physics-Based Competitive Machine Learning Framework for AI-Driven Robotics Instruction
Contact
925 BRIGHTWATERS BLVD NE
Saint Petersburg, FL 33704--3721
NSF Award
2506458 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,025,369
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader and commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to provide mission-critical drone simulations with embedded robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate learning in high school physics courses. These simulations visually demonstrate real-world applications of physics while teaching students to develop AI and machine learning (ML) models skills essential for robotics automation, critical skills for advancing the next-generation STEM workforce. This platform addresses the urgent need to improve AP Physics Exam outcomes and provide novel, high-quality resources to physics educators nationwide. By blending core physics education with hands-on applications, the technology bridges science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education gaps and offers scalable resources aligned with NGSS and AP Physics standards. Pilot studies demonstrated a 98% improvement in student understanding of kinematics. By year three, the platform aims to increase AP Physics pass rates by 20% in participating schools and expand into five states, helping address the projected shortage of 186,000 engineers by 2031. This mission-critical drone simulation with embedded robotics framework helps prepare students to succeed in STEM education. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the foundational physics and engineering skills necessary to prepare students for STEM careers in advanced manufacturing and automation. The project leverages advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to create an innovative bidirectional reinforcement learning curriculum to provide students with a dynamic, hands-on platform to master applied physics concepts such as force, motion, energy systems, and electromagnetic principles, while simultaneously advancing the autonomous capabilities of robotic systems. The research objectives include completion of the adaptive, AI-assisted platform that enables students to translate physics concepts into Python programming through the integration of machine learning algorithms with drones and robotic systems employed as interactive tools for both teaching and learning. This approach reinforces basic physics principles in real-world mission-critical scenarios. The research employs a dual-learning methodology as students refine their understanding of physics and programming while collaboratively improve robotic performance in simulated and physical environments. The anticipated technical results include a measurable improvement in student proficiency in physics and programming to provide scalable solutions and bridge gaps in STEM education and workforce readiness. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
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ABSTRACTIVE HEALTH, INC.
SBIR Phase II : A tool to automate a narrative patient summary of the medical chart for outpatient physicians
Contact
333 E 56 ST
New York, NY 10022--3760
NSF Award
2451412 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
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 II project is to revolutionize healthcare delivery by leveraging natural language processing to provide concise, clinically relevant summaries of patients? medical records. By reducing the burden on physicians the tool could addresses pressing issues like medical errors, patient safety, and provider burnout. Commercially, the proposed approach could provide the potential to streamline clinical workflows, improve revenue reimbursement, and reduce administrative burdens for healthcare providers. Its integration with national health information exchanges and leading electronic health record systems positions it as a pivotal tool for digital health companies and medical institutions, creating a scalable solution with broad market applicability. The proposed project addresses the critical challenge of reducing the time burden associated with processing unstructured electronic health records while ensuring the accuracy and comprehensiveness of patient care. Physicians often lack adequate tools to quickly synthesize patient histories, which can lead to missed follow-ups, medical errors, and inefficiencies. The project aims to develop and refine a machine-learning-enabled tool to generate clinically relevant, narrative summaries of medical records, enhancing decision-making and streamlining clinical workflows. The proposed research focuses on natural language processing techniques to analyze broad and unstructured medical data. By integrating state-of-the-art models and a federated learning structure to address data-sharing constraints, the project aims to ensure adaptability across various healthcare environments. Anticipated technical results include high-fidelity summaries, robust integration with electronic health record systems, and real-time capabilities for physicians to access and query patient records. The research scope includes fine-tuning large language models, implementing speech-to-text integrations, and developing retrieval-augmented generation systems for personalized physician queries. Methods involve annotating diverse datasets, employing advanced evaluation metrics, and rigorous testing with medical professionals. This project is expected to produce a scalable, clinically validated tool to potentially enhance physician efficiency, reduce medical errors, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
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ACADEMIC WEB PAGES, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Advancing MentorAI to improve academic and workforce outcomes
Contact
1048E LONG BEACH BLVD
Beach Haven, NJ 08008--5625
NSF Award
2536114 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,051,777
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader and commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is to advance the accessibility and effectiveness of mentoring for students and early career professionals across educational and workforce development settings. These capabilities enable institutions to expand access to high-quality support while preserving the relational and developmental core of effective mentoring.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the challenge of scaling high-quality, personalized mentoring by leveraging artificial intelligence to augment human mentors. Traditional mentoring systems are constrained by limited mentor capacity and administrative burden, restricting institutions? ability to provide timely, evidence-based support to students and early career professionals. The core intellectual merit of this project is the development and validation of a proprietary, secure, and responsibly governed AI-enabled mentoring assistant that integrates established mentoring science with contextual data derived from ongoing mentor-mentee interactions to support decision-making while preserving human-centered engagement. The research objectives include refining domain-specific algorithms for generating tailored mentoring guidance aligned with peer-reviewed best practices, establishing a validation framework to assess accuracy, reliability, and responsible use, and evaluating system performance through controlled deployment. The technical approach combines iterative model training using protected and privacy-preserving mentoring datasets, retrieval mechanisms that constrain outputs to validated resources, and quantitative and qualitative evaluation of mentor efficiency, interaction quality, and engagement outcomes. Anticipated results include a validated AI system capable of delivering consistent, context-aware support, a reproducible methodology for assessing AI-assisted mentoring systems, and empirical evidence demonstrating improved scalability and effectiveness of mentoring without compromising relational integrity or data 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. -
ADEPT MATERIALS, INC
SBIR Phase II: Moisture Control Paint and Primer System for Bathroom Mold Prevention
Contact
9 HIDDEN ST
Providence, RI 02906--4256
NSF Award
2507620 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,244,177
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 02/28/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project aims to commercialize a novel paint and primer system that manages indoor moisture and suppresses mold growth, with an initial focus on residential and commercial bathrooms. Mold exposure in buildings is a significant health and economic issue, contributing to respiratory illnesses and extensive maintenance costs. This innovation offers a passive, affordable, and easily retrofitted solution for improving indoor air quality and preventing costly moisture damage. By reducing the latent load on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, the coatings can also enhance energy efficiency. This project will increase the economic competitiveness of the United States by strengthening domestic manufacturing, creating a new high-value export category, and stimulating innovation in the built environment. The technology is designed to deliver broad-based benefits to Americans across all regions and housing types. Commercially, this effort targets a significant opportunity within the $60 billion global decorative coatings market, with an estimated multi-billion-dollar addressable segment in moisture-prone spaces. Successful deployment could shift market expectations by embedding high-performance functionality into standard architectural coatings. The intellectual merit of this project lies in its development of a multi-functional coating system that combines high-capacity moisture storage with directional vapor transport (mimicking a "vapor diode") to protect building assemblies from water accumulation. The innovation integrates hygroscopic and thermally responsive materials into a two-layer coating architecture?a primer and a topcoat?that modulate moisture dynamics in response to environmental conditions. The research objectives include validating the system?s effectiveness in suppressing mold-supportive humidity levels, quantifying thermal and moisture buffering effects, and modeling the system?s performance in various climates and installation scenarios. The project will involve field pilots in real-world buildings, controlled pre- and post-application testing, and the collection of longitudinal humidity and condensation data. These results will inform the refinement of physical models that predict mold risk behind walls and ceilings, providing deeper insights into hidden moisture dynamics. Through this research, the project will advance understanding of passive moisture control in building materials and lay the foundation for a new class of functional architectural coatings. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
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ADIALANTE L.L.C.
SBIR Phase II: The Development of an Affordable, Compact, and Silent Head-Only MRI Scanner
Contact
200 OAK ST SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455--2009
NSF Award
2449556 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,186,778
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project focuses on the commercialization of a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) platform. Leveraging an innovative system architecture, the new platform provides silent, high-quality magnetic resonance brain imaging while operating at just one-tenth the cost and footprint of traditional MRI systems. This dramatic reduction in size and cost will make advanced imaging technology accessible to communities across the United States, particularly in rural areas where traditional MRI installations are not feasible. The platform achieves clinical equivalency to modern scanners while requiring minimal infrastructure, representing a breakthrough solution for widespread medical imaging access. The broad deployment of this affordable and effective MRI technology will accelerate the diagnosis of strokes, dementia, and head trauma, potentially saving thousands of lives and improving patient outcomes in communities throughout the nation. The intellectual merit of this project centers around B1 encoding, a novel methodology in designing MRI systems. Unlike traditional MRI architecture that relies on large, expensive, and loud electromagnets known as B0 gradient coils, this approach enables their partial or complete elimination. By removing these components, the system saves hundreds of pounds in weight and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cost, while enabling greater portability. At its core, B1 encoding represents a fundamental reimagining of MRI system design that promises to maintain clinical value while drastically reducing system complexity and cost. The neuro-imaging MRI system powered by this technology will be the first commercial system to demonstrate high-quality imaging without the use of B0 gradient coils. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
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ADVANCED GROWING RESOURCES INC.
SBIR Phase II: Novel Spectroscopy for the Early Detection of Crop Afflictions
Contact
447 VOSBURG RD.
Webster, NY 14580--1040
NSF Award
2522042 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,394
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
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 II project is focused on the continued development of the first high-throughput assessment tool of crop health based on hyperspectral imagery that is suitable for vehicle-mounted field deployment. This technology will support crop growers in making data-driven decisions for efficient water and fertilizer management and in the control of crop diseases. By enabling early and accurate diagnosis of crop stress?crucial for the timely and targeted use of amendments, irrigation, and crop protection?this technology supports farmers in making data driven decisions, reducing crop losses from disease and other afflictions. As a result, farmers benefit from improved yields and lower input costs, including reduced use of fungicides and fertilizers. For consumers, the proposed technology can lead to increased availability of healthier produce by reducing the use of fungicides and improving the economic viability of small farms. The intellectual merit of this project centers around a dual-detector system that overcomes the tradeoff between spectral versus spatial resolution currently faced by existing optical scanning technology by sensing a single spectrum representative of the average signal across an entire image. This system has been adapted into an embeddable, portable spectrometer that combines fast, calibrated, non-contact data and control systems with artificial intelligence models to enable instantaneous in-field diagnosis. The proposed Phase II work will integrate this portable device and the associated detection algorithms with a mountable rugged hyperspectral camera for motion-based analysis and a reporting dashboard into a complete commercial solution. This will be accomplished through the expansion and refinement of the portable system hardware and the development of a vehicle-mounted hyperspectral camera system. Additionally, to enable deployment in the viticulture sector, a comprehensive data collection and modeling framework designed to address the complexities of multi-variety viticulture disease detection 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.
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AEROMUTABLE CORPORATION
SBIR Phase II: Multi Sub-System Miniaturization and Development for Semi-Truck Fuel Savings Device
Contact
9431 DOWDY DR
San Diego, CA 92126--4480
NSF Award
2213299 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
04/01/2023 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is reducing fuel consumption, improving safety and stability, and reducing the carbon footprint of the trucking industry while increasing profitability. Over 70% of US freight tonnage is moved by trucks. At highway speeds, aerodynamic drag uses over 65% of the total vehicle energy. The proposed device modifies the aerodynamic behavior of semi-trucks using air injection by allowing continuous optimization of aerodynamic performance. This project will bring the pneumatic, sensor and artificial intelligence (AI) control systems from proof-of-concept to commercialization. Having a commercial product capable of determining and delivering the trailer?s best aerodynamic profile based on real-time operating conditions may be a game-changer for the trucking industry, as fuel is a significant operating cost. Commercializing this system has the potential to create an energy savings for all US fleets, saving more than 3 billion gallons of diesel fuel, reducing the release of more than 33.5 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, tripling trucking company profits, and saving an annual $22 billion.
This SBIR Phase II project proposes development of an aerodynamic add-on prototype for semi-trucks to save fuel by dynamically changing the trailer?s aerodynamic profile to accommodate diverse operating conditions. Objectives of this SBIR Project are to evolve the device from prototype to the first commercially viable release through system miniaturization and encapsulation, controller optimization, and improved overall system performance, reliability, and safety. Research conducted to miniaturize the overall system footprint will minimize any additional operational impacts, ensuring widespread adoption and utilization that maximizes fuel savings. Research to optimize the Artificial Intelligence-Controller operation will maximize fuel savings because it will allow the device to operate under a broader set of operational conditions. Further development to improve system performance, reliability, and the addition of a safety assist will improve the profit margins of the trucking industry while simultaneously improving on-road safety for the public. The project seeks to deliver 10% savings in operational costs for the trucking industry while improving the efficiency and safety of their country-wide operations.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria. -
AGTEC INNOVATIONS INC
SBIR Phase II: Novel Caged Urea as a Nitrogen Compost
Contact
1290 ALTAMEAD DR
Los Altos, CA 94024--5568
NSF Award
2534874 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,121,696
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is through the development of a high-efficiency compost that delivers nitrogen while significantly reducing by-products. This project provides a cleaner targeted solution by using a molecular cage to encapsulate nitrogen. This project addresses the high-risk challenge of engineering a biodegradable, nutrient-based molecular encapsulation system for urea to reliably suppress nitrogen transformation losses across varied surroundings. The core innovation involves embedding urea within a calcium polyphosphate molecular cage?a fundamental departure from conventional polymer coatings and chemical inhibitors. This approach requires precise control of structure?function relationships, a significant technical novelty in the field. The cage is insoluble yet root-soluble, protecting urea from premature microbial breakdown and reducing nitrogen emissions. The primary objective is to scale this technology into a consistent, field-ready compost. The intellectual contribution lies in advancing a new class of nutrient-encoded materials that integrate function with material structure, eliminating microplastic residues while enabling controlled, root-responsive nutrient release. The methodology employs a multi-pronged approach: (i) optimizing formulations for structural stability; (ii) developing composite systems using lignocellulosic matrices to resist enzymatic transformation; (iii) incorporating functional additives to modulate nitrogen pathways; (iv) evaluating cost-effective physical forms for manufacturing; and (v) pilot-scale process development to address viscous melt handling. Products will be validated through multi-location trials to assess agronomic performance and other impacts. The outcome will be a scalable, resilient compost platform with superior nitrogen use 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. -
AI LINEAR INC.
SBIR Phase II: Preventative Maintenance AI Chip: Software-Configurable, Tiny, Low-Latency, Always-On, Ultra-Low-Power, Near-Sensor-AI, No Cloud Required
Contact
15230 FRUITVALE AVE
Saratoga, CA 95070--6272
NSF Award
2449755 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in advancing distributed artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive maintenance of instruments/vehicles used in manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, and transportation. Instead of transmitting raw sensor data via an always-on, power-hungry communications link to the cloud - which can introduce cybersecurity risks ? distributed AI enables secure, fast, and ultra-low-power monitoring that operates efficiently on battery power. This capability allows real-time asset (e.g., a drone) monitoring without requiring continuous cloud connectivity. Predictive maintenance prevents unexpected gear and equipment failures, minimizes downtime, and reduces maintenance costs across industries, where drones, robots, and other autonomous systems rely on ?smart? monitoring. Traditional cloud-based AI solutions are often impractical for remote or battery-powered assets due to high energy consumption, constant connectivity needs, and security vulnerabilities. This project provides a compact, low-power alternative by embedding AI and allowing for continuous monitoring without delay. Additional applications include industrial machinery failure detection, environmental monitoring, and public safety improvements through infrastructure resilience. This project focuses on developing an AI-enabled integrated circuit (IC) for real-time processing of wave-based sensor signals, such as vibrations and sounds, to detect anomalies indicative of potential failures of assets (e.g., motors in drones and robots) before they occur. This IC integrates an ultra-low-power analog front-end with a digital AI engine optimized for real-time wave-pattern recognition. Designed for efficiency, the IC operates at power levels in the tens of microamperes, making it practical for battery-powered systems. The tiny form factor, measuring a few millimeters per side, allows ease of integration near or into sensor capsules. The system achieves over 92% detection precision with latency measured in a few milliseconds, as per simulations, enabling near-instantaneous failure prediction. Research objectives include finalizing the IC design, fabricating prototypes, refining machine learning algorithms, and conducting field validation. The chip optimizes analog and digital signal processing IC design with AI software (specifically for sound and vibration signals) to ensure low-power, small-size, scalability, robustness, and a cost-effective solution. By enabling real-time, always-on AI-driven analytics, this innovation aims to eliminate reliance on cloud processing, offering a tiny, always-on, near-zero-latency, energy-efficient, scalable, and secure predictive intelligence solution across multiple industries. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
AKORN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Edible, water soluble corn zein films for shelf life extension and improved safety of perishable foods
Contact
3997 LYMAN RD
Oakland, CA 94602--1858
NSF Award
2150748 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$995,590
Start / end date
07/15/2022 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is in the reduction of food waste and improved nutrition. Each year, more than 30% of fresh produce is wasted. The value of this wasted produce is estimated at more than $60 billion globally. This project?s main goal is to extend the shelf life of perishable foods with an edible coating that regulates the rate of both transpiration to slow moisture loss and respiration to delay ripening. The project aims to enable produce growers and distributors to preserve the freshness and quality of fruits and vegetables. Consumers could benefit by having access to fresher, tastier, and more appealing produce. This technology may also promote healthier food choices, especially in currently underserved food deserts. Packers would benefit by being able to offer a high-quality product that will last longer and that can better withstand the rigors of various types of transport. Extended shelf life also extends the market reach of U.S. exports in global markets.
The core innovation underlying this project is the creation of stable Zein colloids that employ only edible, plant-based ingredients, are non-flammable, non-corrosive, and meet most global food regulations. These colloids will be initially developed as coatings for fresh whole or minimally processed foods, root crops, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. The coating will not impede the delivery of nutrients, flavors, and other functional ingredients that make foods appealing, improve their quality, and encourage consumption. The technology will also reduce food spoilage and improving food safety. Experimental work will be focused on further improving the stability of Zein dispersions and demonstrating the ability to adjust the film properties (water vapor, oxygen, and carbon dioxide permeances) to respond to the physiology of a broad range of crops. This technology will also be piloted at various packing plants to evaluate its operational fitness with existing operations. This research will also enable related applications, such as for compostable coatings on food packaging and pharmaceutical and nutraceutical coatings.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ALTYX SURGICAL, INC.
SBIR Phase II: A mesh-free, sling-free, minimally invasive treatment for stress urinary incontinence in women
Contact
2717 LINCOLN ST
Evanston, IL 60201--2042
NSF Award
2233106 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$975,713
Start / end date
01/01/2024 – 01/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is a novel, surgically implanted device for treating female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Nearly 50% of women in the U.S. will suffer from stress urinary incontinence with age resulting in over 40 million suffering women by 2050. No pharmacological solutions currently exist and mesh-based midurethral slings (MUS) are the mainstay surgical option, even though they are associated with various long-term complications, challenges, and risks. Furthermore, all SUI repair products on the market are polypropylene mesh-based with no alternatives available. This project aims to address this gap in options with a mesh-free, sling-free, outpatient transvaginal repair device for female urinary incontinence.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to develop and validate a novel, transvaginal surgical procedural technology for treating stress urinary incontinence. This project progresses findings from the SBIR Phase I project which demonstrated functional proof-of-concept biomechanical feasibility. This Phase II project aims to further the surgical procedure and system in a manner suitable for human use. The scope of technical activities includes design optimization, mechanical testing and validation, surgical procedure validation, biocompatibility testing, and histological characterization in a series of benchtop, cadaveric, and animal studies. The scope of the activities will be conducted in accordance with practices needed to demonstrate chronic implanted safety and efficacy in pre-clinical models in order to gain eventual U.S. 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.ALVA HEALTH, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Defining the Multimodal Signature of Stroke
Contact
3 WASHINGTON CT
Towaco, NJ 07082--0000
NSF Award
2039532 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
05/15/2021 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project falls within the scope of the grand challenges in health informatics. There are excellent protocols for the management and treatment of acute stroke, however, these protocols are only effective once patients have been admitted into the healthcare system. Ischemic stroke affects 700,000 Americans, costs approximately $33 billion annually, and is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the US. Health care providers, however, have limited interaction with their patients, and these interactions occur in the highly constrained environment of the clinical setting. Physicians have limited control over patient behavior and limited tools to help patients recognize stroke symptoms outside the clinical setting. For patients with high stroke risk, there is currently no system available to monitor stroke symptoms and initiate a response in real-time. Thus, there is a need to monitor patients remotely, where the current systems for stroke response fail to provide coverage. The proposed solution will expand the provision of stroke symptom monitoring to the daily lives of patients. Tracking patients as they go through their daily lives will considerably enrich our knowledge of stroke and will allow extension to monitoring for other neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders and diseases.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the real-time detection of stroke. IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been an FDA approved therapy since 1995, yet only 5-10% of eligible patients receive this therapy. Arrival time in the emergency room after initial stroke symptoms is directly associated with better outcomes after tPA and endovascular therapy, with a time window of 4.5 hours and 24 hours for these treatments, respectively. Despite massive public health campaigns, identifying symptoms of stroke and activating emergency response systems remains a major challenge. The goal of this project is to develop and test a wearable and computational solution to effectively alert ischemic stroke victims and initiate emergency response in a timely manner. The solution consists of a cloud-based analysis system for real-time detection of stroke onset, enabled by body-worn sensors and a mobile app. Once deployed, the device is expected to dramatically improve stroke emergency response and increase the number of patients arriving in the hospital in time for IV tPA treatment and other reperfusion 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.AMPHIX BIO, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Scalable Manufacturing of Supramolecular Polymers for Regenerative Medicine
Contact
57 E DELAWARE PL
Chicago, IL 60611--1624
NSF Award
2422766 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to develop a synthetic bone graft that enables safer, simpler, and lower-cost spinal fusion surgery. The success of this technology would reinforce the United States? competitive advantage and leadership position in the $12B global spinal implant market. The bone graft implant consists of a novel nanotechnology which introduces a new approach for regenerative medicine. This technology requires the development of new manufacturing methods, as standard approaches are not sufficient for larger scale production. This project directly addresses the manufacturing challenges in producing this implant, and the knowledge generated can accelerate the clinical development of other similar therapies. This project will serve as a model for other novel forms of matter requiring unique manufacturing and processing methods. Since the technology used in the implant has deep roots in academic research, this project also serves as a model for academia-industry collaboration.
The proposed project will develop methods for manufacturing a new spine implant technology at large scales, which will enable its translation to clinical trials. First, the active ingredient in the implant, which has novel chemical properties, will be manufactured at large scales in conditions appropriate for use in human patients. The active ingredient is a supramolecular polymer held together by non-covalent bonds, which are sensitive to manufacturing and processing steps, akin to protein misfolding. Spectroscopic and microscopy techniques will be used to ensure that the correct structures and function are maintained as manufacturing is scaled up. Second, the active ingredient will be combined with other supporting materials to create a formulation that surgeons can easily handle and place into the spine. Manufacturing methods will be developed to address the challenge of processing and freeze-drying viscous solutions at large scale. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the spine implants will be established to ensure the manufacturing methods are safe for human use. The final deliverable of this project is a packaged and sterilized implant, manufactured at scale and under conditions appropriate for clinical use in humans.
This award reflects 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 II: Autonomous System for DNA Sequencing Prep in Space and Austere Environments
Contact
5770 OBERLIN DR
San Diego, CA 92121--1723
NSF Award
2533096 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,229,393
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
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 II project is to build an automated, miniaturized, gravity-agnostic system for DNA extraction and preparation for sequencing in austere environments. DNA sequencing is used for a variety of purposes in research and medicine ? for example, diagnosis and treatment of diseases; monitoring of pathogens in water supplies and food; and to study the effects of various stressors on humans, crops, and even pets. The global DNA sequencing market size of $11B in 2022 is expected to grow to over $50B by 2032 indicating potential for growth and expansion of DNA sequencing technologies into untapped markets. This project is disrupting the market by developing a portable, automated system for extracting DNA from a variety of biosamples. Small academic and start-up labs and those focused on space research will be early market targets. This project expects to generate nearly $20M in revenue by year three of production. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project proposes to take a unique approach to technology development ? by building the technology for space and microgravity, the most extreme environment. Currently, there are no commercial automated, miniaturized technology exists for use in space for DNA extraction and sample preparation. Space is a unique environment that can offer novel scientific insights. Availability of advanced tools in microgravity, such as the technology proposed in this project, will enable scientists across a variety of disciplines to undertake research 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 could provide an automated miniaturized tool for use in remote and extreme environments such as military field operations for national defense and 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.
AQUA SCIENCE LLC
SBIR Phase II: Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water
Contact
250 CORPORATE BLVD STE K
Newark, DE 19702--3329
NSF Award
2439160 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,234,866
Start / end date
06/01/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II Project is in bringing an ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for the detection of PFAS (Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) to market. Rapid, on-site testing using ELISA would be an attractive low-cost solution for PFAS screening to complement current slow and costly LC-MS (Liquid chromatography?mass spectrometry) method. As a result of PFAS? pervasiveness, more than 95 percent of the U.S. population has PFAS in their bodies. These compounds have been associated with high cholesterol levels, thyroid disease, certain cancers, and pregnancy-related problems. Since the amount of testing for PFAS is expected to increase over time, there is a significant need for a cost effective, rapid method for detection of PFAS. Today, an LC/MS sample test costs $250-$400 per sample and the throughput is low at 30 samples per day whereas an ELISA test could be about $40 per sample and can test about 120 samples per day. Thus, an ELISA assay for PFAS detection would be a groundbreaking technology for the testing to identify PFAS hotspots, and assessment of remediation treatment efficacy for many PFAS projects and clean ups. This project thus aligns with the goal of promoting well-being of U.S. population. Development of a PFAS ELISA requires the use of an antibody. Currently no such antibodies are available commercially. ELISAs are preferred due to their sensitivity and ability to tolerate pretreatments. The process of ELISA development includes development of critical components such as hapten development, immunogen preparation, antibody production, screening of antibodies for specificity to varying PFAS as well as sensitivity. The intellectual merit of this Phase II project lies in improving the PFAS detection sensitivity by 2-orders of magnitude compared to what was demonstrated in Phase I. While Phase I proved that PFAS can be detected using an ELISA assay with a hapten for immunogen preparation in a single animal species, Phase II will attempt to find antibodies produced by multiple animal species, specifically those that are not physically aggregated. The R&D focus initially will be on hapten and antibody- Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) conjugate production. This will be followed by identification of the most sensitive pair and external validation of the test kits. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ARCTURA, INC.
STTR Phase II: Extremum Seeking Control of Wind Turbines and Wind Farms
Contact
336 COLUMBIA ST
South Kingstown, RI 02879--2417
NSF Award
2437233 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,246,771
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase II project is to improve the efficiency and profitability of wind farms by reducing the losses caused by wake effects?areas of reduced wind speed and increased turbulence that form behind operating wind turbines. These wake effects lead to lower energy production, greater wear on turbines, and increased maintenance costs. The project aims to demonstrate a novel method of wind farm control known as wake steering, in which upstream turbines are deliberately misaligned to divert airflow around downstream turbines. This method could significantly increase the total energy output of a wind farm without requiring new hardware. If successful, the project will reduce the cost of wind energy, improve its reliability, and support clean, renewable power. These improvements will have wide-reaching benefits for the U.S. economy and environment, including the creation of high-value jobs and a reduction in reliance on fossil fuels. This project is based on a novel yaw control method called Log-of-Power Extremum Seeking Control (LP-ESC), a model-free feedback algorithm that adjusts turbine yaw angles in real time to maximize total wind farm power output. Unlike traditional model-based wake steering approaches, LP-ESC does not rely on detailed physical models of wake transport, which can be inaccurate, difficult to calibrate, and sensitive to atmospheric variability. The core innovation is an accelerated version of LP-ESC that converges quickly with minimal system dithering, minimizing added wear to turbines. The project will refine this algorithm, implement it on a programmable controller, and perform a field demonstration at a commercial wind farm using utility-scale turbines. Performance will be evaluated based on both power gains and mechanical load impacts. A successful demonstration will validate the technical feasibility and commercial potential of deploying a universal, retrofit-friendly wake steering system to increase energy output from existing wind farms. This award reflects 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 II: Microbial Stem Cell Technology for High-Yield Terpene Biomanufacturing
Contact
1938 HARNEY ST STE 305
Laramie, WY 82072--3037
NSF Award
2528068 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/15/2026 – 05/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to develop improved biomanufacturing techniques that reduce costs and enhance yields. This microbial stem cell technology is a platform expected to significantly increase bioreactor productivity, bringing transformative advancements to multiple markets. The first target market, flavors and fragrances, find application in several industries such as beverages, savory and snacks, dairy products, bakery, confectionery, consumer products, and fine fragrances. This market is estimated to be $30.9B in 2024 and is projected to reach $50.7B by 2033, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.82%. Widespread implementation of this platform across diverse industrial segments would strengthen supply chain resilience and boost US economic competitiveness. Additionally, it would create opportunities for workforce development, offer unique training programs for students, and significantly contribute to establishing a skilled biotech workforce in Wyoming and the High Plains region.
The proposed project provides a solution to the common problem of product cytotoxicity in microbial biofermentations. Microbial biofermentation has generated serious interest among industrial producers of flavors and fragrances for efficient biofermentative methods for making their products, yet they are deterred by the limitations of conventional biomanufacturing. The proposed project intends to overcome these limitations and capture growing market opportunities by providing a new genetic technology that enables substantially higher biofermentation yields. The SBIR Phase II program will support the following R&D tasks on the road toward de-risking and commercialization: (a) validation in bench-top bioreactors; (b) expansion of the terpenoid product portfolio, and (c) scale-up to 300L production. The validation will include conducting high cell density fermentation trials, measuring production rates, titers, and other critical fermentation metrics. This will be followed by designing new strains to expand the terpenoid portfolio and scale up terpenoid production. By the end of this project, the technology should be ready for the successful operation in industrial bioreactors with consistent product quality and yield. Since this is a platform technology that could be applied to a wide range of biofermentation products, expanding the potential impact in the biomanufacturing 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.ASPERO MEDICAL, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Advanced Balloon Endoscopy Overtube
Contact
4690 OSAGE DR
Boulder, CO 80303--3903
NSF Award
2129152 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,934
Start / end date
11/01/2021 – 10/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is in addressing an unmet need in incomplete colonoscopy procedures. Incomplete colonoscopy procedures can result in missed colorectal cancer and ultimately increased healthcare expenditures related to follow-up procedures. Use of current balloon overtubes during colonoscopy can significantly improve cecal intubation rates and overall outcomes; However, operating in today?s healthcare economy, colonoscopies and small bowel endoscopy are modestly reimbursed placing considerable pressure on the endoscopist to maximize patient throughput in an endoscopy lab at minimal cost. Current balloon overtubes are not widely utilized except in challenging and highly tortuous conditions due to their troublesome slippage and inefficient application. This project will provide endoscopists with an intraoperative tool that can transition incomplete colonoscopies to completed procedures at a fraction of the cost.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of an integrated balloon overtube that can be used intraoperatively. The technology represents a mid-procedure, time-efficient addition on the endoscope to aid in completing challenging colonoscopies and minimize the occurrence of incomplete colonoscopies. The goal of this project is to achieve a safe, effective, manufacturable device that exhibits a clinically acceptable user interface. The advanced balloon overtube directly addresses the need to maximize complete colonoscopies for better patient health, using a cost effective endoscopy accessory that is easy to use and time efficient. This novel approach provides a new way of converting incomplete procedures to completed procedures to minimize costs while improving patient outcomes and overall clinical experiences. The technological expertise that will be generated during this project will address a critical unmet need in the colonoscopy market, while future versions may be transferable to other fields of use in the medical procedure realm.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ASTEK DIAGNOSTICS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Automated One-Hour Testing for Bacterial Detection and Antibiotic Sensitivity in Clinical Samples
Contact
1450 S ROLLING RD STE 3.019
Halethorpe, MD 21227--3863
NSF Award
2423587 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$991,832
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to deliver a rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) platform, toward revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment of infections across a variety of specimen types, including urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and wound effluent. The AST platform will enable rapid identification of effective antibiotics for treating infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), urosepsis, meningitis, and wound infections, and significantly reducing morbidity and mortality. The novel AST platform will enable identification of appropriate antibiotics for a given infection within an hour. This will reduce the need for empirical antibiotic administration and address the urgent public health challenge of increasing antimicrobial resistance, where the potential to reduce the empirical use of broad-spectrum antibiotics could slow the development of antibiotic resistance. Commercialization associated with this project has significant potential to impact nearly all facets of AST and clinical diagnostics toward guiding treatment with quantitative results rather than empirical observation, where adoption is expected in emergency rooms, primary care facilities, and specialty clinics. The AST market is projected to reach US$ 4.05 Billion by 2028 and a novel AST device would be well positioned to address critical market deficits.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is focused on developing a novel rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) platform, the first of its kind designed to perform AST across various critical specimen types such as urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and wound effluent, delivering results in under an hour. Traditional methods, which are based on culture techniques, often take several days, causing delays in administering the correct antibiotics for infections and adversely affecting patient outcomes. To avoid the wait for AST results, clinicians frequently resort to prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics empirically, which contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. There is a significant need for rapid AST methods that can quickly determine the most effective antibiotics, especially for critical conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs), complicated UTIs, urosepsis, bacterial meningitis, and skin and wound infections. The goals of this project are to 1) adapt a previously developed urine cartridge for use in CSF and effluent specimen types; 2) characterize analytical parameters for detection of relevant bacterial strains in urine, CSF, and effluent; and 3) complete clinical verification of the AST platform with urine, CSF, and effluent clinical specimens.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ASTERION AI INC.
SBIR Phase II: Pre-Hospital Detection of Large Vessel Occlusion Strokes
Contact
12700 HILLCREST RD STE 147
Dallas, TX 75230--7105
NSF Award
2448823 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,995
Start / end date
08/01/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve health outcomes and reduce disability associated with delays in diagnosis and treatment for large vessel clot strokes (LVOs). Nearly 800,000 people suffer a stroke in the US annually and 40% are left with a permanent disability, with an annual cost of $72 Billion. While LVOs represent 35% of strokes, they are responsible for >95% of disability and mortality. LVOs require endovascular therapy (removal of the clot by threading a thin catheter through a vein that is then guided under x-ray guidance to the clot) which only comprehensive stroke centers have the capability to perform. Addressing this challenge with a rapid, accurate stroke triage tool represents a $2 billion commercial opportunity by reducing time to intervention, optimizing patient routing to endovascular-capable centers, and significantly improving outcomes for patients with large vessel occlusions (LVOs), the most devastating type of stroke. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will validate an electroencephalogram (EEG)-based product for emergency personnel to use in the pre-hospital setting for the fast and objective diagnosis of LVO in suspected stroke patients. EEG relies on small scalp sensors that record electrical brain activity. Using comprehensive historical datasets of EEG-data from stroke patients a machine learning model was developed to classify patients into LVO vs non-LVO stroke. This model was then validated with novel EEG data collected at two clinical sites with a resulting sensitivity >94% and specificity >89%. This Phase II project will support expansion of a multi-center study, specifically in the pre-hospital setting, and allow for commercial development of the software algorithm. The project will refine the user experience in the pre-hospital setting and ensure that paramedics can collect high-fidelity data in an ambulance with minimal training. Lastly, the project will explore the utility of our technology for use in other areas of neurological assessment, further validating the specificity of the LVO detection algorithm and expanding use of the technology in the clinic to help doctors identify causes of acute changes in mental status. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ATLAS AI P.B.C.
SBIR Phase II: Instance Segmentation in Support of Sustainable Development
Contact
54 LOCHINVAR RD
Palo Alto, CA 94301--1613
NSF Award
2025894 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,805
Start / end date
12/15/2020 – 02/29/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to improve the efficiency of food production and supply chains for small-scale farming systems. This project advances high-resolution, in-season crop yield forecasts, focusing on maize yields in Sub-Saharan Africa with technologies that can be extended to global small-holder agriculture. The project will address three needs: 1) the design of financial products and services for small-holder farmers, including credit and crop insurance models; 2) the planning of harvest operations and efficient linkage of produce to markets; and 3) the detection of lower than average yields, and the mitigation of resulting threats to food security. This can help service providers, producer groups, traders and aggregators, and government policy-makers. In addition to commercial and societal impacts, this innovation will advance the state of the science in yield forecasting, by adapting methods used in large-scale commercial production for the smaller-scale, heterogeneous farm plots typical of the developing world.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop a novel method for forecasting plot-level maize yields, using high resolution satellite imagery and other remotely sensed data as inputs. The method is calibrated and tested using field data from four countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. A first research objective is to implement and evaluate a variety of computationally efficient modeling approaches for in-season crop area classification, at the level of the small-holder plot (for which no method is currently established). A second objective is to design and calibrate a pixel-level yield forecasting model that generates estimates at multiple timepoints across the growing season. Various calibration approaches will be tested, using both public and proprietary data on historical yield anomalies. The project addresses several persistent challenges in yield forecasting, including the needs for: flexible fusion of remote sensing data that span multiple spatial resolutions, temporal frequencies, and sensing modalities; model architectures that can handle sparse data (given limited access to field-level ground-truth data for calibration and validation); and scalable approaches that can perform in different geographies and agro-ecologies.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Accelerate Wind, Inc.
SBIR Phase II: Integrated Solution for Low Cost Distributed Wind Energy Generation
Contact
911 WASHINGTON AVE STE 501
St. Louis, MO 63101--1272
NSF Award
2036552 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,016,000
Start / end date
05/15/2021 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is in its strong potential to disrupt the small wind market, which to date has lagged behind solar counterparts. Through dual installation with solar on commercial buildings, the proposed roof-edge wind turbines will be able to deliver enhanced energy capture systems to buildings, with a shorter payback period, thus improving cost-efficiency and power potential, and attracting a broader body of adopters. By improving product offerings in the renewable energy sector, this technology has the potential to promote sustainable infrastructure, reducing reliance on and consumption of fossil fuels.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project develops a roof-edge wind capture technology with commercial viability. The proposed distributed wind technology reduces costs by harnessing elevated wind speeds at the roof edge, optimizing powertrain architecture, and mitigating soft costs through sale to solar installers, who have already achieved significant market penetration yet would benefit from a diversified portfolio. The project aims to: 1) Prove the feasibility of integrating a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine into the system 2) Design for additional stakeholders, with respect to aesthetics, structural integration, ease of installation, and code compliance, while maintaining cost targets needed for scaleup 3) Design and test full powertrain architecture using components intended for commercial scaleup and 4) Build and test the full turbine for reliability and certification testing. These efforts will inform critical needs to address prior to large-scale commercial rollout, providing a strong foundation for translation as a reliable and cost-efficient distributed wind solution.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Akanocure Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
SBIR Phase II: A Novel Host-Directed Broad-Spectrum Antiviral and Efficient Immunomodulatory Agent Against Coronaviruses: Lead Optimization Studies
Contact
3495 KENT AVE
West Lafayette, IN 47906--1074
NSF Award
2325532 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project stems from the development of a virus agnostic drug that can control the current coronavirus pandemic and potentially future pandemics caused by yet unknown viruses. Since 2020, research has been chasing COVID-19 and its variants by reformulating vaccines and developing more antibodies and antivirals, but the virus has always been ahead, mutating so fast to make those approaches obsolete. Because COVID-19 is not going away, and because a dysregulated (toxic) immune response is not unique to COVID-19, and because viral threats will not stop at COVID-19, a virus and variant agnostic drug that can stop the virus from multiplying, can fix the toxic immune response, is easy to administer in an outpatient or pandemic setting (oral), and can be given early or late in the infection cycle is imperative to get ahead of viral threats. In addition to the positive effect on pandemic preparedness and decreasing the pressure on healthcare systems, such drug can positively impact the economy by preventing the devastating health effects that COVID-19 has on the cardiovascular (heart) and nervous systems, which have led to disability claims sharply rising among the working age group.
The proposed project focuses on the lead optimization of a candidate molecule for oral administration against coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 infections cause hyperinflammation and autoimmunity leading to multi-organ damage even with mild infections. The damage is cumulative and repeat infections increase the risk of long COVID. These clinical manifestations are due to persistent/chronic infections and dysregulated immune responses. An ideal treatment would not only suppress viral replication but would also restore the immune system homeostasis and healthy immune response. In Phase I, a molecule was designed, synthesized, and shown to be an efficient immunomodulatory and broad-spectrum antiviral. This molecule targets the host rather than the virus which decreases the chances of resistance and makes it virus/variant agnostic, unlike vaccines and direct-acting antivirals. In Phase II, the technical objectives focus on design, synthesis, and testing of analogs with improved drug-like properties for oral administration. Those analogs will be evaluated against several SARS-CoV-2 variants in-vitro, subjected to in-vitro ADME studies, and assessed for their effect on the production of immune mediators in virus-infected cells. The analog with the best profile will advance to in-vivo studies to test its pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties in mice, as well as its efficacy and immune modulations activity in virus-infected animal rodents.
This award reflects 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 II: Liquid Biopsy Diagnostic Targeting Novel Extracellular Vesicle Biomarkers
Contact
1155 ISLAND AVE STE 100
San Diego, CA 92101--7230
NSF Award
2537984 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,464
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve tools available for cancer detection and diagnoses through a minimally invasive technique. Through improving on standard techniques and utilizing quantifiable biomarker readouts, this project can deliver faster diagnoses, earlier treatment decisions, and more consistent risk stratification. This technology is designed to scale to other hard-to-detect cancers, broadening public health benefit and supporting a durable commercial pathway from laboratory testing to future distributed diagnostics.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project advances and validates a tool that measures cancer signals carried by extracellular vesicles (EVs), tiny particles released by tumor cells. These vesicles carry proteins and genetic material that mirror tumor activity, allowing a standard blood sample to capture disease signals without imaging or surgery. EVs appear in the bloodstream earlier and in greater numbers than circulating tumor cells and have been detected at tumor volumes near 1 cm3, supporting detection before symptoms arise. This research will conduct a prospective, blinded study of roughly 300 patients undergoing surgery, comparing test results with the final surgical diagnosis as the reference standard. The study will deliver test sensitivity and specificity and assess performance across age groups and common comorbidities to ensure broad clinical utility. The work will also demonstrate reproducibility and establish rigorous quality controls needed for clinical laboratory use. Analytical testing will confirm stability and precision throughout testing. Finally, the project will use a 3D cell culture discovery system a novel technology to identify additional EV biomarkers.
This award reflects 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 II: Improved Utilization through Artificial Intelligence and Prescriptive Logistics
Contact
245 FIRST STREET
Cambridge, MA 02142--1200
NSF Award
2537269 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,207,205
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is in improving distribution through rapid and reliable quality assessment and efficient logistics. To address this problem, the project is developing an integrated system that combines artificial intelligence for quality grading with prescriptive optimization to guide routing and utilization. This approach reduces rejected shipments and improves the recovery of surplus produce, increasing operational efficiency for both producers and commercial buyers. Beyond financial gains, the system will expand access to lower-cost food. Ultimately, this technology supports a more resilient and enduring food system by ensuring usable produce reaches appropriate consumers.
The primary high-risk element of this project is the seamless integration of computer vision-based quality assessment with prescriptive analytics within highly variable produce supply chains. This challenge is significant because visual signals in produce are heterogeneous, and biological degradation introduces time-dependent uncertainty that is difficult to model. The technical innovation lies in the system's ability to not only interpret these complex visual states but to translate them into actionable prescriptive decisions under dynamic operational and logistical constraints. Successfully coupling real-time AI outputs with decision frameworks is a known "deep tech" hurdle that requires profound cross-domain integration. The project?s core intellectual contribution is the development of a unified representation of produce defects that generalizes across categories, paired with a decision framework that explicitly accounts for temporal decay and handling variability. This shifts the paradigm from static image classification to dynamic, decision-driven management of perishable assets. The methodology follows a rigorous, staged approach: first, curating diverse datasets across various produce types and seasonal conditions to capture real-world edge cases. AI models will be developed using transfer learning and structured data augmentation to ensure robustness and prevent overfitting. These quality signals will then be ingested by prescriptive optimization models that factor in storage conditions, transport constraints, and operational trade-offs. Performance will be validated through pilot deployments, measuring success via prediction accuracy, reduced shipment rejections, and optimized product utilization.
This award reflects 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 THE DOME INC
SBIR Phase II: Energy-Efficient Supercritical Water Oxidation
Contact
611 S VAN NESS AVE
San Francisco, CA 94110--1305
NSF Award
2126869 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,757
Start / end date
11/15/2021 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this SBIR Phase II project is in the creation of a much-needed alternative to biosolids disposal. Biosolids are a by-product of wastewater treatment; their formation and disposal contribute to significant air, water, and soil pollution. In particular, biosolids contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and the release of over 350 organic contaminants, including high concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Biosolids disposal challenges are expected to grow due to population increases and stricter environmental regulations. Current biosolids disposal options have shortfalls and disposal costs are increasing. This project develops a breakthrough technology that cleanly and affordably destroys the organic contaminants present in biosolids. Air, water and soil pollution will be reduced, and, importantly, wastewater treatment plants will be able to meet new regulatory standards for sustainability. Volume of final by-product, and therefore transport cost and associated emissions, will be decreased by over 85%.
The proposed project turns supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) into an energy-efficient technology by recovering compressive energy. SCWO rapidly and completely destroys organics. To date, the technology has been used in few applications, including chemical weapons dismantling. Recovery of compression energy saves 30-40% of total treatment cost, opening new markets, such as wastewater treatment. Recovery of compression energy during SCWO has been demonstrated previously. This project's goals are to further optimize, scale-up and iterate on compression energy recovery equipment for added capacity and reliability, and long-term field test these updated/new pieces of equipment by adding them to an existing supercritical water oxidation pilot system. The goal for the system is to achieve reliability on par with industrial high-pressure compressors, which can operate over 24,000 hours between major services.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.BIODEVEK INC
SBIR Phase II: Sprayable Hydrogel Sealant for Gastrointestinal Wound Protection
Contact
127 WESTERN AVE
Allston, MA 02134--1008
NSF Award
2451674 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
04/15/2025 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in addressing a critical unmet need in gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding management. This project aims to develop the first sprayable hemostatic hydrogel solution for managing GI lesions, with the potential to significantly improve outcomes for patients undergoing GI procedures and at risk of bleeding. By offering a minimally invasive, bio-adhesive hydrogel that provides sustained lesion protection and hemostasis, this innovation could reduce intraprocedural and post-procedural complications such as mucosal bleeding and perforation, lower healthcare costs, and improve access to advanced GI treatments. The technology?s ease of use also has the potential to bridge disparities in healthcare outcomes between high- and low-volume centers, fostering better access and trust in GI screening colonoscopies that have been critical in the reduction of colon cancer incidence. Beyond GI applications, the hydrogel?s unique properties could be adapted for use in other surgical procedures and fields, such as sustained drug delivery, providing innovative solutions to address additional unmet therapeutic needs. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project focuses on advancing the development of a novel hydrogel delivery system that seamlessly integrates with endoscopic procedures. The project tackles critical technical challenges, including optimizing catheter design for precise spray patterns, preventing clogging, and ensuring compatibility with commercial endoscopes. It also involves developing a hand-held device equipped with an embedded gas system to enable controlled and accurate hydrogel application under a variety of clinical conditions. The system will undergo comprehensive validation through in-vitro simulations, ex-vivo tissue testing, and in-vivo preclinical trials to ensure its safety, efficacy, and usability. These efforts aim to address the limitations of existing GI wound management technologies, positioning the system for FDA 510(k) regulatory submission and paving the way for commercialization and widespread clinical adoption. This project represents a transformative advancement in medical device innovation, delivering improved solutions for gastrointestinal lesion 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.
BIOMIMICS, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Biobased and Biodegradable Polyester Surfactants
Contact
170 SHUEY DR
Moraga, CA 94556--2556
NSF Award
2343053 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to mitigate the environmental impact of personal care products by developing cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to polymeric surfactants widely used in formulations. A typical surfactant contains over 55% carbon content, whereas the developmental surfactants proposed in this Phase II project can have at least 20% lower carbon content than their commercial counterparts, thus significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Given that an average U.S. citizen uses between 2 and 6 personal care products daily, the majority of which contain 3% to 40% surfactants, this Phase II project's potential environmental and, hence, societal benefits are significant. This work will enhance the design understanding of these polymeric surfactants that will be built using farm residue ingredients and programmed to biodegrade after their useful life, creating a closed-loop carbon cycle. The market impact of these polymeric surfactants is not limited to personal care products but extends into household detergents, institutional and industrial cleaners, agriculture, oilfield chemicals, food processing, textiles, etc. This project can revolutionize multiple industries, making it a promising commercialization opportunity.
The proposed project intends to develop and scale up the next-generation polymeric surfactants, which are safe for human use, enhance consumer experience, and are built with environmental sustainability in mind. The development and utilization of a novel chemoselective synthesis will enables a polycondensation reaction for building polyester and polyesteramide surfactants from biobased residues. The research objectives are to 1) demonstrate that the optimized surfactants can be scaled up using green chemistry principles, 2) demonstrate, verify, and validate their surface activity, 3) establish their safety profile, and 4) validate their biodegradability. This research will utilize design-of-experiment studies to generate surface response curves to identify the optimized surface activity attributes by varying the molecular composition of the polymeric surfactants. Furthermore, the safety studies for the optimized surfactants will confirm their suitability for human skin applications, while biodegradability tests will ascertain their ready biodegradability in effluent treatment plant environments. Successful execution of the experimental design will result in the development of sustainable polymeric surfactants.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.BIRCH BIOSCIENCES, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Enzymes for Accelerated Plastic Recycling
Contact
4023 NE HANCOCK ST
Portland, OR 97212--5324
NSF Award
2414859 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve the economics, sustainability, and circularity of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic recycling. Conventional plastic recycling technologies are typically energy intensive, produce low quality plastic, and do not enable continuous recycling of PET plastics into recycled, high value PET packaging for food contact and similar applications. Today, less than 9% of plastics are recycled in the United States. Enzyme-mediated plastic recycling may enable more types of PET plastics to be recycled. In addition, enzyme-mediated plastic recycling may improve the quality and purity of recycled PET plastic products, enabling efficient, circular recycling of bottles, thermoformed PET, and polyester textiles. Future plastic manufacturing could use enzymatically recycled plastics rather than sourcing chemical building block molecules from fossil fuel-derived sources. Development of this novel recycling technology could serve as an example to improve the recycling rate of other types of plastic, reduce carbon emissions associated with plastic manufacturing, and reduce the plastic pollution in our environment.
The proposed project is focused on developing high performance engineered enzymes for breakdown of PET plastic into circular plastic chemical building blocks. Enzymes act as specific molecular scissors to cut bonds within the PET polymer plastic and release the chemical building blocks terepthalic acid and ethylene glycol that are drop-in replacements for PET plastic manufacturing. These chemical building blocks should be high quality and enable manufacturing of PET plastic products from 100% recycled materials. The goal of this research is to design and engineer enzymes that efficiently break down PET plastic in a sustainable and economical process under industrial, scalable recycling conditions. These enzymes will be designed to operate within a simplified end-to-end recycling process that uses novel, green chemistry to enable efficient recovery and purification of chemical building blocks for remanufacture of high quality plastic 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.BLUESTEM BIOSCIENCES INC
SBIR Phase II: Anaerobic Biomanufacturing of 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid Utilizing Whole-Kernel Corn Feedstock
Contact
3555 FARNAM STREET, FL 12
Omaha, NE 68131--3311
NSF Award
2535156 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,180,313
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be the establishment of a cost-effective, domestic biomanufacturing platform for producing key chemical ingredients from alternate sources. This innovation addresses the national need for more resilient supply chains by reducing reliance on foreign chemical production. The technology is designed to repurpose existing bioethanol production infrastructure, providing a pathway to revitalize these assets and support economic development and job creation in rural agricultural communities. By creating a sustainable, bio-based alternative for chemicals used in countless consumer products, from personal care items to paints and coatings, this project will deliver significant economic and societal benefits. The focus of this project is a chemical intermediate that serves as a feedstock used to manufacture a wide range of acrylic-based materials. Furthermore, the project will advance scientific and technological understanding by demonstrating a new, more energy-efficient method for engineering microorganisms to produce valuable chemicals without the need for oxygen, a long-standing challenge in the field of industrial biotechnology. The proposed project addresses the key technical and economic barriers that have historically limited the anaerobic, or oxygen-free, bio-production of valuable organic acids. The primary challenge is the large amount of cellular energy required to produce and export these acids from the microbial cell, which makes the process inefficient. The research objective is to develop a highly optimized yeast strain capable of producing 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) efficiently under anaerobic conditions. The research plan involves integrating several advanced genetic modifications into a single production strain. These modifications are designed to improve the yeast?s energy efficiency, including the incorporation of novel cellular pumps for moving protons and the 3-HP product, optimizing pathways to generate more energy, and rebalancing the cell?s internal chemistry. The anticipated technical result is a robust production strain that achieves specific performance targets for yield, concentration, and production rate, proving the commercial viability of the anaerobic process. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
BioAmp Diagnostics, Inc.
SBIR Phase II: Development of a urine dipstick test that can guide immediate and appropriate antibiotic therapy for treatment of complicated urinary tract infections
Contact
845 SUTTER ST APT 103
San Francisco, CA 94109--6109
NSF Award
2213034 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
01/15/2023 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve the clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients suffering from complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI). Today, cUTIs account for 400,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States. Unfortunately, multidrug resistant pathogens are a common cause of cUTI. Many are resistant to the first-line antibiotic (Ceftriaxone), which is used as the empiric treatment of this condition. However, the high incidence of multidrug resistant pathogens causing cUTI delays the time until patients receive more appropriate treatment. Delayed time to appropriate therapy in cUTI has been attributed to extended hospital stays and an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The current standard test for diagnosing a drug-resistant cUTI takes 2-3 days from obtaining a patient sample. Therefore, diagnostic tests that can rapidly inform the initial treatment of UTIs are urgently needed to improve patient care.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to develop a rapid urinary diagnostic test that will enable the detection of ceftriaxone-resistant uropathogens. Early detection of resistance to first-line therapies would enable antibiotic prescribing to be informed, reducing the risk of disease progression in patients. In the case of UTIs, disease progression can lead to severely invasive infections, predominately sepsis. Therefore, diagnostics that can detect resistance to first-line antibiotics enable early treatment interventions, reducing the time to appropriate treatment and reducing the risk of disease progression. Decreased treatment time also lowers the healthcare costs associated with drug-resistant cUTI, as disease progression is associated with increased lengths of hospital stays compared to susceptible infections. The completion of the Phase II project will yield the development of a prototype test that can provide actionable information regarding ceftriaxone susceptibility in less than 5 minutes. This project?s success will provide clinicians with a diagnostic solution for cUTIs that can be acted on immediately to improve patient outcomes and aid antibiotic stewardship by preventing the unnecessary use of inappropriate antibiotics.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CACHE DNA, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Rapid Ambient Preservation using Thermosets for Optimized Protection of Biomolecules
Contact
733 INDUSTRIAL RD
San Carlos, CA 94070--3310
NSF Award
2437984 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,319
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will advance the capability to store and preserve biomolecules at room temperature, eliminating the need for energy-intensive cold storage. Current methods for preserving biological materials rely heavily on refrigeration and freezing, requiring substantial energy consumption and complex cold-chain logistics that limit access to biotechnology. This innovation may democratize access to biotechnology research by reducing storage costs and simplifying transport. The technology could benefit medical research, diagnostics, and personalized medicine by enabling more efficient preservation of biological samples. Additionally, this advancement would help reduce energy consumption and associated costs from cold storage, while also enhancing the security and longevity of stored biomolecules for both research and clinical applications. The proposed project will develop and optimize a novel synthetic polymer-based technology for encapsulating biomolecules that enables ambient temperature storage. The research will focus on developing automated, scalable processes for efficient sample preservation. Key technical objectives include optimizing the polymer chemistry, establishing robust encapsulation methods, and validating the technology through comprehensive stability testing. The project will evaluate the technology's effectiveness in preserving both synthetic and natural biomolecules under various environmental conditions, with particular attention to maintaining molecular integrity for downstream 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.
CALI'S BOOKS, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Improving Early Childhood Literacy Through a Screen-Free Interactive Device
Contact
1419 MURRAY DR
Los Angeles, CA 90026--2113
NSF Award
2451615 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,058,349
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve early childhood literacy and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) engagement through a screen-free, interactive learning platform. Unlike traditional screen-based tools, this innovation integrates the tactile benefits of physical books with interactive, audio-guided literacy activities across STEM topic areas. Designed for children aged 3?8, the platform fosters independent learning, encourages curiosity, and reduces screen exposure. This approach addresses critical developmental concerns while promoting foundational skills in STEM and literacy. Initial adoption is expected among families and early education providers, with long-term scalability to schools and libraries. By year three, the platform is projected to have positively impacted thousands of children, offering a healthier and more effective learning experience that supports national educational priorities. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project advances a screen-free educational platform that combines physical books with embedded NFC technology, enabling interactive, curriculum-aligned STEM and literacy activities. Research objectives include refining the platform for classroom use, expanding content libraries to align with national educational standards, and conducting efficacy studies to measure learning outcomes and engagement. The project will employ real-world testing in classroom environments, incorporating feedback from educators and parents. Anticipated outcomes include a scalable, scientifically validated platform with proven benefits for early literacy and STEM education, establishing a new benchmark for innovative, developmentally appropriate learning tools for young children. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
CAMBRIDGE TERAHERTZ INC
SBIR Phase II: Terahertz Imaging Radar for Contactless Concealed Weapons Detection
Contact
252 W CALIFORNIA AVE
Sunnyvale, CA 94086--4906
NSF Award
2507516 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,999
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project aims to revolutionize security screening through the development of a terahertz (THz) imaging radar system for contactless concealed weapons detection. The technology has significant potential to enhance public safety in high-security areas such as public transit and schools. By enabling non-invasive, real-time threat detection of both metallic and non-metallic objects, this innovation addresses critical needs in law enforcement and security sectors. The global market for advanced security screening solutions is projected to exceed $10 billion by 2025, with the addressable segment for this THz imaging technology estimated at $2-3 billion annually. Beyond security applications, the core technology has broader impacts across a diverse set of industries, potentially unlocking a multi-billion-dollar market opportunity. The successful commercialization of this THz technology promises to create high-skilled jobs in engineering and manufacturing while strengthening U.S. competitiveness in emerging semiconductor technologies. The intellectual merit of this project lies in its innovative approach to overcoming current limitations in THz imaging systems. The research objectives focus on addressing key technical challenges, including the design of a high-performance signal generator, development of a suitable product enclosure, and creation of effective signal processing models. The research will involve approaches such as advanced signal processing, electromagnetics modeling, artificial intelligence, and system integration to achieve a fully functional minimum viable product. Anticipated technical results include demonstration of necessary product-level signal generation capabilities, packaging, and signal processing capabilities. This project has the potential to significantly advance the field of THz imaging, enabling new capabilities in non-invasive sensing and opening possibilities for numerous scientific and commercial applications beyond security screening. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
CANETIA ANALYTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Development of an AI-based, IoT Enabled System for Structural Health Monitoring
Contact
770 1ST AVE UNIT 2045
San Diego, CA 92101--6169
NSF Award
2423274 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$992,460
Start / end date
05/01/2025 – 04/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Mara Schindelholz
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is its significant contribution to safety, sustainability, and resilience of infrastructures and buildings, addressing a structural health monitoring (SHM) market that is expected to reach a value of $7.6 billion globally by 2030. The technology (Internet of Things (IoT) device + artificial intelligence (AI)-powered software sold as a software-as-a-service) enables fully automated, remote, low-cost, and continuous assessment of the structural health of buildings or infrastructure assets. The technology targets many structures for which current monitoring or risk assessment techniques are not economically viable, while minimizing staff exposure to risk and human errors. Structural failures can lead to an exceedingly high risk of economic loss (for bridge faults >$100 billion/year). Large-scale federal infrastructure investment programs are expected to address these losses and close critical infrastructure gaps (U.S. bridge repair backlog >$125 billion). However, for these investments to realize their full economic potential, effective infrastructure assessment and maintenance processes are needed. This technology will allow asset operators to lower the costs of ownership, improve maintenance efficiency, and reduce risks, yielding a substantial return on investment (> $10,000/structure) within five years of operation. The intellectual merit of this project is based on its unique, highly scalable, and widely applicable approach. It comprises an IoT device to record vibration data from structures and a proprietary machine-learning-based software to process the timeseries vibration data to identify anomalies indicative of structural faults or decay. Within the scope of the project, this approach will be evaluated and validated in real-world application domains by deploying IoT devices to five active road and rail bridges across the U.S. to collect a dataset of baseline real-world, vibration signatures from a wide variety of structures. The specific technical objectives of this project include the design of an IoT device, the data acquisition from real world assets and validation of the approach through comparisons with data collected from scale models of these real-world assets. The project addresses three key technical challenges: 1) the use of inherently noisy time series data that may affect the accuracy of the approach, 2) the generalizability of the approach in allowing for applications with a wide range of infrastructure assets and building types, and 3) a potential operational unreliability of the sensors upon their deployment to remote test sites. This award reflects 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 II: Silicon Carbide Radio Frequency Switches
Contact
6301 LILLIAN WAY
San Jose, CA 95120-
NSF Award
2605209 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project centers on the commercialization of high-performance, high-power radio frequency switches built from silicon carbide. Currently, advanced wireless infrastructure relies on gallium nitride for high-power applications. However, manufacturing these components requires raw gallium, a critical mineral that is almost entirely imported. This project develops a single-chip, monolithic silicon carbide solution that combines massive power handling with built-in digital integration and replaces gallium nitride with domestically scalable silicon carbide. Successful deployment can tap into a multi-billion-dollar market for next-generation cellular and radar infrastructure and enhance scientific understanding by proving engineered silicon carbide can efficiently switch high-frequency signals.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the technical challenge of building high-frequency, high-power radio frequency switches using silicon carbide. The core opportunity lies in overcoming traditional limitations in surface electron mobility and parasitic capacitance, which have historically prevented its use in fast wireless signals. The research objective is to finalize and validate novel fabrication techniques and device architectures that allow silicon carbide to switch gigahertz frequency signals. The proposed research requires significant engineering and development to transition successful early-stage laboratory designs into a commercial semiconductor manufacturing environment. The team will engineer a high-volume manufacturable process flow, conduct iterative manufacturing runs, and perform rigorous electrical testing to ensure reliability under extreme conditions. The anticipated technical result is a commercially ready, single-chip silicon carbide switch that surpasses silicon-on-insulator in extreme power handling, outperforms diodes through simplified control, and matches the speed of gallium nitride while offering the critical, added advantage of monolithic digital integration. Ultimately, this research will yield robust electronic components specifically designed to drive next-generation cellular infrastructure across a broad spectrum of frequencies.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CASCADE BIOCATALYSTS INC.
SBIR Phase II: Enzyme Stabilization via Immobilization for Advanced Chemical Manufacturing
Contact
3960 NIAGARA ST STE B
Denver, CO 80207--1463
NSF Award
2507312 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project enables a lower cost and scalable solution for biomanufacturing using long-lasting and higher performing enzymes. This is done through a proprietary polymerization technique to create polymer brushes that stabilize enzymes as they are used to catalyze chemical processes. The chemicals industry relies heavily on inefficient processes often leading to offshoring of critical manufacturing. In contrast, biomanufacturing, which leverages nature?s machinery, efficiently produces a wide range of critical chemicals through the use of microbes or enzymes. While enzymes are used today, they are typically too short-lived and expensive. The proposed enzyme immobilization technology makes any enzyme stable and long lasting for industrial applications. This project will address challenges with increasing the batch size to 100kg and enable further interactions with customer enzyme processes. This work will also reduce the unit cost through process intensification and state-of-the-art process monitoring. Ultimately, this will increase the adoption of enzymes in multiple chemical processes, including pharmaceuticals and flavors and fragrances, and allow enzymes to gain more share of the $40 billion catalyst space. The innovation will contribute to the United States by on-shoring chemical production that left the U.S. due to high environmental costs, while strengthening supply chain resilience through domestic production of critical chemicals. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will demonstrate the manufacturability of a heterogeneous polymer brush decorated surfaces that capture and stabilize enzymes through engineered polymer-enzyme interactions. The proposed Phase II efforts built upon the Phase I work, which moved the manufacturing from a flask to a reactor and established quality control, by addressing product variability and validating quality improvements with advanced process monitoring and analytical quality control techniques. This manufacturing involves state-of-the-art controlled radical polymerization processes that have yet to be commercialized. A systematic and iterative process intensification campaign will increase the efficiency of the manufacturing process and reduce the costs of this polymer science innovation. This will culminate in scale-up to 100 kg per run with thorough quality control enabling a commercially-relevant scale for initial target customers. The team will focus initially on the immobilization, product validation, and quality control for a unique biocatalyst offering, a higher performing and lower cost 1,3-regioselective lipase with applications in food, flavors and fragrances, and personal care 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.
CERFLUX, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Predictive Ex Vivo Solid Tumor New Approach Method (NAM) for Screening Anticancer Agents
Contact
215 RICHARD ARRINGTON JR BLVD N
Birmingham, AL 35203--3770
NSF Award
2545371 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in development of a testing platform built on three-dimensional tissue engineering that better reflects the biological structure and behavior of solid tumors. By enabling identification of effective treatment candidates earlier and elimination of ineffective ones sooner, this technology has the potential to reduce the time and cost of bringing new therapies to market. The resulting platform is designed to serve pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the persistent gap between laboratory screening and clinical outcomes in solid tumors. The proposed research develops a scalable platform that recreates key structural and biological features of tumor tissue outside the body for quantitative drug response testing. Phase II objectives include optimizing tissue preparation methods, expanding drug screening across multiple therapies, and integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning driven image analysis to standardize and scale measurement of treatment effects. The anticipated technical outcome is a standardized, scalable, and certified testing system capable of generating high-resolution, quantitative data. By strengthening the scientific foundation of preclinical drug evaluation, this project aims to reduce translational uncertainty and improve prioritization of effective therapies, ultimately bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient 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.CHIBITRONICS INC.
SBIR Phase II: Computer Aided Design Toolkit for Desktop Digital Fabrication of Circuits on Paper
Contact
1652 MOUNTAIN ASH WAY
New Port Richey, FL 34655--4144
NSF Award
2233004 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$991,408
Start / end date
06/15/2023 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to bring new and more diverse audiences to circuit design and digital fabrication through an integrated STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) approach. Research shows that the STEAM approach is especially successful for reaching underrepresented minorities, girls, and women. This project continues the development of the Phase I circuit design software and accompanying physical toolkit for do-it-yourself (DIY) digital fabrication of circuits on paper. Through the design, development, and evaluation of this toolkit, the team will contribute to the scientific understanding of human computer interaction design for STEAM learning, accessibility, and equity. By introducing the novel category of technology-integrated crafts to mainstream education and craft markets, open market opportunities create a new ecosystem of products and accessories, customers, and inventors. This innovation brings the digital manufacturing of electronics out of traditional technical environments and into entirely new, more mainstream, and more diverse audiences.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will continue the development of the Phase I activities towards commercial deployment. The team is developing a novel electronics design software that greatly reduces the complexity of existing computer-aided design tools and prepares a custom toolkit optimized for the do-it-yourself digital fabrication of circuits. The research objective is to blend engineering activities with arts and crafts in innovative ways to radically reduce the barriers to entry for learning, designing, and producing electronic circuits. The team will develop a production version of their software that includes advanced simulation and design features, as well as a library of projects and resources to scaffold the circuit learning and design process. The team will also refine and manufacture the toolkit for user testing and deployment at scale. In close partnership with K-12 educators and hobby crafters, the technology will be developed to meet the needs of target users.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CHROMATIR TECHNOLOGIES LLC
SBIR Phase II: Customized Security Films Harnessing Iridescent Structural Color from Multibounce Optical Interference
Contact
111 W HAMILTON AVE
State College, PA 16801--5215
NSF Award
2423426 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$997,735
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is in the development of optical security films that produce colorful reflections. Counterfeit documents and banknotes undermine U.S. economic and trade relations and place the public at risk. It is estimated that 3.3% of global trade is impacted by counterfeiting, with an associated cost of at least $1.82 trillion. Protection from counterfeiting requires a multi-layered approach with latest technological advancements and innovations in design and printing of optical security features. The microtextured films described in this proposal are based on a special optical mechanism that enables the creation of more color options and visually distinctive color changing appearances. The developed optical security films produce color as white light is reflected from microtextured surfaces. The proposed work brings innovative security features closer to market adoption and sustainable revenue. This project will enhance partnerships between academia and industry in the US and support public education in science and engineering. The proposed project will develop microtextured color-shifting security films. The technological opportunity is in the optical design of precisely engineered microstructured arrays that generate light interference and color-shifting appearance via a multi-reflection mechanism that brings overt security value. The Phase II research objectives comprise visual effect design and innovation; integration with other micro-optical components already in use in overt security for combinatorial optical effect; optimization of the form-factor and cost metrics of microstructured films for currency and ID card applications. The end results will be integrated software and manufacturing processes that will deliver unique color-shifting security feature designs demonstrated to be optically differentiated from competitors, with visual effects tailored to the exact specifications of customers, at a competitive price. This award reflects 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 II: Joule-Heated Sorbent-Enhanced Catalysis for High-Purity Methane Production in Semiconductor and Advanced Carbon Material Manufacturing
Contact
2566 BAY RD
Redwood City, CA 94063--3014
NSF Award
2537616 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is the development of a new reactor system that dramatically reduces the cost of producing high-purity gases critical to advanced materials manufacturing. High-purity methane is currently a limiting factor in the widespread adoption of lab-grown diamond across advanced semiconductors, power electronics, optics, and quantum technologies. Because existing sources of these gases are prohibitively expensive and scarce, growth in these industries has been constrained. By enabling production of high-purity methane at a fraction of current costs, this project will unlock new opportunities for U.S. manufacturers to advance next-generation technologies, strengthen domestic supply chains.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the challenge of producing high-purity gases needed for advanced carbon material growth at a lower cost and with greater scale. Traditional production reactors rely on external temperature control and stable, predictable feedstock flows, making them poorly suited for dynamic processes where gas composition and flow rates vary with growth phase and reactor demand. The technical objective of this project is to demonstrate a compact, high-efficiency, joule-heated gas conversion reactor capable of producing high-purity methane directly from chemical vapor deposition exhaust streams at commercial scale. The research will focus on validating the reactor?s ability to process dynamic, heterogeneous exhaust streams from operational diamond-growing systems. The proposed reactor architecture is orders of magnitude smaller, faster, and more cost-efficient than conventional 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.CLARIA MEDICAL, INC.
SBIR Phase II: A Safe, Fast, and Cost-Effective System for Tissue Removal in Laparoscopic Transabdominal Hysterectomy and Myomectomy
Contact
2586 WYANDOTTE ST UNIT 2
Mountain View, CA 94043--2315
NSF Award
2210308 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
06/15/2022 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to make minimally invasive surgeries involving tissue removal safer, faster, simpler, and more cost-effective through the introduction of a novel tissue containment and removal system. The initial target market will focus on improving procedures for hysterectomy or uterus removal, usually because of enlargement due to uterine fibroids. Gynecologic surgeons perform approximately 500,000 hysterectomies per year in the United States and there is an urgent need for improved solutions for tissue removal. The proposed system: (1) lowers the risks of morbidity and mortality during minimally invasive surgery; (2) saves substantial time; and (3) enables conversion of open hysterectomies to minimally invasive with faster and safer tools, reducing healthcare costs by thousands of dollars per patient.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to provide a hysterectomy and myomectomy tissue containment and surgical extraction system. This project has three main objectives: First, demonstrate that a novel laparoscopic system is an effective barrier in preventing potential upstaging of occult cancers, passes electrical safety testing, passes sterilization validation, and passes biocompatibility testing. Second, develop an appropriate training program for surgeon users. Third, demonstrate that the laparoscopic system is intuitive to use, safe, and effective.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CLAUDIUS LEGAL INTELLIGENCE INC
SBIR Phase II: Artificial Intelligence Tool for Analysis of Legal Documents
Contact
6920 SW 44TH ST APT 107
Miami, FL 33155--4772
NSF Award
2335532 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$947,862
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to reduce the need for attorney-driven expertise and an extended discovery period, and instead shift reliance to data-driven expertise to enhance and democratize outcomes in civil cases. The proposed AI platform will allow for the computational prediction of case outcomes, helping to better inform case decisions and address existing inefficiencies within the legal industry. Adoption of this technology will allow attorneys to bypass the time-intensive process involved in case value prediction, allowing for more time to focus on discovery and strategy, as well as allow for better informed decision-making. Notably, the platform will have built-in anti-bias algorithms that will actively work to correct discriminatory past outcomes when making data-driven computations moving forward. Therefore, this technology is not only the first to unlock access to the wealth of informative yet disparate data to support personal injury attorneys in quickly making reliable decisions but is also alone in delivering anti-bias tools that improve fairness and access to justice for clients from all backgrounds, most notably among demographics that have not historically received equal or fair compensation.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to improve the likelihood of a positive outcome for attorneys? clients, while also freeing up time for attorneys to take on greater caseloads, resulting in social justice gains. In virtually every business sector, data analysis has become a driving force behind decision-making, yet the legal services sector has largely lagged, with many law firms instead relying on conventional wisdom and time-intensive research. To address this issue, the preceding Phase I project leveraged an innovative learning technique to enable algorithm training across multiple decentralized databases without exchanging data samples, thus keeping information private and confidential. This Phase II project seeks to 1) Build out the artificial intelligence (AI) model to return predictions on value and outcomes over case lifetime and improve accuracy of trial predictions; 2) Expand platform features to support case management and improve usability; and 3) Build a novel dataset compiling demographic information on 50,000 case outcomes to quantify the racial component of case bias and develop bias-correcting models. This project will significantly expand the applicability of the AI-driven platform to deliver reliable, equitable, and interpretable outputs on case value prediction for diverse case 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.COBIO DIAGNOSTICS INC.
SBIR Phase II: Phage-amplified Identification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test
Contact
12635 E MONTVIEW BLVD RM 219
Aurora, CO 80045--7335
NSF Award
2334595 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$984,381
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be the expansion of a new diagnostic tool that was first developed in Phase I that allows rapid, direct-from-specimen bloodstream infection testing in clinical settings. This expansion may increase the method?s applicability from a single organism, E. coli, to a full suite of six highly virulent and antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens (ESKAPE pathogens), as described below. The new technological innovations proposed here may more quickly identify bacteria responsible for the vast majority of blood infections in patients and simultaneously provide phenotypic data to determine which antibiotics should be effective for treating these infections and at what doses. If successful, this will improve patient outcomes through faster diagnosis and more precise antibiotic selection while also helping to combat the growing incidence of multidrug resistant infections by reducing the indiscriminate prescription of these drugs, thereby preserving the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.
The proposed project will expand on the advancements achieved in Phase I to develop new tests for direct-from-specimen identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and minimum inhibitory drug concentration (MIC) determination against key ESKAPE bloodborne pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. A significant limitation with existing standards-of-care is time required for actionable results; current approaches require 18-72 hours. Physicians must therefore make empiric treatment decisions that often lead to negative outcomes. Genotypic approaches are limited because of the varied mechanisms utilized by bacteria to evolve resistance, which can lead to false-negatives. Mass spectrometry requires colony isolation and provides ID only. Other time-consuming tests are then required for AST and MIC. To solve these problems, the proposed approach utilizes bacteriophage mixtures that are highly specific and have demonstrated overlapping host ranges, produce a signal quickly, and are well-suited to automatable 96-well plate immunoassays. Project objectives are: 1) Develop regulatory pathway for FDA 510(k) or de novo clearance, 2) Develop/characterize antibodies to expand test and 3) Validate expanded tests against clinical specimens. Side-by-side comparison to current standard-of-care strategies will also be performed. As demonstrated in Phase I feasibility work, results include ID, AST/MIC in less than 5 hours.
This award reflects 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 II: High Efficiency, Low Cost Catadioptric Waveguide and Display Optical Engine for Augmented Reality Smart Glasses using Spatial-temporal Multiplexed Single-CMOS Panel
Contact
978 LEITH AVE
Santa Clara, CA 95054--1950
NSF Award
2528382 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,221
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project focuses on developing smart glasses that significantly enhance visual quality by solving a key limitation in current Augmented Reality (AR) displays - the inability to show black pixels. This results in muted contrast compared to the vivid visuals on smartphone screens. The company?s display technology will enable high contrast, over 90% transparency, and 50% optical efficiency. This advancement will not only improve the AR experience for general users but also holds promise for people with visual impairments. The proposed work will result in next-generation smart glasses. The proposed project uses the ambient light to form an image and provide digital modulation over it. Since the ambient light is in abundance in outdoor settings, therefore the proposed technology is geared towards outdoor environments, such as utilities, construction, first responders and infrastructure use cases. To mitigate the high cost associated with conventional lens waveguides for smart glasses, the development of Air-Cell Process is proposed which will enable production of low-cost waveguides for AR smart glasses. Since this process uses large panels such as used in LCD flat panel fabrication hence it offers a much lower cost as opposed to etching of wafers as used in conventional waveguides fabrication. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
COMPLETIONAI LLC
SBIR Phase II: Simplifying the use of recycled plastics in film extrusion
Contact
20 HIGH ST
Marblehead, MA 01945--3408
NSF Award
2212917 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$981,780
Start / end date
02/01/2023 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to allow recycled plastics to be used more efficiently and affordably than is currently possible. Regulatory and societal pressures are forcing reconsideration of single use plastics, and manufacturers of plastic film must use recycled plastic at higher quantities. However, it is difficult for the manufacturers to affordably reincorporate single-use plastics due to the low quality and unpredictable content of the material. Increasing yield of usable plastics through use of the proposed technology is expected to reduce waste, offering the potential to annually save 6.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the US and Canada, and 28 million metric tons globally. Also, the greater use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing is of strategic advantage to the US, with the proposed technology also applicable to metals, paper, or advanced materials. Furthermore, skills shortages are impacting manufacturing and are likely to worsen due to a rapidly aging workforce. A great deal of on-the-job expertise will be lost in the coming years as a generation of experienced operators retires. The proposed solution can ease this transition, acting as an expert decision system to carry the intelligence forward and help maintain US manufacturing competitiveness.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will apply artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and process control methods to plastic film extrusion, and subsequently to other types of manufacturing. Currently hardware solutions exist for manufacturers, though they can be expensive, difficult to use and maintain, and can require specialized skills to use. By contrast, the proposed technology is a software-based approach to the control of complex plastic film extrusion processes, particularly in the context of widely variable input materials such as recycled plastics. The AI software will be robust to changes in the production environment and will account for process drift over time. These technology capabilities are industrially novel and not known in the academic literature. Phase I outcomes suggest that the technology can automatically control extrusion processes to achieve optimal steady state production faster than is the currently possible via human control. The AI-based expert system effectively recreates the knowledge tacitly held by long-experienced factory operators. This type of industrial automation has the potential to be value-generating for the wider manufacturing sector. The proposed technology may be applicable to a wider range of extrusion manufacturing processes, such as extrusion of metals, paper or advanced 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.CPR THERAPEUTICS INC.
SBIR Phase II: A Multimodal Integrated System For Improved Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Contact
189 PUTNEY MOUNTAIN RD
Putney, VT 05346--8519
NSF Award
2437512 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,999
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is a novel integrated system to improve survival rates and long-term outcomes in patients experiencing cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death globally, with survival rates remaining low despite timely intervention. In the US each year over 600,000 patients require CPR, with poor outcomes a major unmet medical need. By integrating multiple enhancements to automated Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) devices including external defibrillation, this novel system aims to optimize the return of spontaneous circulation and neurological measures and improve survival rates and long-term patient outcomes. This new platform in resuscitation equipment is anticipated to restore circulation and establish a new standard-of-care to improve public health and survival rates. The commercial impact is a strengthened continuum of life-saving interventions from the field to the hospital with a leading innovation to emergency medical technologies. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to advance a fully automated CPR system for improving blood flow and provide enhanced electrical countershock performance as needed. This project addresses a major critical challenge with mechanical CPR devices which have not demonstrated significant superiority over manual CPR, a minimally effective standard of care. The proposed system combines precision-controlled chest compressions, optimized electrical countershock, and real-time physiological feedback to dynamically adjust treatment to restore circulation and provide defibrillation as needed. The technology development activities will expand on the company?s Phase one award and successful early-stage prototype for a novel automated chest compression system. The proposed Phase II activities will further product technology development, including biomonitoring and external defibrillation integration, conduct safety testing, complete interface development and provide preclinical validation in an animal model. The project will prepare the product in accordance with medical device standards and requirements for eventual clinical trials and 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.
CROOKES RESEARCH LLC
SBIR Phase II: Tele-Directed Artificially Intelligent Sonography Robot
Contact
25 NORTH ST
Dublin, OH 43017--2144
NSF Award
2423628 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
11/15/2024 – 10/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to create a telerobotic system for the administration of sonographs, with an initial focus on echocardiograms. The wait times for echocardiograms can be upwards of 12 weeks with approximately 7 million performed annually in the U.S. This issue is compounded by a nationwide shortage of sonographers, disparities in the distribution of these professionals, and high burnout rates linked to workplace injuries from repetitive tasks. An echocardiogram is the first line of care for patients presenting with acute symptoms suggestive of some life threatening conditions. These include myocardial infarction, acute valvular regurgitation, stenosis, cardiac tamponade, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular accident (?stroke?), endocarditis, pericarditis, life threatening arrhythmias, and myocarditis. 1. Increases the throughput per sonographer by enabling simultaneous supervision of data acquisition, 2.Reduces workplace injuries that shorten cardiac sonographers? careers, and 3. Reduces the need for a collocated workforce of specialized skill sets and thereby increasing access to care. In the United States, heart disease is the leading cause of death killing one person every 33 seconds. The first step to help solve this problem is fast access to diagnostic imaging such as echocardiograms. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project building upon Phase I results that showed the capability of the robotic system to capture high-quality images from a single transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) view using machine vision to identify proper probe deployment on the body and using robotic controls to safely move the probe without surpassing safe pressure thresholds nor losing contact with the skin. Phase II will build upon this robust foundation, aiming to validate and broaden the technology's capabilities to meet the exacting standards of our customers. The project will further develop the robot's imaging proficiency to cover the complete echocardiogram protocol including the parasternal long axis (PLAX), parasternal short axis (PSAX), apical views, subcostal view, and suprasternal notch view. The project will also improve usability across diverse patient demographics and validate its performance and usability in real-world clinical settings. Additionally, we plan to explore the technology's application to other ultrasound procedures performed on the abdomen, establishing the transformational and platform potential of the technology. The project aligns with the NSF's mission to propel health and welfare forward through technological breakthroughs, setting the stage for the U.S. to lead in the global arena of diagnostic imaging innovation. This award reflects 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 TUTORS LLC
SBIR Phase II: AI-Enhanced Career Assessment Tool to Accelerate Student and Professional Access to Emerging Technologies in Web3
Contact
4421 CALM WATER CT
Orlando, FL 32817--1432
NSF Award
2450577 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
05/15/2025 – 04/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is creating new career pathways that empower students and professionals to enter some of the world?s most in-demand industries, accelerating access to cutting edge industries and enabling financial independence. This project also provides hiring managers with access to a wide pool of talent by which to strengthen U.S. companies and catalyze global competitiveness. By addressing the challenges of the rapidly evolving technology space including Web3, this innovative career assessment platform helps individuals navigate career opportunities in blockchain and related fields. The tool clarifies and delineates the process of identifying career paths, required skills, and earning potential, making high-paying roles more accessible to all Americans. By enhancing workforce readiness in emerging industries, the platform is expected to contribute to workforce development and technological leadership in the United States, with a projected significant expansion of qualified professionals within three years. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will address the fact that current career assessments do not include Web3 career recommendations. Millions of university students are graduating and unaware of this high-tech industry. Phase II seeks to deliver a more robust career recommendation engine from hobbies and interests to innovative Web3 careers through a proprietary algorithmic system for entry-level college students, specialized talent, and innovative technology talent, inclusive of job titles related to the following skills?AI, IoT, Zero Trust, Cloud Security, and Machine learning (all used in blockchain technology). The technical hurdles that will be researched are 1. Expanding the dataset with an extension of the current model. 2. Refining the algorithm to include flexibility in handling real-time adaptability 3. Implementing user interface and backend infrastructure to support a large volume of concurrent users and insights. This will become the first to market and fill the needs of both customers with this innovative Web3 career assessment, serving as the bridge between universities and 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.
CRYPTYX BIOSCIENCE, INC.
SBIR Phase II: A Natural Product Drug Discovery Platform Based on High-Throughput Elicitor Screening (HiTES)
Contact
WASHINGTON ROAD
Princeton, NJ 08544--0001
NSF Award
2335297 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,109
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project stems from the identification and advancement of novel compounds with therapeutic or commercial potential from natural sources. Microbial natural products have been a traditional source of FDA-approved drugs and drug leads, but discovery efforts are hampered by the fact that 80-90% of natural products that a given microbe can produce are cryptic, meaning they are not produced under standard laboratory conditions. By turning on >90% of biosynthetic pathways and unearthing these cryptic natural products, the technology developed by this project may enable discovery of novel microbial compounds, giving researchers access to urgently needed new therapeutics while making the whole process faster and more affordable than extant methodologies. This approach has the potential to usher in a new era of drug discovery, strengthening the U.S. pharmaceutical industry and economy. New antibiotics will help to combat the alarming rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Other pharmaceuticals, like anticancer agents, immunosuppressants and antivirals will contribute to improved health outcomes for those with cancer, autoimmune diseases, and viral infections. Of relevance to national defense and security, this technology could be used to rapidly identify novel therapeutics and bioactive compounds against emerging pandemic diseases and potential agents of bioterrorism.
The proposed project seeks to develop novel antibiotics and anticancer agents using a revolutionary drug discovery platform. While natural products are the most promising source of new drugs, conventional methods of discovery fail to unlock the full metabolomic potential of the organisms that produce them, require challenging culture conditions, and are plagued with high rates of rediscovery. Phase I demonstrated proof-of-concept for a comprehensive drug discovery pipeline focusing on cryptic microbial natural products. The platform challenges bacteria with a library of small molecules, some of which mimic the bacteria?s competitive native environment, thus activating otherwise silent biosynthetic pathways. It is flexible and allows for chemistry-first or built-in bioactivity screening as the first step in the pipeline. The focus of Phase II is to further validate molecules discovered in Phase I and demonstrate the ability of the platform to uncover compounds with suitable drug-like properties. The project will also scale up the technology to establish a large library of ~2,000 novel natural products to be screened against various indications, and expand the utility for the identification of anticancer agents. Successful completion of this project will further validate and expand the utility of the platform for drug and bioactive molecule discovery.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CRYSTAL SONIC, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Sonic Lift-Off (SLO) for Lower Cost Wide Bandgap Devices
Contact
311 W VIRGINIA AVE
Phoenix, AZ 85003--1020
NSF Award
2423366 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to accelerate the adoption of next generation semiconductor power devices based on Gallium Nitride. Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices, compared to legacy Silicon devices, offer much increased performance and energy efficiency across a wide range of applications, including those essential for the Nation?s future energy, transportation and communications infrastructure. The project is impacting the adoption of GaN devices by significantly lowering the production costs. It is estimated that replacing power conversion devices based on Silicon with GaN (and SiC, another advanced material) will be able to save 120 TWh/year, corresponding to the energy consumption of a whole country like Switzerland. In addition to energy savings, GaN devices will furthermore allow further miniaturization of power supplies, car chargers, and other everyday consumer and industrial appliances. The ability to re-use GaN wafers during the manufacturing process in addition lowers energy consumption and pollution in the manufacturing process of these devices.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop a process that allows multiple re-use of GaN wafers for advanced power electronics. GaN wafer costs are very high and dominate the cost of power devices manufactured from it. The objective is to develop a process that uses sound energy in combination with stressing the wafer material to precisely cut the semiconductor material and release a thin layer from the surface of a GaN wafer leaving the wafer for subsequent reuse, possibly multiple times. This cuts the material cost per device manufactured significantly. The development of this process involves optimization of the materials used to generate the stress in the wafer, the acoustic energy delivery system, and determination of ideal process parameters. The desired outcome of the project is the demonstration of a reproducible process to lift-off thin (on the order of twenty micrometers) layers of GaN from a thick (500 micrometers) semiconductor wafer leaving a low roughness, damage-free surface for processing the next device layer.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE SOLUTIONS, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Agentic AI Augmenting Qualitative Data Analysis
Contact
1 OAK KNOLL DRIVE
Wallingford, PA 19086--6315
NSF Award
2417969 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$874,195
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is a market-ready AI CoPilot for qualitative data collection, analysis, and evaluation in a single Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform with use cases as varied as academic research to human resource management. The research and development of this novel AI CoPilot for qualitative data will improve the accuracy and efficiency of qualitative data analytics while identifying potential biases in data and accelerating the process of analysis and discovery. The project aims to shift how qualitative data is leveraged in research and industry to offer more robust, real-time, and contextually relevant insights from qualitative data. An enhanced approach to analyzing qualitative data may result in more informed decision-making and higher quality outcomes across market sectors with clear societal impacts immediately evidence in educational institutions as well as in the delivery of healthcare informatics and market research providing timely data for wide swaths of society.
The proposed project aims to develop a comprehensive Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that integrates a proprietary Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled suite of qualitative data analysis tools with nuanced and contextually relevant analysis of qualitative data. The primary objective is optimization of a novel system which collects, structures, and stores unstructured data for subsequent analysis by both human and AI-enabled raters to increase accountability leading to higher quality outcomes and more informed decision-making. The core enabling technology includes dynamic dashboards, advanced analytics, and customer-relationship management (CRM) tools which integrate across the suite of qualitative analytic tools. The research will focus on refining the platform's architecture for scalability and integrating responsive proprietary AI models. The anticipated technical results include a robust, scalable platform capable of delivering accurate and reliable data analysis, significantly improving the workflow of data analysts in various fields. The methodology involves iterative testing, user feedback integration, and continuous enhancement of AI models to ensure the platform meets high standards of performance and usability
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Clairways LLC
SBIR Phase II: Medical Device for Monitoring Respiratory Disease
Contact
16 CAVENDISH CT
Lebanon, NH 03766--1441
NSF Award
2132716 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,612
Start / end date
09/15/2021 – 02/28/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
This award is funded in whole or in part under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II Project is to aid the development of new and better respiratory therapeutics. Over 1 billion individuals suffer from chronic respiratory diseases including conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic cough, and bronchiectasis. COPD is the third deadliest disease in the U.S. and globally. Due to the prevalence and impact of these diseases, $8.6 billion is invested in respiratory clinical trials annually. Currently, in respiratory therapy research and pharma clinical trials, participants? coughing and wheezing can be a primary or secondary endpoint for measuring drug efficacy. Current solutions for capturing daily fluctuations in cough or respiration are burdensome to use and often produce unreliable data that is less helpful for drawing reproducible conclusions. Additionally, these current solutions add significantly to the cost of respiratory therapy clinical trials. This SBIR Project seeks to address these challenges by producing a wearable device that passively captures accurate, remote data that is essential to unlocking scientific discoveries in respiratory care. This project serves an urgent, unmet need for a reliable, low-effort, low-cost way to measure daily fluctuations in clinical trial participant respiratory signs.
The proposed Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II Project employs advanced edge computing to address challenges in objectively monitoring respiratory signs. The proposed activity may make advances in the field of ultra-low power biomedical wearable devices. In particular, new nonlinear analog processing techniques will be developed to make it feasible for long-term monitoring of respiratory signs, including coughing and wheezing. The resulting analog techniques may also be used to implement other types of state-of-the-art medical wearable 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.DESIGNER ECOSYSTEMS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Sensor Platform for Novel Submerged Barriers
Contact
487 N OWEN ST
Alexandria, VA 22304--2245
NSF Award
2604863 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,242,694
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to advance engineered structures that act as submerged barriers. The project will also develop monitoring systems to measure performance in real-world conditions. This information will help improve future designs and support more reliable coastal protection strategies. By combining infrastructure with ecological restoration, this work offers a more durable and cost-effective alternative to existing methods.
The primary technical innovation of this project is the development and full-scale validation of a modular, engineered system that integrates predictable hydrodynamic performance with ecological function, coupled with in situ sensing to directly compare modeled and observed outcomes in high-energy nearshore settings. The high-risk element lies in demonstrating that a repeatable, parameterized geometry can achieve reliable attenuation under real-world conditions while also generating high-quality data for model calibration in settings where measurements are currently sparse or unavailable. The scope of this project is to design, deploy, and evaluate full-scale modules that function as submerged barriers. The project aims to: (1) advance the understanding of wave transformation and energy dissipation across structured, similar geometries, and (2) establish a framework for integrating physical infrastructure with continuous ambient monitoring to improve predictive coastal models. The proposed methodology includes fabrication of full-scale modular units using precast manufacturing techniques. Hydrodynamic performance will be assessed using a network of embedded and adjacent sensors measuring wave height, current velocity, and related environmental parameters. Baseline data collected prior to installation will be compared with post-installation measurements to quantify changes in wave energy, flow patterns, and sediment dynamics. Ecological monitoring will be conducted using a combination of visual surveys and ambient DNA sampling. These data will be used to validate and refine numerical models, enabling improved design of future installations and contributing to a more data-driven approach.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.DIFFRACT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Novel Holographic 3D Optical Metrology Tool for Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
Contact
6 SUNHILL ST
Portola Valley, CA 94028--8050
NSF Award
2414910 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project is focused on developing reliable, precise, and scalable three-dimensional sensing solutions for manufacturing and industrial processes. The three-dimensional (3D) optical metrology tool to be developed uses a high-resolution, computer-defined 3D light field to perform rapid non-contact measurements on parts during the fabrication process. Computer-defined optics enable the tool to use an adaptive process to perform 3D metrology with sub-10-micron resolution, at a fraction of the price of competing technologies. Low-volume, high-precision manufacturing plays a critical role in the global economy and is currently a limiting factor in the creation of new assembly lines, larger volume manufacturing, research timelines, and tool creation. With modern-day reliance on process automation and tighter tolerance stack-ups, scalable in-process measurements can provide critical insights into manufacturing processes. Accelerating hardware markets, such as Industry 4.0, industrial automation, automotive and aerospace manufacturing, and construction require new, advanced 3D sensors with improved reliability, precision, and ease-of-use. Surface inspection systems already account for a global $4.0 billion market, and this number will grow rapidly as new technology meets the pressing needs of these broader industrial segments.
The intellectual merit of this project is founded in the underlying principles of how digital tools sense and interact with the three-dimensional world. Currently available digital tools are largely two dimensional (camera sensors and displays) or one-dimensional in nature (linear or rotary encoders). Attempts to digitally sense and interact with three-dimensional space are often based on interpolation between multiple two- or one-dimensional sensors such as stereo vision or gantry Coordinate Measuring Machines, respectively. These methods depend on several core assumptions and can result in significant errors or noise in the measurement process. By leveraging computer-generated, large field-of-view, high-precision holographic optical systems, digital measurement tools can collect precise, reliable measurements. This capability is based on the reconfigurable nature of a fundamentally three-dimensional digital technology: a computer-generated hologram. This project applies recent advances in computer-generated holograms, in conjunction with digital modeling and inverse design. The result is a novel digital measurement tool with sub-10-micron resolution over a half meter field of view.
This award reflects 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 INC
SBIR Phase II: Commercializing Architect-directed DNA Synthesis
Contact
1970 FELL ST APT 12
San Francisco, CA 94117--1976
NSF Award
2549904 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to expand innovation in the biotechnology sector through the commercialization of a new DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) synthesis technology. DNA synthesis is a fundamental tool for the life sciences, yet existing methods are limited by high error rates, allowing only for the construction of short strands. Assembling these short segments into the longer sequences required for advanced research is currently a slow, expensive, and labor-intensive process that frequently fails. This project seeks to overcome these barriers by commercializing a novel synthesis platform that significantly reduces costs and production times while enabling the creation of long and complex DNA sequences. The successful deployment of this technology will strengthen the domestic bioeconomy by providing a superior, onshore source for a critical biotechnological resource, enabling researchers to significantly accelerate their development timelines. These advances may have profound commercial impact by fostering the development of new therapeutics, enhancing productivity, and driving growth in biomanufacturing.
The proposed project aims to commercialize an automated, enzymatic DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) synthesis platform that utilizes a hierarchical assembly approach. Traditional synthesis relies on single-nucleotide additions that are prone to error; in contrast, this technology employs small double-stranded DNA precursors that are enzymatically assembled in an exponential fashion to create long-form genes. The primary objectives of this Phase II research are to: (i) establish a robust, automated manufacturing line capable of producing multi-kilobase complex genes with integrated sequence quality control; (ii) optimize process stability and reagent handling protocols for enzymes and reaction components to ensure commercial-grade reliability; and (iii) validate the system through the synthesis of varied, complex sequences. Additionally, the project includes research into how enzyme properties impact the fidelity of automated assembly. The anticipated result is a scalable manufacturing process that provides high-fidelity, complex genetic material.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.DIRECT KINETIC SOLUTIONS LLC
SBIR Phase II: DKS Quantum Stackable Radioisotopic Power Source (RPS)
Contact
1009 METATE PL
El Paso, TX 79912--7550
NSF Award
2404012 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$985,369
Start / end date
08/01/2025 – 01/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in its potential to deliver a transformative, radioisotopic-based power solution for critical applications that demand long-lasting, maintenance-free energy in remote or extreme environments. This next-generation Radioisotopic Power Source (RPS) offers up to 20 years of continuous, stable power?dramatically extending the lifespan of devices in defense, space exploration, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Unlike traditional batteries, which require frequent replacements and create substantial waste, this nuclear-powered RPS minimizes environmental impact and significantly lowers operational costs. By harnessing nuclear engineering fundamentals, this project promotes U.S.-based semiconductor development, strengthening domestic manufacturing in a critical, high-tech sector. This innovation enables essential applications like remote monitoring, asset tracking, and deep-space missions by providing reliable, autonomous power in extreme settings. Additionally, the project advances knowledge in sustainable energy storage and conversion, laying the groundwork for resilient, high-efficiency power systems that meet the increasing demands of diverse markets where conventional solutions are insufficient. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses a critical challenge: delivering sustained, high-efficiency power for devices in locations where battery replacement or charging is impractical or impossible. The project aims to develop an innovative Radioisotopic Power Source (RPS) that provides continuous, long-term power for autonomous operation. Key objectives include optimizing advanced semiconductor materials?specifically silicon carbide (SiC) and indium gallium phosphide (InGaP)?to achieve high energy conversion efficiency. Additionally, the project will focus on refining metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to securely store tritium and gradually release its energy, supporting reliable, maintenance-free operation. The project will also construct a modular, stackable RPS architecture that allows for scalable and customizable power configurations to meet various application needs. This RPS technology will enable devices to operate far longer than traditional batteries, reducing maintenance demands and extending functionality in remote or demanding environments. The anticipated result is a high-performance, scalable energy solution with enhanced reliability, durability, and energy density. By advancing isotopic power systems, this project sets the stage for future innovations in sustainable, long-lasting power solutions across multiple technological 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.
DRIVE THERAPEUTICS, L.L.C.
SBIR Phase II: Optimizing Manufacturing Efficiency of Bispecific Aptamer Therapeutics
Contact
107 BLUE GRANITE CT
Chapel Hill, NC 27514--1749
NSF Award
2349466 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$990,477
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to reduce the impact of preventable vision loss caused by retinal diseases such as the wet form of advanced macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Vision loss has a significant impact on the lives of those who experience it as well as society as a whole. Not all patients respond effectively to the current standard of care and the treatment burden is high. The value proposition associated with the technology is enhanced efficacy by targeting multiple aspects of disease as well as reduced treatment burden compared to current standard of care. A differentiated product will create a competitive advantage and drive market adoption with the potential to generate billions in revenue. The global retinal disorder treatment market was estimated at USD 12.57 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 9.3% from 2023 to 2030. The business goal is to partner the program with a large pharmaceutical company with commercial experience in these indications. The proposed project is designed with the goal of identifying the best approach to manufacture the bispecific aptamer product and specifically to optimize the efficiency of the conjugation of polyethylene glycol to the bispecific aptamer therapeutic to confer improved pharmacokinetic properties. A wide range of reaction conditions will be tested and optimized as well the evaluation of numerous size and weight alternatives of polyethylene glycol. Once the manufacturing process has been optimized the resultant bispecific product will be evaluated for inhibitory activity, which will be compared with the individual aptamer components. The biophysical properties of the PEGylated compound will be assessed. These properties are key to establishing parameters for bispecific aptamer formulation and predicting intravitreal half-life. The best performing optimized PEGylated bispecific aptamer will be evaluated in vivo, to confirm its ability to engage its targets in an established animal model of retinal disease. What is learned in this proposal will enhance scientific and technological understanding as the findings will be applicable to other disease targets and indications. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
DYNOCARDIA, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Development of motion artifact correction systems for ViTrack: an accurate, continuous, and non-invasive blood pressure monitor
Contact
535 COMMONWEALTH AVE
Newton, MA 02459--1601
NSF Award
2423296 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,553
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to meet the urgent need for a wearable blood pressure (BP) monitor for accurate and continuous BP measurements. The current standard for arm cuff-based BP assessments is unreliable and limited to single time-point BP estimates, but an individual?s BP fluctuates significantly over 24 hours. In US hospitals, 35 million patients are admitted annually for critical illness and/or undergo major surgeries that require BP monitoring. Inaccurate, single-point, cuff-based BP monitoring during surgery leads to unrecognized low BP and contributes to 14 million heart attacks and kidney failures annually. ViTrack is a wrist-wearable device that utilizes a proprietary optomechanical sensor array and computer vision to accurately and continuously measure radial artery BP without requiring external calibration. However, continuously measuring BP in clinical settings is challenging due to artifacts from patient movements. In NSF Phase 1, ViTrack's sensor array was used to develop an advanced computer vision technology for motion artifact correction. Other than the hospital market, the multi-billion dollar market segments for an accurate and continuous BP monitor include remote patient monitoring for 104 million Americans with high BP and the consumer wellness markets.
The objective of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project is to improve computer vision technology for motion correction and make it suitable for use in various hospital settings with different types of motion artifacts. The project will begin by improving the effectiveness and adaptability of computer vision-based algorithms through testing and optimization using a wide range of patient data. Artificial intelligence (AI) will then be integrated to further improve the algorithms' ability to handle various motion artifacts. In order to achieve this goal, we will create thousands of synthetic 3D-rendered videos using various combinations of real-world ViTrack data, both with and without motion artifacts. These videos will then be utilized to train a specific type of AI algorithm known as a deep neural network, using a modern approach called a vision transformer. The main objective of this training is to enable the algorithm to recognize and address motion artifacts without compromising the physiological signal. After developing, we will test the algorithms' accuracy in providing continuous BP readings across a variety of clinical data. Once validated, the algorithms will be integrated into the ViTrack device through a software module following FDA guidelines for good machine learning 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.ECHO MIND AI CORP.
SBIR Phase II: Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enabled Ultrasound for Imaging and Diagnosing Musculoskeletal Injuries
Contact
9717 NEWCASTLE DR
Highlands Ranch, CO 80130--6811
NSF Award
2437435 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,811
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) diagnostics through AI-powered guidance technology. This innovation could democratize the use of ultrasound by enabling novice practitioners to perform accurate MSK-US evaluations at the point of care. Musculoskeletal injuries account for 77% of injury-related healthcare visits in the U.S. Yet up to 85% of those injuries are under or misdiagnosed on the first visit. The commercial impact of the technology could be substantial, as widespread adoption fosters a competitive healthcare market, attracts investment, and strengthens the U.S. as a leader in medical and AI innovation. The technology also has applications in military healthcare, where it can improve injury diagnostics for service members in the field, or after service through the Veteran?s Administration system, where imaging overuse was found to greatly contribute to costs. By integrating AI-driven imaging, this project advances scientific understanding, promotes healthcare access, and promotes economic growth. The proposed project integrates AI with medical imaging, addressing critical challenges in musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound utilization. Ultrasound has long been recognized as an accurate and cost effective means to diagnose musculoskeletal injuries. However, practitioners currently experience a steep and time consuming learning curve to become proficient with the use of ultrasound. This is in large part the reason ultrasound has not become widely adopted across the U.S. Healthcare System. The research goals include developing a large database of musculoskeletal images, labeled for the use of AI training, scaling tissue recognition, and developing AI based guidance that allows any novice practitioners to be guided through the automated capture of diagnosable musculoskeletal images. Once collected, diagnosable images will be sent to the cloud for diagnosis and summary. This technology will be device agnostic, available for integration with any ultrasound vendor. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ECO-SHELTER, INC.
STTR Phase II: A non-woven bamboo-based strand composite process to manufacture low-cost roofing
Contact
3316 6TH AVE UNIT 1
Tacoma, WA 98406--5904
NSF Award
2136481 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$998,164
Start / end date
02/15/2022 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is to develop a viable and scalable process to manufacture a bamboo-based strand composite for application in low-cost roofing globally. This project develops a new production process for exterior-grade natural fiber composite building products, derived from a highly renewable resource, bamboo, through public-private partnership. The resulting roofing product will help protect users from extreme heat by passively cooling and reducing indoor temperatures. In addition, this solution can be used to create value-added energy-efficient building products from highly renewable natural fiber waste. The innovation holds immense potential to replace harmful and hazardous materials, including asbestos, in many regions of the world, store captured carbon into long-lifecycle products, and reduce heating and cooling energy use.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project will: (i) refine the design of the 3D panel geometry used to make commercial-size panels with improved load-carrying capacity and constructability; (ii) improve the bamboo-stranding process, evaluate a bio-based adhesive system, impart fire-retardance, enhance panel durability, manufacture panels using the new geometry, and evaluate performance; and (iii) demonstrate and evaluate panel use as a roofing material through field tests and the versatility of the corrugated panel in interior and exterior energy-efficient building products. This research will advance the field of natural fiber composites by addressing challenges of long-term construction applications that can withstand hot and humid climates, including moisture resistance, biodegradation, and effective binders for functionality.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ECOTUNE, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Scalable Development of Fully Bio-Based and High-Performance Bio-Inspired Materials
Contact
5270 CALIFORNIA AVE STE 100
Irvine, CA 92617--3231
NSF Award
2528254 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,241,906
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is centered on developing and scaling up a technology platform for 100% bio-based and 100% biodegradable materials designed to replace high carbon footprint materials like leather and synthetic leather. The technology platform uses a bio-based polymer structure and cross-linking polymer-filler that is compatible with both inorganic mineral and organic fibrous fillers, imparting superior material properties to the end-product. Over two billion square yards of leather are produced per year in an $86 billion annual market. The leather industry is associated with environmental concerns such as unwanted emissions into the atmosphere, animal agriculture, deforestation, and water pollution caused by toxic chemicals used to process, tan, and dye leather. Synthetic alternatives to leather are currently made of petroleum-derived plastics that are not biodegradable, instead breaking down into microplastics that persist in the environment and pose potential health risks to humans. With growing demand for eco-friendly products and reduction in carbon footprint, the materials produced by the proposed technology will meet need for eco-friendly materials in industries including fashion, footwear, apparel, and automotive. This project will build on the company?s novel polymer structure and unique polymer-filler cross-linking system, scaling up the technology while preserving its high performance in tensile strength, elongation at break, coating adhesion, flex resistance, abrasion resistance, and hydrolysis resistance. Initial R&D efforts will focus on optimizing the polymer?s structure, viscosity?temperature profile, and degrees of unsaturation and cross-linking to meet the safety and handling requirements of a pilot-scale polymerization reactor. The goal is to ensure compatibility with existing mixing, coating, and cross-linking processes, minimizing the need for new infrastructure, while also evaluating environmental impacts and carbon footprint. By doing so, the project aims to deliver a high-efficiency, cost-effective, eco-friendly, and commercially viable production method for this next-generation class of 100% bio-based high-performance 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.
ELATEQ, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Advanced electrochemical degradation of PFAS in water
Contact
240 THATCHER RD # 571
Amherst, MA 01003--9364
NSF Award
2413507 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,603
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project is to create a sustainable technology for the degradation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water and ultimately protect human health and ecosystems from their adverse effects. These environmental pollutants are difficult to destroy, but advanced electrochemical processes can transform them into harmless byproducts. Without extensive energy requirements and the need for chemical use and post-processing, this technology will offer an affordable, easily operated, and maintained on-site solution to destroy ?forever chemicals.?
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project focuses on developing integrated advanced electrochemical processes for rapid mineralization of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water. Phase II aims to incorporate novel electrodes and electrochemical cell design at scale and deliver a deployable pilot scale system. Tasks include testing the system in relevant operating conditions, assessing the longevity of the electrode performance, and optimizing the operational parameters relative to rapid defluorination and low-energy consumption. Furthermore, the project will enable an in-depth system optimization to create a robust solution that operates under environmentally relevant conditions.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.EMPIRI, INC.
SBIR Phase II: A Cancer Diagnostic Instrument to Measure Empirical Treatment Response
Contact
7505 FANNIN ST.
Houston, TX 77054--1953
NSF Award
2538079 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,794
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is a novel, automated, tumor slice culture instrument that can accurately assesses individual cancer patients? sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs. The instrument will automate a novel 3D tumor slice culture method using fresh human tumor tissues. It has been shown to accurately predict patient responses to anti-cancer drugs, in 8 days from biopsy or surgery, enabling doctors to make data-driven decisions to select the optimal treatment for each patient.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to build the first-in-class instrument that will automate an assay that measures cancer drug treatment response. To impact both clinical care and drug development pipelines, this assay needs to be performed on thousands of samples, accurately each time. Automating the assay through this project is necessary to scale the assay and meet these demands. This project will refine the Automated Tissue Slicer and Handler (ATSH) prototyped in Phase 1 of this project. The proposed objective and tasks will enable scaling of sample preparation going into the ATSH, refine and expand the ATSH design and functionality including consumables, and implement customized liquid handling applications that can be programmed for different assays, resulting in an automated system that runs the assay more consistently, eliminates key human failure modes, requires less time, and reduces cost. Success in these activities will yield a production ready, high capacity, quality-controlled instrument that accurately reports treatment responses to transform both drug development and personalized cancer 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.ENCAPSULATE LLC
SBIR Phase II: nCapsule Personalized Cancer Screening for Colorectal Cancer Treatment Regimens
Contact
400 FARMINGTON AVENUE
Farmington, CT 06032--1913
NSF Award
2436609 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,213,619
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in its ability to transform personalized cancer treatment by providing a rapid and precise method for predicting the effectiveness of various treatment options on individual patients. Current treatment selection methods rely on an empirical, trial-and-error approach, often resulting in unnecessary toxicity, increased healthcare costs, and suboptimal patient outcomes. This project seeks to enhance treatment success rates, reduce unnecessary treatment cycles, and ultimately lower the financial burden on both patients and the healthcare system. The commercial potential of this technology is substantial, as it addresses a $2 billion U.S. market in colorectal and pancreatic cancer treatment, with a broader global market exceeding $30 billion. By reducing the likelihood of ineffective treatments and drug resistance, this innovation has the potential to improve survival rates, decrease side effects, and pave the way for more effective, data-driven decision making in oncology. Additionally, this project contributes to STEM workforce development, fostering industry academic collaborations and broader participation in biomedical research and technology. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to develop a precision oncology platform that integrates microfluidics, biochips, bioreactors, and 3D tumor models to predict patient-specific cancer drugs responses. The proposed technology utilizes patient-derived biopsy specimens to create tumor models, allowing oncologists to test multiple treatment options before treatment begins. By maintaining tumor heterogeneity and integrating immune and stromal cells, this system closely mimics in vivo tumor behavior. The research objectives include optimizing microfluidic biochips for enhanced tumor growth and viability, automating real-time data collection, and validating clinical predictions through retrospective and prospective patient studies. This approach will be tested on colorectal and pancreatic cancers, two of the deadliest malignancies with high treatment failure rates. The anticipated results include a significant improvement in treatment accuracy, reduced patient exposure to ineffective drugs, and the development of a scalable, cost-effective diagnostic test for clinical adoption. This project will lay the foundation for broader applications in precision oncology, accelerating the integration of personalized medicine into mainstream cancer 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.
ENDEAVOR COMPOSITES, INC.
STTR Phase II: Innovative Dispersion Technology for the Sustainable Repurposing of Off-spec and Recycled Carbon Fiber into Low-cost, Defect-free, Nonwoven Fabrics
Contact
2370 CHERAHALA BLVD
Knoxville, TN 37932--1563
NSF Award
2444438 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,998
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is the development of an innovative mixer for the dispersion of carbon fiber in the nonwoven method known as wet laid. The patented technique is used to fabricate mats for use in the production of advanced composite materials, lightweight materials characterized by high specific strength and stiffness. It has been previously shown that the technique could be used to produce high-performing nonwoven fabrics in a cost-effective, sustainable, and highly reproducible manner by incorporating material that is generally discarded, including off-spec carbon fibers and recycled carbon fibers. The company now plans to use this innovative process with an off-spec carbon-hemp, polypropylene blend to develop a sustainable and cost-efficient product line suitable for an automotive use case. The work will provide valuable insight into hybrid reinforcement of composites, a largely unstudied area. It will also provide a model for production of hybrid-reinforced composite products and a comprehensive assessment of products derived from off-spec carbon fiber and recycled carbon fiber. The development of this cost-efficient technique to produce carbon fiber advanced composites will create opportunities for several industries to incorporate these high-performance materials into a variety of products and applications. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project will develop a novel method where off-spec and recycled carbon fiber can be cost-efficiently processed into high-value materials. This technique offers a way to produce nonwoven mats with fiber length retention and tailored fiber orientation. The system can produce carbon fiber mats at various area densities and is compatible with production of hybrid fiber textiles such as mixtures of carbon fiber/thermoplastic fibers (e.g., polypropylene fibers), natural fibers, and other synthetics such as glass, basalt, and Kevlar. The project will focus on producing and evaluating advanced composite materials for an automotive use case. This analysis will provide critical insight into the mechanical and commercially-relevant properties of composites generated through hybrid reinforcement. The project also aims to demonstrate consistency across production batches at larger scales by evaluating produced mats and measuring key performance indicators in a high-efficiency fabric production scenario. This work will help illuminate key considerations for the production of hybrid reinforced composites and inform future product design. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ENVIVO BIO INC
SBIR Phase II: Non-Invasive Sampling and Analysis of the Human Gasstrointestinal (GI) Tract to Advance Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
Contact
733 INDUSTRIAL RD
Los Altos, CA 94022--2034
NSF Award
2126329 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$972,774
Start / end date
09/15/2021 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
This award is funded in whole or in part under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to understand, and eventually manipulate, the immune, metabolic and microbial activities that occur in the intestines for the purpose of improving human health. Many important diseases are caused or regulated by activities in our intestines, yet very little is known about this hard-to-access organ. This project will develop a pill-sized gastrointestinal sampling device for routine, non-invasive sampling of the human gut and the analysis of its metabolic, microbial, and immunological content for the first time. The discoveries enabled by this project may lead to new commercial opportunities in diagnosing and treating important disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
The proposed project seeks to perform validations of a pill-sized gastrointestinal sampling device for routine, non-invasive sampling of the human gut using bench testing and evaluations of clinical samples. The team will also prepare the collected data for submission to the Food and Drug Administration for market clearance. Sampling the human intestinal tract safely, non-invasively and reliably is a daunting challenge due to the constraints on the size of a device that is safe to swallow and the variability of human physiology. The technology will lead to the commercialization of the first gut sampling device in the market. The device may help elucidate the roles of the gut microbes and their interactions with the immune system and metabolic processes in human health and disease.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.EPIImaging, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Epipolar-Plane Imaging for Robot 3D Vision
Contact
414 PACO DR
Los Altos, CA 94024--3827
NSF Award
2242216 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,407
Start / end date
09/15/2023 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to improve robotic interactions with the humans. Currently, robots are involved in large sectors of society including logistics, manufacturing, autonomous navigation, video communication, remote supervision of complex mechanical maintenance/repair tasks, support in battlefields and disasters, and interactions in various training, educational, and interventional scenarios including telemedicine. This technology may offer more effective automation in the workplace through higher quality 3D sensing, greater precision visualization and increased worker quality of life. The technology addresses precision and reliability of passive 3D scene measurements.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the acquisition of reliable and precise three-dimensional representations of a scene from passively acquired image data for use in navigation, grasping, manipulation, and other operations of autonomous systems in unrestricted three-dimensional spaces. This technology has been a long-standing challenge in the computer vision field, with many efforts providing adequate solutions under certain conditions, but lacking applicability across a breadth of applications. Other approaches typically deliver inaccurate results where there are, for example, repeated structures in the view, thin features, a large range in depth, or where structures align with aspects of the capture geometry. Based on the matching of features across images, current technologies fail when features have similar appearance. This technology removes the uncertainty of this process through a low-cost use of over-sampling, using a specific set of additional perspectives to replace the ?matching? with deterministic linear filtering. Increasing the reliability and precision of 3D scene measurements will open new opportunities for robotic interactions with the world. Success in this project will advance the underlying light-field technology to broader application areas where human-in-the-loop operations using artificial reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) or mixed reality (such as remote collaboration and distance interaction) depend on accurate and responsive visualization and scene modeling, reducing influences of vestibular and proprioceptive mismatch that can cause disruptive effects such as nausea.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.EPIXEGO INC.
SBIR Phase II: A novel method to scaling mentoring and career development in Institutes of Higher Education
Contact
146 CELADA CT
Fremont, CA 94539--3011
NSF Award
2422894 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$970,989
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is to improve academic and career outcomes for first-generation and underrepresented students in higher education through an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform which harnesses individual learning, self-reflection, and automation to make every course a high-impact learning experience. By integrating competency-based learning, self-reflection, and near-peer mentoring, the project aims to develop crucial social capital alongside essential skills and competencies, maintaining a human element in conjunction with technology. The technology creates comprehensive learner profiles and applies natural language processing to generate personalized recommendations for career guidance and academic navigation. This innovation addresses the critical shortage of counseling resources in public colleges, where student-to-counselor ratios can reach 1:1,800. The project applies natural language processing (NLP) techniques to student learning profiles and competency to tap into a unique experiential learning recommendation engine for career guidance and academic navigation in higher education classrooms. This innovation aims to expand the toolkits of each faculty member's high-impact practice to their course learning strategies to enhance classroom learning strategies.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to enhance academic and career outcomes for students by leveraging natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) algorithms. The research builds upon a proprietary data representation model developed in Phase I to analyze student competencies, interests, and self-efficacy. The project's objectives are twofold: 1) Integrate diverse pedagogical philosophies into a unified system for curriculum modularization, student work assessment, and mentoring evaluation; 2) Develop a conversational AI engine utilizing Large Language Models (LLMs) to support self-regulated learning reflection and career exploration. The research methodology involves applying NLP techniques to student learning profiles and competency data to identify patterns in self-efficacy and learning strategies. The proposed approach will then generate personalized recommendations for career guidance and academic navigation. Anticipated technical results include a robust AI-driven system capable of analyzing student learning trajectories, providing tailored mentorship matches, and suggesting career-connected strategies. This research aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and career readiness, potentially transforming how students engage with their educational journey and future occupational identities.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ESM GLOBAL PRODUCTIONS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enabled African Language Database
Contact
63 FEDERAL ST
Portland, ME 04101--4222
NSF Award
2423568 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
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 II project aims to develop a multilingual translation platform for African languages, addressing a critical gap in current technology. This innovation enhances scientific understanding by advancing natural language processing for underrepresented African languages, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in the digital realm. The platform's societal impact will enable speakers of African languages to fully participate in the global digital economy and fostering cultural understanding. Commercially, this technology has transformative potential across various industries requiring multilingual communication, such as e-commerce, education, and public services. It opens new business opportunities and drives economic growth in global markets by facilitating more effective cross-cultural communication. The platform can enhance international trade, improve educational resources, and streamline public services for African language speakers worldwide. Beyond its immediate applications, this project contributes to preserving and promoting Africa's rich linguistic heritage in the digital age, bridging communication gaps and fostering a more inclusive global technological landscape. By addressing this underserved market, the project not only advances linguistic technology but also creates substantial commercial opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world. This innovative solution has the potential to revolutionize how businesses, educational institutions, and governments interact with African language speakers, opening up new markets and improving service delivery across multiple sectors.
The proposed project aims to develop an advanced AI-powered translation platform specifically designed for African languages, addressing the unique challenges posed by dialects, tonal shifts, and guttural sounds characteristic of these languages. The research objectives include creating a robust database and developing novel machine learning models to significantly enhance translation accuracy and nuance for underrepresented languages. The project will employ a multifaceted approach, including designing and deploying a state-of-the-art web crawler to source vast amounts of linguistic data which will utilize advanced natural language processing techniques to identify and extract relevant linguistic information from diverse sources. The project will also create new recorded data to fill gaps in existing resources, employing sophisticated processing algorithms to capture and analyze the nuanced phonetic features of African languages. Unique machine learning models, including deep neural networks and transformer architectures, will be developed to process the collected data effectively. These models will be trained on the extensive dataset to recognize and accurately translate complex linguistic patterns. The integration of these components into a scalable and customizable platform will involve advanced software engineering practices to ensure optimal performance and user experience. The anticipated technical results include a translation service surpassing the accuracy of current tools for African languages, as measured during Phase I, while maintaining strict data privacy and open-source licensing compliance.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ESTAT ACTUATION, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Rotary Electroadhesive Clutch for Lightweight and Energy-Efficient Actuators in Next-Generation Robots
Contact
1028 WELFER ST
Pittsburgh, PA 15217--2651
NSF Award
2208905 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$944,190
Start / end date
02/01/2023 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to create a lightweight and efficient rotary electroadhesive clutch that enables improved robotic hardware performance across the manufacturing, logistics, and medical industries. Despite decades of research and commercial effort, society has yet to realize the widespread availability of affordable robots that can safely work alongside humans and assist them in their daily lives. A central obstacle in achieving this vision is the prohibitive cost and poor performance of actuators. Efficient, lightweight clutches that can improve robot operation time and safety at a competitive price are a gateway to the proliferation of human-assistive robotic systems into everyday life. For example, inexpensive motion assistance exoskeletons could improve the quality of life for millions of physically impaired people who are otherwise unable to engage in normal daily activities. Affordable robots could also increase access to expensive labor-intensive services, such as daily physical rehabilitation or full/part-time in-home care.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be used to develop new materials understanding and correlate parameters such as morphology, dielectric thickness, and chemical modification to rotary electroadhesive clutch performance. The materials will be assessed for electrical and physical properties, as well as ease of incorporation into electroadhesive clutch assemblies and lifetime. Selecting optimal materials will improve fundamental performance while continuing to lower the weight, footprint, and energy consumption of rotary clutch designs. These research and development activities will de-risk the technology and enable the construction of a production-ready product. To efficiently achieve these goals, testing capabilities will be improved through the development of automated test stands to aid in rapid materials assessment, lifetime testing, and iterative design. For fundamental materials understanding, novel testing protocols will be developed that assess the electrical and wear properties of new materials, producing a widespread scientific impact in fields such as corrosion, coatings, and adhesion.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.EVOLOH, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Advanced Anodes for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers
Contact
380 HAMILTON AVE, #443
Palo Alto, CA 94302--2404
NSF Award
2450670 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,396
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of anodes to enable low-cost, scalable water electrolyzers that dramatically reduce the cost of hydrogen production. Hydrogen, produced from water and electricity, is a versatile industrial feedstock. The most immediate market opportunity lies in localized hydrogen generation (e.g., for data centers and warehouses), where energy efficiency is paramount. Medium- and long-term growth is expected in centralized hydrogen hubs and derivative markets; the hydrogen derived ammonia market alone is projected to grow by $6 billion by 2030. This project supports these markets by enabling electrolyzers that are highly energy efficient, low-cost, and manufactured with domestic materials using high-throughput production methods. Its central innovation is a simplified anode that eliminates costly catalyst layers, uses no critical minerals, and improves electrolysis efficiency. This directly reduces capital and operational costs while improving geopolitical resilience through secure domestic supply chains. By advancing core electrolyzer technology with a focus on efficiency and manufacturability, this project contributes to United States' energy leadership while delivering major commercial benefits. The intellectual merit of this project lies in the development of a novel, scalable ?unified? anode for anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMELs). This unified anode is made of low-cost porous substrates that are electrochemically functionalized to transform them into chemically stable and catalytically active structures. It replaces the conventional complex and expensive two-layer structure of a nanoparticle catalyst layer deposited on a porous transport layer. This innovation improves the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) ? the primary bottleneck in water electrolysis ? by enhancing reaction kinetics, simplifying transport pathways, and reducing interfacial resistance. This project will first optimize catalyst composition and morphology to enable high hydrogen production rates, high efficiency, and excellent durability under alkaline conditions. The functionalization process conditions will then be optimized for scale up, scaled to large-batch production, and ultimately adapted for high-speed roll-to-roll manufacturing. This effort integrates materials science, electrochemistry, and manufacturing engineering, and is expected to advance understanding of structure?function relationships in electrocatalysts. By overcoming key limitations in anode performance, cost, and scalability, the project will significantly improve the commercial viability of AEMELs for both distributed and centralized hydrogen production, while strengthening the scientific foundation for next-generation electrochemical energy systems and manufacturing 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.
EXIGENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Physics-Guided AI Platform for Accelerating Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Mask Design
Contact
3908 VERBENA ST
Aubrey, TX 76227--1998
NSF Award
2528393 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,168,940
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity at a time of global supply-chain realignment and unprecedented demand for advanced chips. By providing an intelligent software platform that shortens design-to-manufacturing cycles, the project supports faster delivery of high-performance, energy-efficient electronics that underpin cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and critical infrastructure. The approach reduces waste, lowers production costs, and helps keep cutting-edge semiconductor fabrication in the United States, aligning with recent national initiatives to expand on-shore chipmaking and create high-skill jobs. In addition to enabling smaller, more capable devices for consumers and industry, the technology nurtures a new workforce at the intersection of machine learning and semiconductor engineering through internships and workforce trainings. Collectively, these outcomes promote economic growth, technological sovereignty, and increased access to computation resources by maximizing utilization of fabrication assets. The proposed project tackles the escalating complexity and turnaround delays in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask design by advancing a physics-guided AI platform that fuses high-fidelity EUV lithography simulation, process adaptation, and multi-objective layout optimization into a coherent, scalable service. Instead of relying on traditional rule-based models or hardware-specific software, the framework embeds fundamental optical and materials physics inside a scalable neural network architecture. An integrated optimization engine explores billions of potential design adjustments to simultaneously improve pattern fidelity, yield, and production economics, delivering manufacturable mask layouts in hours rather than weeks. Modular interfaces and modern application programming interfaces (APIs) allow rapid integration with existing electronic-design-automation flows, with optimized models to support advanced simulation capabilities to edge devices. Through these innovations, the project seeks to establish a new computational foundation for future lithography nodes, paving the way for faster, lower-cost entry of next-generation chipsets. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
FC RENEW, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Renewable Platinum Catalyst for Fuel Cell Applications
Contact
2641 OSPREY VISTA WAY # 256
Knoxville, TN 37920--4395
NSF Award
2526756 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,999
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project lies in addressing key challenges hindering widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cells: their high cost due to expensive platinum catalysts, and their limited operational lifespan. The primary expense in fuel cells comes from the use of platinum catalysts, which are both costly and subject to degradation over time. This project introduces an innovative process that renews these catalysts directly within assembled fuel cells, eliminating the need for disassembly. By enabling in-situ catalyst renewal, the technology is expected to extend the operational lifetime of fuel cells from 150,000 miles to 1.2 million miles, while also cutting total ownership costs in half. This advancement not only positions the United States as a leader in the hydrogen economy but also strengthens national security by varying energy sources, enhancing energy resilience, and creating employment opportunities. This project addresses a critical challenge in extending hydrogen fuel cell lifespan by pioneering a high-risk, in-situ electrocatalyst renewal process that circumvents stack disassembly. It will control catalyst transfer within assembled fuel cell electrodes quickly and at room temperature such that it results in a like-new platinum distribution at the electrode surface; a feat not previously achieved in the field. A range of advanced techniques will be employed to study platinum movement within fuel cell electrodes, correlating particle morphology and crystal structure, and integrating these insights into an artificial intelligence-driven model for predictive efficiency. The project will also focus on optimizing the renewal process for commercial degraded fuel cells, enhance their polarization performance and achieve uniform redeposition of platinum particles. This methodology also involves scaling up to multi-cell stacks, with the development of hardware and diagnostic protocols to ensure consistent platinum particle redeposition. This integrated approach is designed to commercialize this transformative technology for the hydrogen 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.
FIELD PROPULSION TECHNONOGIES INC.
SBIR Phase II: Advanced propulsion system for spacecraft based on the Unresolved Longitudinal Ampere Tension Forces in Conductors
Contact
4824 S ELK ST
Aurora, CO 80016--5815
NSF Award
2423107 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is a propulsion system that has far-reaching implications for the space industry and beyond. This propulsion system for spacecraft could revolutionize the space industry by reducing reliance on traditional propellants. The propulsion system is one of the critical satellite subsystems and the proposed technology will lower space mission costs, increase mission flexibility, and extend spacecraft lifetimes. It will enable zero-emission impulse for satellites, and facilitate efficient satellite re-entry into the atmosphere, mitigating the problem of space debris. The space industry is shifting toward a future in which large constellations of small satellites deliver all types of satellite services efficiently and in large geographical areas or across the globe. The size of the small satellite propulsion system market is estimated to grow at a continued 18% yearly, to reach $1.0 billion by 2032. This advancement is paving the way for a more sustainable and accessible future in space exploration. It fosters space exploration and innovation, enhancing global competitiveness and unveiling new possibilities for mankind's use of space.
This SBIR Phase II project proposes to develop an advanced propulsion device prototype suitable for small satellite operations in orbit. This will represent a first of a kind propulsion technology that can fulfill major orbital satellite maneuvering, and the current stage development of alternative technologies does not offer a solution in the short to medium term either. The key innovation behind the proposed solution is a new class of specially engineered metamaterial, based on a special graphene composite, that utilizes the unresolved longitudinal forces or Ampere Tension Forces in conductors to produce thrust. Technical proof-of-concept has been reached by building a lab prototype that produced external forces as large as a few millinewtons, using currents in the range of a few milliamperes. The proposed Phase II is aimed at scaling up this prototype, strengthening the metamaterial for use in a more space-like environment, and demonstrating sufficient thrust to move a small satellite in space. Phase II will generate a prototype generating up to tenths of newtons of force, that will be validated in conditions representative of the space environment. After Phase II, the technology will be ready to be integrated into a real satellite propulsion system and utilized for in-space 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.FINIKS FORGE, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Conversion of Keratin-Rich Materials into Regenerated Textile Fibers
Contact
111 S OXFORD ST APT 5
Brooklyn, NY 11217--4206
NSF Award
2604982 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/ commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to turn keratin-rich materials into high-quality fabric. This project is developing a new way to convert alternative keratin-rich materials into soft, durable, and decomposable textile fibers. By replacing traditional source materials with alternative keratin-rich materials, the project provides a new way for producers of these materials to create new income streams. Ultimately, this innovation moves the clothing industry toward a circular model based on domestic resources.
This project addresses the high-risk challenge of converting keratin-rich materials into regenerated protein fibers that replicate the tactile and mechanical performance of high-end cashmere. The primary technical hurdle lies in determining whether proteins recovered via a controlled, aqueous extraction process can retain the structural integrity necessary for high-speed spinning and downstream textile manufacturing. The scope involves finalizing a fiber architecture compatible with conventional yarn production, scaling output to kilogram quantities for partner evaluation, and optimizing batch economics to achieve price parity with the premium cashmere market. The core intellectual contribution is establishing the structure-property relationships required to engineer keratin into reproducible multifilament fibers with precise control over fineness, softness, and tensile strength. The methodology follows a staged scale-up: transitioning extraction from laboratory reactors to pilot-scale systems, increasing throughput on industrially relevant wet-spinning or melt-spinning platforms. Success will be validated through standardized mechanical and sensory testing to confirm that the regenerated fibers meet strict industry specifications for micron fineness, elasticity, drape, 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.FIRELINE SCIENCE LLC
SBIR Phase II: Offline Edge Learning Management System
Contact
5501 S COLLEGE AVE
Tempe, AZ 85283--1815
NSF Award
2233395 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$996,783
Start / end date
06/01/2023 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Resesarch (SBIR) Phase II project will be in helping to close the homework gap in the United States. The homework gap has been a long simmering problem where 12 ? 17 million K-12 students do not have reliable home internet to complete digital homework. Students that could benefit the most from learning applications that require home access are disproportionately from lower-income, rural, and at-risk minority populations. While new broadband funding initiatives may make incremental improvements to the situation, millions of students in low-income and rural areas continue to be left behind. This project aims to use new advances in web technologies and intelligent agents to provide a software solution that will enable any student to participate in a complete digital homework workflow including interactive lessons, videos, and robust teacher feedback even when they have unreliable or no access to the internet. Unconnected adult learners will also benefit from the project as technical skills training including computer programming will be supported. This solution will assist in filling the key technical skill gaps in the American workforce.
This SBIR Phase II project will advance a new homework management system that will support digital learning with a consistent experience for learners that are online, offline, or in degraded network conditions and on any available devices. Through an innovative offline-first distributed architecture that solves complex problems around state divergence and conflict resolution, user identity, system integrations and offline content management, this system attempts to bring equitable access to learners who have historically had limited or no access to at-home digital homework solutions. The system will utilize intelligence at the edge to facilitate effective, research-based, pedagogical approaches to improve learning outcomes and minimize teacher overhead. Pilot programs and user feedback studies, along with custom-built learning model simulators will be used to evaluate and iteratively refine the system's efficacy. The goal of this project's research and development will be the release of a production-ready, scalable homework management system that makes positive progress toward bridging the homework gap.
This award reflects 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 II: An Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Enabled Coaching Platform Providing Scalable Support for Caregivers
Contact
5338 EMERSON AVENUE
Dallas, TX 75209--5004
NSF Award
2539956 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,222,567
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is its potential to advance the commercialization of a mobile therapeutic platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide practical, evidence-based coaching directly to caregivers. This innovation helps demonstrate how digital tools can deliver reliable, science grounded support outside of traditional clinical settings.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project advances a technically novel approach that embeds validated behavioral strategies into an adaptive mobile platform supported by artificial intelligence (AI) driven coaching. The central technical challenge addressed by this project is how to translate clinically validated behavioral guidance into adaptive, personalized support that can be delivered digitally without continuous clinician involvement while maintaining safety, consistency, and alignment with established care standards. The project will expand structured, self guided behavioral training and develop decision logic that adapts guidance based on caregiver inputs, engagement patterns, and contextual signals. Additional technical risk lies in increasing the capacity of the artificial intelligence system to deliver more responsive and context aware coaching while preserving reliability. The project will also address challenges related to scalability, performance monitoring, and robustness of adaptive behavior over time. Ongoing field testing will be used to evaluate usability, engagement, and early indicators of effectiveness and to guide iterative technical refinement. This work advances scientific and technological understanding of how artificial intelligence systems can support the scalable delivery of psychosocial interventions beyond traditional clinical 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.FLO MATERIALS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Dynamic Covalent Polymers for Transition to Closed-loop Plastics Economy
Contact
916 W MICHELTORENA ST
Santa Barbara, CA 93101--2805
NSF Award
2538148 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/01/2026 – 05/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is in commercializing a new, "infinitely" re-polymerizable material called Engineered Circular Adaptive Networks (ECANs). This technology allows chemically recalcitrant plastics?specifically thermosets used in cars and electronics?to be fully reused. Unlike common plastics, thermosets are usually impossible to melt down once formed, often simply discarded. By using ECANs, these tough materials can be reused indefinitely in a "closed loop," reducing the need for expensive, brand-new plastic. Integrating this technology into manufacturing strengthens the supply chain by providing a reliable source of high-quality materials. This innovation allows companies to reuse their own materials, lowering production costs and energy consumption.
The ECAN polymer platform is a versatile technology capable of producing high-value resins for films, fibers, adhesives, composites, and elastomers. Unlike conventional polymers, ECANs are Covalent Adaptable Networks (CANs) that utilize dynamic, associative covalent bond exchange reactions to enable chemical recycling within mixed waste streams. This unique chemistry allows for low-temperature recovery and remanufacturing into virgin-quality resins at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional processing methods. Building on Phase I?s successful proof-of-concept?which validated material property retention across multiple lifecycles?this Phase II project will focus on de-risking and scaling the platform at both the manufacturing and re-polymerization stages. Key objectives include optimizing ECAN material performance to meet specific customer requirements and establishing industry-compatible production through U.S.-based contract manufacturing partnerships for synthesis and polymerization. Additionally, the project will develop a pilot-scale depolymerization system to demonstrate low-loss processing and explore application-specific formulations to serve broader consumer, electronic, and other markets. By validating performance, scalability, and reusability across these targeted industries, the project will advance the ECAN platform toward full commercialization. These efforts will establish the necessary infrastructure and formulation capabilities to ramp up to commercial scale, and lay the groundwork for a robust, closed-loop plastics 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.FLUXWORKS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Advancing Manufacturing on Earth and Beyond through Magnetic Gear Technology Development
Contact
1026 OUTPOST DR STE B1
Conroe, TX 77304--3814
NSF Award
2507054 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,236,159
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in enabling safer, more precise, and cost-effective robotic system sensors and actuators for use in space and on Earth. The proposed magnetic gear technology has the potential to significantly enhance in-space manufacturing by increasing the durability, efficiency, and performance of robotic actuators. This improvement is expected to unlock new capabilities for industries such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and food production by allowing advanced research and manufacturing in microgravity. The innovation also supports national defense needs through its applicability for In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) robots and Rendezvous, Proximity Operations, and Docking (RPOD). On Earth, the same technology offers value in automation, food packaging, and collaborative robotics by enabling safer, longer-lasting, and more energy-efficient systems. The project promotes U.S. economic competitiveness and high-tech workforce development, while advancing public health and welfare through more efficient production of critical goods. An additional societal benefit is enhancing public scientific literacy through publication dissemination. A fully U.S.-based supply chain strengthens domestic manufacturing capacity, while also enhancing partnerships between academia and industry and supporting a globally competitive American workforce. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the unmet need for more reliable, energy-efficient, and precise motion control systems for robotic applications in space. Current robotic actuators used in orbit are prone to failure, produce excessive vibrations, and are often cost-prohibitive for widespread use in emerging space operations. This project will validate a new magnetic gear actuator that eliminates mechanical backlash and significantly reduces vibration and noise?extending operational lifetime by over 700% and improving energy efficiency by up to 21%. The technology will be sent to low earth orbit and tested in persistent microgravity to demonstrate compliance, survivability through launch, and sustained performance in space. Research objectives include verifying compliance with acoustic standards, confirming torque feedback accuracy within 1% of the full torque range, and demonstrating impedance control stability across most of the actuator?s capabilities. The project outcome, if successful, will be a space-qualified actuator that improves mission availability, reduces maintenance costs, and enables safer and more dexterous manipulation. These advances will address key limitations in space robotics and create pathways for adoption across a range of scientific, commercial, and terrestrial automation sectors. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
FORESIGHTCARES INC.
SBIR Phase II: AI-based Accessible Visual-Assessment App for Active Healthy Aging of Older Adults
Contact
1766 ROCK HILL CHURCH RD
Matthews, NC 28104--3158
NSF Award
2439455 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,230,163
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will result from providing remote, accessible fall risk assessments and exercise programs. This project empowers older adults to maintain independence and improve their quality of life. Falls are a major health risk for older adults, with significant physical, psychological, and economic impacts, costing the U.S. $50 billion annually. Current fall prevention methods are costly, inconsistent, or difficult to access, particularly in rural communities. This project introduces an AI-based video assessment app for routine fall risk assessments and personalized exercises for older adults using common smartphones or tablets. This innovation aims to improve the quality of life for older adults. Beyond improving individual health outcomes, this project has the potential to significantly lower healthcare costs by reducing fall-related hospitalizations, rehabilitation expenses, and long-term care admissions. By providing an affordable, scalable, and privacy-preserving alternative to traditional fall assessments, the results of this project benefit healthcare systems, insurance providers, and senior living communities alike. Additionally, this project catalyzes awareness of fall prevention and the role of technology in enhancing elderly care while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project creates innovative AI and computer vision technologies to develop a novel AI-based video assessment system for accurate, real-time fall risk assessment across various smart devices. Unlike conventional systems, this innovation is camera-agnostic, lighting-independent, and privacy-focused, ensuring broad accessibility without storing or sharing raw video data. A key aspect of this project is its strong commitment to privacy. Unlike conventional monitoring systems, the proposed solution operates without continuous video recording, ensuring that original video content is never stored or shared, a critical feature for user trust and data security. Inspired by recent advances in Large Language Models and Self-Supervised Learning, the proposed technology introduces a novel autoregressive encoder framework for real-time human motion prediction and analysis and personalized exercise coaching, utilizing only the built-in camera and computational power of existing smartphones and tablets. This innovation surpasses existing vision transformer models by focusing on human motion heatmaps, which capture the spatial/temporal aspects of human movement. This project presents a unique approach to learning and understanding human body movements contextually, regardless of the camera's perspective, field of view, and environmental noise. The transition from pixel-level processing to heatmap-based representation significantly reduces model complexity and computational load. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
FORM FINDING STUDIO LLC
SBIR Phase II: Computer-Aided Design Software for Novel Geometric-Inspired Engineering and Manufacturing
Contact
2116 CHESTNUT ST UNIT 1402
Philadelphia, PA 19103--4545
NSF Award
2537447 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to accelerate the adoption of novel geometric design principles in industrial applications. Over the past two decades there has been significant growth in novel applications of geometric modeling across science and engineering. However, existing computer-aided design (CAD) tools remain limited in their ability to model folded structures. This Phase II project and commercialization effort will address this gap by developing a powerful, user-friendly software system for novel geometric-inspired design. The proposed technology will enhance manufacturing efficiency by enabling 2D fabrication of 3D structures, optimizing material use, and reducing part counts. While the initial target market for commercialization is structural packaging engineering, potential applications span product design, architecture, sheet metal fabrication, medical devices, aerospace, and education. The resulting CAD system will enhance scientific and technological understanding of integrating foldable structures into practical design workflows.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop a novel computer-aided design (CAD) software system that applies mathematical insights to support the design of folded structures. The core innovation is a parametric modeling framework that allows users to rapidly construct folded designs, while the underlying geometry kernel manages geometric constraints to ensure successful folding. Phase II research objectives include: (1) developing data structures and design algorithms that underpin the geometry kernel, (2) advancing the CAD system?s parametric design capabilities and (3) validating the system?s usability and performance through structured user studies and beta testing with potential customers. A key focus of the Phase II R&D is curved folding, a powerful yet underexplored technique for designing structurally efficient and visually distinctive forms. The anticipated outcomes include the development of novel geometric modeling techniques for both straight crease and curved creases, as well as the release of an end-to-end CAD system initially focused on packaging design 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.FOURTH POWER, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Advanced Thermal Battery Systems for Grid-Scale Energy Storage: Further Optimization of an Innovative Thermal Cycle Test Rig for Large-Scale Deployment
Contact
42 MARIPOSA ST
Boston, MA 02136--6261
NSF Award
2451396 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,134,716
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is to demonstrate the durability of key subsystems of a novel long duration energy storage technology, which has the potential to increase the capacity of the electric grid. Long-duration energy storage is a key unlock for energy security to provide firm capacity by balancing supply and demand across various timescales. The Total Addressable market (TAM) for grid-scale energy storage is immense and rapidly expanding. Wood Mackenzie forecasts that the global energy storage market will grow 27-fold between 2022 and 2032, reaching a total of 1,420 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of cumulative capacity. This growth represents a $380 billion investment opportunity over the next decade. In the United States alone, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Storage Futures Study suggests that economic potential for energy storage could exceed 160 gigawatt (GW) by 2050 in a high renewable energy scenario. The technology's ability to provide long-duration storage (10+ hours) at an estimated capital expenditure (CapEx) of $25/kilowatt-hour(electric) (kWh-e) (class 4 estimate), positions it to play a pivotal role in enabling high renewable penetration and grid decarbonization. The intellectual merit of this project aims to demonstrate the reliability and durability of high-temperature graphite plumbing systems for liquid tin heat transfer. The proposed work will involve extensive accelerated life testing of critical components, including fittings, seals, and pumps, at temperatures up to 2400° Celsius (C) and pressures up to 100 pound force per square inch (psi). This project will validate the long-term viability of the technology for grid-scale applications by subjecting critical graphite components to rapid thermal cycles and prolonged hightemperature operation. Graphite's chemical inertness with liquid tin, high strength, and machinability make it ideal for closed-loop heat transfer systems above 2000°C, but its behavior under sustained thermal cycling and liquid metal flow at this scale is not wellcharacterized. The research will generate data on thermal expansion, oxidation, and structural integrity. Completion of these efforts will lead to a more thorough understanding about graphite behavior and liquid metal handling at extreme temperatures, which will benefit fields such as nuclear energy, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. Once successful, the project will accelerate the commercial deployment of the technology, as well as enable a new class of high-temperature industrial processes and thermal management solutions. This award reflects 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
SBIR Phase II: Development and Analysis of Functional NanoInks for Printed Neuromorphic Electronics and Smart Sensors
Contact
405 LIPPERSHEY CT
Cary, NC 27513--5689
NSF Award
2528156 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,241,749
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project stem from a compact, AI-driven manufacturing platform that unifies materials testing, quality assurance, defect correction, and device fabrication in a single hybrid workflow. By sharply reducing capital costs and technical complexity, the system opens micron-scale printed-electronics production to small and large manufacturers, startups and academic labs, thereby accelerating U.S. innovation in both analog and digital electronics, artificial intelligence, and advanced sensing technologies. Its turnkey, multilayer capability can fabricate neuromorphic devices, metasurfaces, and visible-to-infrared sensor matrices in hours instead of days, cutting material waste and easing reliance on offshore foundries. Because the process is largely additive and avoids hazardous etchants and photoresists, it also lowers toxic emissions and environmental footprints compared with conventional fabrication techniques. Broad deployment will strengthen domestic supply chains, create high-skill manufacturing jobs, and give researchers and workforce-training programs versatile tools to tackle urgent challenges in healthcare, defense and energy harvesting, reinforcing U.S. leadership in next-generation electronics. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will scale a proprietary, multifunctional printing platform that deposits conductive, sensing, and non-volatile-memory nanocomposite inks onto rigid and flexible substrates with sub-micron features. Conventional photolithography is too costly, slow, and inflexible to meet the growing demand for high-resolution IoT sensors, wearable electronics, and AI hardware. By contrast, the proposed hybrid process closes this gap by achieving three objectives: (i) harden the platform?s materials set and process controls for manufacturability, (ii) integrate large-area thin film coating, multi-nozzle high-resolution printing, and laser micromachining into an inline, fully autonomous robotic cell, and (iii) embed AI-guided auto-alignment with real-time defect detection and correction to achieve functional yields above 90%. The work plan pairs drop-on-demand ink chemistry with closed-loop AI algorithms and precision motion control, with rigorous reliability testing under industrial use cases. Key expected milestones include fabricating memristive crossbar tiles for neuromorphic computing and infrared sensing arrays, each at five times the throughput of current additive or subtractive techniques. Anticipated results include a production-ready tool chain that prints micron-scale features and reduces capital costs by 80% relative to conventional fabrication, establishing a fully additive, rapid-turnaround route from design to market-ready microelectronic 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.
FRONTLINE BIOTECHNOLOGIES INC.
SBIR Phase II: Development of an End-to-End Solution for High-Volume Water Microbiological Testing
Contact
1000 WESTGATE DR STE 140
Saint Paul, MN 55114--1963
NSF Award
2423051 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$995,600
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to enhance public health and safety through advanced water microbiological testing technologies. This project's innovation enables the early detection of pandemics by identifying waterborne viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19, and norovirus, which is notorious for causing gastroenteritis, potentially weeks before outbreaks manifest. Such early detection is vital for policymakers, allowing more effective intervention strategies and reducing both human casualties and healthcare costs. Moreover, the technology promises to improve the safety of drinking water, particularly important as many states increasingly turn to recycling wastewater due to drought. This could decrease the incidence of waterborne illnesses, which currently affect millions and cost the U.S. healthcare system billions annually. Additionally, the innovation facilitates more accessible and efficient water testing in remote and underserved communities by reducing costs and processing times, supporting healthcare equity. Finally, this new approach not only promises to transform drinking water safety monitoring practices and wastewater-based pandemic surveillance but also drives the implementation of new water quality standards and regulatory frameworks, aligning with the Best Available Technology practices.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses significant gaps in water microbiological testing. Monitoring the presence of viruses such coronavirus and norovirus in water is crucial for pandemic surveillance and drinking water safety. Waterborne viruses are present in low concentrations and their detection requires the analysis of large sample volumes. However, current tools are designed for small volumes, resulting in low sensitivity and high variability in testing results. The goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive technological solution to enhance the reliability and standardization of wastewater epidemiology and drinking water testing, a pressing need identified by health agencies to improve data quality and comparability. The current effort focuses on developing a scalable platform that integrates a novel filtration cartridge and reagent kit, capable of processing up to two liters of water in less than five minutes. This capability enhances the yield and purity of viral nucleic acids and improves the detection limit by two orders of magnitude, enhancing accuracy and reducing false positives. By improving our ability to monitor pathogen spread through community water systems, this project is expected to enhance pandemic preparedness and drinking water safety and facilitate more effective public health interventions.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.GAIA AI, INC
SBIR Phase II: Registration of Below-Canopy, Above-Canopy, and Satellite Sensor Streams for Forest Inventories
Contact
444 SOMERVILLE AVE
Somerville, MA 02143--3260
NSF Award
2423614 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be in scaling current resources available for collecting the data that is needed for making decisions on how to best manage trees and forests. This technology will be used broadly for scaling conservation work and scaling adoption of sustainable forest management practices, for identifying areas at high risk of wildfires that need to be proactively treated to mitigate that risk, and for verifying stewardship work that enhances biodiversity values in a given forest. This technology will help address the growing labor challenges currently facing the forest management industry, enabling foresters and indigenous forest stewards to manage much more land with the constrained resources they have available. This work will create new jobs and market opportunities for US citizens from the stewardship projects that come from the identified opportunities, be it around wildfire risk management treatments or restoring forests for carbon projects. All of these benefits for the country and its citizens align with the National Science Foundation?s core mission of advancing the nation?s health, prosperity, and welfare.
The technology being developed is a hardware sensor backpack and an AI tool for processing the collected data into useful forest biometric indicators. This undertaking involves designing a sophisticated AI technology similar to that used in autonomous vehicles for building a map of the world around them, but designed from the ground up to work for processing data in natural environments to map out forests. This research will refine this technology to create an operationalized product for use by forestry professionals to support the decisions they make around actively managing working forests. This includes conserving areas of old growth trees, verifying the carbon sequestered in sustainable forestry stewardship projects, prescribing targeted treatments for mitigating risk for wildfire, and auditing forest management practices for maintaining and enhancing the biodiversity values of a given forested area. Specifically, the scope of this project will be to extend the capabilities of the AI technology built out in the Phase I work to be able to measure more dense forests, to output broader biomass measurements to be used in carbon verification and fuel load measurements to assess wildfire risk, and to reliably and accurately scale the below-canopy measurements with satellite imagery over very large forested areas.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.GEMINATIO INC.
SBIR Phase II: Liquid-Enabled Advanced Pitch (LEAP) Semiconductor Manufacturing
Contact
2210 TECHNOLOGY DR
Schenectady, NY 12308--1145
NSF Award
2507354 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the significant enhancement of domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities using existing lithography equipment and foundries. This project addresses the industry?s need for cost-effective, high-density semiconductor production without substantial capital investment in Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) tools. The proposed process takes a photoresist pattern through a series of conventional track process steps to double the density of the original pattern. This technology enables existing fabrication facilities to produce significantly smaller semiconductor features (10?50 nm), enhancing their competitiveness and extending the lifespan of equipment. Consequently, this innovation has the potential to drastically reduce dependency on foreign semiconductor supply chains, enhance national manufacturing resilience, and lower barriers to entry for domestic customers. The capability to effectively manufacture high-density semiconductors at lower costs will transform essential sectors like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and any devices linked to the Internet of Things (IoT). Additionally, our semiconductor overcoats will be formulated without Poly-and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminants that increasingly concern scientists and regulatory agencies. Eliminating a source of PFAS in semiconductor manufacturing processes will help reduce environmental pollution, enhance public health, and support broader sustainability goals. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to finalize and scale the materials for our innovative semiconductor manufacturing process, focusing on enabling sub-60 nm feature pitches with standard 193 nm lithography equipment. The project?s objectives include optimizing materials and processes tailored to specific customer needs, scaling production from lab-scale to pilot-scale volumes, and demonstrating robust manufacturing across multiple fabrication environments. The Phase II project will develop and validate the next-generation materials and process, applying advanced predictive modeling to provide guidance on selecting the optimal material combinations. Key technical outcomes expected include achieving competitive space width roughness (SWR), high critical dimension uniformity (CDU), and low pitch walking. Successful Phase II will engage with customers by shipping pint-level quantities of the Gen 2 materials for proof-of-concept demonstrations, gathering essential customer feedback to refine the materials, and establishing pathways for external funding and strategic partnerships. Additionally, the Phase II project will focus on Gen 3 materials compatible with EUV lithography, aiming to push feature miniaturization below 40 nm pitches. This effort will demonstrate the long-term viability and flexibility of our technology to address future lithography needs and position the materials for broader adoption in the semiconductor 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.
GENASSIST INC
SBIR Phase II: Development and Validation of Clinic-Ready MyoSponge
Contact
1713 FREMONT ST
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701-
NSF Award
2533727 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,163
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to address the urgent unmet medical need for effective treatments of volumetric muscle loss. This project has the potential to significantly improve health outcomes and reduce long-term rehabilitation costs.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will focus on developing and testing an off-the-shelf, clinic-ready acellular biomimetic scaffold. The engineered biomimetic scaffold significantly increased muscle function and improved muscle architecture. Also, this project will optimize manufacturing processes to ensure consistency and scalability, perform comprehensive preclinical safety and efficacy studies following regulatory guidance, and refine the material?s properties to maximize functional recovery. The anticipated result of this work is to deliver a clinic-ready regenerative scaffold that could serve as the foundation for future innovations in musculoskeletal and soft tissue repair.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.GENCORES LLC
SBIR Phase II: Rapid and scalable production of high-performance 3-dimensional foam cores
Contact
163 SUMMER STREET APT P4
Somerville, MA 02143--2636
NSF Award
2408705 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,739
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to democratize the use of high-performance composites across industries, especially within all segments of the automotive sector. When produced on a large scale, a widespread adoption of composites will revolutionize automotive manufacturing, unlocking the creation of ultra-light and highly efficient vehicles. Transportation is the largest contributor to global air pollution. Currently, an estimated 150 million Americans and 9 out of 10 people in urban areas worldwide, live in areas that don't meet federal air quality standards. Reducing harmful emissions from transportation has therefore become a crucial social and techno-economical challenge. As per the Department of Energy, extensive integration of composites in light-duty vehicles - 300 kg per vehicle - could result in OEMs producing up to 50% higher efficiency gas powered vehicles and electric vehicles requiring only half the current battery capacity to achieve a target range. Such a shift would decrease the U.S. reliance on rare minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. Consequently, Gencores? scientific endeavor aims to bolster U.S. industrial resilience, fortify the nation's advanced energy sector, enhance national security, and contribute to global decarbonization efforts.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims at demonstrating transitioning a niche high-performance polymer foam into an ultra-high performance, widely available low-cost commodity material, unlocking significant processing innovation and mass manufacturing of structural composites through existing and mature high-volume molding technology. In detail, this award will demonstrate Gencores proprietary synthetic route and material structuration process enable the cost-efficient production of foams featuring tailored and outstanding thermal properties at low weight. These foams will withstand the pressures and temperatures encountered during high volume composite molding technologies, ensuring the integrity of the final 3D composite components and their production in a 90 second cycle time. The architecture of these highly structured materials will be optimized using a set of proprietary numerical design and simulation tools. Many polymers are currently confined to high-value markets because of their unconventional production methods, leading to either high manufacturing costs or limited production volumes. Gencores groundbreaking scientific advancements in synthesizing high-performance polymers offer the potential to extend to other aerospace-grade polymer varieties, transforming them into commodities. This endeavor is crucial, as material performance and accessibility are fundamental to advancements across all domains of human activity.
This award reflects 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 II: Bridging Fugitive Emission Monitoring Gaps via Artificial Intelligence and Hybrid Sensors
Contact
143 BULKLEY AVE
Sausalito, CA 94965--2231
NSF Award
2537735 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project would be in empowering oil & gas producers to cost-effectively detect emissions from their facilities early through sub-weekly, high-resolution AI-powered satellite scans integrated with continuous 24/7 onsite monitoring. This hybrid approach delivers comprehensive leak detection, facilitates swift mitigation, and generates credible certification data enabling premium pricing for produced natural gas.
The primary, high-risk technical innovation of this work is a deep learning model designed to automatically detect and quantify asset-level specific emissions in freely available, 30-m-resolution satellite imagery not originally designed for detecting those emissions (Landsat, Sentinel-2). The core objective is to integrate training imagery coincident with known emissions below the theoretical detection threshold of these satellites when using traditional methods (200-500 kg/hr under ideal conditions). With proprietary, high-quality training data, the model may achieve detection thresholds similar to commercial satellites (<100-150 kg/hr), but at a fraction of the cost and at much higher temporal frequency. This model will be used to monitor an operator?s complete suite of onshore assets at sub-weekly intervals, which will be integrated with continuous ground-sensor observations at a subset of sites. The second innovation is a machine learning model to predict daily emission rate probabilities at each asset ? based on asset-level details, ground sensors, and satellite-derived methane concentrations ? for targeted monitoring and mitigation. The scope of this Phase II project encompasses the development, validation, and field-testing (controlled-release study) of a holistic platform for monitoring. The core intellectual contribution lies in bridging the spatial and temporal gaps in current fugitive gas monitoring paradigms.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.GRID MODERNIZATION SOLUTIONS, L.L.C.
SBIR Phase II: SUNIGate: Secure Universal and Intelligent Data Gateway
Contact
630 S KOMAS DR STE 200
Salt Lake City, UT 84108--1262
NSF Award
2423683 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
12/15/2024 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Mara Schindelholz
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is in enhancing and advancing the U.S. critical infrastructure security by improving the capabilities to detect, mitigate and respond to anomalous events such as cyberattacks using fast and low complexity strategies. This will have widespread applications in monitoring and control of many critical infrastructure applications such as electricity/water utilities, oil, gas, office buildings, and industrial facilities. This solution will enable situational awareness for critical infrastructure operators and energy managers, and provide real-time defense against cyberattacks, reducing the loss or misuse of electricity to critical users such as hospitals, saving billions of dollars for the public and private organizations. In addition, protecting energy assets such as renewable energy resources will ensure security and trust in emerging sustainable technologies. This in turn will lead to high-impact innovation and workforce development in a variety of critical fields such as IoT networks, anomaly detection, communication networks, security of embedded devices, and cloud-based applications. The proposed project will reduce the risk and impacts of cyberattacks as more intelligent devices interface with critical infrastructure. In this phase, the proposed project will improve, test, and validate the prototype developed during Phase I. This novel technology utilizes flexible, low-cost, and low-power embedded computers to collect data from a large variety of field devices and transmit secured replicated data over different communication media providing multiple and secure redundant communication paths/media. Within the solution framework, cybersecurity algorithms will process the replicated signals to detect and remove malicious data. This Phase II project will perform extensive testing of the different hardware and software components to enhance their design. Furthermore, marketing and sales plans will be developed to establish a product roadmap to take the technology to the market. This award reflects 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.
SBIR Phase II: 120Wh/kg K-ion Battery with 10C Discharge Rate as Alternative to LFP Commercial Power Cells
Contact
3055 HUNTER ROAD
San Marcos, TX 78666--6460
NSF Award
2527616 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,242,311
Start / end date
07/15/2026 – 06/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to deliver a safer, U.S.-manufacturable battery platform that directly supports artificial intelligence infrastructure, national security, and supply-chain resilience. Potassium-ion batteries use abundant, low-toxicity materials, like potassium and iron-based Prussian white cathodes with graphite anodes, shifting demand away from lithium/cobalt/nickel supply chains that are highly concentrated internationally. The chemistry?s inherent safety reduces fire risk for uninterruptible power supplies in data centers and for defense microgrids, where fast, high-power discharge and reliability are critical. Domestic sourcing and roll-to-roll manufacturability strengthen U.S. industrial capacity, create skilled jobs in cathode production, cell assembly, and recycling, and reduce strategic vulnerabilities. By enabling high-power, sustainable storage without critical cobalt or nickel, this project advances clean-energy goals while increasing U.S. technological independence. This effort also includes workforce development with local partners to expand the talent pipeline for advanced battery manufacturing.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project develops potassium-ion 18650 cells that pair a Prussian-white (KPW) cathode with a graphite anode and are compatible with existing Li-ion production lines. The technical objectives are: (1) double cathode areal capacity via formulation and porosity control while maintaining electronic/ionic transport; (2) identify electrolytes that minimize anode interfacial charge-transfer resistance and irreversible loss; and (3) integrate materials and cell-engineering improvements to achieve >120 Wh/kg energy density and a 10C discharge rate with robust abuse tolerance. The work applies design-of-experiments, high-throughput screening, impedance analysis, and accelerated cycling with go/no-go gates tied to uninterruptible power supply and defense-relevant duty cycles. Final deliverables include early product level 18650 cells, full data packages (energy/rate, cycle life, safety), and manufacturing recipes suitable for roll-to-roll scale-up.
This award reflects 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 II: Biomimetic 3D Printed Metal Mold to Mass Produce Modular, Biophilic Concrete Reef Substrate
Contact
4400 MECHUMS SCHOOL HL
Charlottesville, VA 22903--6951
NSF Award
2528142 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,237,446
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation (SBIR) Phase II project lies in developing an innovative artificial reef tile system designed to replicate the natural growth of oysters, serving as a surrogate reef to jumpstart reef formation. With 85% of U.S. coastal oyster habitats degraded or lost and native oyster populations severely depleted, large-scale reef restoration has become both an ecological and commercial necessity. Rising sea levels, increasingly frequent storms, and escalating damage to coastal communities highlight the urgency of restoring these critical natural barriers. This project leverages the reef-building capabilities of oysters, replicating their natural architecture and shell chemistry, to engineer mass-production molds capable of producing thousands of modular reef units daily. It also offers a smaller-scale manual press option, empowering coastal communities to create their own restoration tiles and actively participate in habitat recovery. By enabling both large-scale and community-led efforts, this technology has the potential to transform global reef restoration practices while linking marine and terrestrial ecosystems under a shared goal. Additionally, it strengthens U.S. leadership in the artificial reef market and sets new standards for restoration effectiveness, as demonstrated by ongoing Chesapeake Bay projects monitored by state and federal authorities measuring environmental and economic impacts. This project focuses on developing a novel 3-D printed metal mold to mass-produce modular dry-cast concrete reef substrates known as Reef Tiles. Designed for large-scale production, this system will enable coastal concrete block manufacturers to create thousands of low-cost reef units daily, close to project sites, reducing transportation costs. The transition from 3-D printed plastic prototype molds to durable metal molds, their integration into block-making equipment, and subsequent field testing form the project?s primary objectives. When assembled, these Reef Tiles form ?reef mattresses? that can be installed using conventional equipment across a range of marine environments?from shorelines and intertidal zones to deep offshore waters?creating habitats for species ranging from oysters and mussels to cold-water corals, sponges, and associated marine life. Such habitats restore biodiversity, strengthen ecosystems, and support fisheries. Critical technical risks, though reduced during Phase I, remain in the challenges of achieving complex mold topography, ensuring mold strength, and maintaining consistent substrate quality. Additional hurdles include validating the Reef Tile?s effectiveness as a functional reef habitat, verifying long-term structural integrity, and ensuring adequate surface complexity and texture upon release from the mold. Successfully addressing these challenges positions this technology to revolutionize reef restoration while driving scalable, cost-effective ecological 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.
H-BAR INSTRUMENTS, LLC
SBIR Phase II: 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
2507716 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,999
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will be an acceleration of discovery in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, and materials science by enabling atomic resolution electron microscopy at previously inaccessible cryogenic temperatures. The company is entering the $5.6 billion electron microscopy market, with a $1.1 billion market opportunity in the broad market of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) accessories. The niche market for this product in materials science and nanotechnology applications is $250 million in value. For broad accessibility, the cryogenic cooling instrument will be compatible with nearly all major TEM models. At a cost less than 10% of the purchase price of a typical TEM, the product will extend the lifespan and capabilities of available microscopes. Domestic manufacturing of ultra-cold TEM instruments will place the nation at the front of metrology for atomic-scale engineering in semiconductor, quantum, and biomolecular research. Adoption by universities, national labs, and commercial research and development labs will provide workforce training and development in high-demand technological areas including metrology of quantum electronic devices, cryogenic engineering, and advanced instrumentation. The intellectual merit of this project is the realization and commercialization of an ultra-cold cryogenic cooling instrument tailored for atomic imaging below 1 Angstrom within transmission electron microscopes. Cryogenic cooling with liquid helium has long been a challenge in the field of transmission electron microscopy, due to challenges of vibration and temperature stability. This innovation combines continuous liquid helium flow, integrated vibration isolation, and precise tuning of temperature to achieve atomic resolution TEM imaging with unprecedented operation times. The demand for this capability is longstanding: next-generation computing paradigms, renewable energy materials, and quantum sensing take advantage of phenomena that emerge at extremely low temperatures, but TEM imaging currently cannot characterize the underlying materials at the relevant low temperature operating conditions. Through novel cryogenic designs, optimization of temperature stability, and minimization of mechanical vibrations, this Small Business Innovation Research Phase II proposal will enable ultra-cold TEM imaging for the design and synthesis of next-generation 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.
HABITAWARE, INC.
SBIR Phase II: New Wearable for Body Focused Repetitive Behavior Detection
Contact
6465 WAYZATA BOULEVARD, SUITE 720
Saint Louis Park, MN 55426--1733
NSF Award
2026173 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,006,258
Start / end date
09/15/2020 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will help people who suffer from body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Over 4% of Americans suffer from skin picking, hair pulling, and nail biting, the majority of whom resort to covering up the problem with makeup, gloves, wigs, and even tattoos due to treatment cost barriers and lack of effective tools to facilitate behavior change. While behavior therapy, and in particular habit reversal training, has shown efficacy, this method is traditionally burdened by unreliable journaling, a lack of access to treatment, and difficulty for patients to perform in real-time because of a lack of awareness. While real-time awareness devices do exist, there is room for improvement in detection accuracy. This project will integrate a novel sensor system into a wearable device that can lead to state-of-the-art detection accuracy of BFRB-related behaviors. This wearable sensor solution is the first of its kind, using the novel sensor to extract meaningful biomechanical information.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will result in new behavior recognition algorithms, a new remote monitoring system, and new data generated from in-field experiments. The project will: 1) develop a new sensor calibration system and characterize signal artifacts that may influence detection accuracy; 2) develop new behavior detection algorithms using data captured in the lab; 3) conduct self-guided experiments in the field using the remote monitoring system proposed; and 4) refine recognition algorithms. Such sensitive measurements require ideal signal integrity, be sufficiently immune to signal artifacts, and tight electronics integration within wearable design constraints. This wearable system can profoundly impact the efficacy of habit reversal training during cognitive behavioral therapy, the leading method for reducing the negative effect of these behaviors.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.HAIRDAYS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Artificial Intelligence Platform Enabling Dermatological Assessments for Clinical Trials, Telehealth, and Personal Care Insights
Contact
11 E LOOP RD
New York, NY 10044--1500
NSF Award
2439033 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/15/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
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 II project will be the implementation of a teledermatology platform with a serviceable obtainable market valued at $2 billion comprising pharmaceutical companies, clinical research organizations, over-the-counter brands, and healthcare practitioners in need of innovative technologies to assess and monitor dermatological conditions and provide more personalized care to patients through science-backed, data-driven tools. The platform will address the rising demand for telemedicine-compatible technologies and offer an advanced yet accessible hair and scalp monitoring tool to the growing number of people with hair and scalp diseases. The platform will also support improvements in the health and welfare of the American public. The proposed project aims to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven mobile health platform that employs machine learning and computer vision algorithms for dermatological assessments using user-provided visual inputs. Overwhelming interest from clinical trial researchers and dermatologists have motivated and steered development goals towards designing an automated platform for hair and scalp health analyses. The proposed Phase II objectives are to: 1) Enhance the platform to support mobile 3D scanning and biomarker mapping, 2) Refine biomarker metadata extraction for precise hair and scalp assessment, and 3) Conduct a comprehensive validation study with dermatology experts. Overall, this work will provide non-invasive, precise, and scalable diagnostic tools to the millions of Americans with hair and scalp conditions. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
HEAT INVERSE, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Passive Cooling Materials for Transparent Applications in Refrigerated Trucking and Solar
Contact
119 WESTHAVEN RD
Ithaca, NY 14850--3098
NSF Award
2153819 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
08/15/2022 – 01/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to produce and validate the company?s passive cooling thin films to meet specific market requirements such as for refrigerated trailer, inverter, and solar photovoltaic (PV) applications. The product platform may meet the needs of myriad applications and use cases through the development and validation of both transparent and highly reflective/opaque films. The proposed effort may advance the goal of improving cooling technologies by enabling customers in the refrigerated trucking, solar energy, home cooling, and other markets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while reducing costs. Examining the annualized refrigerated trucking industry alone, which is valued at $1 billion globally, could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per year in the U.S.. In addition, application to solar inverters and PV cells may increase the efficiency of renewable power generation. These uses collectively serve to improve the sustainability of multiple industries, with a long-term impact of offsetting the use of fossil fuels and the negative environmental, societal, and health effects tied to them.
The intellectual merit of this project is based on exploitation of selective photonic emitters that allow certain wavelengths of light to be emitted above the atmosphere, allowing passive cooling of more than 12.5 degrees C (100 W/m2), with zero energy input and no waste heat generation. Given that the passive cooling is inherent in the microstructure of the film and there is no need for electrical continuity, the product may provide seamless cooling capabilities, even in the unlikely event of mechanical failure of the film. Optimization of the thin films for application-specific use requires the successful completion of three objectives, which are the focus of the Phase II project: 1) investigation of fabrication techniques driving improved film performance compatible with the needs of key market applications, 2) development of application-specific installation methods while maintaining high performance requirements, and 3) development of improved manufacturing processes for production scale-up. Successful accomplishment of these objectives will prime the technology for market entry in a variety of applications, whether new or retrofitted. From a technical perspective, the research and development activities may advance the knowledge of passive radiative cooling systems and how they may be applied to support sustainable innovations in temperature 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.HELIPONIX, LLC
SBIR Phase II: A Rotary Aeroponic Cultivation Chamber (RACC) for Household Use
Contact
800 S SAINT JAMES BLVD
Evansville, IN 47714--2437
NSF Award
2151495 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$970,993
Start / end date
08/01/2022 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovaiton Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to provide a sustainable method to grow healthy produce for individuals residential consumers, independent of location, climate, or season of the year. Rotary aeroponic growing systems have the potential to reduce food waste, potable water consumption, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions by decentralizing the production of highly perishable produce within a consumer's home. Growing fresh produce in the home may not require the use of pesticides or preservatives. Socio-disadvantaged individuals located in food deserts may benefit from an automated indoor gardening appliance by subscribing to low-cost organic seed pods that could be delivered and grown directly in their home, generate long-term returns on investment and lowering instances of obesity through healthier diets. Studying the effects of light interactions in a small rotary aeroponic appliance my encourage a new market for high margin seed pods that could be assembled in mass quantities by disabled individuals. Converting highly perishable goods into non-perishable, subscription seed pods may have the potential to reduce food prices and reduce instances of food insecurity throughout the world.
Rotary aeroponic cultivation is the method of growing plants on a rotating cylindrical tower that is affixed vertically within a controlled environmental chamber. The key innovation in this project is the coupling of rotary aeroponics with tunable lighting to enhance the growing efficiency of the plants. Phase II research will examine how the wavelengths and timing of the lighting can impact plant photomorphogenesis. The tower design is expected to provide a larger surface area for growing plants in comparison to traditional vertical farming methods, increasing the number of plants that can be grown in a smaller space with less power consumption. The goal of this project is to successfully grow a healthy polyculture assortment of leafy green vegetables in a food safe environment. The multi-spectral light will be used to learn how to maximize plant yields, minimize food safety risks, and enhance the taste profiles of different plant types to ensure the best user 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.HELIX EARTH TECHNOLOGIES INC
SBIR Phase II: High-Efficiency Retrofit Dehumidifiers for Air Conditioners via a Novel Filtration Technology
Contact
1628 ELGIN ST
Houston, TX 77004--2836
NSF Award
2451557 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,247,820
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in the development of high efficiency retrofit dehumidification systems that can significantly reduce the energy consumption of commercial air conditioning (AC) units. Traditional commercial air conditioners cool incoming outside air, which often carries a high humidity load that adds a significant parasitic load to the system. By addressing the inefficiencies of traditional dehumidification methods, this technology has the potential to cut AC energy use by up to 50% by pre-dehumidifying outside air, leading to substantial cost savings for businesses. The addressable market for commercial air conditioning exceeds $100 billion annually. The commercial viability of this technology is reinforced by the drop-in compatibility with existing AC infrastructure, enabling rapid deployment through established Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sales and distribution channels. The intellectual merit of this project is rooted in the development of an advanced dehumidification process, powered by a liquid desiccant spray reactor and a pressure-swing regeneration system. This approach differs from conventional methods through two key innovations. First, a novel deployment method for liquid desiccants that maximizes gas-liquid surface area using micrometer-scale droplets for high-rate dehumidification has been developed. This process is enabled by a novel droplet filtration method utilizing multi-scale filtration structures that efficiently capture and absorb fine droplets at a very low pressure drop. Second, a compact, energy-efficient regeneration process that utilizes a pressure-swing distillation system to regenerate desiccant solutions without requiring waste heat has been demonstrated. The objective of this work is to advance this technology to a high-fidelity, pre-commercial system through extensive lab-scale development and pilot and field testing. In addition, this effort will focus on design for manufacturability to ensure cost-effective scaling of the dehumidifier technology developed in this work. The outcomes of this research will enable the first commercial deployments of this breakthrough technology, setting the stage for broader market adoption and widespread energy savings in AC 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.
HENSUN INNOVATION LLC
SBIR Phase II: Colleague AI: Building Next-Generation K-12 STEM Learning Environments through Specialized AI Models
Contact
906 W 2ND AVE STE 100
Spokane, WA 99201--4540
NSF Award
2537561 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is to advance STEM education and support the preparation of a future workforce that is proficient in the responsible use and understanding of artificial intelligence. The project addresses persistent challenges in K?12 education related to teacher capacity, uneven access to personalized instruction, and limited opportunities for students to develop AI literacy. By improving instructional effectiveness and enabling more individualized student support through technology-assisted approaches, the project contributes to improved learning outcomes at substantially lower cost than traditional intervention models. Beyond direct educational benefits, the work advances scientific and practical understanding of how artificial intelligence can be integrated into classroom settings in ways that are pedagogically sound, scalable, and aligned with human-centered teaching practices. Broader impacts include dissemination of research findings through peer-reviewed publications and the development of openly accessible training materials for educators, contributing to progress across STEM education, education technology, and evidence-based implementation of AI in learning contexts to strengthen the national STEM workforce.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project develops a comprehensive education technology platform in which specialized artificial intelligence agents support teachers in delivering high-quality, personalized instruction at scale. The project focuses on the design and validation of domain-specific AI models that scaffold whole-class discussion, provide individualized tutoring, support assessment and feedback, and leverage student learning data to personalize instruction. These models integrate pedagogical knowledge and learning sciences principles directly into system architectures, enabling context-aware instructional support that differentiates this approach from general-purpose AI tools. Technical development employs an adaptive co-design framework involving engineers, researchers, educators, students, and school administrators to ensure alignment with instructional practice and deployment constraints. In parallel, efficacy studies will evaluate implementation in authentic school settings, examining impacts on student engagement in mathematics and science, problem-solving performance, standardized assessment outcomes, and cost-effectiveness relative to existing instructional supports.
This award reflects 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 II: ADVANCING ELECTROLYZER TECHNOLOGY USING A MULTIFUNCTIONAL POROUS TRANSPORT LAYER
Contact
990 CHELTENHAM RD
Santa Barbara, CA 93105-
NSF Award
2537646 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,238,787
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to address a critical barrier in electrolyzer technology. Hydrogen is widely recognized as essential for decarbonizing industries such as steelmaking, fertilizer production, and heavy transportation; however, today?s polymer electrolyte membrane electrolyzers rely on a porous transport layer (PTL). This project is developing a novel PTL that reduces production costs, improves electrochemical performance, and strengthens domestic supply chains.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the development of a high-efficiency, low-cost porous transport layer (PTL) for proton exchange membrane electrolyzers. Conventional PTLs, typically fabricated by sintering titanium powders or fibers, exhibit inconsistent pore structures, constrained mass transport, and high manufacturing costs. This project applies photochemical microfabrication to produce ultra-thin titanium PTLs with precisely tunable microchannels that enhance transport, oxygen removal, and electrical conductivity. Research objectives include refining PTL architecture, validating integration with existing electrolyzer components through diffusion bonding, and benchmarking performance against current state-of-the-art materials. The work will proceed through laboratory-scale validation of manufacturability, repeatability, and electrochemical performance, followed by system integration and operational testing in proton exchange membrane cells under industrially relevant conditions. By the conclusion of the project, the technology is expected to achieve readiness for large-scale deployment, providing a clear pathway to more efficient, durable, and cost-effective hydrogen production 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.HYFI LLC
SBIR Phase II: Ubiquitous Flood Forecasting using Sensors and Analytics
Contact
3648 FREDERICK DR
Ann Arbor, MI 48105--2852
NSF Award
2450595 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,244,153
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Parvathi Chundi
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to enhance US flood preparedness with real-time monitoring and forecasting. Flash floods are among the most destructive and costly natural disasters in the United States, causing billions of dollars in damage each year. Using sensors and data, this project will advance knowledge to deliver localized, 24-hour forecasts at the scale of municipal infrastructure, allowing emergency responders to take proactive measures before floods escalate. The resulting technology will help stormwater managers mitigate damage, improve public safety, and allocate resources more effectively. The innovation will also drive economic growth by fostering a new market for smart urban water management solutions, creating jobs in the water sector, and positioning the U.S. as a leader in flood forecasting technology. By improving accessibility to high-quality flood prediction tools, this project will help communities of all sizes to build resilience against severe weather events. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will investigate a novel flood forecasting system that combines real-time sensor data with advanced analytics to provide actionable insights for stormwater managers. The research will focus on three core objectives: (1) synthesize an automated methodology to infer urban drainage connectivity using publicly available geospatial data, (2) implementing a predictive flash flood forecasting model that fuses real-time sensor measurements with hydrologic analytics, and (3) integrating these forecasts into an intuitive web-based decision-support tool. The project will leverage a network of existing flood sensors in cities across the US to refine and validate the approach, ensuring accuracy and generalizability. The anticipated technical outcome is a fully operational, self-learning flood prediction system that can be deployed in any municipality without requiring extensive local calibration. By bridging the gap between data collection and actionable decision-making, this research will significantly improve flood response capabilities, reducing damage and saving lives in communities nationwide. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
HYQ RESEARCH SOLUTIONS, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Incorporating High Dielectric Constant Materials into clinical imaging: A Novel Approach for Accelerating 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Contact
2151 HARVEY MITCHELL PKWY S STE 208
College Station, TX 77840--5241
NSF Award
2242209 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$998,104
Start / end date
06/01/2023 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to provide the basis for advancing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hardware solutions for ultra-fast image acquisition. The proposed effort will target clinical MRI scanners where there is limited MRI access by a large patient population. Long scan times reduce the efficiency of radiology department processes and increase the overall cost to clinics and patients. A successful solution which decreases scan times by half will provide improved patient access and care, especially with regard to measuring metabolic activities, brain activity, and cognition.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will develop high resolution MRI as a powerful tool for understanding metabolic activity in humans and animals. High dielectric constant (HDC) materials provide a low impedance pathway between the patient and magnetic coil of the MRI. The goal of this project is to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the MRI by over 50%, thereby cutting the scan time by half. The HDC materials will have an immediate impact on animal and human behavior studies where neuroscientists are using MRI techniques to monitor brain activity and cognition. An integrated development approach includes electromagnetic simulation, ceramic processing, and phantom testing. A working prototype will be tested in clinical MRI scanners thus creating an innovative ecosystem comprised of original equipment manufacturers, hospitals, and researchers with clinical 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.HYSA FILLERS L.L.C.
SBIR Phase II: Multi-Principal Element Alloy Fillers for Cost-Effectiveness and Toughness Enhancement in Brazing of Turbine Engine Components
Contact
1600 JACKSON ST STE 110
Golden, CO 80401--1958
NSF Award
2449209 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,705
Start / end date
06/01/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to promote America?s manufacturing independence by offering a breakthrough opportunity in the braze filler material classes that facilitate economic assembly and repair of components functioning in demanding operating environments, while greatly enhancing their mechanical performance and reliability. Precious metals-based fillers have dominated a wide swath of filler applications since the 1950s due to their favorable melting temperature range and low reactivity with other engineering materials. These applications include fuel system assembly for gas turbine engines in the power generation and aerospace industries, an early focal application in this project, where gas turbine OEMs and fuel-system subcontractors represent early prospective customers. This work targets precious metal consumption displacement by multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs), which contain far more abundant component elements and can be tailored to meet the demands of specific applications. A successful commercialization effort will carry far-reaching impacts for America?s economic competitiveness and independence from foreign-sourced critical and noble metals in the brazing filler market (with a global market size of $5.5B in 2030) and beyond. The benefits of MPEAs can be exploited for structural applications with demanding operating conditions. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will realize these impacts by supporting in-operando component-level testing for use cases identified through close collaboration with industry for early adoption. A key outcome of Phase I was utilizing a high-throughput computational methodology to rapidly design tailored MPEA compositions, overcoming a decades-long lag in innovation in the braze filler material research space. Phase II aims to translate this innovation into a user-ready product by (1) finely tailoring final alloy compositions for customer-specified performance attributes, and (2) enabling the fabrication of alloys in powder format, which is suitable for drop-in replacement of current alternatives in most applications. The characteristically high flexibility in composition design for MPEAs, coupled with our established design platform, is anticipated to enable rapid identification of the optimized fine-tuned compositions. Once fully specified, these will be manufactured at the bench scale to support low-volume component-level testing with the earliest adopters in parallel with bringing our pilot-scale manufacturing capabilities online for progressively higher-volume tests. It is targeted to have the product be classified in a specification by a certifying agency and approved for at least one use case at one or more major OEMs by the conclusion 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.
Harvest Moon Automation
SBIR Phase II: Precision Weeder
Contact
19 FRANKLIN RD
Winchester, MA 01890--4014
NSF Award
2450654 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,232,087
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is that it will result in the development of an automated weeder that can remove weeds without using chemicals or soil tillage. The two common methods of weed control in the agricultural industry, herbicides and soil tillage, have a negative impact on the environment and soil sustainability. The health of the microbial environment in the soil is degraded by the use of herbicides and soil tillage. In addition, herbicides have a negative impact on the food supply and the agricultural workers who apply them. At this time, the only option for weed control of mid-to-late-stage weeds without the use of herbicides or soil tillage is manual labor, which is more expensive. The successful development and testing of the automated weeder will provide the agricultural industry with a cost-effective solution for weed control that promotes soil sustainability, reduces chemical use in the food supply, and safeguards the health of agricultural workers. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project involves the development of an automated weeder that will remove weeds for large and small commercial farms. Advances in machine vision have made it possible to identify the individual plants in a field and determine which plant is the crop and which one is the weed. Similar to hand weeding, the automated weeder will eliminate each individual weed. The novel design of the weeder will enable it to precisely eliminate each weed with minimal disruption to neighboring plants and soil. Advances in AI control and design will create a smart weeder that will efficiently eliminate the weed based upon the type of weed and its proximity to the crop. The proposed R&D plan will result in the development, build, and testing of the prototype automated weeder. Rigorous testing will be conducted in the customers? fields to evaluate the prototype performance with actual crops and weeds. The control software and design will be optimized based upon the field test results. Successful field trials will demonstrate that the automated weeder is a viable option for commercial automated weeding. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Heliobiosys, Inc.
STTR Phase II: Scaling the Purification of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids to Replace Chemical Ultraviolet (UV) Filters and Protect Human and Environmental Health.
Contact
16363 SKYLINE BLVD
Redwood City, CA 94062--4438
NSF Award
2222582 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$937,595
Start / end date
04/15/2023 – 01/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project will be to bring a new class of full spectrum Ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) protective materials to market. Current chemical sunscreen ingredients raise health concerns for consumers. Additionally, some ingredients are banned for causing potential damage to coral reef ecosystems. Consumers increasingly want products that are safe for them and for the planet, and that are aesthetically pleasing. This project will explore ways to meet the growing demand for better sunscreen ingredients that are produced sustainably. This team will investigate methods to cost-effectively extract naturally-occurring materials from photosynthetic bacteria that can replace current chemical and mineral sunscreen active ingredients. These will also replace a significant portion of the UV filter ingredients. Sunscreens and other related products that might use these naturally occurring, safe, and effective ingredients will help people reduce UV damage to their skin and help reduce skin cancer (including deadly melanoma) and ameliorate skin aging. The project supports the US economy by creating jobs in the algae biotechnology field and in the cosmetic industry including testing, manufacturing, distribution, and sales.
The technical innovation at the core of this proposal is to improve the yield and reduce the cost of extracting mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) from a complex mixture of compounds contained within cyanobacterial cells (or other MAA producing organisms). Small volumes of MAAs are currently obtained using expensive and hazardous solvents and expensive equipment. The innovation is focused on the use of synthetic nucleotides (aptamers) to selectively bind to the MAAs and purify them from a cell lysate. Mycosporine-like amino acids arose on early Earth to protect microbes from harmful UV radiation. Their prevalence and longevity substantiate their value in protecting cells from UV radiation and other forms of oxidative stress. Their presence in the Earth?s oceans for millennia speaks to their safety in marine ecosystems and suggests their safety for use on human skin; Safety will be verified using standard pre-clinical tests. Technical hurdles include the isolation and identification of the specific MAAs produced, identifying aptamers that are highly specific for the MAAs produced, determining MAA yield from several purification processes and assessing process scalability. These data will be compared to other isolation techniques (filtration and chromatography) to assess comparative yields and economic performance.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ICORIUM ENGINEERING COMPANY
SBIR Phase II: Single-Stream Reclamation Process for Complex Refrigerant Mixtures
Contact
2029 BECKER DR STE 275
Lawrence, KS 66047--1620
NSF Award
2451718 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,504
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is its ability to significantly reduce the atmospheric impacts of refrigerants used in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) applications. Each year in the US, tens of millions of pounds of solar heat trapping refrigerants are released into the atmosphere through inadvertent or illegal venting. This equates to tens of millions of tons of otherwise avoidable CO2 equivalent emissions each year. Millions more pounds of re-usable refrigerants are collected each year but are either stockpiled or destroyed due to a lack of separation technology to process mixed and out-of-specification refrigerants. Such refrigerants are being phased down by 85% by 2036 under the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act. However, existing systems will require servicing using these refrigerants for decades longer. Through the development of an efficient, single-stream process for reclaiming recovered refrigerant mixtures, this project will help minimize the environmental impacts of refrigerants by making recovery and reclamation possible and profitable. By providing a reclaimed, domestically produced source of legacy refrigerants, the project will enable the U.S. to keep air-conditioning, heat pump, and refrigeration systems operational while transitioning to more sustainable alternatives. This project aims to develop a single-stream reclamation process for separating complex azeotropic refrigerant mixtures into 100% reclaimed single-component refrigerants. Refrigerant blends are designed to be azeotropic, meaning the components have essentially the same boiling and cannot be separated using traditional distillation. Extractive distillation with ionic liquids (EDIL) can break azeotropes and separate complex mixtures into single components so they can be reused or repurposed into non-regulated products. This project will seek to develop a multi-stage, continuous separation process capable of separating complex mixtures containing hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and hydrocarbons commonly found in recovered refrigerant supply chains into 99.5%+ pure components. Phase II project will transition the EDIL platform from proof-of-concept into a full-scale commercial process capable of meeting demand for a sustainable source of legacy refrigerant throughout the ongoing phase-out and beyond. The project scope includes (1) developing a novel library of thermophysical properties for various ionic liquids and refrigerants, (2) sophisticated rate-based modeling and computational simulation of complex separations, (3) experimental demonstration through actual pilot-scale separations, (4) in-depth technoeconomic analysis and long-term stability studies to validate process economics and (5) a comprehensive refrigerant lifecycle analysis to assess its impact against other end-of-life alternatives. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
IIAM CORPORATION
SBIR Phase II: NLP Driven Automation for Optimizing New Patient Referral Pathways
Contact
2262 48TH AVE
San Francisco, CA 94116--1551
NSF Award
2512998 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact and commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lie in potentially improving the efficiency, accuracy, and equity of new patient referral triaging. Inefficient referral management leads to treatment delays, poor clinical utilization, and logistical bottlenecks? challenges that are problematic nationwide when transferring patient information across hospital systems. This project streamlines referral workflows, reducing administrative burdens and optimizing healthcare resource allocation. Beyond operational improvements, this innovation addresses incomplete work-ups, missing records, and inaccurately scheduled appointments. By analyzing referral inflows and outflows, the technology identifies inefficiencies, alerts coordinators, and helps ensure access to care. Commercially, this solution meets the growing demand for data-driven referral management in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare networks, helping institutions reduce costs when physicians are operating at the ?top of their license? and improve patient outcomes. As healthcare systems shift toward value-based care, this project has the potential to become a scalable, industry-leading solution. By enhancing care coordination and accessibility in a highly fragmented healthcare system, this project advances both scientific and technological understanding while offering a commercially viable tool to reshape referral management nationwide. The proposed project addresses the need for a high-performing, cost-effective solution to triage new patient referrals. Based on pilot data from Johns Hopkins and UCSF, the project has demonstrated over 20% improvement in accuracy for triaging and provider assignment compared to the current standard of care at these institutions. Phase II will focus on expanding the accuracy and capabilities of its algorithms by incorporating over 10,000 data points from multiple institutions. This will enhance model performance and fairness and extend capabilities to high-revenue, time- sensitive subspecialties such as neurosurgery. To achieve these objectives, the project will employ federated learning, enabling multiple decentralized systems to collaboratively train a shared machine learning model while preserving data privacy. Additionally, seamless integration with electronic medical records will allow for automated tracking of operational impact and return on investment (ROI). These advancements will demonstrate measurable post-interventional benefits, ensuring high renewal rates and financial transparency for hospital stakeholders. The anticipated technical outcome is an advanced AI- driven algorithm capable of physician-level review of complex cancer referrals, surpassing the accuracy and efficiency of referral processes at leading national healthcare centers. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ILLUMINANT SURGICAL, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Novel Camera-Projector Device Leveraging Non-invasive Registration and Projected Augmented Reality for Navigation in Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures
Contact
855 EL CAMINO REAL
Palo Alto, CA 94301--2305
NSF Award
2507300 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/15/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is a novel means for providing in hospital image-guided navigation to improve the accuracy and affordability of surgical procedures. Surgical procedures, notably those involving the spine, require high levels of precision. Existing navigation tools implent more complex, higher cost disposable components, or invasive technologies that prevent greater widespread adoption especially in smaller hospitals and outpatient centers. This project aims to commercialize a novel technology that enables surgeons to project images of patient?s internal anatomy and various tool positioning directly onto to the patient?s body surface for direct visualization in real time with sufficient precision for specific operational procedures. By improving surgical accuracy and reducing complications such as misplaced implants or reoperations the objective is to improve patient outcomes with a modern navigation tool while reducing operational and hospital costs. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project focuses on developing the technical components needed for a new surgical navigation method that combines 3D sensing and light projection in an interactive and responsive manner. The technology development includes furthering software development that enables the system to analyze the position of the patient and anatomy in real-time and accurately align medical images with the patient?s body. The project will also include designing a novel manner of displaying surgical information on the skin surface in a clear and helpful manner for the surgeon within accuracy, latency and human factors requirements for clinical use. Bench validation testing will be performed to measure how accurately the system matches images to the patient, with the goal of meeting or exceeding industry accuracy standards. The end objective of this project is an operating validated prototype tested in a controlled laboratory setting, suitable for more advanced testing and commercial and clinical pilot 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.
IN VIRTUALIS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Ai-mediated Neurotechnology for Enhanced Access to Virtual and Physical Reality
Contact
1837 72ND AVE SE
Mercer Island, WA 98040--2109
NSF Award
2545788 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is to develop an artificial intelligence middleware layer that transforms minimal biosignals into context-aware, multi-step actions, enabling users to complete full activities of daily living. This innovation advances scientific understanding of intent-based human computer interaction while addressing a critical gap in the technology market. The middleware architecture provides a competitive advantage by offering device manufacturers a standardized, interoperable solution that reduces in-house engineering costs and accelerates deployment, allowing firms to concentrate on core hardware innovation. This commercialization strategy leverages runtime licensing to original equipment manufacturers, supporting rapid adoption through existing distribution channels and alignment with responsible AI deployment practices. Initial deployments target specific manufacturers serving research and clinical institutions.
This SBIR Phase II project addresses the fundamental bandwidth mismatch between low-dimensional biosignal inputs and complex control demands. Current brain computer interface and electromyographic systems typically provide only two to ten bits per second of control information, which is insufficient for precise task execution. Building on Phase I results, the project advances a modular artificial intelligence middleware architecture that bridges this intent-to-action gap by augmenting sparse biosignals with task-relevant contextual information. The platform introduces three core technical innovations: real-time affordance prediction that infers contextually appropriate actions from video and gaze data, hierarchical action decomposition that maps simple user inputs to multi-step behavioral sequences, and adaptive user modeling that personalizes control strategies through reinforcement learning. Technical development targets sub five hundred millisecond end-to-end latency, intent prediction accuracy of at least eighty five percent, and seamless interoperability across heterogeneous hardware platforms. The system employs edge computing for latency-sensitive inference with cloud-based resources supporting model updates and continuous improvement. Anticipated outcomes include standardized integration protocols for biosignal acquisition systems, validated performance benchmarks, and live demonstrations of the middleware controlling robotic end effectors. Collectively, this work establishes foundational principles for amplifying sparse biological control signals into functionally complete behaviors, advancing both the scientific understanding and practical deployment of next-generation human machine interfaces.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.INAEDIS, INC
SBIR Phase II: Rapid Dehydration and Stabilization of Biopharmaceutical Formulations at Room Temperature
Contact
114 CASTLETON RD
Princeton, NJ 08540--1656
NSF Award
2451720 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,531
Start / end date
06/01/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of a platform technology for rapid room-temperature dehydration of biopharmaceutical formulations. This innovation addresses critical challenges in drug formulation, delivery, and storage of temperature-sensitive biologics such as proteins, antibodies, and vaccines. The technology enables production of shelf-stable, bioactive powders with controllable particle characteristics, compatible with various administration routes including inhalation, nasal delivery, and transdermal microneedle patches. By eliminating the need for high and low temperatures during processing, this approach preserves the integrity of heat- and freeze-sensitive biologicals while significantly reducing energy consumption. The innovation has two major impacts: 1) it reduces reliance on the complex and costly pharmaceutical cold chain, which currently requires maintaining specific temperature conditions during transport and storage, and 2) it provides a scalable, continuous system for biopharmaceutical powder production at room temperature. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the biopharmaceutical industry by improving drug safety, reliability, and accessibility worldwide. Ultimately, this innovation could lead to more effective and widely available treatments, benefiting patients and healthcare systems globally. The proposed project aims to address critical challenges in biopharmaceutical manufacturing through the development of a rapid room-temperature aerosol dehydration platform technology. This innovation tackles significant issues in formulation, delivery, and storage of temperature-sensitive biologics, offering an alternative to complex cold chain infrastructure and mitigating product degradation risks during conventional drying. Research objectives include scaling up the system to ~100 g/h pilot production capacity, optimizing the process for diverse biomolecules and nanoparticles, and developing formulations for various drug delivery modes. A pilot-scale system will be constructed, guided by experimental studies, theoretical modeling and Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations. The system will produce and characterize proteins, enzymes, viral vectors, and PLGA nanoparticles. Process parameters will be optimized using Design of Experiments and Quality by Design principles. The project will investigate pulmonary, nasal, and transdermal delivery modes, focusing on excipient selection, particle engineering, and stability enhancement. In silico and in vitro studies will assess formulation performance. Anticipated results include a scalable platform producing stable, bioactive powders with controlled particle characteristics, suitable for various administration routes and offering improved shelf-life compared to conventional formulations. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
INFUSENSE LLC
SBIR Phase II: Point-of-Care Electrochemical Platform for the Rapid Detection of Drug Toxicity
Contact
3614C W END AVE
Nashville, TN 37205--2403
NSF Award
2309437 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,852
Start / end date
06/15/2023 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is that poisoning by drugs of abuse affects almost 3 million people annually and is the leading cause of injury-related death in the United States. There were 100,306 opioid overdose deaths in the US in 2021, the majority of which were due to fentanyl poisoning. Screening patients for toxic drug levels currently requires specimen processing in hospital laboratories, taking hours to obtain results. Immediate, accurate detection of fentanyl poisoning at the point of contact, in the ambulance or emergency room, will create a new paradigm for the rapid diagnosis and improved care of poisoned patients and save lives. The SBIR Phase II project outcome will be an FDA-ready, hand-held sensor device capable of accurately measuring fentanyl and other drug levels from a drop of blood or saliva within minutes. The platform device uses disposable sensor strips and is low cost and scalable, permitting broad commercial adoption. Future potential applications for this point of care testing technology include its use by physicians for office-based screening for therapeutic drug monitoring to confirm compliance and optimize medication use and efficacy.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will test an innovative, prototype biosensor device that provides the user with real time, accurate detection and quantification of toxic drug levels in the blood using inexpensive, disposable test strips similar to a diabetes glucometer. The research to be performed in the Phase II project will utilize electroanalytical methods to optimize the performance of the sensor to improve its selectivity and lowest limit of detection for fentanyl and other drugs commonly associated with poisoning. Additional methods, sensor coatings, and testing conditions will be used to detect total-drug levels in the blood and demonstrate that the biosensor can distinguish between classes of medications and potential clinical interferents as well as show equivalent results to current clinical laboratory methods. The biosensor will detect drugs of overdose and other medications below therapeutic levels, without specimen processing. Pilot large animal studies will seek to validate the correlation of drug levels in the blood with saliva to establish a proof of concept for rapid sublingual testing for drug toxicity.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.INSECTAPEL, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Safe Long-Lasting Bio-Based Insect-Repellent Textiles
Contact
10152 GREENVILLE HWY
Wellford, SC 29385--9528
NSF Award
2409794 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,050,000
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of safer, insect-repellent textiles for protection from biting insects such as mosquitoes and biting flies. Currently available commercial textiles rely on synthetic active repellents that raise concerns about potential toxicity and long-term safety. This project will introduce bio-based, non-toxic repellents into textiles that can be used in outdoor clothing and offer a solution that aligns with growing regulatory demand for products that are environmentally benign and not harmful from health perspective. If successful, this innovation could help reduce reliance on synthetic insect repellents, improve public health by lowering exposure to vector-borne diseases, and create new economic opportunities in the growing market for safer textile technologies. The project supports national interests by promoting more sustainable domestic manufacturing of insect repelling fabrics. This project will investigate a high-risk technical challenge: incorporating high concentrations of volatile, bio-based insect repellents into textile coatings in a way that preserves long-term efficacy and wash durability. The primary innovation lies in the chemical derivatization and formulation strategies that enable natural repellents to be integrated into textiles. This work addresses a major technical barrier - the incompatibility of the key active ingredients with common textile coating and impregnating systems. The project will explore the synthesis of derivatized repellent compounds and their incorporation into polymeric coatings suitable for fabric finishing. The technical approach includes synthesizing a range of derivatives from bio-based repellents for better chemical compatibility with textile binders, formulating them into stable coatings and impregnation systems and assessing the repellency performance and wash resistance of treated fabrics. Repellency will be tested on biting insects before and after laundering to measure the retention of activity. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
INSU HEALTH DESIGN, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Insu Health Design: Temperature Control System
Contact
103 CALLE COMERCIO
Mayaguez, PR 00674--5629
NSF Award
2419342 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$998,527
Start / end date
05/15/2025 – 04/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project has the potential to improve temperature-controlled storage and transportation across multiple sectors. This technology addresses the critical need for precise temperature control in storing and transporting temperature-sensitive medications, biologics, and other perishable components, particularly in scenarios where power is unavailable or unreliable. The commercial potential is vast, with markets ranging from individual consumers to healthcare providers to cold chain logistics companies. By reducing medication spoilage, this technology can decrease healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes, while also supporting disaster relief efforts by ensuring the viability of essential medical supplies during crises. Furthermore, this project can advance scientific understanding by enabling more accurate data collection and analysis related to the impact of temperature fluctuations on sensitive materials. Lastly, this technology could enable medication delivery to and storage in rural places where previously even if the medication had been delivered, the patients had no means of keeping it cold to continue their therapy. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is focused on refining and optimizing a temperature control and insulation system that leverages thermoelectric coolers in combination with a vacuum flask. The key innovation involves decoupling the thermoelectric coolers from the cooled payload using a water block, minimizing energy use while maintaining precise temperature control. The research objectives include minimizing heat transfer to the payload by investigating new lid and flask designs and materials, miniaturizing the cooling assembly without sacrificing performance, and developing a minimum viable product that can sustain refrigeration temperatures for 24 hours or more, even in extreme conditions. The project also aims to integrate advanced features such as hot-swappable batteries, USB-C and solar charging, and wireless connectivity for monitoring and control. The anticipated outcome is a market-ready device that meets the needs of individual consumers, healthcare providers, and logistics companies, with the potential for broad commercial adoption and licensing opportunities. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
INTELLISAFE ANALYTICS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Comprehensive, Human-Centered, Safety System Using Physiological and Behavioral Sensing to Identify Hazards and Predict & Prevent Workplace Accidents
Contact
2670 PYRAMUS RD STE 1
Chester, WV 26034--1766
NSF Award
2449538 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,003,730
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Parvathi Chundi
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to better protect workers from hazards in the workplace through the use of wearable technology to identify, predict and prevent accidents on the job. Workplace safety statistics have not improved in the last several decades. Human-factor related accidents account for 80% or more of injuries and fatalities and are not being adequately addressed with current safety products on the market. The human body provides valuable sensor data in response to hazards. The proposed technology solution will use wearable technology to automate the collection of physiological and behavioral data from workers to be used in Machine Learning Models to identify safety incidents and near-misses. This data will provide the basis for additional Machine Learning Models to predict the likelihood of safety accidents so that safety personnel can intervene before the worker is injured. By better protecting workers, lives will be saved and companies will realize tremendous savings in insurance costs, liabilities and lost time on the job by their employees. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to develop a safety system that uses the human body?s built-in ability to identify and respond to safety hazards. By automating the continuous collection of real-time physiological, emotional and behavioral data using wearable technology, machine learning (ML) models will be developed to identify safety incidents enabling prediction and prevention of workplace accidents. These models have the capability of measuring the intensity of the safety event so that alerts can be issued and lives saved. The proposed research has the following objectives: 1) Collect hazard data and develop new ML models to identify new hazard types known to cause workplace accidents, 2) Research and develop a unique system architecture and the associated wireless hardware for bulk physiological and behavioral data collection across large populations of users in complex industrial environments, 3) Develop ML models to assess risk of future safety incidents. Data will be collected from human subjects that will be subjected to various workplace hazards. The anticipated result of this research is a safety system that can be used by safety personnel to trigger alerts and identify risk levels to help save lives and prevent workplace accidents related key workplace hazards. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
INVVAX, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Stable Prophylactic Antibodies
Contact
4846 TREMEZZO DR
Cypress, CA 90630--3557
NSF Award
2422363 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$996,606
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to address infectious diseases for which there is no existing or no adequate vaccine, such as influenza (the flu), malaria, tuberculosis, HIV, and the common cold. The initial effort will address the flu. Antibodies are often given as therapy but are not stable enough to be used as prophylactics. This project aims to discover mutations in a generic antibody that significantly enhances its stability, extending its lifespan from weeks to years. If this stability is achieved then these stable prophylactic antibodies (spAbs) could be given at birth or to adults and would only require re-administration once or twice a decade, or potentially never again. These mutations will be uncovered in a screen, where a library of millions of different mutants is infused and blood is collected at intervals; mutants that confer greater stability will be enriched relative to all other antibodies. These results will contribute to the understanding of antibody structure and can serve as reagents for antibody studies. This project should result in a spAb backbone which can be used as a long-term prophylactic for influenza initially, and other diverse infectious diseases. The proposed project aims to extend known mutations that increase antibody stability to new mutations that significantly increase antibody stability still further such that the resultant spAbs can be given as long-term prophylactics. Work done in the Phase I SBIR has identified a mutation combination that makes the antibody resistant to numerous enzymes that degrade antibodies; is able to bind the stabilizing molecule, the neonatal Fc receptor, better; and maintains the important functions of antibodies in immunity. However, the stability of this mutant combination, while likely greatly extended in vivo, is still short of the necessary stability for use as a long-term prophylactic. Thus, an non-human primate (NHP) screen is proposed. Combining administration of a diverse antibody mutant library with next-generation protein sequencing should uncover mutants that overcome one or more of the many processes and spaces where antibodies are lost in vivo, such as excretion through the urine or loss in the gut. Three successive rounds of mutation will be done in NHPs, each building upon the last. The end result should be an spAb backbone that confers greatly increased stability in the circulation, which can be used to combat numerous infectious diseases, the first application of which is influenza. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
IONICSCALE LLC
SBIR Phase II: An ultra-compact, remotely programmable chemical analyzer utilizing a novel ion trap mass spectrometer
Contact
501 BOULEVARD PL NE
Atlanta, GA 30308--2886
NSF Award
2409270 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
11/01/2024 – 10/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is that it promises to greatly expand the power of mass spectrometry for chemical detection and analysis to a far broader user base than currently exists. The ultimate goal is to produce a miniaturized sensor package sufficiently affordable that it can be a replaceable component in an ultra-compact, autonomous sensor. This is enabled by a microfabricatable ion trap geometry that circumvents key short-comings of previous chip-scale mass analyzer efforts. The company aims to one day bring this technology to the consumer market where it can inform household residents of harmful trace or odorless chemicals present in their homes. With advances in artificial intelligence and deep learning, the company?s products may also be able to inform household residents of volatile organic compound signatures from their own bodies that might be indicative of the early onset of disease, in a manner similar to dogs? noses that have a demonstrated ability to smell certain types of cancer, Parkinson?s disease, and CoVID-19, among other conditions. Prior to entry into the consumer market, handheld instruments can be leveraged for important in-situ analytics in fields such as defense, energy production, pharmaceutical research, and other industrial and academic applications.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will enable the development of a novel, patented ion trap mass analyzer and its utilization and commercialization as an ultra-portable chemical analyzer. Mass spectrometers are the gold standard for chemical analysis and have wide ranging applications, however, widespread utilization of these powerful instruments is hindered by their high cost, size, weight, and power. Current portable instruments are ~$100k USD, roughly the size of a small suitcase, and operate for only a few hours on a single battery charge. The proposed innovative ion trap mass analyzer geometry scales down gracefully, enabling microfabrication or other batch manufacturing techniques to be utilized to drive significant cost savings in production to the point where the ion trap can be incorporated in an instrument physics package that is a replaceable cartridge, thus eliminating the need for expert maintenance. Coupled with modern computational methods and processing power, these mass spectrometry-based chemical sensors could be utilized for chemical analysis applications for which mass spectrometry is currently not a cost-effective solution. This goal of ubiquitous, high specificity chemical analysis technology could generate massive amounts of novel raw data informing and creating future collective research and advanced applications/solutions.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.IRIS LIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Foundry-scale production of on-chip silicon photonic light emitters enabled by printed photonic ink
Contact
2307 W THOMAS ST
Chicago, IL 60622--3517
NSF Award
2411435 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will develop black phosphorus-based inks to create on-chip embedded lasers, enabling fully functional silicon photonic (SiP) chips. Silicon is the fastest-growing material choice for photonic chip products because SiP leverages the foundry-processing capabilities that have been built for the electronics industry over decades. Currently, the primary laser solution being employed in SiP uses off-chip bonded lasers where system integrators assembling SiP products rely on a cumbersome method of bonding individual lasers to silicon chips. The main on-chip approach, heterogeneous integration of III-V materials bonded to silicon, was developed for a single spectral band for optical communications and is challenging for adoption in broader markets. The lack of a scaled-up method for fabricating multi-spectral band, silicon-compatible lasers is a major unsolved problem for the $1 billion-per-year SiP market. The technical leap envisioned in this effort will be a key enabling technology of photonic chips that will first be supplied to support defense customers and wearable medical sensor developers to generate more physiological data per dollar and drastically shrink the size and weight of such sensors. This will mean smaller, lighter aircraft and flexible, wearable sensors in applications where the size and cost have historically been too high.
The intellectual merit of this project builds upon Phase I results that showed a minimum viable prototype photodiode component with a state-of-the-art photo response of 800 mA/W under 980 nm illumination. This milestone was enabled by a new method for creating inks and ink-printed films with high-quality opto-electronic properties. Importantly, the electronic quality of the inks was increased to commercially viable levels and the current improved to levels on par with commercially available LEDs. While this work established the feasibility of the approach, further technical demonstrations in light emission are required to validate the technology and position it for investment and commercial launch via integration into foundry libraries for use by defense companies, medical device manufacturers, and beyond. In Phase II, photonic inks emitting at 1450 nm will be integrated directly onto a foundry chip to demonstrate critical on-chip laser components demanded by the Integrated Photonics Systems Roadmap (IPSR). This achievement will demonstrate the scalability of the approach and increase the viability of photonic integrated circuits as a platform for developing sensors. Photodetection will also be explored to further expand the impact of ink-printed components. This will close the loop of silicon-based photonic integrated circuits, enabling large-scale production and implementation of this potentially transformative 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.Instapath Inc.
SBIR Phase II: An automated digital pathology lab for rapid on-site processing and imaging of tissue biopsies
Contact
2450 HOLCOMBE BLVD STE J
Houston, TX 77021--2041
NSF Award
2039417 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
03/01/2021 – 02/28/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/ commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project supports digital pathology. For the past century, pathology has been performed on microscopically thin sections of tissues that are stained and mounted onto glass microscope slides for analysis by a pathologist. This process is labor-intensive, costly, and the turnaround time is typically one week. For the vast majority of biopsy procedures, the diagnostic result is not obtained for days or even weeks after the procedure. Current bedside pathology techniques for rapid diagnosis and quality assurance of biopsy samples are slow, inaccurate, destructive to the tissue, and require the presence of multiple trained personnel, which prevent them from being widely used. Recent technological advances allow digitizing of the physical microscope slides and enable a fully digital pathology workflow. However, to date no system can take a fresh tissue sample through the entire long, laborious processing lifecycle prior to imaging. This project will develop a tissue processing and imaging platform to enable fast, automated processing from the fresh sample to the digital image within minutes of tissue removal. This will provide better care and patient outcomes and enables new opportunities to provide care in clinical settings with more limited pathology resources.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project continues development of an integrated technology platform that automates the entire process of tissue processing and digital imaging, obviating the need for trained personnel to be on-site. This project will support the development of new strategies to automate the acquisition of high-quality microscopic images from samples with widely varying surface topographies, while simultaneously improving both speed and image quality to meet clinical needs. The new technologies will support parallel, hands-free automated sample processing to increase throughput for analysis of multiple samples in a single session. The project will culminate in verification and clinical validation of the integrated system.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.JELIKALITE LLC
SBIR Phase II: EEG-guided intelligent transcranial photobiomodulation to reduce symptoms of autism
Contact
30 WALL ST STE 811
New York, NY 10005--2201
NSF Award
2415307 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$959,066
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project involves developing a personalized home-based treatment for autistic children. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder requiring lifelong management. The prevalence rate is globally rising, with nearly 3% of U.S. children afflicted. A lack of clinically validated solutions places a heavy emotional and financial burden on families with annual costs of care projected to reach $461 billion by 2025. Autism currently has no approved medications or medical device treatments for core symptoms, and the only current treatment is intensive behavioral therapy. This project aims to develop an effective personalized treatment for improving communication, learning, and social skills, thereby increasing individual independence, create new employment opportunities, and reduce government spending on special education and support services. Additionally, it aims to enrich knowledge through personalization, monitoring, and data aggregation of neurological measures for further elucidating the mechanisms of autism and enhancing the efficacy of other therapies.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to develop a non-invasive therapeutic brain stimulation medical device to improve the communication, responsiveness, and social integration of autistic children. The project's objectives are to finalize the current prototype into a manufacturing-ready product, and implement a platform for personalizing transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) treatment based on individual sensor derived patient characteristics. The proposed development consists of two main technological components - The first is a wearable device worn on a child?s head that delivers transcranial Photobiomoldulation (tPBM) therapy to reduce autism symptoms based on integrated electroencephalogram (EEG) measures - The second is a software and data platform providing analyzed reports to evaluate intervention efficacy and personalize treatment through machine learning. The anticipated technical results include completion of the final version of the device suitable for clinical adoption and future 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.JuneBrain, Inc.
STTR Phase II: A novel retinal imaging device
Contact
155 GIBBS STREET, #528
Rockville, MD 20850--0395
NSF Award
2053315 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
06/15/2021 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to help advance the health and welfare of individuals living with retinal and neurological disease. This includes multiple sclerosis (MS)?a debilitating autoimmune disease affecting nearly 1 million people in the United States. A fully automated, wearable, and low-cost retinal imaging device will be developed for use in both clinical and home settings that detects changes in the retina, allowing patients and their physicians to more routinely track treatment efficacy and ocular side effects. Early detection and treatment of MS is crucial to reducing the risk of disease progression and disability. Current practice relies on infrequent neurological and radiological exams to assess changes in disease activity and treatment efficacy. However, there is currently no way to monitor MS in real time between these visits. Research relating retinal pathology to MS processes in the brain demonstrate that retinal imaging can provide early detection of disease events, offering an alternative monitoring pathway. This device will thus help reduce patient healthcare costs associated with increasing disability, and positively impact the research and care of other retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will yield a novel retinal imaging device that uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess retinal pathology. While OCT is a widely-used modality for imaging the retina, the proposed device differentiates itself from current technologies in that it is specifically designed for unsupervised use by patients at home. This includes a ruggedized and ergonomic design suited for those who suffer from low vision, low mobility, and other symptoms that make frequent trips to a clinic difficult. Patients will use the device briefly as often as prescribed by their doctor, during which time retinal images will be automatically acquired, analyzed, and sent to a physician for remote review. As such, it will further increase engagement between patients and physicians by making patients more proactively involved in their disease management. For this project, the following objectives are planned: 1) Complete development of a clinical-grade beta prototype that is suitable for use in clinical and home settings, 2) Develop a software pipeline for automated image analysis and report, and 3) Conduct a usability study in a cohort of AMD patients with varying degrees of vision 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.KHEMIA METALS INC
SBIR Phase II: Metal Foils for High Energy Density, Low-cost, Lithium-ion Batteries
Contact
104 BAYTREE RD
San Carlos, CA 94070--3815
NSF Award
2437742 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,230,631
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of base-metal alloy foils as a cost-effective, lightweight replacement for copper current collectors in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Copper is currently the third most expensive and third heaviest component in LIBs, costing battery manufacturers over $7 billion annually. By replacing copper with these innovative foils, the project targets a long-term material cost reduction of over 50%, saving more than $3 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and improving gravimetric energy density by over 5%. With LIB pack prices at approximately $107/kWh and batteries accounting for 40% of electric vehicle (EV) production costs, this innovation supports the national goal of reducing battery prices to $50?$75/kWh to achieve cost parity with internal combustion engine vehicles. Additionally, the project addresses critical supply chain vulnerabilities by offering a domestically produced alternative to copper foil, which is almost exclusively manufactured in Asia. By supporting domestic manufacturing, this project helps strengthen the U.S. battery supply chain, promote job creation, and reduce reliance on critical materials facing projected shortages, such as copper, while enabling global competitiveness for U.S.-based energy technology solutions. The intellectual merit of this project lies in the novel development and application of base-metal alloys that are electrochemically stable against lithium, enabling their use as current collectors on the anode side of LIBs?a role previously thought incompatible with most base-metal-based materials like aluminum due to lithium alloying. Preliminary research discovered that certain base-metal alloys demonstrate suppressed lithium reactivity in standard battery electrolytes, a counterintuitive result given the known lithium-alloying behavior of the individual metal components. The research objectives include characterizing the passivation mechanisms that provide this electrochemical stability, optimizing alloy compositions and surface treatments, and ensuring compatibility with commercial battery manufacturing processes. This will involve detailed studies using surface analysis (e.g., XPS, ToF-SIMS), electrochemical testing (e.g., half- and full-cell cycling, impedance spectroscopy), and mechanical and corrosion assessments. The anticipated outcomes include a scalable, weldable, and conductive foil that performs comparably to copper in commercial-format multi-layer pouch cells, validated through third-party testing and sample evaluations with customers. This work advances the fundamental understanding of alloy-electrolyte interactions and enables a transformative material for next-generation energy storage. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Kalion, Inc.
SBIR Phase II: Low-Cost, High-Purity Biobased Glucaric Acid
Contact
92 ELM ST
Milton, MA 02186--3111
NSF Award
1951200 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$946,155
Start / end date
07/01/2020 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is the low-cost, high-purity biobased production of glucaric acid, a compound with a broad range of applications. This production of glucaric acid will enable a broad change from petroleum-based sources for everyday materials, such as nylon in clothes or PET in two-liter bottles, to a bio-based product generated from renewable resources. Similarly, this technology will allow an evolution beyond the traditional phosphates used in water treatment systems to a safer, cost-effective alternative.
The proposed project will develop a strain, fermentation process, and scalable downstream separation workflow to produce low-cost, high-purity glucaric acid from glucose as a feedstock. Microbial fermentation represents an attractive option for the production of fuels and valuable chemicals from renewable resources, such as cellulosic sugars. Microbes are well suited for the conversion of carbohydrate feedstocks; several examples of their metabolic engineering have been demonstrated to direct these feedstocks to non-natural chemicals and materials of industrial value, often as drop-in replacements for petroleum products. On the other hand, products derived from sugar oxidation pose a new, less explored challenge because of the need to direct glucose into the product pathway rather than the competing path to catabolize the sugar for biomass and energy production. Initial methods, such as deletion of glycolysis and other competing pathways, result in poor glucose uptake because of the cell's complex regulatory circuits. This project proposes to develop strains of E. coli that can efficiently take up glucose while also directing it to the glucaric acid pathway.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Kapalya Inc
SBIR Phase II: Advanced Ransomware Countermeasure
Contact
1935 ADDISON ST
Berkeley, CA 94704--1354
NSF Award
2304216 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$994,413
Start / end date
02/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop the first universally aware software for ransomware protection with a proactive approach to stop incoming file-based and file-less attacks. The number of ransomware attacks launched globally has grown substantially over the years. To exploit previously undiscovered weaknesses and conduct more effective attacks, cybercriminals take advantage of the rising number of workers accessing business networks from home through a virtual private network (VPN) while working remotely. Current ransomware countermeasure solutions are not comprehensive and generally fail in tackling sustained and persistent attacks. Moreover, the current solutions track threats only at the operating system level and can be disabled. This solution features universal awareness based on a combination of characteristics related to user, ransomware, non-specific environment indicators, and non-ransomware metrics. The comprehensive ransomware detection, remediation, eradication, and data recovery solution enable unmatched protection from cyberattacks and allow timely detection and shutdown of cyberattacks thus, significantly reducing the amount of compromised data. This enhanced protection will have security benefits for a wide range of critical infrastructures, ranging from energy and finances to the protection of medical data.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to develop an advanced ransomware countermeasure (ARC) platform which will represent the most advanced and effective protection against ransomware attacks. The technology will enforce four synergistic actions: (1) precondition observation and characterization, (2) incoming interactions validation, (3) internal contents observation and characterization, and (4) outgoing interactions validation. In this project, the research and development efforts will be dedicated towards the (1) the development of the framework of communication between the inoculator and watch-dog and its deployment for effective countermeasure, (2) design and development of user-friendly interface providing simple user experience, (3) seamless integration of the ARC platform with existing Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, (4) implementation of artificial intelligence/machine learning models in the ARC platform for the effective defense against zero-day ransomware exploits, and 5) validation of the ARC platform against known ransomware to ensure the proper function of all the modules. The successful completion of the SBIR Phase II activities will deliver a fully functional, commercially viable product with general availability that can seamlessly run/work along with existing SIEM tools and successfully defend against known ransomware attacks and zero-day exploits.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.LA LUCE CRISTALLINA, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Foundry-Compatible Silicon-Integrated Epitaxial Barium Titanate Wafers for Silicon Photonics
Contact
10500 DOUBLE SPUR LOOP
Austin, TX 78759--6914
NSF Award
2528323 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,210,801
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to enable innovators in the area of integrated silicon photonics to experiment with a superior optical material the will result in new approaches, new device architectures, and high density networks that will create technologies that do not exist today as materials available now can?t support such ideas due to current physical limitations. This will be achieved through making available semiconductor fabrication services for special type of materials used in ultra-low power, ultra-fast and ultra-small components at a reasonable cost, with improved manufacturing yields, and reduced development cycle time. The material called Barium Titanate (BaTiO3) can potentially dominate the market for data centers. The BaTiO3-based components are ultra-low power and thus may significantly reduce the power consumption of existing data centers. The work will also support the entirely new markets of quantum and neuromorphic computing. The proposed project will result in the introduction to the market of 200-mm wafers of BaTiO3 on Si for silicon photonics. BaTiO3 alters the speed of light when subjected to electric field more efficiently than almost any other material. The company will develop chemical mechanical polishing and wafer bonding processes, including the necessary process design kits (PDKs) compatible with a standard silicon photonic foundry. This will enable hundreds of small to medium photonic companies to innovate with superior modulator material and new automation tools. The characteristics of BaTiO3 will qualitatively change what is possible with integrated, on-chip optical networks. The work will focus on transferring the 50-mm process developed in Phase I to a 200-mm wafer. The innovative deposition technique will enable mass production of such wafers. The company then will work with a subcontractor to understand the chemistry, particle size of the slurry and velocity and pressure of the process to produce BaTiO3 wafers with less than 0.5 nm roughness necessary for wafer bonding. This will enable the device builders to use already existing device architecture fabricated in Si or SiN in heterogeneous integration with BTO. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
LABFORINVENTION CORP
SBIR Phase II: Scalable Manufacturing Technology for Mobile Signal Penetrating Low-Emissivity Windows
Contact
3711 YALE WAY
Fremont, CA 94538--6188
NSF Award
2528331 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,176
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to demonstrate a new window coating technology that enables seamless indoor mobile connectivity and other benefits. Conventional low-emissivity (low-E) glass reduces heat transfer but also blocks wireless signals, limiting smart building adoption and 5G/6G coverage. This project helps buildings meet high-performance wireless requirements. Signal-penetrating low-E glass strengthens digital infrastructure while adding minimum costs. It also promises to lower the cost and complexity of indoor wireless, speed up next-gen network deployment, and connectivity goals.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)Phase I project will develop and refine a low-cost manufacturing process to apply microscopic patterns onto low-E glass coatings. These patterns are engineered to selectively permit wireless signals, such as those used in 5G, while preserving the glass? thermal insulation. Research objectives will address key technical challenges such as pattern resolution, durability of the coated glass, and validating manufacturing integration with commercial-scale low-E production. Project outcomes will demonstrate a clear pathway to large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of next-generation window coatings permitting wireless signal access.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.LAMBDA FUNCTION, INC.
SBIR Phase II: An artificial intelligence system for autonomous numerical control programming for advanced manufacturing
Contact
1960 DECANTER CIR
Brentwood, CA 94513--2438
NSF Award
2321728 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,942
Start / end date
09/15/2023 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project includes an increase in efficiency and productivity in manufacturing supply chains, which can lead to economic growth, job creation, improved product quality, and reduced waste. The project can also enhance the U.S. industrial base, which is critical to national security by mitigating manufacturing supply chain risks. This technology can provide new learning opportunities for students, facilitate increased partnership between academia and industry, and advance scientific knowledge on precision manufacturing, leading to the development of new artificial intelligence algorithms and techniques with applications beyond manufacturing. The solution will be a step towards addressing the challenge of reshoring manufacturing given the technical skills gap crisis in the U.S. by helping increase the productivity of computer numerical control machinists and sparking greater interest in this field among new workforce entrants. The manufacturing landscape is shifting to more automation, and this solution could help train the next generation of artificial intelligence-augmented machinists. This solution has broad applicability across commerce, government, and academia, in a range of end market applications such as aerospace, defense, and MedTech.
This SBIR Phase II project will result in a fully functional ?beta? prototype of an artificial intelligence-assisted, autonomous, numerical control programming software that can be tested within an operational environment and be near-ready for commercial launch. The end product will be an artificial intelligence-powered software embedded in the computer numerical control programmers? existing workflow environment. The software will provide machining strategy, cutting tool and machining parameters, and tool path recommendations across milling, drilling, and turning operations. By offering these recommendations to the end user (i.e., the numerical control programmer), the product has the potential to: 1) shorten the learning curve for new talent, 2) reduce the degree of variability across skill levels, 3) reduce the time / iterations needed to generate computer numerical control programs, and to 4) increase the probability of generating optimal (i.e., lowest overall machining cost) programs. The product has the potential to significantly increase productivity of the existing and new workforce, while also reducing the non-recurring and recurring costs for precision machining.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.LANDSDOWNE LABS, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Safer Batteries to Mitigate Injuries from Accidental Ingestion in Children
Contact
1073 N BENSON RD
Fairfield, CT 06824--5171
NSF Award
2405102 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to reduce the serious and sometimes fatal injuries caused by accidental ingestion of coin cell batteries, particularly in children. From 2010 to 2019, over 70,000 battery-related emergency room visits were recorded in the United States, with some resulting in internal burns, surgeries, or death. This project aims to develop safer battery casings that passively deactivate upon exposure to bodily fluids, reducing the risk of electrochemical injury. By providing a built-in safety mechanism that requires no external electronics or internal design changes, this innovation enables battery manufacturers to adopt enhanced safety standards with minimal production disruption. In addition to protecting children, the same technology could be extended to battery-powered ingestible and implantable medical devices, offering a broader benefit to public health. The work also advances scientific understanding of environmentally responsive materials and their integration into real-world consumer products.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project focuses on addressing the technical challenge of preventing current-induced tissue damage when coin cell batteries contact wet environments. The innovation lies in the use of metals that exhibit distinct electrochemical properties depending on environmental conductive fluids. The research will optimize the composition, thickness, and surface treatment of battery casings made from these materials to ensure that they suppress current when wet while maintaining dry- and humid-state performance and durability. The project includes development of scalable fabrication techniques, evaluation of mechanical integrity, and rigorous electrochemical testing under simulated ingestion conditions. A critical component of the research is maintaining the battery's internal seal to prevent moisture ingress while enabling the passive safety mechanism. Successful outcomes will lead to a manufacturable, safety-enhanced coin cell battery design with applications in consumer electronics and medical 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.LAVO LIFE SCIENCES INC
SBIR Phase II: A Physics-based Machine Learning Platform for Crystal Structure Prediction of Small Drug Molecules
Contact
1066 AMSTERDAM AVE NE
Atlanta, GA 30306--3543
NSF Award
2451698 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,213,322
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve the health and welfare of the public, advance scientific and technological understanding of pharmaceuticals, and to accelerate the development and commercialization of new pharmaceutical products. In the development of new medicines, considerable time and money is spent optimizing drug products to be taken orally in a pill or capsule. Failure to adequately optimize this solid form may result in a medicine that has a short shelf life or unpredictable behavior when administered to patients. Recent developments in computer simulations allow scientists to optimize the drug product while spending dramatically less time and money in the laboratory. The proposed project enables scientists to optimize and predict the characteristics of drug products in less time and with greater confidence. This directly reduces the time required to take life-saving medicines to market, helps pharmaceutical companies invest in curing a larger number of diseases, and takes to market the latest innovations in computer simulation. The proposed project is a software able to predict many of the solid-form properties of new and in-development drug products. The active pharmaceutical ingredient of a new drug may crystallize, or become solid, in many ways that are unknown beforehand. Certain crystal forms may be entirely ineffective, while others cure a disease as intended. To ensure a useful form is crystallized, pharmaceutical chemists search for all possible forms with thousands of lab experiments. Even so, they do not know if they have explored the breadth of all possible forms. This exhaustive screening process may take months and still result in an inferior product. The proposed project uses modern artificial intelligence and simulation techniques to predict which forms exist and give chemists useful guidance in how to obtain them in just days. The resulting technology will be highly automated and general-use for any new drug product intended for oral administration. The proposed project is made possible by innovations made during the Phase 1 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.
LIFE SEAL VASCULAR, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Enhancing EVAR for AAA with Cygnum(TM) Aneurysm Sac Management Device
Contact
105 N POINTE DR
Lake Forest, CA 92630--2225
NSF Award
2537986 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of a new treatment option for abdominal aortic aneurysms. By offering a platform that could also be applied to related vascular conditions, this innovation has the potential for commercial impact.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will advance the design and testing of a novel device that lines the aneurysm sac during endovascular repair. The research builds on prior feasibility results and will refine the device for consistent use and drive adoption. Key objectives include optimizing the delivery system, verifying long-term biocompatibility, and demonstrating reliable performance in laboratory and preclinical models. The technical approach combines a compressible implant with precise endovascular deployment to achieve complete aneurysm sealing and reduce the risk of complications. Anticipated results include strong preclinical evidence of safety and effectiveness, providing the foundation for future clinical evaluation. The work represents an important step toward improving outcomes for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms while advancing knowledge in endovascular device design.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.LIFELAB STUDIOS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: AI-Integrated Novel Platform to Power Positive Change in Youth and Increase Public Safety
Contact
27500 N 115TH ST
Scottsdale, AZ 85262--7501
NSF Award
2451784 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,459
Start / end date
06/01/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this SBIR Phase II project lies in advancing an AI-enhanced platform that equips justice-involved youth with essential life skills and fosters positive, lasting change. By integrating state-of-the-art, generative artificial intelligence with evidence-based practices, the project replaces inconsistent interventions with a comprehensive, scalable solution designed to lower programming costs, reduce recidivism and promote public safety. Building on Phase I integration of AI into a positive growth platform and successful implementations in multiple counties, this initiative not only enhances the quality of juvenile justice programming but supports data-driven insights into how generative AI can support behavioral change. This solution provides counties a programming solution to ensure that every arrested youth makes positive change. The commercial potential is vast, with broad application to over 3,143 counties that serve up to 800,000 justice-involved youth annually, offering a financially viable model that mitigates the economic and social costs of repeated offenses. This project will ensure that we leverage breakthroughs in generative AI, advanced technologies, behavioral sciences, and the learning sciences to provide next generation programming and ensure the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system in reducing recidivism, while preparing them to be positive, contributing members of society. It is essential that we ensure arrested youth are held accountable for making the personal changes necessary so that they not only avoid future criminal behaviors and associated costs but also become positive contributing members of society. This SBIR Phase II project is focused on optimizing a next-generation, commercially viable platform to meet critical criminogenic needs and promote positive behavioral change among youth leaving the justice system. Leveraging lessons from Phase I, the project enhances its AI capabilities to develop personalized growth plans, deliver accountable feedback, and create effective transition strategies that prepare youth for successful reintegration into society. Through rigorous quasi-experimental studies and continuous iterations based on stakeholder feedback, the research validates the effectiveness of its behavioral change framework and refines the ?come-alongside? service model. The anticipated outcomes include measurable reductions in recidivism, improved life success for at-risk youth, and a transformative impact on the juvenile justice system?with potential applications extending into mental health and education. This initiative represents a forward-thinking, impactful investment in a scalable solution that ensures arrested youth are supported in making critical personal changes, ultimately enhancing public safety and fostering stronger 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.
LUTRIS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Massively Parallel Protocols for Software-based Wireless Instrumentation
Contact
1437 HEARST AVE
Berkeley, CA 94702--1532
NSF Award
2451798 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,175
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is that it enables the use of wireless spectrum more efficiently, while ensuring high quality service to wireless users. Demand for wireless communication continues to expand, and 4G and 5G protocols are able to efficiently use available spectrum ? but only as long as deployments are properly engineered and configured. The technology being developed addresses the complexity of configuring a wireless network and ensuring that it operates at peak efficiency. The objective is to build a system that can non-intrusively monitor 4G and 5G networks and detect interference, misconfiguration and/or places where additional base stations are needed. This will be done automatically, removing the need for specialized wireless expertise from the network owner, installer or operator. This enables deploying wireless networks faster and less expensively. The underlying innovation is a new approach to implementing radios purely in software. By using off-the-shelf ?software defined radio? hardware, over-the-air signals are captured in a form that can be processed on a standard computer (e.g., a laptop). Combining standard hardware with advanced software makes a system that meets the above goals possible. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses a central problem in implementing wireless communication systems. It has long been appreciated that if wireless systems were mostly implemented in software, they could be deployed faster and upgraded more easily. However, while computer speeds have gone up dramatically, the processing requirement of wireless systems have increased even faster. Software implementations of modern communication standards (e.g., 5G) have lagged. However, current microprocessors have many individual processing ?cores? ? dozens to a few hundred ? and can do many operations in parallel. The challenge is to divide up the task of wireless signal processing so tasks can be done in parallel, without the overhead of moving results between cores and degrading the gains. Previous work has identified promising approaches, and this work aims to extend them, allowing complete decoding of 4G and 5G over-the-air control signals (user traffic is encrypted for privacy and is not accessible). The research seeks to develop signal processing techniques that are well-matched to modern multi-core processors and uses them at peak efficiency. The result will be a system that is able to monitor and verify correct operation of a modern wireless network. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
M3SIM, LLC
SBIR Phase II: A Fractional-Order Computational Platform for the Multiscale and Multiphysics Analysis of Failure-Critical Systems
Contact
2116 WAKE ROBIN DR
West Lafayette, IN 47906--5089
NSF Award
2445824 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,177,447
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Parvathi Chundi
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to enable faster design cycles and less expensive maintenance operations of aerospace structural systems while simultaneously improving their overall safety and durability. By developing the next generation of computational tools that can efficiently and accurately predict the aging and degradation of complex structural systems at full scale, this project will provide critical technology to the aerospace industry to accelerate the design of next generation systems, track unit-specific aging of the in-service aircraft fleet, and lower the dependence from complex and expensive full-scale testing. Empowered with these new predictive tools, engineers will be able to proactively address potential failures, reduce the risk of catastrophic accidents, safeguard valuable assets, and minimize equipment downtime. The technology at the core of this project has also the potential to make transformative impacts across multiple areas of socio-economic significance whose progress strongly relies on predictive simulation tools. Examples include, but are not limited to, advancing health and welfare via enhanced modeling capabilities for drug delivery and disease spread, more accurate prediction of extreme climate events, designing safer and more sustainable infrastructure systems. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will focus on the development and validation of a fractional calculus-based simulation framework to perform material degradation analysis of complex aerospace structural systems. Despite the remarkable advancements in the general area of material and damage mechanics simulations, the existing gap between simulation capabilities and the complex reality of practical aerospace applications still requires industry to heavily rely on extensive full-scale experimental campaigns. These campaigns are expensive, time-consuming, and product-dependent, ultimately increasing production and maintenance costs, and potentially affecting equipment downtime. Building on the results from Phase I, this project will further explore and develop this simulation technology to achieve accurate predictive analysis of critical and potentially catastrophic material degradation mechanisms, such as fatigue and fracture propagation. Main objectives include the development of theoretical and computational technology, its integration in production-grade and industry-ready software, and its validation across multiple material systems and damage scenarios of practical aerospace relevance. The resulting software will offer a unique combination of high computational efficiency, fidelity, and accuracy, hence providing a fully integrated end-to-end predictive framework that will support the aerospace industry in developing safer, more affordable, and more sustainable transportation 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.
MACULA VISION SYSTEMS INC.
SBIR Phase II: Automated Gram Stain Interpretation Via Digital Holographic Microscopy
Contact
1800 E INNOVATION PARK DR STE 1
Oro Valley, AZ 85755--1963
NSF Award
2537843 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,245
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve access to high-quality diagnostic testing by automating the labor intensive Gram stain test. By providing rapid, consistent, and accurate Gram stain interpretation, this project has the potential to reduce diagnostic errors and shorten time to appropriate therapy.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop and validate a compact, cost-effective imaging platform that integrates computational imaging with advanced artificial intelligence to automate Gram stain microscopy. Building upon Phase I proof-of-concept results, this project will finalize a hybrid imaging system capable of high-throughput, full-slide scanning across a wide range of clinical specimens. Research objectives include expanding the system?s ability to analyze various sample types, enhancing interpretation algorithms to recognize additional pathogens and host cell features, and scaling throughput with a 36-slide batch processing module. Validation studies will benchmark the system against expert microbiologists using deidentified slides, with a goal of achieving high concordance across multiple laboratories. Successful completion of this project will prepare the system for commercial launch as a laboratory-developed test, providing a robust, scalable solution that enhances diagnostic accuracy and reduces variability.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MADISON SCIENTIFIC, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Smart Shunt to Treat Hydrocephalus
Contact
17 SAINT LAWRENCE CIR
Madison, WI 53717--1827
NSF Award
2322905 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,959
Start / end date
09/15/2023 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of an advanced electromechanical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt system for the treatment and monitoring of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is caused by an accumulation of CSF occurs within the brain, often causing an increased pressure inside the skull. Most shunts used to remove this pressure fail within a few years of placement, often with significant diagnostic uncertainty, which leads to both poorer patient outcomes and higher, often multi-billion dollar healthcare costs. The development of a smart shunt that more appropriately drains CSF and monitors function may reduce shunt failure rates and diagnostic uncertainty, thus reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project advances the development of a smart shunt for CSF drainage. Electronic-based control may improve shortcomings in shunt drainage as the currently used valves are vulnerable to gravity, altitude, activity level, and abdominal pressure fluctuations. The proposed multi-system technology is designed to (1) measure intercranial pressure (ICP) to determine when shunts require drainage, and (2) accurately and intelligently perceives the difference between transient pressure spikes vs. sustained, elevated ICP and respond appropriately (e.g., remain closed vs. drain CSF, respectively). The new technology will further allow patient and physician interaction to obtain on-demand ICP readings, monitor CSF dynamics, and non-invasively adjust valve settings. In this Phase II project, final development testing will be conducted, system performance and safety will be verified, and physician and patient usability will be analyzed.
This award reflects 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 II: Bioengineered Next-Generation Tympanostomy Tubes to Improve Patient Outcomes
Contact
7 COLLEGE HILL RD
Somerville, MA 02144--1219
NSF Award
2604767 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/15/2026 – 05/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve outcomes for ear tube surgery, one of the most common surgical procedures performed in children, while establishing a scalable manufacturing approach for medical implants made from natural materials. Approximately one million patients in the United States receive ear tubes each year, yet current devices rely on permanent plastics or metals that can cause complications, require repeat procedures, and increase exposure to anesthesia. This project advances a bioengineered ear tube designed to provide effective middle ear ventilation while also enabling safe, on-demand removal without surgery, reducing risk, cost, and burden on families and healthcare systems while improving clinical workflow. Commercially, this work supports entry into a large, established medical device market with an implant that improves safety and efficiency of care. Beyond this initial application, the project establishes a scalable manufacturing foundation for producing complex three-dimensional medical implants from natural materials, addressing a long-standing barrier to broader adoption. Successful completion will enable near term commercialization of next-generation ear tubes while positioning manufacturing for expansion into additional implantable devices, supporting United States leadership in advanced biomedical manufacturing and sustainable healthcare solutions.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project advances the development of a next-generation ear tube by combining natural material science with a scalable three-dimensional manufacturing process. The project addresses limitations of conventional ear tubes by developing an implant that maintains ventilation, reduces persistent infection from biofilm formation, and can supports on-demand removal without surgery. Research objectives include optimizing implant design, improving manufacturing consistency, evaluating long-term safety and performance in preclinical models, and generating regulatory-quality data to support future submission to the FDA. The technical approach integrates material characterization, performance testing, and manufacturing scale-up to ensure reproducibility and clinical relevance. Anticipated outcomes include validated ear tube designs with controlled removal capability, and a robust dataset supporting safety and effectiveness. Beyond ear tube technology, the results will demonstrate a manufacturing foundation for producing complex three-dimensional implants from natural materials into medical devices, informing the next class of resorbable or bioengineered implants using sustainable 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.MAXWAVE LLC
SBIR Phase II: Long-Range, Millimeter-Wave, Wireless Power Beaming with Enhanced Efficiency
Contact
2616 DUBLIN WAY
Waunakee, WI 53597--9457
NSF Award
2507807 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,612
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to establish a new paradigm in wireless energy transfer that significantly enhances the capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles, increases the profitability of drone-driven industries, while advancing U.S. priorities in energy independence, national security, and technological leadership. This project enables real-time wireless power delivery to drones, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps and the associated logistical complexity, unlocking fully automated, perpetual drone operation. This advancement paves the way for a new class of high-value drone systems powered by continuous wireless energy, enabling transformative capabilities across sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and surveillance. In defense applications, the system supports uninterrupted reconnaissance in mission-critical environments, helping safeguard protect military assets. As the technology matures, it has the potential to displace inefficient and labor-intensive power infrastructure in disaster-stricken areas, saving lives during emergencies by providing emergency power. In addition to its commercial benefits, the project promotes workforce development and job creation through the scalable commercialization of wireless power systems. This innovation positions the United States at the forefront of the emerging wireless energy transfer industry, with significant societal and economic impact. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to advance the development of a long-range, high-efficiency millimeter-wave wireless power beaming system designed to deliver continuous, real-time power to airborne drones. The primary goal is to transition the technology from laboratory-scale demonstrations to a fully integrated, field-deployable solution suitable for real-world drone operations. To achieve this, the project will pursue three key technical objectives: (1) demonstrate a scaled-up wireless power beaming system capable of high-power transmission over long distances; (2) develop reconfigurable transmitters to enable dynamic beam steering and range focusing; and (3) develop a high-precision tracking technology to precisely locate moving aerial targets. The system will be tested through both hover and in-flight experiments, where drones will receive sustained power while airborne. These developments will result in a robust wireless power delivery platform with practical utility for heavy-duty drone applications. Additionally, the project will contribute to the broader scientific understanding of near-field electromagnetic beamforming, millimeter-wave power transmission, and adaptive wireless energy delivery to mobile platforms. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
MECHANO THERAPEUTICS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Mechanically Controlled Therapeutics Delivery Platform
Contact
3401 GRAYS FERRY AVE BLDG 212-152
Philadelphia, PA 19146--2701
NSF Award
2535594 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,240,242
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to develop a force-stimulated delivery platform. This platform utilizes mechano-activated microcapsules combined with the natural mechanical forces of the joint for the controlled and directed delivery of therapeutics. The technology is compatible with a wide variety of compounds and offers a novel way to overcome limitations such as chemical stability or pharmacokinetic parameters.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will establish mechano-activated microcapsules as a platform technology with broad potential to address multiple indications through targeted interarticular therapeutics delivery and sustained release. Bioavailability within the joint tends to be poor, and many musculoskeletal conditions could benefit from effective local delivery treatment mechanisms that increase drug bioavailability and reduce systemic toxicity. This project will include the development of a scalable manufacturing process for that retains microcapsule quality and reproducibility, then fabricate and evaluate the release kinetics. This will provide foundational data and customized solutions to potential pharmaceutical/biotech partners. A toxicology study will then be performed to confirm the safety and localization profile of the microcapsules, rendering additional key data for discussions with potential development 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.MELLICELL, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Industrial-Scale Technology for Drug Development
Contact
17 UNION ST
Watertown, MA 02472--2523
NSF Award
2538072 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to expand the scale of novel technology to enable the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutics. The proposed project will scale and test the technology to meet the expressed needs of research scientists in the pharmaceutical industry that are working to cure various diseases. The technology has the potential to accelerate the development of drugs by more accurately predicting their effectiveness at an earlier, more cost-effective stage than existing options.
The proposed project will enable drug development at a previously unattainable quality and scale. For the last 50 years, the first stage of drug development has been limited by the lack of a tractable system that faithfully reproduces the clinical features of mature cells. The technology in this proposal will be used to enhance efficiency and accelerate maturation time periods relative to conventional methods. Outcomes generated by this new technology will be assessed to determine how closely they match the cellular shape and size, gene expression profile, and function of mature cells in adults. Scaling the technology will require development of novel devices for automation and the design and testing of customized protocols. Success will be determined by measures of manufacturing quality control and other specific 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.MEMBRANEX, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Advancing Electrospray Based 3D Printed Membranes for Industrial Cooling Tower Blowdown Water Reuse with Pilot Demonstration
Contact
119 LAWLOR RD
Tolland, CT 06084--3716
NSF Award
2507613 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,465
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to develop a customized membrane-based solution for industrial water reuse with a focus on cooling tower blowdown water (CTBW). CTBW is is the portion of water that is discharged from a cooling tower system to remove excess dissolved solids, minerals, and impurities that accumulate due to evaporation. This project will manufacture membranes with specific chemistry that will enable the reuse of CTBW. The membranes will allow for the reduction of CTBW volume and reduce water consumption in cooling towers. This is particularly important given the increased need for cooling in data centers, buildings, power plants, and manufacturing facilities and could expand the available location of these facilities into regions with less water available. The proposed project will support the scaling of the electrohydrodynamic spray to make a 2 square meter membrane that will be used in commercial-scale systems. This element will be a commonly used form factor for the water treatment industry and be implementable in current treatment systems. These membranes will be tested under real conditions using real CTBW water and operational challenges will be assessed for membrane fouling, cleaning, and longevity. This project will enable the building of first large-scale spray system, or printer, that will make this testing possible. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
MENTE, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Mentelist: Predictive Management of Surgical Instruments
Contact
12 CHANNEL ST STE 502
Boston, MA 02210--2326
NSF Award
2300005 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,981
Start / end date
08/15/2023 – 09/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is focused on helping hospitals use data to increase efficiency in operating room resource management. The outcome of this work is a product that could deliver predictive management of surgical instruments; It has the potential to possibly deliver significant direct-to-margin savings to Operating Rooms (OR) at a time when hospitals are struggling to remain financially solvent. This effort may enable hospitals to achieve a 50% reduction in instruments, a 25% reduction in OR setup time, and a 33% reduction in tray weight. It could also reduce instrument-related delays and frustration in the ORs, making surgery safer and more efficient. The technology will establish the commercial viability of a new data stream, enabling applications in predictive OR scheduling, outcomes analysis, and surgical team education.
This project advances the field of healthcare analytics by capturing and applying a data stream that describes how surgery is performed. Every surgical instrument is specialized for a very specific task. This means each time an instrument is used by a surgeon, there is information about their goals, the state of the patient, and the phase of surgery. Under the proposed project, this information is captured by tracking instrument usage. This technology may facilitate a number of predictive tools that can be used to improve the efficiency of the OR and even inform surgical techniques. At a certain level, this application could enable quantification of how the best surgeons in the world deliver care, revealing insights that may not be widely known.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MESPILUS INC.
STTR Phase II: Nano Functionalized Capacitive Deionization For Water Purification
Contact
1 PARKTON AVE
Worcester, MA 1605-
NSF Award
2447965 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,212,800
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase II project are in their beneficial implications for water, energy, economics and human health. This is by virtue of making high quality purified water affordable and therefore more available. The proposed onsite water purification technology is the third generation capacitive deionization technology. It would increase water quality by more facile removal of salts and total dissolved solids from water. Its compact, low maintenance device would be uniquely suitable for rural areas, factories, and buildings. The device would have low maintenance, low energy usage, and low wastewater, with no added brine waste, and would require low or no disposables or chemicals. It would be an alternative to the predominant technologies of reverse osmosis and ion exchange, which either generate excessive wastewater, use chemicals, or generate salt brine waste. Affordable purified water will also help prevent water contaminants caused diseases. The technology is expected to save water and energy in data centers, commercial buildings, utilities, and manufacturing. The intellectual merit of this project is in the development of a manufacturable, cost effective third generation capacitive deionization device consisting of electrodes, flow cells, and electronics. Further improvements will be made in water purification charge efficiency, energy usage, water recovery, and electrode lifetime. The bench scale electrode coating formulation developed during Phase I will be optimized against particle shedding to reduce electrical leakage. The electrode will be transferred from bench scale to a production scale capability in a roll-to-roll electrode manufacturing process. The electrodes will be packaged into cartridge holders designed for modular use in an easy-to-manufacture process. Functionalization of electrode pore surfaces will be optimized for capacitance and efficiency by means of both smaller and larger functional group molecules than those that were used in phase I. A cost-efficient power and fluid distribution architecture will be developed into a modular, scalable pilot to perform according to specifications provided by potential customers. The lifetime of the flow cell will be determined with regards to carbonate fouling and electronic operating conditions. Initial target is to remove a delta of total dissolved solids (TDS) of 2000 ppm or more from a contaminated feed. Another target is 4 liters per minute flow rate at 70% or more water recovery. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
MFNS TECH, INC.
SBIR Phase II: An Oleophilic Hydrophobic Multifunctional (OHM) Media for Environmental Remediation
Contact
940 QUEENS LN
Glenview, IL 60025--1971
NSF Award
2415632 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$992,014
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in addressing the critical environmental challenge of water contamination, which poses significant risks to aquatic ecosystems, drinking water quality, and recreational water bodies. Traditional remediation technologies are often unsustainable and generate large amounts of waste. This project aims to develop an innovative solution that is both sustainable and cost-effective. This would enhance the ability and capacity to manage and remediate contaminated water sources. Environmental pollution, particularly water contamination, often impacts marginalized and resource-limited communities due to cost and deployment challenges. The proposed technology addresses these challenges comprehensively. By advancing the technology for sustainable environment remediation, this project aligns with the National Science Foundation's mission to promote the progress of science and secure national health, prosperity, and welfare. The successful implementation of this project is expected to result in substantial environmental benefits and improved sustainable practices. Additionally, the project holds significant commercial potential, as it addresses a widespread industrial need. This could create opportunities for job creation.
The primary technical innovation of this project is the development of a nanocomposite coating with oleophilic (oil-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) properties that can be applied to any porous materials (such as sponge or foam) for efficient oil capture from water. This novel approach ensures that the absorbed pollutant can be selectively removed and recovered, and the sponge can be reused. The goals of this research include scaling up the synthesis of the nanocomposite while maintaining its complex nanostructured architecture. Also, to validate its multifunctionality via ?mix-n-match? due to its flexible form factor that renders a ?Swiss Army knife? remediation approach for various pollutants, including oil, heavy metals, excess nutrients, and toxic substances. The project will use a vertical integration approach to understand and control factors such as flow rate, reaction time, and nanoparticle nucleation and growth. Large-scale pilot studies will replicate real-world conditions to ensure the practicality of the technology in industrial applications. Analytical characterization techniques will be used to continuously validate the consistency of the nanocomposite properties, ensuring its effectiveness and reliability. Additionally, the project will fabricate a mobile prototype for industrial-scale testing, replicating real-world conditions to demonstrate the technology's easy adaptability.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MICROPURE GENOMICS INC.
SBIR Phase II: Rapid, End-to-end Sample Preparation for Sequencing Applications
Contact
651 N BROAD ST
Middletown, DE 19709--6400
NSF Award
2451663 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
05/15/2025 – 04/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of an innovative platform for preparing DNA samples for long-read sequencing technologies. These technologies offer unprecedented insights into complex genetic structures and their connections to health and disease but require long, continuous DNA strands for optimal performance. Current sample preparation methods are labor-intensive and expensive, and often compromise DNA quality and length, limiting the utility and adoption of long-read sequencers. This project?s automated platform will deliver high quality DNA samples with improved reproducibility, reduced preparation time, and lower costs. Beyond advancing long-read sequencing, the platform will also support DNA preparation for other sequencing (next-generation sequencing) and analytical methods, broadening its impact. The sequencing sample preparation market is a large and rapidly growing market (annual growth rate of 13.4%), with long-read sequencing currently comprising ~10% of the total market. By overcoming critical barriers, this innovation will accelerate the adoption of long-read sequencing, drive market growth, and contribute to improved health outcomes through enhanced diagnostics and research capabilities. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to resolve a major challenge in genomic sequencing by advancing a novel technology for high-quality DNA sample preparation. Building on successful Phase I outcomes, the project focuses on developing commercial-grade prototypes and refining an automated platform for preparing long DNA strands. Key research objectives include fabricating user-friendly cartridges and instruments, improving platform performance, and validating the technology with input from leading research institutions. The approach utilizes a process that selectively traps genomic material in a microscale flow cell, where an electric field and pressure-driven flow work in tandem to enable purification and preparation within a single device. By the conclusion of Phase II, the project aims to deliver fully operational prototypes optimized for commercialization. These innovations are expected to streamline sample preparation, significantly reducing time, cost, and complexity while enhancing outcomes. The resulting technology will support broader adoption of long-read sequencing and other genomic applications, unlocking new possibilities in research, healthcare, and 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.
MIMIC SYSTEMS INC
SBIR Phase II: Solid-State Heating and Cooling System Using High-Performance Thermoelectric Materials
Contact
19 MORRIS AVE
Brooklyn, NY 11205-
NSF Award
2604928 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of a next-generation system for heating and cooling buildings using solid-state technology. This project will establish a faster, more cost-effective manufacturing process to make these systems readily available to households. This technology allows homeowners to replace traditional conditioners with quiet and highly reliable heat pumps. These new solid-state heat pumps run entirely on electricity and feature no moving parts, making them very durable.
This project utilizes novel additive ink-based fabrication to establish a scalable, cost-effective manufacturing workflow for high-performance thermoelectric solid-state heat pumps. By fine-tuning precursor composition, rheology, and thermal processing, the project will optimize n- and p-type thermoelectric inks to achieve higher material figures of merit. A core technical innovation is the deployment of at-scale thermoelectric leg printing. To achieve performance parity with incumbent heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies, these scalability gains are coupled with a systematic reduction in thermal interface resistance through the integration of advanced, thermally conductive materials. To ensure commercial viability, the project leverages high-throughput, industry-standard processes?such as automated pick-and-place assembly?to achieve mass-production yields. Rigorous reliability testing via cyclic loading will identify and resolve failure modes through iterative device design and assembly improvements.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MINDTRACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SBIR Phase II: A Cognitive Dashboard to Support Clinical Decision Making in Neurosurgery
Contact
625 LIBERTY AVE, 5TH FL
Pittsburgh, PA 15222--3110
NSF Award
2444804 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,200,991
Start / end date
05/15/2025 – 04/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will directly address the growing national economic and individual burden of brain diseases that require neurosurgery. Neurosurgical interventions to remove brain tumors or treat medically refractory epilepsy strive to not cause post-operative cognitive deficits in patients. However, a majority of neurosurgery patients self-report post-operative cognitive deficits affecting language, vision, hearing, touch or movement that lower quality of life and increase morbidity. By creating tools that improve outcomes, patients are able to return to their lives more completely after surgery, which has broad implications for not just their own quality of life, but that of their families, with direct consequences for the broader economy and society. This first-of-its-kind tool to support quantitative pre-operative surgical planning and evidence-based prediction of post-operative outcome will reduce uncertainty associated with neurosurgical interventions and relieve hospitals, healthcare payers, and patients of increased costs due to potential postoperative complications driven by neurocognitive deficits. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will complete a novel suite of products that integrate multiple sources of information to enable clinicians to more effectively plan neurosurgery in support of the best post-operative quality-of-life for their patients. There is currently no publicly or commercially available software platform that integrates the administration, recording, analysis and cross-registration of behavioral tests and functional and structural brain mapping protocols. Clinical teams therefore devote an enormous amount of time to translating siloed streams of information into evidence that is relevant for clinical decision making. This project will directly address these technological shortcomings by utilizing a combination of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and statistical models that integrate these clinical data and allow for predictive simulations of how a surgical plan will affect outcomes. Under the Phase II project, important user-interface and regulatory submission (510(k)) milestones will be completed, and the technical infrastructure for predicting patient outcomes will be validated using a closed historical dataset. Successful completion of this project will demonstrate prediction of post-operative quality of life and neurocognitive outcomes at levels that match or exceed reported precedents, and culminate in submission of a Class II De Novo device application to the FDA. This award reflects 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 II: High Light-Throughput Electrodes for Top-Emitting and Transparent OLED Displays
Contact
1068 W SHERIDAN RD
Chicago, IL 60660--1537
NSF Award
2605167 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,245,569
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project improves the efficiency of Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displays found in a wide range of devices including smartwatches, phones, tablets, and (increasingly) monitors. The developed technology can allow top-emitting OLED monitors, tablets, and phones to save in overall energy usage. This manifests in terms of longer battery life while lower driving power extends lifetime and allows cooler operation. The improved performance of OLED also allows these displays to be considered in applications normally restricted to alternative display technologies. This improved performance is accomplished via a new method of generating transparent electrodes that make it possible to extract light more efficiently from the devices.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project address an ongoing concern in Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) manufacturing, namely the efficiency limitations that stem from limited electrode transparency. The materials developed by this project provide efficiency gains by generating a thin metal electrode that is both transparent and conductive. Normally, reducing the thickness of the electrode improves transparency, but severely diminishes conductivity. This approach utilized here allows the metal to form 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 is enabled by the project?s technology which causes the metal to wet the surface more effectively via high affinity interactions with the metal. Demonstrations of the technology across a sampling of OLED materials stacks supports application of the process to a range of device architectures. Stability validations that meet demanding production conditions will confirm compatibility with industry tools and processes. Materials development to meet a greater range of electrode materials illustrates viability of the technology across a greater range of manufacturers and production lines. The end result is a drop-in material that can be readily adopted by OLED display manufacturers.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.MONSTR SENSE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Rapid-scanning Ultrafast Imaging Microscope for Material Inspection
Contact
3830 PACKARD ST
Ann Arbor, MI 48108--2053
NSF Award
2208201 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
01/01/2023 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will address the widespread industry challenge of improving yield in compound semiconductor device production. Compound semiconductors with a wide bandgap are needed for high power devices in electric vehicles (EVs), high frequency components in 5G electronics, and energy-efficient displays. The compound semiconductor market, valued at $36+ billion in 2022, has increased recently with growing consumer demand for EVs. The annual growth rate of silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors, the most prominent devices, is estimated at over 20%. Despite the wide-scale production of these components in an industry that expects near perfection in manufacturing, the current yield of power electronic components is less than 50%. Poor yield results largely from an inability to adequately inspect substrates and epitaxial wafers used for power electronics. Instead, the industry currently relies on inspection tools with poor defect selectivity or destructive methods that can only provide statistical information about the defects in a wafer batch. To increase wafer yield, the team will develop a new type of optical inspection tool for selectively measuring defects in every wafer. If successful, this novel inspection technology will enable the industry to help drive down costs and increase performance of energy-efficient power electronics.
The intellectual merit of this project is the novel way in which technology developed for use in fundamental science is being applied to rapid semiconductor inspection. The proposed method, called ultrafast imaging, uses the nonlinear optical response of a semiconductor induced by an ultrafast laser to isolate defects that measurably impact the electronic structure of the semiconductor. Though the semiconductor industry has typically focused on measuring morphology to find defects, measurement of compound semiconductors requires a tool that is sensitive to the electronic structure. This project will validate ultrafast imaging through benchmark testing against industry standards and develop an easy-to-use device for getting this technology into the hands of manufacturers. Partner manufacturing and inspection companies will provide inspection data and corresponding wafers, allowing correlation of ultrafast imaging defect measurements with data provided by other industry tools. Additionally, the team will develop and demonstrate an easy-to-use commercial product for user facilities and industrial research and development facilities, another essential step in the development of a high-throughput inspection tool. This benchtop product will not only improve current semiconductor technologies but will also be useful for scientists to characterize the next generation of semiconductors.
This award reflects 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 II: AI-Powered Low-dose, Low-cost, High-Quality Computed Tomography (CT) Imaging
Contact
511 LASSEN ST
Los Altos, CA 94022--3911
NSF Award
2604163 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/15/2026 – 05/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to expand access to advanced three-dimensional X-ray imaging during surgery without requiring hospitals to purchase expensive computed tomography scanners. Many surgical procedures, particularly spine operations, rely on two-dimensional X-ray images that can make it difficult to fully visualize anatomy and implanted hardware. Limited access to affordable three-dimensional imaging can increase procedure time, complication rates, and overall healthcare costs. This project seeks to enable existing mobile X-ray systems to produce high-quality three-dimensional images, allowing more procedures to be safely performed in outpatient surgical centers and community hospitals. If successful, the technology could reduce healthcare expenditures, improve patient safety, and lower radiation exposure by avoiding repeat scans. Commercially, the approach supports a scalable software-based model that upgrades widely deployed imaging equipment rather than replacing it, creating a large potential market across surgical centers in the United States and globally. Broader societal benefits include improved access to high-quality surgical care in rural and underserved regions, workforce development in advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence, and strengthened national leadership in medical imaging innovation.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to develop and clinically validate a new method for generating three-dimensional images from limited-angle X-ray data acquired by standard mobile surgical imaging systems. Conventional mobile systems primarily produce flat, two-dimensional images because they rotate over a small angle and operate under radiation dose constraints, limiting their ability to create accurate three-dimensional reconstructions. The project will refine artificial intelligence models that incorporate physical principles of X-ray imaging to reconstruct volumetric images from limited data. Research objectives include improving image quality and reliability across different imaging systems and patient anatomies, developing real-time calibration methods to correct for mechanical motion and geometric distortion, and validating performance in realistic surgical environments. The anticipated technical results are rapid, low-dose three-dimensional reconstructions with image clarity and geometric accuracy comparable to conventional computed tomography for specific surgical tasks. Successful completion of this work would demonstrate a practical pathway to deliver advanced three-dimensional guidance and navigation using equipment that is already widely available in operating rooms.
This award reflects 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 II: NeuroBionics IO Fiber: A Multifunctional Neural Probe for Advancing Neuroscience Research
Contact
444 SOMERVILLE AVE
Somerville, MA 02143--3260
NSF Award
2537752 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,202,116
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to catalyze progress in neuroscience by providing researchers with a powerful new tool. The technology developed in this project integrates multiple functions?recording electrical activity, delivering light, monitoring optical signals, and delivering small volumes of fluid?into a single, flexible device. This multimodal capability has the potential to accelerate medical discoveries in complex disorders.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses a critical need for new neuroscience tools that allow scientists to probe using multiple techniques simultaneously. Currently, researchers must rely on separate devices for recording electrical activity, stimulating or monitoring with light, and delivering chemicals or drugs. Combining these into one device typically requires custom fabrication that is time-intensive, error-prone, and difficult to reproduce. This project will advance a novel neural interface that integrates all of these capabilities into a single, plug-and-play platform that is compatible with standard neuroscience equipment. The work will establish scalable manufacturing methods, quality control protocols, and connector systems so that these devices can be produced reliably at scale. The anticipated outcome is a commercially available neural probe that will allow researchers to carry out experiments that are currently not possible.
This award reflects 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 II: Rapid Sepsis Screening System Based on Pathogen DNA Extraction
Contact
11 SYCAMORE WAY
Branford, CT 06405--6553
NSF Award
2537891 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,902
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to reduce the time that it takes to identify positive sepsis patients. The type of sepsis-causing pathogen will also be determined by this test, which will aid in guiding correct antibiotic treatment. The device under development is expected to reduce the need for cultures by directly testing a patient?s sample for infectious pathogens. Sepsis morbidity increases by about 7% for each hour that correct treatment is delayed, so the device under development in this project, which greatly reduces the diagnostic time, is reasonably expected to increase the survival rate for sepsis patients.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project intends to advance the commercialization of a diagnostic lab instrument that uses a novel method of extracting pathogens and their DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Additionally, a pathogen class-specific analytical DNA test is also being developed to classify the type of infection that may be identified from the extracted patient sample. This two-step sepsis screening test is simpler and far faster than any current test for sepsis pathogen identification. The extraction device automatically combines a precisely controlled pH shock to the blood sample, human DNA elimination, filter-based pathogen capture and washing, ultrasonic disruption/DNA extraction, and automated elution of extracted pathogen DNA. The extracted elution is then directly and immediately used with the companion PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, specifically developed for this application, which runs on standard, open-platform instruments already available in 80% of U.S. hospital labs.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.NEWHAPTICS CORP.
SBIR Phase II: Microfluidic Technology for Full-Page Digital Braille and Tactile Graphics Display
Contact
2890 CARPENTER RD STE 1700
Ann Arbor, MI 48108--1100
NSF Award
2153384 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$985,343
Start / end date
09/15/2022 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to reduce the burden of accessing information for the 1.5 million blind people in the United States by making a full page of refreshable braille text and tactile graphics available in a device resembling a tablet computer. This assistive technology will provide increased access to braille in digital form and enable blind students to read, with their fingers, digitized spatial content including mathematical equations, graphs, and figures, creating parity with their sighted counterparts interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. In particular, the product with supporting software will remove barriers to collaboration in classroom learning environments and document preparation in the workplace. The proposed product will improve braille literacy, increase opportunities to enter careers in STEM, and ultimately lead to the employment success and independence of blind Americans.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project continues efforts to adopt microfluidic technology in order to create a highly manufacturable full-page braille and tactile graphics display that uses pneumatic signals to actuate pins at braille spacing. The anticipated technical innovations shift certain drive functions from electromechanical hardware to the more cost effective and easily manufactured multilayered microfluidic substrate. Since the ultimate objective for this phase of research is to create an integrated system for delivering interactive braille and tactile graphics, the team will focus on designing the interactive experience by which blind users access, on demand, the textual and non-textual information that they desire. The anticipated outcome of this project is a seamless array of actuated pins in a tablet sized device capable of presenting a half page of braille characters and tactile graphic images.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.NEXGEN CANCER DETECTION LLC
SBIR Phase II: Enrichment of Cancer DNA for Improved Cancer Diagnostics from Blood
Contact
2132 21ST AVE S
Lino Lakes, MN 55038--2227
NSF Award
2507167 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to diagnose cancer earlier, in particular, residual cancer from a simple blood draw. Each year over 2 million people are diagnosed with cancer in the US. Many people still have residual cancer after completing cancer treatment. The current standard of care is very poor at diagnosing residual cancer, often times the residual cancer is not detected until it is too late to cure. Additionally, 7% of cancer patients have debilitating fear of residual cancer. Diagnosing people with residual cancer earlier will save many lives by treating the residual cancer before it spreads and can no longer be treated to cure. This method has the potential to improve cancer diagnosis, improve cancer treatments, and improve patient outcomes by providing a better method for diagnosing cancer, which is highly sensitive and highly accurate. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will improve and validate the method is effective at diagnosing cancer from a blood draw with patient samples. A cancer test needs to be highly accurate because cancer treatment is often very toxic. A cancer test also needs to detect cancer very early because that is when cancer is most curable. Creating a cancer test, which can do both, is very difficult. Cancer DNA in blood is very rare, as vast majority of the DNA in blood is from normal cells. This method turns a needle (cancer DNA) in a haystack (normal DNA) into a mountain of needles by blocking the normal DNA from replicating in a tube. This increases the percentage of cancer DNA, making it very easy to determine which samples have cancer DNA and which samples do not. This project will optimize the current method, verify the method can easily be done in a commercial setting, and validate the method works with real patient samples. The anticipated result is a simple blood draw that can accurately detect a single copy of cancer DNA. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
NEXUMA L.L.C.
SBIR Phase II: Microbially-Driven Underground Barrier to Reduce Flooding in Coastal Communities
Contact
17275 COLLINS AVE APT 603
Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160--3444
NSF Award
2604891 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,149,796
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/ commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in mitigating escalating "bottom-up" flood risks by commercializing nature-based technology to reinforce porous limestone. This innovation reduces flood damage, saltwater intrusion, and seawall failure in at-risk coastal regions, such as Florida. By strengthening critical infrastructure and protecting natural resources, the project enhances public safety and quality of life while lowering long-term maintenance costs and minimizing resident disruption. Furthermore, this work advances the national interest in economic security and resource conservation, fulfilling the mission of translating scientific research into tangible public benefits through successful commercialization.
The primary technical challenge of this project is determining whether controlled carbonate mineral formation can achieve the scale, uniformity, and durability required to create low-permeability subsurface barriers within porous coastal limestone. This is inherently high-risk due to the extreme heterogeneity of coastal geology, which is subject to high permeability, variable groundwater flow, and fluctuating chemical conditions from seawater intrusion. A successful outcome would establish a novel subsurface approach to restrict underground water movement and stabilize infrastructure in at-risk shoreline environments. This research investigates how biologically and chemically assisted mineral formation can be precisely directed within native limestone to enhance hydraulic and mechanical performance without compromising physico-chemical and biological compatibility. The project moves from laboratory validation to controlled large- scale testing and field demonstrations, specifically targeting seawall resilience in porous coastal settings. The core intellectual contribution lies in managing mineral formation within heterogeneous media to predictably reduce permeability and increase structural strength. The project employs a staged methodology: first, refining treatment conditions for improved reliability and scalability; second, evaluating performance in simulated limestone test systems that replicate field-level pore structures and other local variations; and finally, assessing behavior through controlled field injection trials. Supported by hydraulic measurements, mineralogical analysis, and subsurface imaging, these methods will establish the engineering foundation for a scalable resilience platform to combat flooding, saltwater intrusion, and coastal deterioration.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.NOMI MATERIALS CORP
SBIR Phase II: Scalable Synthetic Mucin Biomaterials
Contact
500 WHITE PLAINS RD STE 500
Tarrytown, NY 10591--5102
NSF Award
2528187 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,231,501
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/ commercial impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lie in improving public health through novel solutions in skincare, wound healing, eye lubrication, and drug delivery; strengthening U.S. national defense with materials for aerospace and extreme environments; and fostering academic?industry partnerships. The core innovation is a synthetic mucin that mimics structures and functions of their animal-derived counterparts, but that is also significantly lower cost, purer, more stable, and customizable to meet the specific needs of the customer. The application areas mentioned earlier represent multi-million-dollar markets and this project can be first-to-market to address the growing need for biocompatible analogs of ubiquitous mucus biomaterials.
Synthetic mucins are glycosylated polypeptides engineered to replicate the structure and function of natural mucins, but with the distinct advantages of scalability, stability, purity, and customization to meet specific customer requirements. Phase I research achieved higher-yield monomer synthesis and developed a material platform informed by structure-property relationships. Building on this, the Phase II objectives are to: (1) demonstrate at-scale synthesis of synthetic mucins, (2) develop skincare and wound healing products, (3) create synthetic mucins for molecular delivery applications, including mucosal barrier models, (4) apply synthetic mucins in anti-icing aerospace coatings, and (5) formulate synthetic mucin-based eye lubricants. Notably, many of these applications utilize the same synthetic mucin polymers. A key technical challenge remaining is the removal of a toxic catalyst used in the hydrogenation step.
This award reflects 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 II: Generative Design Technology for Robust, Editable, Manufacturable Solutions
Contact
1511 AVIATION CENTER PKWY
Daytona Beach, FL 32114--3857
NSF Award
2451695 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,245,669
Start / end date
05/15/2025 – 04/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in transforming additive manufacturing design processes to enable broader adoption of additive manufacturing for end-use applications. Additive manufacturing offers substantial advantages over traditional manufacturing, such as reduced material waste, integrated part design, and the ability to fabricate complex geometries. However, existing challenges in the design and simulation processes, such as time-consuming manual methods and high costs, have hindered its widespread use. This project will develop a generative design tool that automates and optimizes additive manufacturing part designs, significantly reducing computational time and costs while improving part performance and sustainability. By streamlining the creation of editable, robust designs, the technology will reduce material usage, energy consumption, and environmental impact. This innovation is anticipated to drive adoption across industries, including aerospace, medical, and automotive, facilitating more efficient and sustainable manufacturing practices. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to address the inefficiencies in additive manufacturing design through three key innovations: a method for generating topology-optimized editable parametric computer aided design models, machine learning-enhanced simulation for accelerated topology optimization, and the integrated optimization of build orientation and support structures. Current design software often generates large, complex files that are difficult to edit, resulting in a time-consuming additive manufacturing model design process. By enabling a dual-option framework, the proposed generative design tool will allow users to choose between maximized performance or a balanced approach that includes both performance and editability, providing insights into how different design priorities affect the final output. The high computational demands of existing topology optimization techniques have limited their use in designing end-use parts. Additionally, many current additive manufacturing processes require sacrificial support structures for parts with certain inclination angles, which increases material and energy usage, as well as manufacturing time and cost. This project reduces design time, making the process faster and more cost-effective without compromising the quality of the optimized design. By generating optimized, support-free designs, the proposed technology will reduce material costs, manufacturing time, and environmental impact, making additive manufacturing more efficient and sustainable. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
NUTRAMAIZE LLC
STTR Phase II: Developing High Carotenoid Orange Corn for Large-scale Commercial Adoption
Contact
1281 WIN HENTSCHEL BLVD, UNIT 046
West Lafayette, IN 47906--0000
NSF Award
1926952 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,012,916
Start / end date
08/01/2019 – 01/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) project will be the development and commercialization of a novel variety of corn that is high in carotenoids and orange in color, and with yields that are competitive with today's commercial hybrids. In the diets of Americans, two important antioxidant carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, are in low abundance. This deficiency has been associated with higher risk for degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, and potentially, dementia. The ultimate goal of the proposed research is to provide a way for Americans to consume more lutein and zeaxanthin, which will be achieved by increasing significantly the levels of these antioxidants in the U.S.'s most widely grown staple crop: Corn. Since corn is used in a wide variety of popular processed food formats, improving the carotenoid content of corn provides an opportunity to significantly increase the amount of health benefiting antioxidants that Americans consume, without changing consumers eating habits. However, in order for this strategy to be economically feasible, corn varieties that are high in carotenoids must be developed that also are high in grain yield.
This STTR Phase II project proposes to use genetic markers to select for favorable alleles of genes associated with carotenoid biosynthesis and stability in corn bred for commercial production. There is considerable genetic variation in genes associated with carotenoid biosynthesis and stability, however, the most favorable alleles are typically not found in varieties that are commercially relevant to US corn production. Thus, the use of genetic markers developed previously will enable favorable alleles to be moved from lower yielding germplasm that is not well adapted to the US Corn Belt into elite inbreds suitable for the production of yield-competitive commercial F1 hybrids for the US market. The primary goal of this Phase II research is to use the user-friendly genetic markers associated with favorable alleles for 18 key genes associated with carotenoid biosynthesis and stability developed in Phase I to rapidly develop fixed inbreds for use in the production of yield-competitive high carotenoid F1 hybrids suitable for large-scale commercial 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.New Iridium
SBIR Phase II: Utilizing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as a Feedstock to Produce Commodity Chemicals
Contact
2870 E COLLEGE AVENUE UNIT 106
Boulder, CO 80303--1961
NSF Award
2151548 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
05/01/2023 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is abating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the production of terephthalic acid, a large-scale commodity chemical. Development of this technology will provide a pathway for direct utilization of CO2 in everyday products. For example, implemented at scale, the proposed process has potential to sequester about 20 million metric tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to the emissions from 4.3 million cars. This project also has significant commercial potential. By delivering a lower-carbon product at lower cost than the current technology, the proposed innovation has the potential to become the de facto standard for manufacturing this commodity chemical. Annual licensing and ancillary revenue from a single plant is estimated at $30 million, and at 70-80% market share, typical for the dominant process, annual revenue could grow to over $1.5 billion. The success of this project will also provide a scientific and entrepreneurial blueprint to spur similar efforts thus advancing the state of the art of CO2 utilization technologies.
This SBIR Phase II project proposes to develop a light-driven chemical technology that enables the use of CO2 as a raw material in large scale chemical production of terephthalic acid. This project abates CO2 emissions by converting CO2, captured from point sources such as industrial flue stacks or direct air capture, to useful chemical and consumer products. Carbon dioxide is a stable compound and is typically unreactive and therefore incompatible with traditional heat-driven processes. The proposed project will help mature the technology of CO2 activation by photocatalysis, which has been shown to be effective in inducing CO2 reactivity. The first step is to demonstrate the feasibility of using CO2 to produce the target chemical at bench scale. Next, the reaction performance will be optimized using high-throughput experimentation techniques. Finally, the process will be scaled up in a photo flow photoreactor. In this part of the project, engineering scale up issues will be addressed as a precursor to realizing a production plant.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Nitrate Elimination Company, Inc
SBIR Phase II: Dual Enzyme System to Prevent Food Waste Caused by Oxygen
Contact
334 HECLA ST
Lake Linden, MI 49945--1323
NSF Award
2451309 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,010
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of a new and effective method for protecting foods, beverages, and other packaged goods from the damage caused by oxygen. The technology is powered by enzymes which use sugar, consume oxygen in a container, and leave behind an insignificant amount of a difference sugar and water. The process is repetitive and the reaction will continue until the enzymes decompose into their fundamental building blocks. When a fruit or vegetable is picked, meat processed, or beverage bottled the food/drink begins to oxidize. It is estimated that 25% of the world?s food supply is lost to oxidation and spoilage. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council and ReFED, $218 billion of food is thrown away every year and about 40% of the food produced in the US goes uneaten. The proposed research is focused on developing active packaging solutions to address the issue of food waste and profit loss due to oxidation. To help facilitate industry adoption, the technology must progress to a level of maturity that demonstrates cost-benefit for customers during incorporation of this disruptive technology into their processes and products. The proposed project further progresses the development of recombinant protein expression technology. Enzymes perform complex chemical reactions in water, under gentle physical conditions, with no organic solvents, high temperatures or pressures required. Phase I work showed that the dual enzyme system has superior performance when compared to products available today for oxidation prevention. The system is stable over a range of temperatures and many months, continuously removing oxygen to maintain part per million concentration from air or headspace, or when immersed in liquids. The technical objectives of this project are to determine the ideal formats and packet materials and ratios between the oxidase and catalase enzymes to effectively remove oxygen from a variety of food and beverage containers at storage conditions these products face in the real world. The enzymes used also eliminate any change in pH, a barrier previous technologies encountered. The prototype packet format used for beta testing is small, one square centimeter, and contains a few nanograms of enzyme, sugar and aqueous buffer. A number of packet materials which have approved for contact with food will be examined. These materials should permit permeation of gas but keep packet contents intact and away from foods being protected. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
OAKGROVE BIO LLC
SBIR Phase II: Cost-Effective Peptide Production Platform
Contact
737 TAUNTON RD
Talleyville, DE 19803--1709
NSF Award
2409774 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
03/15/2025 – 02/28/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to accelerate the commercialization of special molecules known as peptides. The last twenty years have seen extensive academic research on bioactive and structural peptides for applications ranging from antimicrobials, vaccines, scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery growth factors for cell culture media, and bioactives for medical nutrition or the control of chronic diseases. However, despite their great potential, few have advanced to translation at scale, due in part to the prohibitive cost of peptide synthesis. This project continues to advance a peptide production system toward commercial viability. The proposed project aims to scale-up a recombinant technology platform that will dramatically decrease the cost of manufacturing of peptides beyond what is currently commercially feasible. It addresses peptide production from a different perspective than that of current recombinant peptide production technologies. Specifically, taking advantage of the fact that peptides can be treated as polymers rather than as folded proteins with a complex structure, novel microbial cell factories will enable peptide production and purification. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
OCEAN MOTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Utilizing Reinforcement Learning to Optimize Ocean Wave Energy Capture
Contact
1627 JUNIPER RIDGE ST
Pomona, CA 91766--4113
NSF Award
2423329 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,977
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to benefit companies and organizations ? including fisheries, scientific research organizations, government agencies, and coastal security programs ? that collect data at sea by reducing the cost of powering data buoys. Power generation is typically one of the major costs for operating a data buoy. This project aims to develop a market-ready artificial intelligence system to increase the energy output of a wave energy device by dynamically changing the wave energy device?s settings based on incoming waves. This project enhances our understanding of the applications of artificial intelligence systems to increase energy output from renewable sources that have changing environments, specifically wave energy devices. As a result of lowering energy costs, this project will improve end-user capabilities to manage maritime assets and logistics, increase oceanographic and climatological data collection, and enable government agencies to collect more information. Additionally, this project enables local, state and federal agencies to deploy offshore water quality and environmental tracking buoys at lower cost, which is especially important for disadvantaged coastal communities. For example, an early intended beneficiary of this technology is an underserved coastal community that needs to track local wastewater discharge.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop an artificial intelligence system that optimizes energy capture from incoming waves. The key innovation is a system for training and fine-tuning artificial intelligence models to ambient wave environments in which the wave energy device is deployed. This is important, since wave environments can vary dramatically. In Phase I, the system was shown to increase energy output by 27% to 33%. Phase II will extend this work by enabling fine tuning of the system on local wave data, and by making the innovation commercially accessible on a cloud platform. By making the artificial intelligence system available for training and fine-tuning in a cloud environment, customers will be able to remotely update the artificial intelligence system for deployed wave energy devices on data buoys. This will increase harvested power and provide better control and management of energy output for data buoys. The research undertaken as part of this project will make improvements to power generation beyond those realized in Phase I. The anticipated technical result of this research is a wave energy device with increased output power that uses artificial intelligence, as well as an innovative system for delivering this solution to market.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.OFF PLANET RESEARCH L.L.C.
SBIR Phase II: Portable Production Process for Icy Regoliths by Vapor Deposition
Contact
1130 W MARINE VIEW DR STE A-2
Everett, WA 98201--1500
NSF Award
2231348 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$996,708
Start / end date
07/15/2023 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will enable research and development on simulated moon surface materials that resemble the icy regolith on the Moon and other worlds by a large number of organizations that currently do not have access to such materials. Making realistic icy regolith simulants is beyond the reach of most organizations because they are produced by replicating the natural formation processes, that is they are produced under conditions that approximate the environment within the ultra-cold, permanently-shadowed areas in the polar regions of the Moon. Utilizing the resource potential of icy regoliths is a key to an enduring human presence in space. Accurate simulants of these materials are necessary to develop the technologies for studying, prospecting, and utilizing this resource. Greater access to these simulants will increase academia/industry partnerships and allow more rapid technology development through higher fidelity testing.
This SBIR Phase II project provide a location-dependent, custom production method to produce icy regolith simulants in large enough quantities in locations where they are needed by students, researchers, and engineers. Currently, the difficulty and cost of making realistic icy regolith simulants is preventing the higher fidelity testing required to reduce the risk and facilitate the development of in situ extraction technologies for critical resources. These simulants must be produced by re-creating the natural formation processes on the Moon and other worlds as closely as possible under very controlled conditions. Icy simulants must be custom-made and can include hazardous gases so they are expensive and can only be produced slowly in small batches. Cryogenic shipment after production is expensive, difficult, and limited to small amounts. This project will produce new equipment and methods of production that are portable. The solution will also make more realistic and complete icy regolith simulants in quantities large enough for effective research and development to take place. The equipment will be designed to be adaptable and have the capacity to make various physical forms of icy simulants with differing ingredients.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ONE SPOT LEARNING, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Holistic System for Comprehensive Student Assessment
Contact
741 CONESTOGA RD
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010--1039
NSF Award
2528024 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,247,426
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is to transform how educators analyze and respond to student learning by providing real-time insight into qualitative work such as essays, assignments, and lab reports at a scale that was previously impossible. The project addresses a long-standing challenge in education: the difficulty of systematically analyzing open-ended student work in a timely and efficient way. This technology applies artificial intelligence and natural language processing to help teachers and administrators access actionable insights that inform instructional decisions and improve student outcomes. This technology advances scientific and educational understanding by enabling real-time analysis of unstructured learning data, an area that has historically been difficult to scale. The initial market includes K?12 public schools, independent schools, and higher education institutions. As schools seek secure, scalable, and ethical AI tools, this technology offers a clear commercial opportunity. The platform?s ability to integrate into instructional workflows, such as Learning Management Systems, and keep data fully within institutional control offers a durable competitive advantage. By year three, the company expects to serve hundreds of schools, helping educators become more responsive in their teaching. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project implements a multi-agent artificial intelligence and natural language processing system to analyze qualitative learning data?or student work?providing educators with accurate, reliable, and actionable insights into student learning. This project builds on a system that was derisked with the support of a SBIR Phase I grant and addresses the serious problem in educational systems of assessing student learning on a large scale in a timely way. This project leverages a number of machine learning technologies including various natural language processing algorithms, transformer-based large language models, and proprietary machine learning models. These artificial intelligence and machine learning components are embedded in a full-stack web application that allows for efficient ingestion and preprocessing of student work along with a data dashboard that makes it easy for users to understand the generated reports. This Phase II project builds upon the de-risked technology from Phase I by expanding the available analysis algorithms and technologies, enhancing the full-stack web application to handle commercial workloads, and increases the integrations with existing educational technologies all to prepare LearningPulse for widescale commercial adoption in K-12 and Higher Education This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
OPAL THERAPEUTICS INC
SBIR Phase II: Scaling Platforms for Translational Research and Therapeutic Screening
Contact
135 MISSISSIPPI ST
San Francisco, CA 94107--2523
NSF Award
2605008 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact /commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to establish a scalable and data-rich platform. The project has three main objectives: (1) expand the current biobank with increased metadata acquisition, (2) automate culture and imaging workflows with proprietary media formulations to increase throughput and reproducibility, and (3) integrate multi-modal data into an AI-powered predictive model.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to advance and validate models including new approach methodologies (NAMs) to replace other models. The core challenge addressed is the lack of scalable, relevant systems that capture inflammation and remodeling. The research will optimize standardized culture conditions, and develop immune-competent models that incorporate multiple cell types. Longitudinal perturbation studies will be used to characterize relevant biological responses across imaging, inflammatory markers, and gene expression. The project will also integrate computational methods to identify reproducible patterns across donors and experimental conditions. Anticipated outcomes include improved reproducibility, higher-throughput workflows, and validated biological readouts suitable for early efficacy testing. These technical advances are intended to establish a robust preclinical platform that can support downstream therapeutic development and future U.S. clinical 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.OPERA BIOSCIENCE, INC.
SBIR Phase II: A Gram-Negative Bacterial Secretion Platform for Cost-Effective, High-Purity Recombinant Protein Production
Contact
1801 MAPLE AVE STE 6240
Evanston, IL 60201--3149
NSF Award
2451468 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,994
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be felt at the societal, educational, and scientific levels. The cost and time saving potential of this protein secretion technology alone has the ability to better human health and speed new product development. The availability of lower cost manufacturing drugs that reach the market faster has the potential to save the United States a substantial amount of money going forward. A lower cost protein production strain that operates at scale would also support domestic supply chain resiliency and biosecurity. Reducing the cost of manufacturing biologic drugs would make it more economical to re-shore manufacturing of drugs and drug products to the United States from the current low-cost production countries that export to the United States. By manufacturing these drugs in the U.S., this technology could limit future supply chain disruptions caused by pandemics or complications to international trade. Reducing recombinant protein prices would also pave the way for biomanufactured alternatives in areas such as textiles and pave the way for new manufacturing processes in these industries. The proposed project will further develop an innovative bacterial protein secretion platform technology into a commercially viable, cost-effective protein expression platform capable of producing multiple classes of proteins at an industrial scale, while meeting commercial standards of activity and purity. While the platform is capable of generating limited revenue at pilot scale, achieving these Phase II milestones will allow for manufacturing of commercially relevant reagents at an economically feasible scale, while putting into place an industrially viable production and purification process. The proposed project will initially benchmark the capabilities of the platform by developing and optimizing industrial scale manufacturing processes for 3 different classes of proteins. This project will also add to the capabilities of the platform by optimizing downstream processes, developing scalable protein production workflows, and creating fast, cost-effective purification methodologies specifically tailored for the commercial purification of secreted proteins across multiple protein classes. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
OPTIC FRINGE CORP.
SBIR Phase II: AI-Driven Part Identification that Converts Standard Coordinate Measuring Machines into Autonomous Systems for Automated Part Measurements
Contact
8 COBBLESTONE WAY
North Billerica, MA 01862--2915
NSF Award
2517689 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,235,863
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in enabling autonomous part measurement on a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), transforming how precision components are inspected in manufacturing. By automating part identification, program selection, and measurement execution, this innovation reduces manual intervention, minimizes errors, and significantly increases inspection throughput on the shop floor. This advancement has the potential to lower manufacturing costs, improve quality control, and address skilled labor shortages in industries such as aerospace, medical devices, and automotive manufacturing. The project will also enhance scientific and technological understanding of autonomous metrology by integrating advanced computer vision, machine learning, and robotics with established CMM workflows. By closing the loop between part production and inspection in a fully automated pipeline, the technology will enable real-time quality control and adaptive manufacturing, accelerating the adoption of advanced manufacturing practices. This project supports the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt a capability that was not previously available in the market. Overall, this innovation will contribute to building resilient, high-quality manufacturing ecosystems while advancing the field of intelligent, autonomous measurement systems. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the challenge of automating part measurement on Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs), a critical bottleneck in high-precision manufacturing. Currently, CMM inspection requires manual part identification, program selection, and positioning, resulting in delays, human errors, and inefficient use of metrology resources. The objective of this research is to develop and validate an autonomous measurement system that combines advanced computer vision, machine learning, and robotics with CMM operations to enable lights-out inspection. The proposed work will create algorithms for robust part recognition under varying lighting and positioning conditions, automate inspection routine selection and execution, and incorporate real-time feedback to detect errors or anomalies during measurement. The system is designed for seamless integration onto new CMMs and can also be retrofitted onto existing machines at customer sites, extending the utility of existing CMMs using low-cost vision systems. The project will include integration efforts at CMM manufacturer sites and pilot customer sites to ensure system robustness across diverse part geometries and shop floor environments. Anticipated technical results include a fully functional autonomous measurement workflow, significant reductions in inspection cycle times, and improved measurement reliability, advancing scalable, intelligent quality assurance in advanced 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.
ORALIVA, INC.
STTR Phase II: Portable Single Cell Cytology and Predictive Analysis Platform for the Early Detection of Epithelial Cancers
Contact
2 DAVIS DR
Durham, NC 27709--0003
NSF Award
2524897 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,244,392
Start / end date
08/15/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is to optimize an accurate and efficient early stage, point of care cancer diagnostic for commercialization and market entry. In 2020, the total cost of cancer care was nearly $210 billion dollars and current cancer diagnostics only allow for diagnosis during late stage disease, resulting in a large economic burden to patients, families, and healthcare providers. Commercialization of the company?s project allows for accurate early-stage cancer detection, enabling healthcare providers to give patients the most appropriate treatment to increase the chances of survival at a lower overall cost. The company?s project will also help increase the cancer diagnostics market size, adding to, for example, the cervical cancer diagnostic market, which was 4.5B USD in 2022, and is expected to increase with a projected compound annual growth rate of 5.7% by 2030. The company?s beachhead market includes dentists, gastroenterologists, and gynecologists. Further, the company has developed a strong partnership with Delta Dental and built relationships with researchers at the University of Miami, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and New York University Langone to expand the project to other indications and promote collaboration between academia and industry. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project will advance the company?s project as an artificial intelligence (AI)-linked, point of care technology for the early detection of epithelial cancers. Current diagnostic tools including magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans, as well as tissue biopsies/histology are expensive techniques most relevant for late-disease detection and are limited by low accuracy. The company offers a solution for early-stage epithelial cancer intervention through the project technology, which leverages a microfluidic engine and microscope/imaging capabilities. In the proposed objectives, the company will target the development of a next-generation AI-linked cytopathology technology that can detect epithelial cancers by first defining design specifications for an initial prototype of the project instrument, and by developing: cost-effective modular clinical decision screening apps to improve early detection/management of epithelial cancers, a generalized cytopathology interface tool with analytics, and deep learning capabilities for enhanced biomarker recognition. These objectives will promote the optimization of the project to accurately classify cell phenotypes, which is crucial for diagnosing and understanding the progression of disease. Ultimately, this work will yield an improved and commercial ready diagnostic tool for early cancer detection in US medical/dental markets. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ORION THERAPEUTICS INC.
STTR Phase II: Multifunctional Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery System for Targeted Delivery of Vascular RNA Therapeutics
Contact
7611 DUPREE RD.
Knoxville, TN 37920--6768
NSF Award
2528119 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,673
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impacts/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase II project are the potential to advance RNA therapeutic solutions across a wide range of diseases. Safe and effective RNA delivery remains a critical challenge and the primary hurdle to clinical translation of RNA therapeutics. This project?s technology is intended to help RNA therapeutics clear this hurdle, facilitating the development of safe and effective targeted RNA therapeutics for diseases plaguing human health. Vascular disease interventions have limited long-term success, and there is a critical need for effective therapeutics; this project?s work for the treatment of intimal hyperplasia represents an important step toward the ultimate goal of improving the treatment of diseases currently lacking effective therapies. This project?s innovation will also contribute to the American economy by providing a combined product and CRO business model that will enhance the RNA therapeutic market, providing flexibility and a wide range of future applications for treatment of diseases across a wide range of potential partners. This project?s innovation will also promote the creation of American jobs in science sales and manufacturing. This Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase II project seeks to further develop a platform technology for targeted RNA therapeutic delivery. The widespread use of RNA therapeutics is challenged by the absence of safe, targeted, and effective solutions for delivery of the nucleic acid payload. This technology integrates customizable lipid nanoparticles that offer an improved delivery method for nucleic acid payloads incorporating one or multiple ligands to direct the system to specific tissue targets. After Phase I work demonstrated preliminary safety and efficacy in targeting injured cardiovascular vessel walls, this project will further validate the utilize the vascular targeted nanoparticles to further study and validate the dynamics of the platform. The RNA payload will be optimized to maximize gene silencing for therapeutic disease mitigation. Dosing regimens and local delivery will also be determined, along with key biomarkers for efficacy and safety monitoring. Further, manufacturing development will be conducted to facilitate manufacturing scaleup, and the targeting capabilities of the technology will be expanded to include myocardial healing applications. This work will promote the technology towards commercialization in the intimal hyperplasia arena, while also advancing the potential for future use in 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.
OSO SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
SBIR Phase II: Ultra-Low Loss Beamformer and Combiner-First Technology for Lower Power Consumption Phased Arrays
Contact
148 CASTRO ST STE B1
Mountain View, CA 94041--2812
NSF Award
2538080 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,293
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in reducing the size, weight, power consumption, and cost of phased array systems that support communications technologies, opening new opportunities and geographies for use. Many promising use cases such as handheld sensors, drones, wearables, and edge-deployed communication nodes remain insufficiently addressed with existing technologies, despite a clear demand for compact, energy-efficient, and affordable phased array solutions. The proposed technology would significantly reduce the power consumption and cost of phased array antennas while maintaining competitive performance, supporting the creation and deployment of commercially feasible technologies across a variety of applications. This innovation has the potential to benefit all industries that depend on phased arrays for radio communications. For example, higher performance long-range radar, improved communication satellites, and more affordable wireless access points that can traffic more data at a lower cost would be enabled to enhance everything from national defense to healthcare. These advances would support high throughput mobile devices like smartphones, improved internet connectivity, and increased accessibility and development of new technologies.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will advance a novel architecture for phased array antennas that feature significantly lower power consumption and lower fabrication cost compared to existing phased arrays. Depending on the application, there are different frequencies that the technology may operate across. For example, the Ku-band (10-15 GHz) is commonly used for satellite communications, radar altimetry, and television broadcasting, while the K/Ka-band (20-30 GHz) is widely used for high-data-rate satellite links, advanced radar systems, and next-generation space and terrestrial communication applications. This project will validate, receive, and transmit versions of the chips for the Ku-band, piloting the technologies through integration in antennas and thus collecting data to encourage commercialization. The project will explore application of the technology to the K/Ka-band to receive and transmit chips, opening doors to applications in radar and 5G/6G markets.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.OTORO ENERGY INC
SBIR Phase II: Flow Battery Electrolyte Purification: Unlocking 24-Hour Storage Potential
Contact
4828 STERLING DR
Boulder, CO 80301--2350
NSF Award
2451730 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,209,878
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to enable cost-effective, long-duration energy storage, which is critical to ensuring a reliable electric grid. As demand for electricity is expected to soar in the coming years, grid operators require storage systems that can operate for 10 to 24+ hours to balance the supply and demand for power and ensure resiliency. The Department of Energy forecasts that the United States' grid may need 460 gigawatts (GWs) of long-duration energy storage capacity by 2050, representing $330 billion in cumulative capital. This investment would result in $20 billion in annualized savings in operating costs and avoided capital expenditures. The innovation supported by this project has the potential to serve a significant portion of this market, particularly among electric utilities and industrial users such as data centers. The technology is based on non-toxic, non-flammable, and non-corrosive materials, which allow for safer deployment near critical infrastructure and in fire-prone regions?enhancing energy access and resilience while avoiding the safety and environmental risks associated with current storage systems. In addition to economic and environmental benefits, the project may contribute to broader societal impacts by supporting domestic manufacturing and supply chains and increasing public confidence in energy infrastructure. The intellectual merit of this project centers on the development of a full-scale purification apparatus for a proprietary low-cost, high efficiency, non-flammable, scalable flow battery system. In metal chelate flow batteries (MCFBs), trace metal impurities within the liquid electrolytes can catalyze side reactions that compromise battery efficiency and long-term performance. This project proposes a novel, reusable, and low-cost purification process that removes these impurities, enabling the use of lower-grade input materials without sacrificing stability. The Phase II objectives include: (1) validating the purification process at 24-hour discharge durations, (2) constructing a full-scale purification system, (3) building a grid-scale MCFB unit to test the electrolyte purified by this system, and (4) demonstrating 24-hour discharge battery performance using the integrated purification enhanced system. The outcomes of this project will advance the commercial readiness of the MCFB platform by enabling cost-effective electrolyte purification and enhancing system longevity?key enablers for widespread deployment of long-duration energy storage. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
OWIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SBIR Phase II: MicroLINKs: connecting the physical and digital worlds
Contact
350 DUFFIELD HALL
Ithaca, NY 14853--2700
NSF Award
2208619 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,885
Start / end date
01/01/2023 – 08/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Research Innovation (SBIR) Phase II project is to reduce the economic, human, and environmental cost caused by the current disconnect between an object and its digital history. At the human level, consider hospital use cases: medical errors are estimated to kill upwards of 90,000 people annually. Many of these deaths can be traced to a disconnect in the flow of information: the wrong medication goes to a patient, a surgical instrument is not properly sanitized, etc. These errors could be prevented with a tag that is used to verify the identity and status of an object at point of delivery. The proposed technology has application potential across multiple industries: in the enterprise space, companies are investing billions in serialization and augmented reality (AR) to do everything from monitoring supply chains to speeding up manufacturing to improving the cost and reliability of maintenance.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to address an unmet need to provide a technology that connects the physical and digital worlds while offering the needed characteristics for specific markets. The proposed tags provide a novel solution as a ubiquitous, unobtrusive, and cost-effective link that seamlessly and securely ties a physical object to its digital content/history, and a unified data storage/access framework. The technology milestones are to increase read distance (from 4 cm to 16 cm) to address the need to accommodate applications requiring longer read distances; to increase volume tag manufacturing at a rapid but controlled pace and to continue to develop next generation readers based on a prototype reader with co-axial optics, where the read length can be adjusted with no changes to the optics or detector. Based on need, the reader can be varied for specific market segments, while relying on the same core optical and electronic sensing 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.OWLFLY
SBIR Phase II: Manufacturing Bioinspired, Non-Toxic, Non-Dusting, Irritant-Free, Thermal Insulation Material
Contact
19 HILL RD
Frenchtown, NJ 08825--4008
NSF Award
2507490 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be the development of a new type of safe, effective, and affordable thermal insulation for buildings. The project is inspired by the nests of yellowjacket wasps that live in pockets of permafrost high above the Arctic circle. The nests are protected from extreme temperatures by the hollow wall structure surrounding the nest interior. This structure was adapted to create insulation panels that are highly efficient, lightweight, water-resistant, non-combustible, recyclable, non-toxic, non-dusting, and irritant-free. The new insulation is safe to handle and poses no risk to human health. The industry standards for bulk thermal insulation are fiberglass and spray foam (comprising about 71% and 11% of the commercial market, respectively). Despite their widespread use, these materials are notorious for their harmful effects on human and environmental health. Consumers are actively searching for a better option, but ? thus far ? no other product has successfully met that market need. The primary objective of this Phase II project is to develop new automated machinery to manufacture the new insulation at scale, which will allow the team to meet market demand, create good American jobs, and lower costs for consumers. The team has been developing a new class of thermal insulation technology that uses carefully-engineered air pockets to limit convective heat transfer through the material. A low-emissivity coating is applied to internal surfaces to eliminate most radiative heating, and the walls of the pockets are thin enough to prevent any substantial conductive heating. The thermal properties of the prototypes made during Phase I already outperform popular alternatives like fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose, and expanded polystyrene (EPS). The new insulation is made from a novel self-extinguishing and nontoxic composite, which makes it safe and easy to install. Though effective, the composite material which cannot be manufactured effectively with any single existing fabrication technique. Hence, Phase II project will focus on the development of a new and innovative fabrication method that can be automated. Automating the production process is vital to the success of the novel insultation material because the manual process is far too time-intensive to be commercially viable. The team will implement engineering best practices and follow a six-sigma approach in quality control to ensure the best possible chance of success. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
OtoNexus Medical Technologies, Inc
SBIR Phase II: Air-coupled MEMS-based Ultrasound Transducer for Assessment of Tympanic Membrane Motion
Contact
1100 BELLEVUE WAY NE SUITE 8A-754
Seattle, WA 98107--0000
NSF Award
1853244 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$718,106
Start / end date
03/15/2019 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
This SBIR Phase II project will enable the development of the first known commercial medical ultrasound device utilizing air-coupled Capacitive Micromachine Ultrasound Transducer (CMUT) technology to diagnose otitis media. Otitis media is the number one indication for which antibiotics are prescribed for children, and the number one cause for surgery in childhood, costing $15+B annually in the US and resulting in 30M annual doctor visits in the US alone. Clinical studies show a diagnostic error rate averaging 50%. Today's tools are unable to accurately determine the presence, and much less the type, of effusion in the middle ear. This leads to significant over- prescription of antibiotics, over-referrals to specialists, and unnecessary surgeries. OtoNexus Medical Technologies, Inc. is developing a simple and sensitive medical device to provide diagnostic data to quickly and accurately diagnose both presence and type of otitis media.
The work of this project will establish fast and economical assessment of CMUT sensor manufacturing performance, by electrical and acoustic measurements. OtoNexus will design and construct test systems to rapidly evaluate electrical and acoustical performance of CMUT sensors as an assessment of production quality. The Electrical Vector Impedance (EVI) test fixture provides an electrical surrogate measure for acoustic output, which can be performed rapidly at the wafer-level with 100% sampling. The Acoustic Output Measure (AOM) test fixture evaluates the pressure emitted by CMUT, and other acoustic performance parameters, after speculum final assembly. This project will develop test fixtures, methods, and processes for assessing production reliability and process consistency. The OtoNexus ultrasound device will be marketed to pediatricians and other primary care physicians, and will decrease prognostic uncertainty and resultant over-prescription of antibiotics, and place the tools for more accurate diagnosis into the hands of the very first clinician the patient sees. This will reduce costs by decreasing both antibiotic usage and specialist referrals and will also decrease required physician time by enabling a nurse or other physician extender to perform the test for otitis media.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PARAMIUM TECHNOLOGIES LLC
SBIR Phase II: A Flexible and Efficient Manufacturing System for Radio Antenna Reflectors
Contact
1420 E SENECA ST
Tucson, AZ 85719--3645
NSF Award
2213128 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,968
Start / end date
12/01/2022 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to provide faster internet speeds to remote locations. This goal will be accomplished through the delivery of custom-shaped reflector panels for satellite communication antennas. Currently, there is a significant unmet need in the market for rapid turnaround, relatively low quantity, and affordable curved metal panels with complex, high precision shapes. The manufacturing technology developed in this project may enable economical antenna design and allow for asymmetric panel shapes. The expected advancement in panel fabrication techniques may increase the efficiency of satellite communication by enabling more complex and tailored designs for individual applications. Expanded satellite communication allows for more internet access in underserved communities around the world. The new manufacturing technology may also benefit radio astronomy, with some estimates showing a 70% reduction in dish reflector costs for some large near-term projects.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to develop a new technology to make satellite dish panels. This innovation may reduce cost and allow radio antenna producers to optimize their designs for faster data throughput. To meet modern communication needs, application-specific, precision manufactured reflector panels are needed. Historic manufacturing techniques have long lead times and high material costs. This project builds on past efforts and demonstrations to integrate innovative inspection methods and new manufacturing techniques into an automatic workstation capable of fabricating 1-meter squared scale reflector panels. Test panels will be built to evaluate system performance against key performance indicators, including panel shape accuracy and time to shape and inspect panels. This new approach may produce panels up to 11 times faster than some traditional methods without compromising shape accuracy.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PATHFLOW INC.
SBIR Phase II: Enhancing Pathology Efficiency with On-Chip Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Imaging Technology
Contact
224 EAST ST
Lexington, MA 02420--1934
NSF Award
2537908 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,247,250
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project addresses pathology inefficiencies where the lack of high-resolution tools leads to overprocessing. By enabling real-time, cellular-resolution imaging, the proposed platform reduces diagnostic turnaround times. The, spectroscopic capabilities to be developed will have applications for industrial inspection and telecommunications. The effort will drive broader impacts by ensuring faster diagnostics, as well as improving certain industrial operations by providing a versatile tool for high-precision analysis in these sectors.
The intellectual merit of the project builds on the integration of photonic interferometry, beam steering, and detection into a single silicon chip using scalable manufacturing methods. The core innovation is a chip-scale optical coherence tomography (OCT) platform achieving axial resolution of 5 micrometers or less with real-time scanning. Research objectives include the development of robust packaging, acceleration of signal processing software, and a validation of system performance on human tissue to optimize diagnostic yield. A major anticipated result of the Phase II effort is the introduction of a statistically-validated, manufacturable device. The project will also prove the scalability of CMOS-compatible (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) photonic 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.PERSEUS MATERIALS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Fast and Low-Energy Manufacturing of High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Composites
Contact
4028 PAPERMILL DR STE 7
Knoxville, TN 37909--2010
NSF Award
2537851 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,239,445
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project relates to advancing oversized fiber-reinforced polymer components manufacturing by significantly reducing lead times for critical large-scale composites. Conventional mold-based production of large composite structures requires 4-14 months just to fabricate molds. This technology eliminates mold creation times and reduces part production to less than two weeks at a fraction of the cost, dramatically accelerating production of large-scale fiber-reinforced polymers. Faster fabrication of airfoils and structural components enables higher production rates and lower-cost manufacturing, helping manufacturers meet growing global demand for air travel and cargo, reduce order backlogs, and modernize fleets with more efficient designs. Shorter lead times also allow rapid design iteration and greater responsiveness to market shifts without disrupting production. From a national security perspective, this capability enables rapid scaling of unmanned aerial vehicle production, supporting mass, distributed defense architectures.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will prepare for commercialization of a technology for significantly higher production speed of oversized fiber-reinforced polymers. This technology allows shaping and curing of large amounts fiber-reinforced polymer simultaneously without molds for ultra-low lead- and cycle-times for oversized components production. This technology utilizes continuous part production via simultaneous shaping and curing, which itself is enabled by novel resins that undergo a triggerable, controllable outside-in curing reaction with low energy input and in milliseconds. The goal for Phase II is to prepare the manufacturing process and produce parts for commercialization to ensure that they can make airfoils in demand from potential customers, including process optimization and quality validation. The chemistry, operations, and machine involved in this technology will be modified to enable production of more complex parts (i.e., expand curvature possibilities), optimize production parameters for parts with carbon fibers, and demonstrate capabilities for sandwiched composites which are necessities for airfoil production.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PHARMACOUSTICS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
STTR Phase II: Ultrasonic Product Release-Testing Equipment for the Design, Development, and Advanced Continuous Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical Tablets
Contact
6 CIRCLE DR
Potsdam, NY 13676--3202
NSF Award
2335206 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$997,734
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is potentially profound and could offer a transformative approach to quality assurance in pharmaceutical manufacturing that directly targets medicine supply chain vulnerabilities and cost structure in the United States. It aims to modernize the quality testing of the most widely used pharmaceutical dosage form?tablets?through rapid ultrasonic testing techniques and innovative automation/robotics. This advancement may reduce the risk of quality failures, drug shortages, and recalls, ensuring more reliable access to essential medications for the public. Nearly 70% of Americans rely on prescription drugs, with a significant portion of these medications currently produced overseas. The project?s commercial impact is in its potential to redefine quality assurance practices in the pharmaceutical industry, leading to improved efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced product safety. Such improvements can contribute to national health security by reducing dependence on unreliable foreign drug manufacturing. Its societal benefits include improved healthcare outcomes through more dependable drug availability. Furthermore, the project offers significant educational benefits, providing hands-on training and research opportunities for students in advanced manufacturing technologies. The project focuses on inclusivity, attracting underrepresented groups into engineering, and fostering diversity in advanced research and innovation in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The proposed project aims to address the critical gap in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry regarding the outdated quality assurance methods and equipment currently employed in producing compressed pharmaceutical tablets. The primary research objectives are to develop and validate innovative ultrasonic quality assurance and testing equipment that enables rapid, non-destructive, real-time release testing of pharmaceutical tablets. This NSF STTR II project seeks to overcome the limitations of existing manufacturing and quality assurance technologies by employing novel approaches and associated mathematical modeling techniques, including machine learning (ML), to analyze tablet microstructures for quality assurance. The research involves detailed mathematical modeling of the interactions between ultrasonic waves and the viscoelastic properties of tablet materials, leveraging both first-principles physics and ML-based modeling approaches. The anticipated technical results include the development of a reliable, cost-effective solution for the pharmaceutical industry, enhancing the quality assurance process for tablet manufacturing through improved accuracy, efficiency, and scalability. The project represents a significant advancement in the field, supporting the FDA?s initiatives towards continuous manufacturing, Quality by Design, and Process Analytical 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.PHAXTEC, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Production of Biopolymer Coatings for Paper Used in Foodservice Packaging
Contact
12324 HAMPTON WAY DR
Wake Forest, NC 27587--6543
NSF Award
2439421 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/15/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be (1) the reduction of traditional plastics in landfills and the environment, and (2) increased recycling of paper packaging by replacing plastics coatings in barrier paper food packaging with a biodegradable and natural material called PolyHydroxyAlkanoate (PHA). The PHA molecules are made from waste sources of methane and carbon dioxide produced by wastewater treatment plants, industrial composters, anerobic digestors, and landfills. There is an active need to create domestic PHA production capacity to match rising competition from South Korea, China, Japan, and Brazil. PHA polymers need to be produced cost competitively to traditional plastics, at similar scale and made available to processors and converters widely. The commercial applications for PHA are broad as the material can displace over 50% of all traditional plastics consumed annually. The proposed project will focus on developing the naturally occurring PHA-based coatings for barrier paper packaging used in food packaging. Current food paper packaging is functional and cost-effective, but it contains a thin layer of traditional plastics which prevent the paper packaging from being recycled, composted, or biodegraded. When leaked into the environment, these materials produce toxic microplastics. This project will use biogas-consuming microbes to produce fully biodegradable polymer coatings to replace the traditional plastics in single use barrier paper food packaging. The research goals are to observe and define critical parameters impacting yield and production efficiency before scaling up the production of PHA polymers to a pilot size plant. The pilot plant is sized to create commercially meaningful quantities of PHA. The main methods to be used are biochemical and molecular assays for determining kinetics of carbon conversion into PHA. The proposed activities will also advance the knowledge of gas infusion bioreactors and coating formulation science to bring PHA coatings to the market at market prices comparable to those from plastics. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PHLUX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Programmable Three-Dimensional (3D) Light Curtains for Enhanced Human-Robot Collaboration
Contact
113 KINGS DALE RD
Pittsburgh, PA 15221--3909
NSF Award
2423002 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,999
Start / end date
01/01/2025 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to enhance the efficiency and safety of human-robot collaboration through the development of an innovative 3D safety sensor system. As labor shortages stress supply chains, companies are rapidly adopting robotic solutions to ease the pressure. Manufacturers are recognizing the efficiency benefits of flexible and collaborative robots, moving away from large, application-specific robots that require fixed safety fences. Unlike large industrial robots, collaborative robots can function safely without physical barriers, facilitating easy reconfiguration and adaptation to new tasks. However, the safety limitations of these small co-bots result in systems that are much slower and weaker than industrial robots. The 3D safety sensor system developed in this project will bridge the gap between small, flexible co-bots and powerful industrial robots by eliminating the need for safety fences around large industrial robots and enabling collaborative applications. This technological advancement promises to revolutionize manufacturing, improve productivity, and create safer working environments while shifting human workers to higher-skill positions. The innovation will provide new insights into sensor technology, human-robot interaction, and adaptive safety systems, paving the way for further advancements in robotics and automation. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the limitations of current 3D sensors in robotics safety applications. Existing 3D sensors like LIDAR or depth cameras lack the reliability, resolution, or cost-effectiveness required for industrial safety. Consequently, industrial robot safety relies on outdated 2D sensor technology, which only captures a slice of the environment and cannot provide 3D protection. This limitation necessitates larger safety boundaries and increases robot cell sizes, making most collaborative applications impractical for the space required. This Phase II research aims to advance an adaptive 3D sensor based on a cost-effective, high-resolution sensing technology, known as programmable 3D light curtains. Unlike traditional sensors that capture and process entire 3D volumes, these sensors optically capture specific 3D surfaces within a volume, focusing on user-programmed boundaries to provide high-resolution data where it is needed with minimal processing time and improved detection reliability. This project will de-risk commercial viability, improving the versatility and reliability of the system. Key objectives include developing a dynamic imaging system for overhead monitoring, creating an eye-safe illumination system with a wide field-of-view, and developing a safety controller for reliable operations. Achieving these goals will produce a versatile 3D safety sensor ready for certification. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PHOENIX WASTE SOLUTIONS INC.
SBIR Phase II: CAS: Advanced Scalable and Sustainable Waste Disposal System
Contact
7111 TOU LOU LOU ST
Chauvin, LA 70344--2427
NSF Award
2303791 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
08/15/2023 – 08/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to complete the development of "The Phoenix", a zero-fuel furnace that converts trash to ash and energy with 30% less greenhouse gas emissions per ton than landfills or conventional incineration. This technology enables municipal solid waste to be managed in a decentralized manner, avoiding the expense and negative environmental impacts of long-distance transportation. The zero-fuel Phoenix is very cost effective as the only inputs are water, filtration media, and labor to operate the machine. Amortizing the cost of the machine over 4 years, waste disposal cost is estimated at $20/ton which is half the cost of the cheapest landfill tipping fees in the US. Heat from the water scrubber can be utilized to generate 106.7 KWe of electricity, with a potential 5 to 10-fold increase if utilizing direct heat from the furnace. The ash byproduct has beneficial reuse as a construction material or soil amendment. Glass and metal are not destroyed by the process and can be retrieved from the ash chamber for recycling, reducing the costly process of separation. These circular economy benefits help increase the economic competitiveness of the U.S. recycling and waste management industry.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II Project focuses on the commercial application of low temperature plasma to enhance thermal degradation of municipal solid waste in a clean and highly cost-effective manner. The technology would complete the development of a patent-pending mobile waste disposal, low-temperature plasma furnace with electricity cogeneration while avoiding the generation of numerous toxic compounds, including dioxins and furans traditionally associated with conventional incinerators. An ion generator utilizes proprietary technology to break down the oxygen molecule into two oxygen atoms and thereby limiting the generation of complex pollutants. However, this process may still form carbon monoxide. The Phoenix system uses a catalytic process to convert carbon monoxide, CO, to carbon dioxide, CO2, at low temperature. The Phase II project will primarily continue to improve the emissions quality of multiple feedstocks with a focus on plastics. The team will also select the most efficacious and cost-effective catalyst for CO conversion and perform extended testing to evaluate long-term operations of the unit.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PHOTONECT INTERCONNECT SOLUTIONS INC
SBIR Phase II: Development of a Chip Technology for Cheaper and Easier Photonic Device Manufacturing
Contact
280 RHINECLIFF DR
Rochester, NY 14618--1622
NSF Award
2507371 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is in improved data communications, which are pushing electronic devices out of the way to make room for photonic devices. Photonic devices are components that generate, manipulate, or detect light (photons) for various applications. The photonic devices have improved performance and reduced costs compared to electronic devices, but the cost of photonic device packaging and power loss minimization are hindering widespread adoption. This project will enable customers to package optical devices with high efficiency, low cost, and at high volumes. This will increase the manufacturability of photonic devices with increased complexity. Better manufacturability of photonic device will directly benefit advanced technologies that require higher performance and large-scale production. The outcomes of this project are expected to significantly decrease cost, time, and complexity due to high volume manufacturing of high performance, low loss integrated photonic devices. The proposed project will realize technologies with the lowest coupling losses possible. The development of the PIX Attach machine, an advanced semiconductor packaging and assembly tool used for photonic integrated circuits, will enable users to fuse the optical fiber to the chip with the press of a button, dramatically decreasing the time it takes to package a single chip while creating a better performing device. With simple processes for the user to initiate fusion and fast physical attachment of the fiber, the technology will save customers? time and money, enabling the production of more photonic devices in the same amount of time with improved specifications. A process design kit will be developed for a novel mode converter element, which has been found to decrease losses when packaged either with traditional methods or with a preliminary version of the PIX Attach machine. The following objectives will be achieved: (1) Creating a laser control system for the attachment of optical fibers, (2) Incorporating fiber alignment stages and ensuring communication with the laser control system, (3) Creating a housing unit to perform packaging with developed technology, (4) Developing a process design kit for mode converter manufacturing, and (5) Pilot the developed 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.
PIERSICA, INC.
SBIR Phase II: A new class of highly conductive solid polymer separator membranes compatible with high voltage cathodes
Contact
2051 E. PAUL DIRAC DRIVE
Tallahassee, FL 32310--3760
NSF Award
2335117 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is a high-density battery that will improve products that require energy storage. Potential customers for the innovation include battery manufacturers for a variety of applications including but not limited to space and military, small wearable devices, radio frequency identification (RFID), drones, consumer electronics, as well as automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the mass mobility market. The demand for advanced energy storage devices creates a market opportunity that is projected to reach $130 billion by 2027. This market is mostly driven by the need for electric vehicle batteries that are cheaper, lighter, and safer, while allowing for longer drive ranges and reduced charge times. In the long-term, advanced batteries like those enabled by the new technology may drive the electrification of the transportation sector, reduce fossil fuel dependency, and support the transition towards greener energy solutions.
The intellectual merit of this project is the development of a highly conductive, solid battery separator membrane made of a new solid polymer electrolyte which is lighter, more flexible, compatible with high voltage cathodes, and scalable for manufacturing purposes. Battery cells made with this separator membrane have the potential for greatly improved safety, higher cyclability, and operation under a wider range of temperatures. This project seeks to demonstrate of this new separator in a multilayer pouch cell, aiming to reach energy densities above 600 Watts-hour (Wh)/kilograms (kg), i.e., more than 2x those of current lithium (Li)-ion technology. The new separator has been validated through half-cell testing with high-voltage cathodes, demonstrating significantly better performance than legacy polymers. The goals of this project include (1) scaling up the manufacturing of the separator to multilayer pouch cell size, and (2) demonstrating its functionality in a multilayer pouch cell prototype integrating the rest of the battery elements. Cell functional parameters, cyclability, stability, temperature range, and other cell level operating conditions will be demonstrated through testing. This effort will generate a solid polymer electrolyte ready to be fully scaled and manufactured by an industrial customer through licensing.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PIKE ROBOTICS INC.
SBIR Phase II: Autonomous Robot for In-Service Inspection of Petrochemical Storage Tanks and other Explosive Atmosphere Environments
Contact
2204 TOM MILLER ST
Austin, TX 78723--5381
NSF Award
2508252 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,223,668
Start / end date
08/15/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of an autonomous robotic system for inspecting hazardous industrial infrastructure in flammable and explosive environments. Many facilities in the energy and chemical sectors rely on infrastructure such as storage tanks, pressure vessels, columns, boilers, and pipelines to operate safely and efficiently. These assets degrade over time, requiring regular inspections that help plan necessary repairs to prevent leaks, emissions, fires, or other failures. However, current methods are dangerous, expensive, and inaccurate, often requiring shutting down of critical systems to make ready for human inspection, emitting greenhouse gases in the process. The proposed innovation allows for in-service inspections, which completely eliminates the need for confined space entry and the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This technology supports environmental compliance and enhances workplace safety while delivering high-resolution data that can improve maintenance planning and reduce downtime. Its broader impact lies in transforming inspection practices across high-risk infrastructure, paving the way for more sustainable and automated industrial operations. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will advance a wall-climbing robotic platform designed to conduct autonomous inspections inside hazardous, explosive environments?such as those commonly used in the process industries. The project will address seven core technical objectives: (1) develop advanced navigation systems to safely traverse complex and sludge-laden steel structures; (2) develop an automated data collection and inspection reporting system that integrates visual, LiDAR, thermal, gas concentration, and tactile / contact-sensing data; (3) test and refine the robot?s various safety protection methods to allow operation in explosive atmospheres; (4) enhance deployment and retrieval methods for efficient field operation; (5) finalize the design and management of a robot-attached umbilical lifeline; (6) refine product design and field operations through field surveys and customer input; and (7) accelerate industry adoption through pilot projects and regulatory engagement. Together, these efforts aim to deliver a fully certifiable, deployable robotic inspection tool capable of transforming how industrial facilities inspect and maintain their most hazardous 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.
PITCH AERONAUTICS INC.
SBIR Phase II: Stable Manipulation via Hovering Drone for Electric Utility Maintenance and Component Installations
Contact
6323 S FEDERAL WAY UNIT 17
Boise, ID 83716--9134
NSF Award
2604909 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,239,847
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the replacement of high-risk, high-cost helicopter and bucket truck operations for electric utility maintenance with a scalable drone-based solution. This project enables a drone to install and remove these sensors from energized lines, cutting the cost and risk of servicing fielded grid hardware. Sensor-equipped lines can carry 20% more electricity over 90% of the time, expanding grid capacity without new construction. The same drone technology enables preemptive power shutoffs informed by real-time line data, reducing wildfire ignition risk. This work advances the scientific understanding of how aerial robots stably interact with physical infrastructure.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project advances the engineering of a robust, commercially deployable drone system capable of performing stable physical manipulation tasks on energized aerial power line cables. The Phase I research demonstrated the first stable, intentional contact between a hovering drone and an aerial cable using a force-sensing robotic payload arm and a passivity-based flight controller that compensates for contact-induced forces. This Phase II addresses the remaining technical barriers to commercial deployment through three objectives: (1) design and validate a commercially viable robotic manipulator arm with full force and torque sensing, electrostatic discharge hardening for high-voltage environments, and sufficient gripper strength to remove spring-clamped devices from lines; (2) develop and validate an impedance-based contact control system, supported by high-fidelity power line simulation and neural network feedback linearization, that maintains stable contact across the full range of commercial conductor tensions and wind conditions; and (3) demonstrate removal of a line-clamped sensor from a fielded transmission.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PNEUMONIX MEDICAL INC.
SBIR Phase II: Preventing Pneumothorax During Lung Biopsy Using a Novel Hydrogel
Contact
115 W 29TH ST
Baltimore, MD 21218--4296
NSF Award
2208775 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
08/01/2022 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve patient outcomes, and reduce the morbidity and costs associated with lung collapse (pneumothorax) during computed tomography (CT)-lung biopsies used for screening lung cancer. Over 400,000 CT-guided lung biopsies are performed in the US, and more than 1.2 million worldwide. Management and treatment of symptomatic pneumothorax often requires multi-day hospital stays and costs on average of $15,000 per patient and $1.3 billion yearly worldwide. Preventing pneumothorax may increase access to lung cancer screenings by de-risking CT-guided lung biopsies and allowing smaller ambulatory surgery centers in remote geographies to perform the screening procedure. Currently, physicians collect limited biopsy samples due to the increased risk of pneumothorax with multiple biopsy passes. Preventing pneumothorax may allow physicians to collect a greater number of biopsy samples and provide sufficient tissue to personalize the cancer treatment and improve patient outcomes.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is developing a novel biosealant that will reduce or eliminate pneumothorax. Pneumothorax ? a collapsed lung - is the most common complication of computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsies, occurring in 20-40% of all CT-guided lung biopsies. The focus of the current investigation is to evaluate and demonstrate the possibility of using a biosealant and delivery device to seal needle tracts to prevent pneumothorax before it occurs, thereby filling a large gap in today?s solutions. Phase I data supports an injectable hydrogel formulation that successfully prevented pneumothorax in animal studies. In this Phase II project, the team seeks to refine the formulation for improved surgical performance and validate it with an animal model to demonstrate both efficacy and safety.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PRAG LLC
SBIR Phase II: Upcycling Mixed Plastic Waste into Agricultural Products
Contact
171 FRANKLIN RD
Lake Mary, FL 32746--3609
NSF Award
2506705 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,162,886
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to address the growing problem of mixed plastic waste by transforming that waste into something useful: an organic fertilizer that improves soil health. Most plastic waste today cannot be recycled and ends up in landfills or the environment, especially foam packaging and plastic films. This project aims to solve that problem by creating a system that chemically and biologically converts difficult-to-recycle plastics into a valuable product that farmers and gardeners can use. The result is a cleaner environment, reduced landfill burden, and a new domestic source of regenerative fertilizer. The project is also expected to create jobs and new revenue streams by combining waste recovery with sustainable agriculture. If successful, it could become a model for local recycling solutions that work in both urban and rural communities. The technical innovation in this project lies in using genetically modified microbes to help consume and convert melted-down plastic waste into a form that soil-dwelling decomposers can process into nutrient-rich castings. This approach brings together advances in plastic processing, microbial engineering, and soil science. Phase II research will focus on developing an integrated approach, iteratively combining optimized pyrolysis with advanced microbial digestion and enzyme-driven processes, to effectively convert mixed plastic waste into valuable agricultural products?primarily nutrient-rich worm castings. Additionally, enzyme by-products will be developed into market-ready solutions for microplastic-contaminated soil remediation. It will systematically tackle each stage?pyrolysis optimization, microbial genetic engineering, enzyme production, bioreactor design, and final agricultural validation? to ensure scalability and commercial readiness. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PRAIRIELEARN, INC.
SBIR Phase II: An online learning and assessment platform for sophisticated and secure exams
Contact
60 HAZELWOOD DRIVE
Champaign, IL 61820--7460
NSF Award
2546660 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,211,080
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
This project develops an artificial intelligence (AI) powered online platform that enables instructors to create sophisticated, automatically graded, and individualized test questions. The platform supports improved student learning through repeated practice with immediate feedback, strengthened exam security through question randomization and restricted access to outside resources.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the challenge of using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate reliable educational assessments at scale. Large language models can automate content creation but frequently produce plausible yet incorrect outputs, making them unsuitable for direct use in high-stakes testing. Building upon a successful Phase I proof of concept, this project employs a novel two-stage approach: first, an AI model converts an instructor's plain-language description into validated computer code that encodes both question generation and grading logic; second, this verified code produces unique, randomized question instances for each student. Because the AI generates reusable code rather than directly grading student work, and because the code undergoes rigorous automated and human validation before use, the approach eliminates reliability concerns associated with direct AI assessment. The Phase II research objectives are to expand the AI engine to generate varied question types including graphical, programming, and data-analysis formats; enable question creation from uploaded course materials; implement an automated validation step in which a second AI model solves generated questions to verify correctness; develop a visual editing interface for non-technical users; and conduct iterative user studies measuring usability and pedagogical effectiveness.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.PRHOBE INC
SBIR Phase II: Solving the 4,023-Year-Old Logistics Control Problem Using Modern IoT Standards and a Novel Combination of Passive RFID, UWB, and Cellular Technology
Contact
36 EL TOYONAL
Orinda, CA 94563--2228
NSF Award
2528036 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,245,544
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 01/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to make real-time item-level tracking economically viable across global supply chains. This project enables a technology breakthrough by combining passive RFID tags with a low-power cellular device that reads thousands of items simultaneously and transmits real-time location and critical data for each. This advancement addresses major logistics challenges affecting major industries. Democratizing access to real-time visibility and enabling item-level traceability without infrastructure or manual scanning, this innovation promotes safer, more efficient, reliable logistics practices. In parallel, it enhances scientific and technological understanding in low-power embedded systems, edge-triggered sensing, adaptive wireless communication and artificial intelligence detection of anomaly-based alerts using the new training provided by real-time item level location data.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to develop and commercialize a reusable, battery-powered device that integrates passive radio frequency identification reading, cellular internet-of-things connectivity, and sensing into a compact platform suitable for pallets, containers, or vehicle deployment. The technical challenge lies in reliably detecting thousands of radio frequency identification-tagged items under real-world occlusion/interference conditions before transmitting high-resolution data efficiently, all while using minimal power to enable a 10-year battery life. The project builds on a successful Phase I effort that demonstrated a working prototype, validated detection across dense pallet loads, and confirmed cellular backhaul feasibility even within shielded trailers. Phase II refines hardware design, optimizes antenna layout and tag placement, and implements firmware supporting adaptive ?blinks? triggered by motion, temperature excursions, time of arrival need, or other sensor-detected triggers. The research also includes developing energy-harvesting mechanisms to extend battery life to 10 years, despite needs to increase blink rates during movement. Expected outcomes include a fully miniaturized, production-ready design, proven performance in customer pilots, and a platform architecture that can evolve to include alternate low-power wide-area network radios or on-premises ultrawide band anchors. The project will yield a scalable, cost-effective solution for real-time inventory tracking, bringing unprecedented granularity and automation to supply chain 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.PROMEDIX, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Electronic Measurement Device of Capillary Refill Time to Improve Outcomes from Sepsis
Contact
4640 S MACADAM AVE
Portland, OR 97239--4232
NSF Award
2451783 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,144,758
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 project is a novel rapid automated external system for improving patient outcomes due to sepsis. Sepsis remains one of the most frequent causes of hospitalizations with 1.7M US cases annually, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, reasons for patient deaths in the ICU, and one of the most common final pathways from infection to death. Each hour delay in the administration of antibiotics is associated with an 8% increase in mortality for septic shock patients and an 8% increase in the rate of progression to shock for severe sepsis patients. A delay in antibiotic administration of more than 1.5 hours in septic patients without shock is associated with 35% higher odds of mortality, and renders the patient at nearly 40% greater risk of stroke/heart attack (both ischemic and hemorrhagic) for up to 12 months post sepsis. The company?s novel approach automates and quantifies current manual, subjective methods for evaluating clinical circulatory measures used to diagnose sepsis, with the goal of integrating into clinical workflows for aiding treatment decisions including therapy IV fluids and vasopressors to maximize end-organ perfusion. The commercial impact of the first-generation project is to provide automated quantifiable measures of current digital manipulation in the 6M febrile patients reporting to emergency departments in the US each year, representing a total market of $3B. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 project will enhance the usability and commercial readiness of the company?s device suitable for clinical utility. The system provides novel, rapid physiologic measures of capillary refill time indicative of sepsis in a noninvasive and quantifiable manner, via the use of a novel automated finger cradle. The project will build upon Phase 1 results of their patient device interface to include an advanced microprocessor capable of onboard signal processing and automation control. During the Phase 2 project the company will develop a novel mechanical architecture to enhance usability and durability of the system. Sensors and software will also be updated and the system automated. Additional research will also be performed and validated with waveform analysis algorithms to improve the repeatability and reliability of the signal. An onboard display and control algorithms will also be developed. Units will be constructed and tested to meet standards and clinical use requirements in accordance with regulatory requirements resulting in a manufacturable and reliable product design suitable for initial clinical use in the US. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROMPT DIAGNOSTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Hybrid DNA-Protein Quantification Platform for Point-of-Care Diagnosis
Contact
2401 W BELVEDERE AVE
Baltimore, MD 21215-
NSF Award
2506634 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is the creation of the first all-in-one automated diagnostic test for infections caused by Treponema pallidum at the point-of-care. This point-of-care diagnostic device is designed to accelerate pathogen detection in decentralized settings, significantly reducing the interval between testing and therapeutic intervention. This advancement may help lower rates of perinatal transmission and reduce the economic and clinical burden associated with delayed diagnosis. The platform's underlying technology is adaptable to other infectious agents, offering a scalable solution for rapid and accurate detection of high-impact bacterial and viral diseases. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the need for easier testing solutions to provide comprehensive diagnosis on-site with the patient. This project will combine two antibody tests including quantitative Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) into an automated cartridge for rapid and complete diagnosis at the point-of-care. The research proposed in this project will develop magnetic particle-enabled assays for each antibody test and integrate the assays into a multiplexed plastic cartridge. These cartridges, combined with a portable instrument, will enable all steps required for diagnosis of infections caused by Treponema pallidum to be completed within minutes in an affordable and easy-to-use format. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUMPKINSEED TECHNOLOGIES INC
SBIR Phase II: High-throughput De-novo Peptide Sequencing with Metasurface Optics
Contact
380 PORTAGE AVE
Palo Alto, CA 94306--2244
NSF Award
2507825 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,115
Start / end date
08/01/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The Broader/Commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to understand and control the proteins that drive immune responses, in order to create improved immune-modulating medicines. Healthy and robust immune systems are able to identify diseased proteins and target them for elimination. However, as humans age or immune systems weaken, immune cells become less adept at recognizing diseased proteins. Cancer, neurodegeneration, and autoimmune disorders are driven in part by dysfunctional communication between immune cells and diseased cells. Yet, current knowledge about which proteins drive immune responses is extremely limited. The estimated number of possible proteins interacting between immune cells and diseased cells exceeds the number of stars in the visible universe, and current techniques to investigate these proteins can only see a small fraction. If these diseased proteins could be identified, they would provide the key insight needed to create improved medicines - spanning targeted cancer therapies, autoimmunity treatments, and even medicines that prevent neurodegeneration. Such insights could not only drive improved health-spans, but also reduce costs associated with ineffective treatments that do not properly target the diseased cells, and increase US competitiveness in biotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) of biological systems. The proposed project will develop a technology for de-novo sequencing of the peptides that drive immune responses. All cells display surface peptide fragments that are the product of protein degradation; these ?immunopeptides? serve as beacons to the immune system about the health or disease state of a cell. Knowledge of the immunopeptide landscape for different diseases and across patient populations can enable the development of effective immune-modulating medicines that can guide one?s immune system to target diseased cells (such as in cancer or infectious diseases) or to dampen the reactivity towards the proteins that are driving autoimmune disorders. The proposed research will demonstrate direct-from-tissue sequencing of immunopeptides, utilizing label-free methods based on the peptide?s vibrational spectral signature. Aim 1 of this project will optimize and scale a silicon-based chip that enables single molecule immunopeptide detection across hundreds of millions of sensors and is manufacturable in a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) foundry. Aim 2 will develop optical hardware that enables high throughput collection of over 10 million vibrational spectra per day. Aim 3 of the project will demonstrate de-novo sequencing across millions of immunopeptides. Upon completion, this Phase II project will provide the core technological innovations for a high-throughput, high-resolution peptide sequencing 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.
Precision Neuroscopics
STTR Phase II: High-quality, Quick-apply Electroencephalography (EEG) for Improved Diagnosis of Brain Disorders
Contact
4620 HENRY ST
Pittsburgh, PA 15213--3715
NSF Award
2111735 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2021 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
This award is funded in whole or in part under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project will produce a high?quality, easily?applied cap for non?invasively measuring brain signals from the scalp by electroencephalography (EEG). This cap will reduce the setup time for an EEG procedure from 30 minutes to less than 5 minutes. This reduction in setup time will speed up procedures and reduce demand on specialized EEG technicians. Many geographic regions have wait times for EEG appointments of 4?6 weeks; This wait will be alleviated by faster procedures and higher throughput. Additionally, the EEG cap designed in this project will increase accessibility of EEG to rural communities that don?t often have regular access to these technicians. Economically, the hospitals and clinics that perform EEG can reduce cost per procedure by reducing demand for EEG rooms and technician time. This reduction in EEG procedure costs is a small step towards controlling and reducing overall healthcare costs.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is developing EEG platforms that will be used to explore new brain diagnostic algorithms. The project is introducing a novel electrode material to EEG, specifically, a soft sponge?like material that holds water for a longer time than typical sponges, yet conducts electricity when dry. This EEG system also uses miniature printed circuit boards to hold amplifiers near each electrode. These circuit boards can be reconfigured, removing electrodes over scalp regions of recent injury or surgery. More importantly, the EEG cap resulting from this project can be scaled up (simply by adding more electrodes) to explore very high?density EEG and novel algorithms for better diagnosing brain injuries and diseases. In particular, this project will provide hardware that enables new ways of looking at epilepsy and traumatic brain injuries.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.QUASISTATICS INC
SBIR Phase II: Ultra-Low-Power Physically-Secure Video transfer with Electro-Quasistatic Human Body Communication Enabling Distributed Computation for Lightweight Augmented Reality
Contact
3000 KENT AVE STE 1544
West Lafayette, IN 47906--1253
NSF Award
2303815 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$863,501
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to improve the rapid adoption of Internet-connected smart devices. The key drivers of the growth of this broader Internet of Things (IoT) in, on and around the human body is referred to as Internet of Bodies (IoB). IoB is a huge $750 billion market with devices ranging from medical devices like pacemakers, insulin pumps, and body temperature sensors, to consumer technologies such as augmented or virtual reality (AR/VR) devices. This project seeks to develop the world?s first high-bandwidth data network through the human body and usher in a fundamentally new way of thinking about using the human body as a wire to connect intelligent nodes in human-intranet. With silicon chips, hardware, and concrete mathematical models, this research will open new directions in wearables, human augmentation, in-sensor analytics, and physiological monitoring. These applications can open new market opportunities in the fields of biomedical and consumer electronics that can lead to multi billion-dollar value.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project seeks to develop an augmented reality (AR) headset utilizing high speed (up to 20 megabits per second (Mbps)) and low power (<1 milliwatt (mW) communication capabilities, where the computation is distributed without a physical wire. Compressed video streaming (from an augmented-reality headset to phone) calls for up to 20 Mbps data rate which cannot be supported by the Bluetooth (5-15 nanojoules/band and up to 2 Mbps in upcoming products) due to data-rate limitations. In addition, using Wi-Fi for all-day operation is prohibitively high power (a lightweight headset battery runs out in less than an hour streaming continuous video). Hence, there is a need for a communication link around the human body that can support up to 20 Mbps at <50 picojoules(pJ)/band (i.e., power <1 mW). If successful, this SBIR project will result in an all-day, wire-free, first person-view, AR headset with 20 Mbps at <50 pJ/b communication.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.QUBITSOLVE INC.
SBIR Phase II: Computational Fluid Dynamics Software for Quantum Computers
Contact
781 CHESTNUT RIDGE RD STE 1000
Morgantown, WV 26505--0013
NSF Award
2450661 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,197,002
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will result from the creation of one of the first industrial applications of quantum computing. This technology will initially be used to address challenges in the aerospace industry. It may play a crucial role in national defense by aiding in the design of aircraft, missiles, armored vehicles, and naval systems. Over time, the technology will be applicable in other sectors, including automotive, chemicals, energy, and healthcare. This innovative technology will help companies reduce costs and time in developing superior products, such as safer aircraft that consume less fuel, energy plants that emit less carbon dioxide (CO2), and devices that deliver drugs more effectively. The project involves a partnership between academic and industrial researchers. Ultimately, this project will support U.S. leadership in quantum computing. This SBIR Phase II project will develop a new computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology that leverages quantum computers. Engineers use CFD to predict fluid flow and to design or troubleshoot various systems, including airplanes, automobiles, and chemical reactors. However, some CFD simulations are currently impossible to perform on classical computers, even though information from these simulations could save substantial costs ? potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in certifying aircraft, for example. A quantum CFD algorithm that overcomes the limitations of classical CFD was implemented in a software prototype during the Phase I project, and its performance has been evaluated. Phase II aims to significantly enhance the software performance and demonstrate its effectiveness through a CFD simulation focused on aircraft noise reduction. This project will establish a new generation of CFD technology based on quantum computing, enabling the solution of CFD problems that are currently unsolvable. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
RATTAN LIFE SCIENCE INC.
SBIR Phase II: Engineered Induced Thymic Epithelial Cells for Novel T Cell Immunotherapies
Contact
893 RATTAN TER
Sunnyvale, CA 94086--8642
NSF Award
2451182 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/01/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of novel off-the-shelf immunotherapies for patients with advanced cancer and limited treatment options. This project is enabled by a proprietary platform technology developed in Phase I of the project for mass production of a cell-based treatment with substantial improvements in molecular and functional fidelity. This novel platform offers a scalable, renewable approach for developing cost-effective therapies for a broad community of patients, and addresses major pain points in current adoptive immunotherapy development by eliminating time consuming and labor-intensive manufacturing processes and reducing expensive treatment cost. These advantages may enable the company to excel in the $3.3 billion immunotherapy market. Once developed, the novel cell-based off-the-shelf cell-based immunotherapies can provide significant healthcare, social, and economic impacts, and advance the health and welfare of the American public. The proposed project aims to develop and validate a novel platform technology for the scalable generation of high quality, robust tumor-targeted induced nai?ve T cells for off-the-shelf anticancer therapies. This platform employs a proprietary method to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived thymic epithelial cells as a critical element to enable induced naïve T cell production. The scientific rationale derives from the natural biology of the Thymus, where the transition of immature T cells to nai?ve T cells requires interaction with thymic epithelial cells through a process called positive selection. This project focuses on demonstrating the in vivo anti-tumor efficacy of these induced naïve T cells. The selected cancer targets are CD19 for B cell malignancies and MAGE-A4 for solid tumors. Xenograft models with human cancer cell lines and immunodeficient mouse will be used in the assessment. Overall, this project aims to accomplish two objectives: 1) increase efficacy of iPSC-derived T cell therapy relative to current approaches; and 2) reduce the prohibitively high cost of current autologous T cell therapies, advancing health equity for cancer patients. The resulting product may enable a significant advance in the development of iPSC-based T cell immunotherapies with clinically relevant cell fidelity, reproducibility and scalability. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
RAVEL HOLDINGS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Establishing Manufacturing Standards for Textile-Derived Recycled Polyester Feedstock
Contact
5429 RUSSELL AVE NW STE 201
Seattle, WA 98107--4010
NSF Award
2415772 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$994,863
Start / end date
03/15/2025 – 02/28/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the manufacturing of a highly desired but unavailable material for the textile industry: textile-derived rPET feedstock. Driven by regulatory and customer pressure, the textile industry will require at least ~15,000 MT per year of rPET from 2025 onward, a potential $22.5B market. Most valuable is textile-derived rPET, in which clothing feedstock is made from clothing waste. Despite strong demand, this product is currently unavailable for purchase due to technical challenges. The proposed technology is a patent-pending, low-cost wash process that transforms mixed textile waste into purified feedstock at cost parity with virgin material. Along with the ability to remove elastane (a common barrier for textile recycling), the technology?s ultra-low cost provides a durable competitive advantage as a ?green? product that does not demand a ?green premium?. This proposal bridges a critical gap toward bringing this technology from bench-top to market via the development of downstream manufacturing processes and quality standards for textile-derived recycled materials. This project enables an initial market offering of 1 ton/month, providing a critical milestone toward construction 1-3 full commercial scale plants by 2030 and recycling 450,000 tons of waste textiles per year. This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project enables production of textile-derived recycled polyester feedstock, a highly desired but unavailable material for textile manufacturing. Textile recycling is an immature industry limited by a lack of technical solutions for complex material challenges - circular textile recycling, in which textile waste is captured and transformed into re-usable feedstock, currently accounts for less than 1% of total mass flow of textiles. Among the most significant challenges is the ability to successfully transform complex mixtures of multiple fiber types into a single-component feedstock. Our novel process is a transformational technology for polyester recycling, capable of removing contaminants such as elastane, dyes, and other additives from mixed fiber polyester (PET) textile waste, resulting in pure, undyed polyester raw materials. This Phase II project enables the transformation of this intermediate material into market-ready feedstock by examining the critical material features that contribute quality metrics by which the market evaluates and selects feedstock products. The completion of this grant will represent a significant milestone toward our goal to divert over 150,000 tons of textile waste annually from landfills, facilitating a truly circular economy for synthetic textiles, and providing enhanced supply chain security with sustainable materials for apparel. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
RECON RF, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Low-Cost High Efficiency Gallium-Nitride RFIC-PAs
Contact
9235 ACTIVITY RD STE 105
San Diego, CA 92126--4440
NSF Award
2208207 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,971
Start / end date
09/15/2022 – 04/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Elizabeth Mirowski
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will contribute to the advancement of the US?s competitiveness in Semiconductor based products, while also enhancing the national defense and minimizing the electricity requirements of next-generation wireless communications infrastructure equipment. This project will develop state-of-the-art Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit Power Amplifiers (RFIC-PA), Mixers, and Switches through a leading U.S.-based semiconductor foundry. These innovated circuits will contribute to modernizing the U.S.?s 5G communications infrastructure while restoring the country?s prominence in semiconductor-based technologies.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will significantly enhance the output power and efficiency of RFIC-PA technologies over the present-day/competing state-of-the-art products. The RFIC-PA is the most voluminous, costly, and power consumptive component of emerging 5G macro and small cellular base stations, and the wireless devices connected to them. For this reason, this project will apply innovative RFIC-PA design methods at the very forefront of high-efficiency RFIC design techniques toward the design, fabrication, test, and commercialization of five discriminating RFIC-PA products at the conclusion of this NSF Phase-2 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.REEGEN INC
SBIR Phase II: A biological solution to improving the United States rare earth supply chain
Contact
343 CAMPUS RD
Ithaca, NY 14853--6007
NSF Award
2527909 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,112,040
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project relates to reducing the United States? (US) dependencies on foreign countries for obtaining rare earth elements (REE). In 2023, China produced 240k tons of REE from mined sources whereas the United States produced 43k from mined sources. Given the demand for REE in technologies like high-temperature superconductors, high-strength lightweight alloys, battery anodes, and electric motors as well as the need to protect national security, the United States needs to have a large, stable, domestic supply chain. While U.S. mining is expected to grow, the most reliable supply chain strategy is to diversify sources beyond just mined rare earth elements. With the company?s technology, REE can be obtained through a variety of sources that are otherwise considered waste or, at best, low quality building materials. The company can recover REE from platinum-group-metal slags, magnetic waste, incinerated insulin pumps, and steel slag, among other sources. Obtaining REE from these sources that are sitting domestically will enable the US to create a stable domestic supply chain, minimizing or eventually eliminating dependence on foreign countries for these critical minerals. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will advance the efficiency of REE extractions from waste materials for high-volume REE production, enabling commercialization of the technology. The company?s technology takes REE from waste materials through three steps: 1) extraction from the end-of-life or waste material), 2) total element recovery, and 3) separation into pure, individual elements. The first step utilizes bacteria to leach REE into solution from a given source. The second step is to remove all the REE from the solution. The third step involves separating out individual elements from each other, as multiple types of elements are found in each source. To do this, total REE are exposed to bacteria that attach to certain REE, filtering that REE out of the total solution and then detaching them from the bacteria. In Phase II, the company looks to optimize extraction and selection without sacrificing process efficiency. They will also scale up extraction and selection to demonstrate commercial scale production of saleable mixed REE concentrates. Furthermore, there will be a substantial amount of waste with the miscellaneous materials leftover after extraction. Part of this project?s effort will go towards investigating the leftover materials as supplementary cementitious 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.
REFIBERED, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Automated Textile Sorting Systems for Precision Resale and Closed-Loop Material Flow
Contact
10235 BYRNE AVE
Cupertino, CA 95014--2809
NSF Award
2605152 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,225
Start / end date
06/15/2026 – 05/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve how discarded textiles are sorted, enabling more clothing to be reused, resold, or used as secondary source of raw materials. Today, most textile sorting is done manually, which limits how much material can be processed and leads to valuable garments being discarded. This project will develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools that help identify the material composition and resale potential of textiles more quickly and accurately. By increasing the efficiency of textile sorting, this technology can increase the use of such materials, and support the growth of the circular economy. It also has the potential to create higher-quality jobs in sorting facilities by shifting work from manual inspection to technology-assisted operations. This project aligns with national priorities around resource efficiency and domestic manufacturing, and advances economic outcomes.
The project addresses a major challenge of developing a scalable, AI-driven system for textile classification that can accurately predict both resale and potential for being secondary source of raw materials under real-world conditions. The primary innovation lies in combining hyperspectral and Red-Green-Blue (RGB) imaging with multimodal machine learning to enable automated sorting decisions across heterogeneous textile streams, a task that is difficult to replicate due to the need for large, high-quality, and domain-specific datasets. The scope of the project is to develop an integrated AI model that performs brand identification, textile quality assessment, and material identification?three key inputs required to route a garment to resale or other uses. The central technical challenge is detecting contaminants and defects that are often present in small quantities; for example, the presence of ~3% elastane can render a textile unacceptable for specific applications, while localized defects such as pilling can significantly reduce resale value. The intellectual contribution includes the development of data-centric AI approaches for weak-signal detection in textiles, including synthetic data generation, ensemble modeling, and multimodal integration of spectral and visual data. The project will also contribute to methods for defining and operationalizing garment quality through structured defect detection. The methodology involves large-scale dataset collection from industry partners, model training and validation across diverse textile samples, and iterative testing in operational settings. The system will be evaluated based on classification accuracy, robustness under varying conditions, and its impact on sorting throughput and decision-making. The outcome will be a deployable technology capable of improving textile sorting efficiency at industrial scale.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RENERVA, LLC
SBIR Phase II: A novel peripheral nerve matrix platform for severe acute peripheral nerve injuries
Contact
217 VINE ST
Pittsburgh, PA 15218--1340
NSF Award
2151582 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$996,171
Start / end date
03/01/2022 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact /commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will enhance clinical outcomes for patients with a traumatic or palliative peripheral nerve injury (PNI). In the U.S., 20 million people suffer from PNIs, with a high prevalence among young individuals and a total economic cost to society in excess of $150 billion per year. Acute PNIs account for more than 500,000 annual surgical procedures in the U.S and frequently result in permanent disability. This project develops a platform technology with the potential to address many types of PNI.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will create a novel nerve graft/conduit for nerve gap injury repair and a nerve cap. The project goal is to advance a solution to improve the nerve functional outcome while still reducing the tension across the repair. It provides a tissue-like matrix that allows aligned nerve growth out of the free nerve ending. The technology is derived from decellularized porcine nerve tissue and maintains native structural and functional proteins, providing an ideal environment for nerve repair and regeneration. This project conducts in-vivo studies, sterilization demonstrations, and lyophilization. Supply chain security, packaging development, and tooling will be developed in preparation for commercial launch.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RESBONDS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
SBIR Phase II: A Decision Support Platform for Urban Watershed Management and Water Infrastructure Planning
Contact
12602 DENMARK DR
Herndon, VA 20171--2716
NSF Award
2423488 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$989,932
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the critical financing and complex operational challenges in managing water infrastructure by developing an open and extensible Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform that also enables enhanced interoperability and maintainability. The proposed solution aims to enhance operational decision-making and facilitate innovative financing for essential water infrastructure by integrating models that also forecast the socio-economic impact of infrastructure actions alongside process-based and watershed models. It aims to enhance infrastructure resilience, supporting sustainable urban growth and improving quality of life in urban areas. It also is designed to promote social equity through more equitable distribution of water resources and improved access for underserved communities thereby supporting NSF's mission of providing technological leadership with broader societal impact. Furthermore, the successful commercialization of this platform could generate significant economic benefits, including job creation and tax revenues.
The key technical innovation of this project lies in the development of an open AI software platform for water and wastewater utilities, which utilizes a multi-agent orchestration module to improve the accessibility and maintainability of digital and model-based tools. Model integration driven by an innovative emulation approach, where a deep learning model is used to mimic the behavior of a physics-based model that allows for watershed scale simulations to be run at conversational speed. This integration enables the creation of two AI tools designed to address infrastructure planning and operational needs. The primary goals of the research are to successfully demonstrate interoperability of the AI platform, as well as demonstrate speed and accuracy of the the neural networks emulating individual spatial elements of process-based models within a unified watershed-scale model. The project will culminate in a year-long pilot of the AI platform and model-based tools in the DC Metro region. This pilot aims to demonstrate the platform's value in operational settings and bring the software to a commercially ready state, ultimately providing actionable insights for water infrastructure management and supporting the development of more resilient 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.RESILITIX INTELLIGENCE LLC
SBIR Phase II: An Intelligent, Analytics-Driven System for Disaster Resilience and Situational Awareness
Contact
15730 WHITEWATER LN
Houston, TX 77079-
NSF Award
2527063 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,213,728
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is a potentially significant reduction in the human and economic toll of disasters, which now cost the United States billions of dollars each year. Emergency managers often struggle with scattered, outdated information that delays critical decisions. By transforming diverse streams of data?ranging from mobility data to lifeline systems?into quantitative, near-real-time insights, this project aims to help agencies anticipate evacuations, identify failing lifelines such as power and water, and target assistance to exposed residents. Faster, data-driven responses can save lives, speed community recovery, and curb economic losses. The technology?s cloud-based delivery and seamless connection to widely used geographic information systems will lower adoption barriers for local and state agencies, creating a path to large-scale deployment. Commercially, the work addresses a rapidly growing disaster resilience market, with potential to generate high-skill jobs and new tax revenues while reducing the economic and societal impacts of disasters on people. The technical merit lies in the development of a unified platform consisting of a suite of predictive, analytical, and generative AI applications that fuse multi-modal data feeds into continuously updating situational-awareness layers - anticipating evacuations, detecting lifeline outages, and generating trusted, context-aware guidance for disaster responders. Building on validated prototype modules for evacuation and community-lifeline monitoring, Phase II focuses on hardening these capabilities for hurricanes, wildfires, and floods while introducing three new functions: predictive evacuation analytics that blend historical behavior with evolving hazard indicators; an AI-powered disaster co-pilot that converts complex data into best-practice guidance; and a public-health module that gauges hospital capacity, pharmacy access, and special-needs shelter demand. Core AI workflows will automate ingestion, transformation, and geospatial delivery of multi-format data into existing emergency-management platforms. Iterative testing in hazard-prone environments, supported by established agency partnerships, will refine algorithms, user interfaces, and trust metrics. Success will yield a scalable, secure, and difficult-to-replicate solution that empowers decision-makers across the disaster lifecycle, from blue-sky exposure assessments to dynamic incident response. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
REVTERRA CORPORATION
STTR Phase II: Ultra-thin Laminar Flywheels for Utility Scale Energy Storage
Contact
4200 SAN JACINTO ST
Houston, TX 77004--4853
NSF Award
2231076 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
06/15/2023 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Mara Schindelholz
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is to reduce power infrastructure bottlenecks to the deployment of electric vehicle fast chargers. Typically, it is expensive to install high power electric vehicle fast chargers because of limited power availability or demand charges. A large network of electric vehicle fast chargers would reduce range anxiety among electric vehicle drivers and accelerate the electrification of transportation overall. Energy storage systems can be used to build a ?buffer? between low power availability at a site and high-power fast chargers by accumulating and then rapidly discharging energy, but conventional chemical batteries have a limited cycle life which degrades faster in high-power applications. Kinetic batteries (such as those based on flywheels), on the other hand, could enable this without having to be replaced and without hazardous byproducts. Modular, cost-effective ?buffers? could be deployed anywhere and everywhere an electric vehicle fast charger is required and where power availability is limited.
This STTR Phase II project proposes to fabricate, test, and deploy a pilot 100 kWh / 400 kW modular kinetic battery system into a 350 kW electric vehicle charging station along with commercial partners to validate whether the system can act as a drop-in solution. This project enables high-power, fast electric vehicle charging utilizing the existing, low-power grid connections. This project has three basic objectives: 1) fabricate a kinetic battery module with 100 kWh energy storage capacity and 400 kW power output, 2) conduct a rigorous test of the kinetic battery as part of a high-power electric vehicle charger, and 3) design a high-power, alternating current homopolar motor/generator which can provide damping forces to the rotor passively via its windings. This kinetic battery system implements a passively stable magnetic bearing system which enables larger module sizes (reduces balance of system costs and operating expenses) and can connect to the grid synchronously, eliminating the need for costly power electronics and enabling it to provide grid-stabilizing physical inertia as an ancillary service.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ROBIGO, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Engineering the Plant Microbiome to Reduce Disease in Crops
Contact
750 MAIN ST
Cambridge, MA 02139--3544
NSF Award
2528810 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,247,238
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to advance a new crop protection technology that strengthens U.S. leadership in agricultural biotechnology, supports global food security, and improves the resilience of American farmers. The project focuses on a biopesticide that targets Sudden Death Syndrome, a major fungal disease responsible for up to $500 million in annual losses for U.S. soybean growers. Unlike traditional synthetic pesticides, this microbe-based product offers a safer solution that reduces the need for chemical inputs while maintaining high yields. By improving crop health and minimizing losses, the innovation can help farmers use land more efficiently, increase profitability, and stabilize food supply chains. This project also promotes domestic biomanufacturing and supports national goals to reduce reliance on imported agrochemicals, enhance food system resilience, and boost economic competitiveness. U.S. soybean production supports over $24 billion in exports and more than 2.5 million on-farm jobs, making protection of this sector a key national priority. This approach provides a scalable alternative to chemical pesticides, delivering long-term benefits for farmers, and consumers while advancing scientific and technological understanding of microbial solutions in agriculture. The proposed project seeks to translate an innovative RNA interference delivery technology from laboratory proof-of-concept experiments to field trial implementation and develop a commercial-ready product with scalable manufacturing processes. Current biological crop protection solutions, including RNA interference, have lackluster performance due to challenges in effectively delivering the active ingredients, ensuring stability in the environment, or poor reliability across geographies, crops, and soil types. The research objectives of this project include 1) product design and optimization to improve efficacy and reduce environmental and resistance risk, 2) demonstrate efficacy in field trials, and 3) develop a formulated product that is shelf-stable and compatible with existing soybean seed treatments. The company anticipates performance in field trials to be competitive with commercial synthetic pesticides, a significant achievement for a biological product. Further, the company anticipates its computational pipeline can deliver a pathogen-specific biopesticide that is safe to humans, beneficial species, and the environment. Due to the careful selection of microbial strains, successful development of a product formulation that supports shelf stability and compatibility is anticipated. Finally, the company anticipates scaling its biomanufacturing 10X to demonstrate feasibility of low-cost pilot-scale production. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
ROWBOT SYSTEMS LLC
SBIR Phase II: N-SMART, a highly-scalable, robot-enabled solution for managing nitrogen fertilizer applications to maximize a corn farmer's yield, profitability, and stewardship
Contact
400 S 4TH ST
Minneapolis, MN 55415--1411
NSF Award
2416306 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in the development and commercialization of a novel artificial intelligence-based strategy for applying nitrogen fertilizer to corn fields. Using automated, unmanned ground vehicles (robots), small test plots will be created to stress test and develop an accurate simulation of each field. These simulations will determine the optimal nitrogen fertilizer application rates based on field characteristics, rainfall, and growing conditions. Harvest data from the small plots will validate that the expected benefits are delivered to farmers. Over 10% of the energy consumed in the U.S. agricultural sector is used for producing nitrogen fertilizer for corn. By enabling United States corn farmers to optimize nitrogen fertilizer use, this technology will improve the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizer application, thus reducing the energy intensity and carbon footprint of U.S. agriculture. Efficient use of nitrogen fertilizer will lower input costs and maximize yield potential, thereby improving the profitability of U.S. farmers. Moreover, this project will reduce nitrogen fertilizer pollution, which threatens human health, degrades aquatic ecosystems, and emits greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the problem of nitrogen fertilizer pollution during the production of corn by commercializing a novel approach to simulate corn fields. Farmers rely on simulations to predict how much nitrogen fertilizer will be required by their crop for the remainder of the growing season, yet there is no established method to confirm if parameters, such as percent soil organic matter, are set correctly for a particular field. Using small test plots with varying amounts of applied nitrogen, an artificial intelligence-based approach will be used to find the best simulation of the field that matches simulated and observed nitrogen stress. Research objectives include improving estimates of observed nitrogen stress using an approach based in computer vision and machine learning, outfitting unmanned ground vehicles with the necessary cameras and processing capabilities, and testing the full approach on research plots and farmer fields in the Midwest U.S. The expected technical benefits of this project include providing corn farmers a reliable method to reduce nitrogen fertilizer, thereby reducing their highest input cost after purchasing seed, while ensuring that their crop has sufficient nitrogen fertilizer to reach its yield potential.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RSTREAM RECYCLING INC
SBIR Phase II: Autonomous waste sorting platform for decentralized pre-processing
Contact
444 SOMERVILLE AVE
Somerville, MA 02143--3260
NSF Award
2423645 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$995,163
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
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 II project is in improving landfill diversion and recycling rates of non-industrial waste. This project targets high-traffic venues (HTVs) with controlled waste streams such as stadiums, universities, airports, and theme parks. Waste stream sorting to differentiate classes of materials for recycling and landfill is currently undertaken either using rudimentary, labor-intensive manual sorting, or expensive and technically complex robotic sorting, neither of which are feasible options for non-industrial settings (i.e., HTVs), which then shoulder heightened rates imposed by material recovery facilities due to contamination. These expenses have discouraged recycling, contributing to the mounting waste problem. This project seeks to develop an intelligent waste-sorting system that leverages computer vision and innovative hardware to enable on-site, decentralized sorting, facilitating the recapture of the 66 million tons and $200 billion worth of recyclable materials that currently go to waste each year. By mitigating waste accumulation in landfills and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with virgin resource mining, this technology supports United Nations sustainable development goals 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and 12 (responsible consumption and production) and aligns with the NSFs mission of advancing national health, prosperity, and welfare.
The proposed technology consists of a hardware-software solution that uses the latest in computer vision to perform automated waste sortation and classification in cluttered environments. This is enabled by waste organization technology developed during NSF SBIR Phase I research allowing for increasingly complex (or diverse) structures (shapes, sizes, and materials) to be accurately identified and subsequently sorted. In under 150 square feet, this approach produces an ordered stream of objects, which can then be sorted according to any diversion scheme for efficient recycling. The software uses semi-supervised learning to allow for domain adaptation from a centralized training set, enabling rapid implementation of optimized sorting schemes of site-specific waste streams, requiring significantly less human intervention than traditionally needed. Successful development would result in a simplified sorting platform that is cheaper, more robust, and less resource intensive than existing waste sorting operations, thus offering a novel turnkey solution that could be feasibly adopted on-site. Research objectives include: 1) Building a compact, high-throughput, high-accuracy, and turnkey sorting system for HTVs; 2) Developing computer vision (CV) technology to enhance waste classification model accuracy, detail, and robustness with machine learning (ML); and 3) Conducting an extended pilot study on the developed system with an HTV partner.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RUBI LABORATORIES, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Scaling and Validating Enzymatic Carbon Capture and Utilization for Industrial Sustainability
Contact
1501 HARBOR BAY PKWY STE 200
Alameda, CA 94502--2704
NSF Award
2414329 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$969,961
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in its potential to revolutionize the textile manufacturing industry by capturing industrial carbon dioxide emissions and transforming them into sustainable, high-quality cellulosic fibers. This innovation not only mitigates the environmental impact of greenhouse gases but also provides a renewable, forest-free source of raw materials for textile production. This technology is estimated, even at its pilot scale, to lead to ~50% lower CO2e emissions, 60% less water, and 98% less land usage compared with tree-derived wood pulp. In the long-term, this vision would enable reforestation and preservation to promote rewilding and return of biodiverse ecosystems. The successful development and commercialization of this technology align with NSF's mission to promote scientific progress and environmental sustainability. This technology is anticipated to create new job opportunities and bolster the U.S. economy by participating in an estimated $2B serviceable obtainable market.
This Phase II project advances a pioneering innovation in biocatalysis by refining and scaling a CO2-to-cellulose conversion process utilizing enzymatic pathways inside an industrial bioreactor. The primary technical innovation involves optimizing the stabilization and activity of enzymes involved in carbon conversion and cellulose synthesis to effectively convert carbon dioxide into cellulose under industrial conditions. The project will focus on enhancing pathway efficiency, optimizing process parameters, and transitioning from pilot-scale to commercial-scale production. Methods include development of a continuous biocatalytic process, enzyme stability optimization, materials validation, and process scaling studies. The goal is to establish a robust, efficient, and commercially viable method for producing sustainable cellulose from industrial CO2 emissions, significantly advancing sustainable manufacturing of textiles and offering a scalable solution to reduce industrial carbon footprint.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RUSHNU INC
SBIR Phase II: System for High Efficiency Continuous Single-step Carbon Capture and Mineralization
Contact
5495 BLACK AVE, UNIT 2
Pleasanton, CA 94566--5971
NSF Award
2538147 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is the ability for key industries to produce essential chemical feedstocks on-site using gas waste streams and low-cost, widely available salts. In contrast to feedstocks produced via centralized manufacturing, the on-site production offered by the proposed technology creates a cost-effective supply chain for critical chemicals at over 50% lower cost while generating revenue from byproducts. Host sites also gain a more reliable and safer feedstock supply compared to conventional centralized production and long-haul transport. Together, the proposed technology will help drive new economic activity in the U.S. by offering industrial operators a CO? absorption and mineralization solution that uses 70% less energy and reduces operating costs by 50%, enabling both cost savings and new revenue opportunities. It will also promote supply chain resilience?for operators and the U.S. generally?with on-site chemical production using industrial waste streams. This decreased reliance on centralized production and distribution will help buffer a range of industries that depend on chlor-alkali products against supply chain disruptions, driven by decreases in production, insufficient supplies of precursor materials, sudden changes in demand, and inadequate logistics.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project focuses on the industrial-scale development and deployment of a solvent-based gas absorption technology that converts CO? in industrial gas waste streams and other low-cost, widely available inputs (i.e. a chlorinated salt) into essential chemical feedstocks, such as chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hypochlorite, and minerals including calcium carbonate and sodium carbonate. The technology has already been demonstrated in a small-scale pilot at a wastewater treatment facility, where it produced sodium hypochlorite and calcium carbonate from on-site biogas while maintaining low energy and cost inputs and achieving high rates of CO? absorption and mineralization. The proposed Phase II work will scale and optimize this technology for industrial-scale production. If successful, this project will address major energetic limitations in both existing CO? absorption technology and chlor-alkali systems to enable the on-site production of key chemical feedstocks.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.RoadPrintz, Inc.
SBIR Phase II: Robotic Pavement Marking
Contact
11201 CEDAR AVE FL 7
Cleveland, OH 44106--2606
NSF Award
2111885 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,900
Start / end date
01/01/2022 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to significantly reduce the number of injuries or deaths suffered by pavement marking workers on public streets and roads, while increasing the efficiency and lowering costs by using an operator-driven, truck-mounted, mobile robotic pavement marking system. Robotic painting allows workers to remain in the safety of the truck cab, protecting them from traffic. Increased efficiency will help to minimize work zone congestion and duration, while reduced costs will enable safer and more productive streetscapes for the general public. Studies have repeatedly confirmed that streetscapes with a high density of transverse marking features such as shared center turning lanes, dedicated bike lanes with separation buffer zones, and pedestrian-friendly crosswalks result in measurable public health benefits, enhanced quality of life, increased commercial activity, and, counterintuitively, more efficient traffic flow with fewer collisions. The project will also better enable precise placement of new markings and precise overpainting of worn or eroded markings, both important factors for connected and autonomous vehicles. An earlier phase of the project has already resulted in enhancements to camera calibration techniques for machine vision.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to build on a successful Phase I effort to enable a commercially-viable robotic road painting system that addresses the need to protect the lives of human workers engaged in the dangerous task of stenciling roadway markings such as turn arrows or bike symbols. The project may also improve the accuracy and ease of application of markings needed to support autonomous vehicle-ready roadways. The research will apply advanced software, machine vision, an augmented-reality user interface, and proprietary robotic trajectory planning technologies to support ultraprecision painting in the real-world environment while keeping human workers safe in the cab of the operator-driven truck upon which the robot is mounted. The solution will enable robots to paint previously unmarked pavement and to repaint existing marks. The combined hardware and software solution will be capable of recording all planned and completed markings in a cloud-hosted database?an innovation that will streamline the processes. The technology will also form a cloud-based standard for mapping and recording universal road markings and support the ability of autonomous vehicles to operate safely. While much of the research can initially be performed in simulation, significant real-world testing and validation will be required as well.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.S2A TECHNOLOGIES LLC
STTR Phase II: Development of Autocalibration Techniques to Enable Commercial Scale-up of Software-based Vibration Compensation for 3D Printers
Contact
600 SOUTH WAGNER ROAD
Ann Arbor, MI 48103--9002
NSF Award
2233481 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,676
Start / end date
04/01/2023 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is to increase the productivity of manufacturing machines at low cost through software improvements, without sacrificing quality. The project is specifically motivated by 3D printing, an $11 billion and rapidly growing industry within advanced manufacturing that is critical to national security, supply chain resiliency, and economic prosperity. The adoption of 3D printing for mainstream manufacturing is often hindered by the low speed of 3D printers. A major hindrance to high-speed 3D printing is vibration, which causes loss of quality at high-speed operation. This project seeks to develop a low-cost, software-based approach for mitigating the vibration of 3D printers. A major impediment to the effectiveness of the proposed software solution is the need for accurate calibration of the changing vibration behavior of 3D printers under varying operating conditions. This project will develop a set of automatic calibration techniques to address this impediment. The software algorithms developed through this project will not only benefit 3D printing but would also apply to a wide range of advanced manufacturing machines, like machine tools and robots, whose speed and accuracy are often limited by vibration.
This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II project seeks to develop a suite of automatic calibration techniques to enable a proprietary vibration compensation algorithm to adapt to frequent changes in vibration behavior of 3D printers that occur in the field. To achieve this goal, three technical objectives will be pursued. The first technical objective will involve the development of a sensor-less auto calibration technique that continuously updates the calibration of 3D printers whose moving mass and vibration behavior changes as material is being deposited on the print bed. The second technical objective will focus on the development of a sensor-based, autocalibration technique that uses shallow machine learning to continuously fine-tune the calibration maps of 3D printers with onboard accelerometers. The third technical objective will involve the development of a sensor-based autocalibration-as-a-service technique primarily for 3D printers that do not have onboard accelerometers. To achieve these objectives, research is needed to overcome technical hurdles that hinder the accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed auto-calibration approaches. The intellectual merit of this project is in developing science-based approaches that overcome the technical hurdles and their associated risks.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SAMARA AEROSPACE, INC.
SBIR Phase II: A Reliable and Efficient New Method for Satellite Attitude Control
Contact
901 MINNESOTA ST
San Francisco, CA 94107--3011
NSF Award
2507700 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,221,382
Start / end date
06/15/2026 – 05/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
SAMAY, INC.
SBIR Phase II: An AI-powered wearable system and platform for long-term remote monitoring of pulmonary function (COVID-19)
Contact
545 SAN ANTONIO RD APT 208
Mountain View, CA 94040--1351
NSF Award
2112096 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$958,275
Start / end date
08/15/2021 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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This phase II award received additional funding to mitigate the COVID-19 crisis.Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve care for pulmonary conditions, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This disease affects 30 million Americans, kills more than 150,000 a year and is the third leading cause of U.S. deaths. COPD costs Americans nearly $72 billion a year, half of which is spent on ER visits and hospital stays resulting from respiratory crises. Hospitalized COPD patients have reduced quality of life, more rapid lung disease progression, and a 50% increase in mortality in the subsequent two years. Currently, ongoing monitoring of COPD lung deterioration relies largely on patient-reported symptoms and inadequate tools (65-70% accurate). As a result, half of COPD deterioration remains undetected. The proposed technology facilitates early diagnosis and treatment of COPD attacks by continuous remote tracking of lung function, thereby preventing unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations. This device improves care for long-term conditions like COPD or asthma, but also those with relatively quick onset, such as COVID-19.
The proposed project advances translation of a device using acoustic resonance to measure lung air volume. The project develops an expanded data set for analysis and deployment at scale. The project further incorporates advanced classification models into the analysis workflow to track and predict deteriorating lung function in a cloud-computing environment. The project will also develop a version to run on a patient's mobile device to enable real-time feedback.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SANGTERA INC
STTR Phase II: Miniature Precision Stage for High Throughput Hybrid Bonding
Contact
1 LORING RD
Lexington, MA 02421--6907
NSF Award
2450526 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,184,000
Start / end date
04/01/2025 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is to develop a small form-factor precision stage to enable the high-volume manufacturing of next generation high-performance computing devices utilizing 3D stacked chiplets. Semiconductor advanced packaging technologies with stacked chiplets are expected to be the main driving force extending compute capability growth in the coming decades. The outcome of this project will provide a key building block to enable the production of high interconnect density devices with high throughput, thus lowering their costs for adoption in both automobile use cases, and also customer mobile devices. This project may also demonstrate the general feasibility of the underlying actuator technology, paving way for its development and applications in other fields of robotics. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project focuses on designing, fabricating, and characterizing a small form-factor precision stage prototype to support high accuracy and high throughput chiplet-to-wafer hybrid bonding. The team will design the device to achieve 100 nm positioning precision along each motion axis, to enable accurate chiplet placement with a motion range of 1 mm, and 20 degrees within a compact footprint of 10 mm on each side. The project tasks include developing sub-components for both linear and rotational motions, the fabrication of these sub-components, and their final assembly into functional test units. The team will develop control electronics to operate the multi-degrees-of-freedom units, incorporating position measurement systems utilizing optical imaging and/or capacitance measurements. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SANITARY GREEN INCORPORATED
SBIR Phase II: Sustainable Decentralized Greywater Recycling System
Contact
2511 NE 4TH ST STE 120
Bend, OR 97701--3662
NSF Award
2136477 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$991,482
Start / end date
03/01/2022 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this SBIR Phase II project is an affordable and sustainable solution for onsite water reuse. The need for better water efficiency and reuse technology is growing quickly. Driven by unsustainable water use and rapid population growth, groundwater aquifers across the United States and around the world are drying up as environmental change causes water scarcity and drought. For almost one billion people worldwide, water scarcity is life-threatening. This project will develop a natural water treatment system that cleans household greywater for safe reuse in the home and garden, reducing total household water consumption up to 40% and simultaneously providing an attractive outdoor plant amenity. The treatment system will use compact, modular containers that can be quickly deployed and easily scaled for any size home and anywhere water infrastructure is expensive, scarce, or compromised. The system will remotely monitor water quality and system performance to ensure safety and reliability.
This project will develop a novel ecological treatment process that combines the biological systems of natural wetlands and the purifying properties of volcanic soils to clean and recycle household greywater for safe reuse in the home and garden. The system will use embedded sensors to remotely monitor water quality and system performance to ensure safety and reliability. The project tests a variety of plant species and natural substrates to maximize functional and aesthetic value and to improve tolerance to harsh climates and shade. Innovative management strategies, such as microbial inoculation and recirculating flow, will be tested to improve system health and treatment efficiency. This project will optimize treatment performance to meet regulatory standards. It will also assess improved treatment of common greywater contaminants such as toxic chemicals, heavy metals, cleaning products, fats, oils, grease, and urine. In addition to greywater treatment, alternative water treatment applications, such as nitrogen removal for rural septic systems and urban stormwater runoff, will be explored.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SENOGUARD, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Cryogenic probe development and testing for post-lumpectomy margin ablation treatment
Contact
1135 COASTLINE DR
Seal Beach, CA 90740--5816
NSF Award
2404500 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,545
Start / end date
12/01/2024 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is a novel minimally invasive thermal therapy for improving post surgical lumpectomy outcomes. In the US, 300,000 new breast cancer cancer diagnoses occur each year with nearly half, or 150,000, undergoing surgical excision of the tumor. These patients are also required to undergo subsequent radiation therapy to decrease the risks of recurrence. The follow on treatments require multiple follow up visits to hospitals or clinics with specialized equipment and personnel, disproportionately affecting social and economically disadvantaged patients in underserved regions. This initiative aims to provide an adjunctive therapy to be performed by the breast cancer surgeon immediately following a lumpectomy, in order to significantly reduce or eliminate remaining cancerous cells in the surrounding tissue or fluid medium. The proposed benefits include reducing the rates and severity of side effects of radiation therapy, as well as reducing multiple inclinic follow up visits. The system represents a novel treatment paradigm for breast cancer - the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the female population affecting one in eight women, and fifth leading cause of cancer death worldwide with 2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths per year. The potential commercial impact is a new type of cryogenic probe and treatment paradigm for the $7.5B annual breast cancer lumpectompy and invasive treatment market. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to complete engineering and validation activities for a novel minimally invasive cryoablation probe, coupled with an external cryoagent controller, for performing post lumpectomy augmentative therapy. The cryoablation probe will be optimized for procedural and development considerations based on a gel model in order to ensure proper contact with the tumor cavity walls to induce necrosis or apoptosis. The probe will be developed and integrated within medical device processes and standards including materials selection, product development and manufacturing considerations for human use. The probe will then be integrated into an overall system consisting of an external controller, console and cryoablative fluid supply needed to deliver controlled sub freezing therapy. The system will then be validated in separate ex vivo tissue experiments followed by in vivo ovine studies to demonstrate system efficacy and safety to initiate 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.
SENTIRE MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
STTR Phase II: Intraoperative Monitoring Device to Detect Bowel Injuries During Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures
Contact
10455 RIVERSIDE DR STE 110
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410--4332
NSF Award
2505705 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,189,332
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is significantly reduced patient harm and associated healthcare costs during minimally invasive abdominal laparoscopic or robotic surgery, by improving the early detection of inadvertent injuries to the bowel. There are 15 million laparoscopic abdominal surgeries performed in the U.S. every year. These include hernia repair, hysterectomy, prostate removal, gallbladder removal, all which pose a risk of Injuries to internal organs including the bowel, which can go undetected and lead to life-threatening complications, prolonged recovery, and high financial burden. By enabling real-time recognition of events during surgery, this project offers the potential to reduce repeat operations, intensive care stays, long-term health issues, and death. The impact includes clinical benefits, technological biomedical innovations, improved patient outcomes, improved surgical efficiency and decreased hospitalization costs, as a new system category. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project focuses on developing a gas-based sensing system for use during surgery to detect internal bowel injuries. The novel device senses and identifies specific gas compounds that are typically confined to the digestive tract which escape into the abdominal cavity upon bowel injury, identified using unique chemical signatures. The project will evaluate several sensing methods at various concentrations and environmental challenges including smoke, fluctuating temperatures, and varying pressures. The technology development activities include defining detection thresholds and system performance within structured data collection during surgical procedures, and validation and optimization compared to laboratory testing standards to predict their real-world functionality in clinical use. The final objective of the proposed activities are to validate the system in a limited patient study. These milestones will produce a novel system that assists surgical teams identify complications earlier, lower abdominal surgical risks, detect currently undetected or late detected events, in a system validated in a limited patient group under controlled conditions. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SIGN-SPEAK Inc
SBIR Phase II: Real-Time Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bidirectional American Sign Language (ASL) Communication System
Contact
104 EAST AVE STE 205
Rochester, NY 14604--2502
NSF Award
2524698 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will result from an advanced communication system that uses cutting-edge computer vision and machine learning to enhance communications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community. By offering expanded communication options beyond traditional methods, the proposed technology seeks to reduce social isolation, foster greater independence, and promote full integration of DHH individuals into the U.S. economy and stimulate economic activity. The technology is expected to unlock opportunities for DHH individuals to access a range of services and platforms, fostering economic growth and enabling businesses and governments to achieve greater productivity. Societally, it will improve educational and employment outcomes for DHH individuals, contributing to increased economic participation. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the critical need for improved bi-directional communication between DHH and hearing people. The core intellectual challenge lies in developing robust artificial intelligence models given the inherent complexities of modeling a visual language and the scarcity of comprehensive data. Previous research has faced limitations, often resulting in models with inaccuracies, restricted domain applicability, or insufficient effectiveness. Building on successful Phase I efforts, which established technical viability of the proposed approach through novel dataset creation and data augmentation techniques, this project aims to overcome challenges associated with scaling the technology to deal with more complex real-world interactions. The proposed research will focus on refining the models developed in Phase I to create a comprehensive automatic two-way communication system. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SIMMBION LLC
STTR Phase II: Living Pharmacy for Diabetes and Obesity Treatment
Contact
2401 W BELVEDERE AVE
Baltimore, MD 21215--5216
NSF Award
2413989 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
03/15/2025 – 02/28/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project could be both substantial and multifaceted, with far-reaching implications across the entire spectrum of healthcare, education, and environmental stewardship. This living pharmacy approach is an innovative and transformative cellular factory method of administering treatments and managing chronic diseases by maintaining steady-state drug levels over long periods of time without the need for frequent dosing. By synthesizing treatments directly within the body and replacing daily, weekly, or monthly dosing with a single dose, the technology has the potential to significantly enhance patient compliance, offering an alternative treatment modality that makes the disease invisible to daily life. Educationally, the proposed technology as a pioneering work may serve as a springboard for fostering innovation and research in the field of immuno-synthetic biology and biotechnology, paving the way for the next generation of scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs to draw inspiration from nature?s design first. Scientifically, the platform could act as a testament to the exciting possibilities of symbiotic synthetic biology and the living pharmacy concept. This work spans the fields of immunology, microbiology, symbiotic biology, and synthetic biology, with potential dual applications in the defense industry and cancer prevention space. The proposed project aims to demonstrate the safety and tolerability of a novel and potentially harmless universal designer organism as a living pharmacy to treat diabetes and obesity in cats. Specifically, the plan is to demonstrate how a single injection can be effective for 12 weeks or longer to control blood glucose and weight gain for the companion animal market. This will serve as a model first, with the eventual goal of entering the human market. This cellular factory platform could facilitate a new era of cost-effective and patient-friendly treatments with fewer side effects and significantly decreased cascading effects, preventing severe complications and the onset of co-morbidities of many chronic diseases. This advancement holds substantial potential to curb the health crisis staged by an increasing number of obese and prediabetic individuals in the nation, thereby improving public health at a large scale. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SKIP TECHNOLOGY, INC.
SBIR Phase II: High Energy-Density Hydrogen-Halogen Flow Batteries for Energy Storage
Contact
2113 SE 7TH AVE
Portland, OR 97214--4604
NSF Award
2136304 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$978,993
Start / end date
06/15/2023 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is directly related to the utilization of renewable energy sources in the electrical grid. Due to the variability of supply, renewable energy generators (e.g. solar and wind) cannot supply the entire electrical demand as these often under-produce during times of high demand and over-produce during times of low demand. To alleviate this problem, large-scale energy storage solutions are necessary to balance generation and demand. This project aims to create the necessary technological breakthrough of a chemical battery to address this need. The company has developed an enabling technology that unlocks a chemistry which was first proposed over forty years ago. However, it has always failed before due to a flaw at its core. The proposed work addresses this flaw. The proposed storage technology will enter the large-scale energy storage market that is poorly served by existing solutions and is expected to exceed hundreds of billions of dollars worldwide annually within the decade as the world transitions to greater renewable energy generation.
This SBIR Phase II project proposes to bring a novel membrane technology for flow batteries to a commercial ready status. In previous iterations, flow batteries of this type have been limited in success due to issues of thin-film membranes which are at the heart of such batteries. A novel solution to this problem has been identified and a proof-of-concept has been successfully demonstrated. This project aims to transition that device from a laboratory setting of a single operational cell to a commercial product linking many such cells in a manifold. This work will involve a combination of laboratory experiments, manufacturing design, as well as theory and simulation work. At the end of this project, numerous cells in a physical stack will be built that will facilitate manufacturing and quality assurance. These advances will enable a direct transition to full-sized commercial-ready flow batteries. Initial investigations have demonstrated that the novel technology and approach to solving flow battery membrane problems may be extended to other similar fields with similar advantages, e.g. fuel cells.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SMARTCHARTS INC.
SBIR Phase II: AI-Driven Visualization of Rehabilitation Documentation to Support Decision-Making Across Care Settings
Contact
210 S DESPLAINES ST APT 1405
Chicago, IL 60661--5552
NSF Award
2546997 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact /commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve rehabilitation progress understanding and use. This project will advance a technology that converts rehabilitation documentation into clear, visual representations of patient functional ability over time, enabling a shared, accessible understanding of progress for all stakeholders. By converting unstructured clinical narratives into visually accessible information, the technology can enhance interpretation, reduce ambiguity, and support more consistent, data-informed decision-making. The initial market segment includes acute care and inpatient rehabilitation settings, with planned expansion to outpatient rehabilitation and home health. The proposed commercialization model is a business-to-business software licensing model sold per healthcare facility.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the technical challenge of extracting, structuring, and interpreting rehabilitation progress data from highly variable, unstructured clinical documentation in operational healthcare. Building on Phase I results, the project will refine and validate a rehabilitation-specific data framework that visually represents patient functional ability in speech, occupational and physical therapy over time and across care settings. Phase II research and development objectives include expanding structured data representations of rehabilitation goals and progress indicators, validating measurement and aggregation methods across larger, varied datasets, and advancing visualization techniques that accurately reflect functional change, stability, and variability. The proposed research will employ natural language processing, small language models, ontology-based structures and expert-in-the-loop validation to transform narrative rehabilitation notes into standardized, analyzable data elements. Methods will include iterative refinement, performance evaluation using real-world datasets and actuarial principles, and feasibility testing within clinical workflows. Anticipated technical outcomes include improved accuracy and consistency in representing patient functional ability, validated visual outputs that support clinical and discharge decision-making, and a scalable technical foundation for future predictive modeling. Phase II results are expected to advance scientific understanding of how rehabilitation data can be systematically structured and applied to improve care coordination and outcomes.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SOFTHREAD, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Zero Trust Solution for Precision Medicine and Precision Health Data Exchanges
Contact
5520 RESEARCH PARK DR
Catonsville, MD 21228--4851
NSF Award
2226026 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$984,905
Start / end date
04/01/2024 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project leverages novel converging technologies and expands blockchain technology to new healthcare domains enabling the secure exchange of confidential, precision health information such as advanced directives and life-sustaining management within and between organizations. The confidentiality, security, and efficiency of data management are critically important in advanced care and life-sustaining treatment decision pathways for ethical, clinical, regulatory, and legal reasons. The combination of the proprietary blockchain solution with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and edge computing enablement offers enhanced privacy and security, improved audit-readiness, better risk management, and superior operational efficiency. The solution functions as an overlay to legacy systems. It easily integrates with existing information management systems, in the cloud or on premise. Further, this solution is scalable, providing a competitive advantage and ease of adoption for stakeholders, including those who are seeking Web 3.0 upward compatibility. In addition to the direct impact within this application area, the technology can have a broader positive influence on the economy and society by preventing or reducing data breaches, increasing trust and quality of life, and reducing the total cost of healthcare.
This SBIR Phase II project establishes a novel, efficient, and effective solution for advanced directives and life-sustaining management, which is one of the critical areas within precision health and medicine given the highly personalized and ethically-complex nature of the application. The zero-trust solution achieves decentralized confidentiality, fine-grained access control, and robust intrusion tolerance by avoiding any single point of failure and maintaining operational efficiency. By leveraging modern cryptographic protocols, pre-built privacy-preserving smart contracts, advanced user access control overlays, support for publish/subscribe messaging patterns, integration with off-chain operations, and confidentiality-preserving machine learning models, the solution offers a unique, modular, decentralized architecture that can meet complex regulatory, privacy and security requirements. Further, the technology is specifically designed to address Internet of Things (IoT) network security and data management at scale. The project aims to reduce cyber-vulnerability, increase operational flexibility and achieve scalability that will prove beneficial to a broad array of related healthcare and precision medicine domains such as transplant services, genomic medicine, or biobanks where data confidentiality is of critical importance, especially as these are highly vulnerable to data breaches and cyberattacks.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SOSTOS LLC
SBIR Phase II: An advanced web portal for artificial intelligence (AI)-based comprehensive discovery of repositioning drugs
Contact
591 HERMAN AVE
Morgantown, WV 26505--2031
NSF Award
2450913 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,236,522
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Parvathi Chundi
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project lies in advancing the development of CATOS-AI (Cancer Treatment Optimization Solutions ? Artificial Intelligence) towards integration with healthcare-IT systems, paving the way for commercialization after completing key milestones in the Phase I project. By leveraging a strong collaboration between academia and industry experts, this project aims to enhance the global competitiveness of this innovative technology, addressing a critical need in precision oncology. The anticipated outcomes include substantial improvements in personalized cancer care and accelerated development of new drug options, leading to better survival rates for cancer patients while reducing time and costs. Additionally, the software is expected to benefit millions of cancer patients by improving the quality of care, supporting pharmaceutical research and development, and alleviating the overall healthcare burden. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to build a powerful artificial intelligence (AI) based clinical decision-making tool called CATOS-AI (Cancer Treatment Optimization Solutions ? Artificial Intelligence) for personalized cancer care. Addressing the need for advanced AI solutions in precision oncology and drug repositioning, the project will utilize machine learning and multi-omics analysis to discover new drugs or repurpose existing ones for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by identifying clinically relevant biomarkers. It will also develop predictive models using de-identified genomic data to assess tumor recurrence, metastasis risks, and patient responses to both standard treatments and off-label drugs. Additionally, the CATOS-AI will simulate nanoparticle-based drug delivery methods to optimize administration strategies for new and repurposed therapies. The project further includes the development of a cloud-based clinical software platform with robust data security, privacy protection, and tiered access for users, ensuring its usability in real-world clinical and research settings. This SBIR Phase II effort will advance CATOS-AI into a comprehensive AI-powered platform, accelerating drug discovery, improving cancer treatment outcomes, and enhancing accessibility to precision medicine solutions. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SOWN TO GROW, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Fostering Growth in Trusting Relationships between Students and Educators with Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning Technologies
Contact
515 CROFTON AVE
Oakland, CA 94610--1520
NSF Award
2537677 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this SBIR Phase II project is to improve student well-being, academic outcomes, and educator effectiveness by making the quality of student-teacher relationships visible, measurable, and actionable at scale. Strong relationships between students and educators are among the most powerful predictors of student outcomes, yet many schools today lack practical tools to assess or support these relationships in real time at scale. This project addresses that gap by developing artificial intelligence-powered features that help teachers respond more meaningfully to students, help students deepen their reflective practice, and help school administrators identify where relationships are thriving or need support. The technology is delivered through a software-as-a-service platform. The platform's competitive advantage lies in its proprietary dataset of millions of real student reflections and teacher responses, which underpins machine learning models that no competitor can easily replicate.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project advances the application of natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) to measure and support the quality of student-teacher relationships in K-12 educational settings. Despite the well-documented importance of these relationships, scalable methods for assessing their depth have been largely absent. Phase I established the technical feasibility of this approach by developing and validating three rubric-based classification frameworks. Phase II builds upon this foundation across three research objectives: productizing Phase I model outputs into user-facing tools including student nudges, teacher prioritization features, and administrator dashboards; strengthening the technical infrastructure by expanding models to handle dynamic student populations, improving model robustness, and transitioning to real-time inference; and embedding personalized, context-aware teacher coaching directly into educator workflows. Anticipated outcomes include improved quality of student reflections and teacher responses, a robust real-time AI infrastructure, and a scalable 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.SPADXTECH LLC
SBIR Phase II: High-Performance and Green Materials Based on Engineered Cellulose-Producing Bacteria
Contact
17 BRIDEN ST
Worcester, MA 01605--2639
NSF Award
2310226 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/01/2023 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by replacing plastics with cellulose secreted by genetically modified bacteria in the form of synthetic leather. This substitution effort will assist the USA in reaching net-zero GHG emissions by saving over 660 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) or CO2-equivalent gases by 2050. Replacing synthetic leathers made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polyurethane (PU) or hide-based leather with bacterial cellulose will have significant environmental benefits. Being petroleum-based, PVC and PU production has significant GHG emissions. Genuine leather requires transport of hides to tanneries, most of which are no longer located in the USA. Additionally, the water-intensive tanning and dyeing processes produce toxic wastes. In contrast, growth and processing of bacterial cellulose produces little to no toxic waste and few GHG emissions. Further, the material is biodegradable (unlike PVC or PU), which is appealing to consumers in the rapidly growing market for vegan leather. Scale-up of the production to replace plastics worldwide with this sustainable material will reduce trash generation and alleviate the problem of plastic waste in the environment.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will enhance the properties of the existing synthetic leather materials and will develop the technology to produce large quantities of the material at low cost. Composed of bacterial cellulose, this high-performance, environmentally friendly material will impact the textile, construction, and packaging industries. The material looks, feels, and performs like real leather having desirable properties such as suppleness, sew-ability, and high tensile strength. The initial focus will be on creating a vegan leather alternative consisting of multiple cellulose sheets combined using a proprietary formulation. This project will enable the refinement of the material to meet industry standards for durability (e.g., water resistance, flex resistance, abrasion resistance, colorfastness) and aesthetics (color and patterns) and will develop the processes for producing the material at a commercial scale to meet market demand for quantity and price. Further, the fast-growing bacterial strains provide a competitive advantage for scale-up. The research will provide a solid scientific foundation to produce much larger quantities of this cellulose-based material at competitive prices for other applications such as insulation for the construction 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.STEAM INSTRUMENTS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Ion Optics Optimized for Nanoscale Stigmatic Imaging
Contact
931 E MAIN ST
Madison, WI 53703--2955
NSF Award
2450656 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,623
Start / end date
07/01/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will pursue the development of enabling technology for a fundamentally new imaging mass spectrometer concept. From basic science to large industries like energy and semiconductors, better microscopies yield more efficient and insightful work. Throughout history the length scales of human understanding have been directly tied to the microscopes available at the time. Imaging mass spectrometers have broad use, but the initial product to be developed will focus on problems in materials science. The half-billion-dollar contemporary market for microscopes that address these problems includes both electron microscope and mass spectrometer approaches. With a product based on the technologies developed in this project, it is envisioned that a viable product will be realized within a year of project completion. A 10-14% market capture is predicted within the first six years thereafter. The impact of this improved imaging instrument on the U.S. economy will also include substantial savings of financial and material resources from faster product development and reduced downtime in affected industries. These latter societal/economic benefits are broad and are valued at many times the direct economic impact. The intellectual merit of this project lies in a new concept for ion optics that are used to image the ions that come from an imaging mass spectrometry sample. This technology is particularly valuable for imaging samples that require a combination of a large field-of-view, high spatial resolution and high-mass resolution. This technology also enables use of a class of very fast imaging detectors, which in turn allows them to observe large amounts of sample material and quantify very small concentrations. This directly benefits several important and vexing problems, e.g., imaging small semiconductor dopant concentrations or investigating the role of hydrogen and lithium in energy materials. To date, electron microscopy solutions have difficulty with the measurement of these low-Z elements, and imaging mass spectrometry methods have struggled to achieve the required combination of spatial resolution and quantification accuracy. The objective of this research is to develop a commercially viable method of making ion lens elements that support the extremely high electric fields needed to generate the fields-of-view and high spatial resolution required, and to show that these components do not fail because of electrostatic discharge and damage. Success in doing so would enable rapid commercial introduction of this new 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.
STEG AI CORPORATION
SBIR Phase II: Novel photographic steganography to reduce digital piracy on live streaming platforms
Contact
5270 CALIFORNIA AVE STE 350
Irvine, CA 92617--3233
NSF Award
2208746 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
12/01/2022 – 10/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to reduce video and image copyright-related liability for social media companies and retain profits for digital media licensing companies and other content owners/distributors who are holding or enforcing content rights. Beyond content protection, the technology being developed can also address the emerging need for digital content authentication that can assure users the digital images or videos they are viewing are legitimate and not altered through the use of ?deep-fake? or other similar technologies. Global piracy of digital video has been estimated to cost media providers, content creators, and legal distributors $67-$79 billion in lost revenue. While companies pay billions of dollars per year for sports broadcast rights, illegal sports streaming sites can generate enormous ad revenues at virtually no cost. With the advent of the internet and the abundance of high-quality recording equipment on small, portable devices, it has become easier for video pirates to capture and share copyrighted material. Using photographic steganography to mark copyrighted content with undetectable messages will provide stakeholders with built-in anti-piracy protections. This technology, in turn, will help ensure legal content distribution, content protection for producers, and content assurance for consumers.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to develop a competitive solution to copyright protection through imperceptible watermarking of digital images and digital videos using photographic steganography. This project is distinct from prior work in that it: (1) models the human vision system so that pixel modulations are machine-readable but imperceptible to humans; (2) robustly handles video compression algorithms like H.264, HEVC, MPEG, and VP9; (3) employs single-frame, synchronization-free methodology compatible with both still images and videos; (4) enables free-space light communication (light field messaging) using smartphone cameras; (5) works with ordinary camera and display hardware with no special spectrum or speed requirements; and (6) employs state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms trained with hundreds of thousands of images. The proposed product will be able to reliably detect screen-to-camera piracy while maintaining broadcast video quality standards. During this project, the technology will be strengthened in four key technical areas of development: (i) robustness to critical image/video mutations; (ii) real-time encoding; (iii) computationally efficient decoding; and (iv) industry-standard certification for visual quality.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.STORX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
STTR Phase II: Accurate Fetal Health Monitoring During Labor and Delivery
Contact
2918 COHO PL
Davis, CA 95616--5636
NSF Award
2233238 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$996,466
Start / end date
04/15/2023 – 03/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is to advance an innovative method of fetal monitoring, which has the prospect of improving outcomes, reducing cost, and promoting equitable access to quality care during childbirth. The project serves the aligned interest of several key stake holders: patients, payers, providers and policy makers, as it will promote the safety of both the mother and baby in the birth process, while reducing the need for unnecessary interventions by the care providers. The project is expected to have very broad impact as safe childbirth is a societal health imperative that touches virtually every family, and disproportionately impacts families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Other broader impacts include enrichment of trainees? educational experience at the partner research institution, and transition of underlying federally-supported basic research into the marketplace.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project will build on an innovative technology for non-invasive, transabdominal measurement of fetal arterial blood oxygen saturation (fSpO2). The underlying principle of operation is shining light in the abdominal area of the pregnant mother at two specific near infrared wavelengths, followed by sensing the small amount of diffusely-scattered light on the maternal abdomen. The relative concentration of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the pulsating fetal blood regulates light absorption by the fetal tissue, resulting in a faint pattern in the sensed light signals. The sensed signals are analyzed to detect such patterns, and to infer fSpO2. The project activities include further revisions of the device prototype and collaboration with a team of clinical researchers to demonstrate safe and accurate transabdominal fSpO2 measurement in a pilot patient study. The project provides the foundation and support for impacting patient care in the longer term.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SUNFLY BRANDS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Final Ink and Stamp Development and Safety Testing For the SPF Indicator Stamp
Contact
4445 28TH AVE W
Seattle, WA 98199--1438
NSF Award
2229779 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,427
Start / end date
04/01/2023 – 06/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to help reduce sunburn (a primary risk factor for melanoma), skin cancer, and photoaging rates by helping people to apply and reapply adequate amounts of sunscreen. Sunburns, 93% of skin cancer, and up to 90% of the age-related changes to skin are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Skin cancer is more commonly diagnosed than all other forms of cancer combined in the U.S. with estimated annual treatment costs of $8.1 billion. Sunscreen is an over-the-counter drug that can prevent the damaging effects of UVR, yet multiple studies show that sunscreen users only apply about a third of the recommended amount of sunscreen and do not reapply often enough. The recreational (beach and body) sunscreen market is $2.5 billion in the U.S. ($11 billion globally) and growing at an annual rate of 7%. By helping people apply and reapply the correct amount of sunscreen at the right time, this project will help prevent sunburns, skin cancer, and photoaging.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will result in the first accurate, affordable, and convenient sunscreen effectiveness indicator. Though other photochromic (UV-sensitive and color-changing) sunscreen effectiveness indicators exist in the marketplace, they are inaccurate (temperature and UVA1 sensitivities cause reporting errors), expensive (>$0.60 per use) and inconvenient (stickers and wristband formats) which largely account for their lack of market adoption. This project will result in the first stamp-on-skin photochromic sunscreen effectiveness indicator in two formats: a stand-alone stamp that will work with any sunscreen and a stamp-in-cap format that is built into the sunscreen?s cap. It will also result in two different photochromic ink formulations (one for use with sunscreen lotions and another for sunscreen sprays) which will be stamped onto user?s skin and accurately report?at-a-glance and in real-time the degree of users? sun protection so they can apply and reapply the right amount of sunscreen at the right time. A single stamp will last an entire day in wet or dry conditions and withstand multiple color-fade and sunscreen reapplication cycles.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.SUPERIOR NANO LLC
SBIR Phase II: Dense Nanolipid Fluids (DNLFs) for Delivery of Drugs with Poor Bioavailability: Synthesis, Manufacture, and Drug Properties
Contact
1000 WESTGATE DR STE 150N
Saint Paul, MN 55114--1416
NSF Award
2436414 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,247,672
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project would be the development of the first insulin pill for patients with diabetes. More than 800 million patients worldwide live with diabetes and the incidence is increasing. In the US, diabetes is the most expensive chronic disease that is aggravated by patients having an aversion to needles and skipping doses they cannot easily afford. Insulin pills sidestep the need for patients and caregivers to use syringes and needles and will address cost and supply chain issues that arise from the need to refrigerate injectable insulin products. Additionally, insulin pills can resolve therapeutic shortcomings of insulin injections including the potential for incorrect dosing and resultant complications like heart attacks, strokes, eye- and kidney disease. The technology supporting oral insulin is based on the continued development of lipid nanoparticles which promote safety by using lipids that are well known and tested and are approved as inert drug constituents or food additives. This research focuses on increasing the ability of lipid nanoparticles to encapsulate and promote the gastrointestinal absorption of insulin, and extending the shelf life of pills based on lipid nanoparticles. The proposed project addresses the high medical need for an oral insulin. Based on work supported by a phase I SBIR award that demonstrated the concept of encapsulating insulin in lipid nanoparticles, an insulin pill will be developed. Because taking insulin by mouth will more closely mimic natural insulin production than subcutaneous injections, the body?s natural processes to balance blood glucose levels should be more engaged. If these processes were fully engaged, the requirement for glucose monitoring would be eliminated and insulin overdosing, a common problem from subcutaneous injection, would be prevented. However, how much oral insulin dosing will enable natural glucose and insulin control can only be known once an effective oral dosage form is available. By providing an insulin pill made by encapsulating insulin in lipid nanoparticles, and optimizing the ability of lipid nanoparticles to move insulin from the gastrointestinal tract into the body, our research will open up new opportunities to understand human glucose metabolic processes. Our research will also contribute basic, general knowledge about nanoparticle manufacturing, optimization and oral absorption that will close a technology gap in developing oral drugs based on peptides including insulin, vaccines, and GLP-1 drugs as well as other non-peptide drugs. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
SWAY INNOVATION CO.
SBIR Phase II: Affordable, Scalable, and Compostable Solution for Flexible Plastic Packaging
Contact
1743 ADDISON STREET
Berkeley, CA 94703--1501
NSF Award
2528434 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,146,638
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project centers on developing a plastic alternative that could transform the $289 billion flexible packaging industry. This innovation addresses critical challenges by replacing conventional plastics responsible for billions of packaging items annually that have less than 5% currently recycled, with a compostable material. This technology uses a bioplastic as a primary ingredient in scalable, home-compostable thermoplastic films, which maintain the strength and barrier properties of conventional plastics. Unlike common terrestrial crops used in bioplastics, this technology requires no arable land or fertilizers, making it an abundant and sustainable resource available on coastlines worldwide. Commercially, this technology enables American plastic manufacturers to seamlessly integrate sustainable alternatives using their current equipment, facilitating rapid industry adoption. Successful commercialization is projected to displace over 1.75 million pounds of plastic waste by 2030. The innovation creates economic opportunities in coastal communities while generating substantial benefits including reduced microplastic pollution. Scientifically, this project advances understanding of marine biopolymer processing, demonstrating how these materials can achieve melt-processability, opening new pathways for sustainable material science. The research contributes valuable knowledge to renewable polymer chemistry and packaging innovation, potentially revolutionizing how society approaches plastic waste.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses key scientific challenges in formulating, processing, and scaling novel biopolymer blends for commercial use. The research will develop a tunable thermoplastic system (pellet and film) by modifying composition, processing conditions, and screw design to lower the product cost and improve mechanical properties. The project includes techno-economic and life cycle analyses, pilot-scale testing, end-of-life performance testing, composability testing, and commercialization readiness evaluation.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Silvis Materials
SBIR Phase II: Renewable Cellulosic Emulsions and Applications
Contact
4880 FAIRLAWN CT
Boulder, CO 80301--4128
NSF Award
2415714 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,523
Start / end date
09/15/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovat6ion Research (SBIR) Phase II project are in addressing the emerging global need to lower the carbon footprint by offering sustainable products with lower carbon emissions. This project allows for validation, optimization, and scale of aqueous cellulosic emulsions to displace high carbon petroleum-based emulsions. Commercial manufacturers are enabled to switch to green materials, meeting regulatory restrictions while eradicating petroleum, a nonrenewable resource that contributes significantly to emissions. Commercial and market impacts include non-toxic alternatives, a reduction of emissions for packaging and building products, and cost parity with current alternatives. Societal impacts include improved health outcomes as air quality improves. Sustainable adhesives are predicted to displace currently used toxic materials in up to 50% of all industrial solutions. This project will benefit society by reducing the carbon footprint and launching a new field to entrepreneurs and established companies alike to train the next generation in moving away from fossil fuels, catalyzing new technologies informed by public policy. Today, the US Military has deemed climate change a national security threat; thus, this work will enhance national security by providing a pathway to move away from fossil fuels.
This project is focused on developing sustainable, aqueous emulsions and binders to help manufacturers of packaging and building materials to meet goals in the reduction of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 10-30% and displacing petroleum-based materials by up to 100% by 2030. This project proposes to create, test, and scale working prototypes of cellulosic emulsions that can be tested in a pilot environment to displace petroleum-based binder products. The Phase I award allowed for risk mitigation in the creation of a stable cellulosic emulsion that is sustainable, cost-effective, with characterization and test data that is compatible with standard petroleum-based emulsion products. In Phase II, technical hurdles will be addressed and mitigated, including enhanced functionality and optimization with performance metrics as the gate keepers to innovation. Further, the emulsions will be scaled for pilot testing with customers. Successful commercialization will be a prototype that can be assessed with customers on a pilot scale prior to a full manufacturing scale up. This project includes several steps for dissolution, extraction, and purification methods to be implemented to optimize one process for each step. The project will help customers to reduce their carbon footprint using a drop-in, low cost, solution to petroleum-based alternatives.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Space Balloon Technologies Corp.
SBIR Phase II: Mesospheric Sub-orbital Ballooning System
Contact
11140 SW 154TH CT
Miami, FL 33196--4524
NSF Award
2445229 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
10/01/2025 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is enabling a new avenue to high-fidelity and long-duration satellite testing at the edge-of-Space, and with it, rapid and reliable satellite missions to Low-Earth-Orbit and beyond. More than 35% of satellites fail at the component, or system level, after their deployment into orbit. Available testing platforms do not meet the industry's needs for rapid and low-cost technology risk reduction, therefore slowing the progress of the race to space. Satellite testing at mesospheric altitudes will increase the reliability of satellite launches, bring down the cost of those satellites, and open a new chapter in the growth of the space industry. This capability is critical for increasing the success rate of space missions. Enabling access to previously unreachable mesospheric regions will unlock new opportunities unknowable today and whose boundaries are yet to be defined. Providing near-space testing services to Space and aviation industries, military divisions, and the telecom industry will save hundreds of millions of dollars lost to deployment failures. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to complete engineering and validation activities for a novel mesospheric ballooning platform to enable faster, less expensive, and long-duration (>hour) access to the mesosphere for providing near-space sub-orbital testing services for satellites and space payloads. Existing mesospheric access is by rocketry. Rocket launches are expensive, mechanically demanding, and allow only a few minutes of sub-orbital access. In their SBIR Phase-I project, the company developed and demonstrated breakthrough concepts for taking balloons to the mesosphere. In this Phase II project, the company will develop a market-ready sub-orbital ballooning platform that can reach those altitudes dependably and cost-effectively for longer duration than currently possible. In addition, flights to the mesosphere will enable new applications for remote sensing, Earth and Space observations, surveillance, weather observations, improved predictions, and more. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Startle Innovation LLC
SBIR Phase II: Rapid Food Biomass Dehydration Process Utilizing Zeolite Filters to Retain Food Nutrient Profiles
Contact
10 LEONARD STREET
New York, NY 10013--2961
NSF Award
2423300 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$980,360
Start / end date
04/01/2025 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve the competitiveness of US farmers and US agricultural industries by creating a new drying technology primarily for food but also for other commodities. This new technology is cost effective compared to other existing technologies, and can directly and indirectly help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It also expands the spectrum of available industrial drying methods and may help retain the overall consistency of important components of the food source. All of these features will make food more nutritional and more affordable. The project improves collaboration among multiple business and technological sectors in the country. And it can make US seaweed farmers economically viable, open new market opportunities and new product development, and lead to job creation as these companies thrive and grow. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project acknowledges the outsized negative impact the high cost of drying commodities has on many sectors, including US farmers and agricultural industries. Extending from a Phase I project that demonstrated the concept of our new technology, this Phase II project focuses on creating a commercial prototype that can dry important commodities like seaweed quickly, cost-effectively, reliably, and safely while potentially preserving their nutritional value. This new commercial prototype will include three parts: a new desiccant filter, a drying chamber, and a microwave chamber. The Phase II project will focus on conducting tests of the full prototype system, understanding and maximizing energy savings of the filter dehydration process as a function of humidity level, time, heat, and pressure, and finally by conducting nutritional analyses and characterization of seaweed samples. This technology will undergo techno-economic analysis (TEA) in Phase II. The resulting novel material and methods will comprise a commercially viable novel drying method that will make it possible to quickly dry seaweed at a mild temperature to preserve all nutrients while consuming a minimal amount of electricity. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TATUM ROBOTICS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Robotic system outputting multimodal methods to aid in communication
Contact
37 COTTAGE ST
Hudson, MA 01749--1513
NSF Award
2521773 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,253
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of a first-of-its-kind assistive technology that provides real-time, independent communication access for people with complex communication, sensory, or accessibility needs. This innovation addresses a critical gap that prevents millions of individuals from independently accessing the internet, receiving emergency alerts, participating fully in education, or communicating without reliance on human intermediaries. The Tatum Signing System (TSS) is designed to promote autonomy and privacy. Commercially, the project targets a serviceable $1.4 billion market across home, educational, workplace, and healthcare applications, with strong interest from national distribution programs that provide assistive technology at no cost to end-users. In addition, the project advances research in tactile language translation and compliant robotics, with potential applications in adjacent fields such as prosthetics, soft robotics, human-computer interaction, and inclusive product design. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop and validate a compliant robotic system designed to advance inclusive communication and accessibility technologies for people of all abilities. Building on prior work demonstrating early robotic communication prototypes, this project now seeks to enable more natural, multimodal outputs that integrate movement, spatial awareness, and touch-based feedback. Research objectives include designing a compliant, safe four DOF arm, refining adaptive software that can translate written language into accessible outputs, and integrating haptic feedback to support interactive, two-way exchanges. Technical validation will be conducted with a diverse group of users representing a wide range of communication preferences and accessibility needs to ensure clarity, safety, and effectiveness. Tatum Robotics anticipates that this customizable system will expand empower people everywhere to engage independently with digital content, essential services, and interpersonal communication. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TAUMAT LLC
SBIR Phase II: Innovative Solid-State Phase Change Cooling to Supercharge Central Processing Unit (CPU) Performance
Contact
10010 PORTLAND PL
Silver Spring, MD 20901--2114
NSF Award
2507456 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,214,897
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Mara Schindelholz
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the development of a novel central processing unit (CPU) cooler that will offer enhanced performance for existing and next-generation CPUs. Increasingly, steady-state cooling solutions are unable to keep up with the thermal loads of temperature-sensitive computing and electronic components. As a result, chip performance is artificially limited. By treating the chips as dynamic systems, this project represents a paradigm shift in CPU thermal management. The immediately addressable segment of the CPU cooler market, United States (US)-based sales of CPU coolers to people who build their own machines, is anticipated to reach >$1.5B by 2030. The impact of this new type of CPU cooler will be to enable higher CPU performance of existing CPU technologies, effectively improving computational capabilities in a much more cost-effective way than increasing the number of transistors on a given chip. The broader impact of widespread adoption of this technology would be a reduction in the amount of active cooling needed by, and increase the lifespan of, computer chips thereby saving energy and resources. Further, this effort is synergistic with the broader goal of the US government to onshore semiconductor technology as a matter of national security. The intellectual merit of this project is the development and utilization of metallic, solid-state phase change materials to greatly enhance the thermal storage capacity of cooling systems for CPUs. The key innovations will be the scalable production of these novel phase change materials, the design of a CPU cooler that utilizes them to effectively enhance CPU performance, and the development of a machine-learning algorithm to drive the CPU and cooler in tandem to maximize performance. The material development effort will focus on the casting and rolling of the novel alloys to produce sheet material while maintaining a phase transition temperature within 5 °Celsius (C) of the target. The CPU cooler design and manufacturing tasks will focus on optimizing performance for a small form-factor cooler while allowing for cost-effective production. The control algorithm will modulate CPU power and cooler fan speed to maximize the effective use of the thermal capacity of the cooler. It is anticipated that the cooler and algorithm will reduce throttling events by more than 50% for a given workload, resulting in >20% reductions in processing time, a leap-ahead improvement in thermal management for computing at a fraction of the cost of a similar improvement in chips themselves. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TENDER FOOD, INC
SBIR Phase II: Meat substitutes combining cultured animal cells with plant-based fibers
Contact
444 SOMERVILLE AVE
Somerville, MA 02143--3260
NSF Award
2303460 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$997,986
Start / end date
10/01/2023 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the advancement of sustainable and ethically produced meat alternatives. Most people have tried or know someone who has tried plant-based meats. Opinions vary but most people acknowledge that meats made from animals are not accurately recreated using plants, especially for unprocessed whole cuts like chicken breasts and beef tenderloins. The question remains if plant-based meat can be more like animal meat in terms of texture, taste, and nutrition. One approach is to test if plant-based meats improved when they are combined with cultured animal cells. To address this hypothesis, this project will advance the technological understanding of realistic plant-based meats by developing methods to combine cultured animal cells with fibrous plant-based scaffolds. By finding out how many animal cells are needed to enhance plant-based meats, and what types of animal cells to add, this project will help define commercialization strategies for this emerging market.
This project will test methods for adding cultured animal cells to plant-based whole cut meats. Animal cells are expensive to produce, and the quantity of each cell type needed to improve plant-based meats is not known. For example, what is the number of muscle cells, fat cells, or skin cells needed to make a plant-based chicken breast taste better? What are the best ways to add cells? How do different cell types like muscle, fat, or skin get placed in the right spots? What other plant-derived additives can enhance the flavor that cultured cells may provide? These questions can be answered by making plant-based meats with real meat texture and testing different methods of incorporating animal cells into them. Food-grade plant protein fibers that are the same size as animal skeletal muscle fibers will be packed together like muscle tissue to replicate the structure and texture of conventional meat. Animal cells will then be added to enhance the taste, aroma, and nutrition. This project will focus on developing methods to add animal cells to plant-based pork, chicken, and beef.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.THERMOCAP LABORATORIES INC
SBIR Phase II: High-Throughput Differential Scanning Calorimeter for Drug Discovery and Research
Contact
3928 SE HAGER LN
Portland, OR 97267--2920
NSF Award
2528368 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,145,664
Start / end date
08/15/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the production and manufacture of the first user-friendly, high-throughput, and low-cost Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) instrument. This DSC instrument is an advancement for label free analytical instruments with broad commercial and industrial potential. DSC analysis can provide extremely powerful tools for drug discovery that have low adoption due to high costs and low throughput of only one sample every two hours. The power of DSC is the thermodynamic measurements which do not require any prior specific knowledge of the molecules being studied and does not require any labels. Innovations from this project will also reduce the cost of producing DSC instruments, making them widely available for research and educational purposes. Reducing the complexity of experiments and costs of instruments will lead to lower drug development costs. An additional benefit of these advancements is the potential to also serve as an effective tool for teaching thermodynamics. The combination of unique knowledge provided by DSC analysis with a low-cost instrument will serve to reduce the costs associated with discovering and analyzing potential new drug molecules and provide an effective tool for teaching thermodynamics. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project comprises the research and development activities that are necessary to translate the successful Phase I prototype into a commercially viable product. A key innovative component of the product is the low-cost, sterile, and disposable sample cartridges. There are three primary activities comprising this Phase II project. The first is to iterate and finalize the innovative design features of the instrument including mechanical assembly, sample cartridges, and pressurization. The second is to rigorously test the instrument using well defined and commonly studied proteins to obtain demonstrable applications for which to establish a baseline for comparisons with competing instruments. Third is the optimization and integration of individual instrument components and software to demonstrate their collective operational functionality. These accomplishments will enable the development of preproduction instruments that will be manufactured and placed with trusted third parties for independent testing and verification of operation. Completion of the targeted activities will enable manufacturing of both the novel DSC instrument and supporting consumable sample cartridges for mass production and wide distribution to customers. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
THEROMICS INC.
STTR Phase II: Thermal Imaging, Augmentation of Microwave Energy in Various Tissues and Chronic Safety
Contact
375 WEST ST
West Bridgewater, MA 02379--1014
NSF Award
2301440 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
03/15/2024 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is a novel biocompatible gel to improve the effectiveness and safety of thermal tumor ablation procedures. The technology enhances the energy medium of radiofrequency energy, resulting in more effective electroporation of tumors, increasing the therapeutic concentration of energy while minimizing unintended damage to surrounding fluids or tissues. The technological medium aims to improve procedural outcomes for the $800 million and $2.7 billion worldwide image-guided thermal ablation market, with broad applicability for a wide variety of ablation procedures, including those performed for endometrial bleeding, pain management, spinal decompression and denervation, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and emphysema reduction.
This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase II project aims to develop a novel protein-based gel for improving procedural outcomes during focal tumor ablation procedures. This novel material provides a viscous fluid medium for focusing radiofrequency energy intensity to its intended target area in order to intensify localized energy delivery. During the first phase, a computational model will be developed using 3D microwave imaging under simulated clinical conditions to predict the thermal behavior of the gel. During the second phase, preclinical data will be collected using liver, kidney, and muscle tissue in vivo preclinical models and magnetic resonance imaging to quantify temperatures, ablation zone size, and thermal energy deposition. During the third stage, the gel?s effects during tissue ablation will be assessed using in vivo porcine lung and standard non-invasive clinical imaging methods. During the fourth phase, an in vivo chronic safety study will be completed. Upon completion, the results from these milestones will provide the necessary preclinical evidence to initiate first in human 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.THIOZEN INC.
SBIR Phase II: Hydrogen from Hydrogen Sulfide
Contact
100 CUMMINGS CTR STE 451C
Beverly, MA 01915--6132
NSF Award
2304259 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$954,542
Start / end date
09/15/2023 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will make a significant impact on science and technology, national emission reduction efforts, and the energy security of the United States. The team aims to advance science by developing a low-cost and low-emission method to produce hydrogen from hydrogen sulfide, a common waste product found throughout the energy supply chain. This technology will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution and contribute to improving public health in communities near industrial sites that adopt this technology. From a commercial perspective, the project has the potential to lower costs and carbon emissions of energy products made in the United States, such as hydrogen production in oil refineries. Implementing this technology would provide refineries with an onsite, low-emission source of hydrogen from waste streams, reducing costs and emissions. Ultimately, this innovation will enhance the energy security of the United States by enabling domestically produced, low-emission hydrogen energy.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project proposes to develop a chemical cycle that generates hydrogen from hydrogen sulfide. This effort represents an alternative hydrogen production technology tailored to large, cost-sensitive firms. Despite the significant need to decarbonize current hydrogen production, market adoption of low-emission technologies has stalled because their cost precludes use in commodity chemicals. This project aims to break this trend by using hydrogen sulfide, an abundant low-value waste stream, as a feedstock for a chemical cycle that generates hydrogen gas without significant greenhouse gas emissions. The project will have several technically challenging objectives including optimizing the process to deal with orders of magnitude higher hydrogen sulfide concentrations mixed with several highly reactive and corrosive impurities and researching and developing product separations from complex process mixtures. Additionally, the project will screen materials and catalysts and prepare the process for integration into the complex structure of a modern chemical processing facility. While already validated for other markets, the experimental and modeling tasks will test the performance of the technology on refinery waste streams and prepare for larger-scale, industrial site demonstrations. It is anticipated that the completion of this project will lead directly into a refinery site demonstration plant.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.TORRE SPACE AND POWER SYSTEMS, L.L.C.
SBIR Phase II: Magneto Hydro Dynamic (MHD) Generation for Spacecraft Power
Contact
6732 AUSTIN BAY CT
North Little Rock, AR 72120--4062
NSF Award
2408916 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$993,392
Start / end date
08/15/2025 – 07/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to provide a new source of power generation using Magneto Hydro Dynamics (MHD) for spacecraft that utilizes the untapped potential energy contained in the solar wind plasma. This new form of power generation will have high power density, resulting in lower-cost access to space-based platforms. In addition, this new form of power generation will reduce the need to rely on rare Earth elements and the resulting toxic byproducts produced when solar panels are manufactured for spacecraft power. The broader impacts also include the superconducting magnets and ion concentration funnel, which are designed and developed as part of this project. These will have benefits and applications in the medical field, potentially supporting advancements in magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. Future spacecraft capability and performance are continually advancing and will require increasingly larger amounts of electrical power to operate. MHD generation will be able to meet this growing need. The number of spacecraft in orbit is rapidly increasing each year with 7,389 satellites in orbit today, with 850 launched in the first six months of 2021 alone. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be a significant advancement in technology for space-based electrical power generation. The intellectual merit of this work lies in the expansion of the knowledge of solar wind plasma conductivity, which will result in a deeper understanding of the space environment. This new form of power generation has been proven to be feasible, with the potential for high levels of power generation, from results of testing at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) as part of SBIR Phase I. Roughly 99% of the matter in the universe consists of plasma. This new form of power generation, which harnesses energy by capturing and utilizing space plasma in the interplanetary solar system environment, will advance our understanding of astrophysics and is built upon the combined sciences of plasma physics and electromagnetics. This project addresses a critical gap in developing new technology that harnesses the vast potential energy stored in space plasma. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
TREESWIFT INC
SBIR Phase II: Robotic Forest Inventory and Mapping
Contact
3401 GRAYS FERRY AVE
Philadelphia, PA 19146--2701
NSF Award
2222426 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
01/15/2023 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will create a sustainable business model for a new approach towards forest mensuration and monitoring. The core commercialization strategy is that multi-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) teams replace the tape measure, not the forester. This technology addresses the needs for forest measurement techniques that are more accurate, efficient, and verifiable. The advances are critical for climate-smart forest management and carbon markets. There is a global environmental need for the assessment of trees and forest conditions, since trees are the lungs of the world as nature?s carbon sequestration engines. This technology is also addressing labor shortage challenges by making foresters more productive and providing opportunities and education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) for rural workforces. The results of this project will be a foundation for capturing data of the natural world to accelerate growth of nature-based solutions.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will advance knowledge in the fields of robotics and forestry. Improving forest measurement techniques is a generational challenge as lack of forest management, wildfires, natural disasters, and diminishing biodiversity are negatively affecting the broader economy and society. However, the current standard for measuring forest volumes is a manual human measurement, and there is a need for a more scalable solution. Robotics is the key to that solution, but there are still deep technical advances necessary to bring it to market. The first anticipated outcome is the development of algorithms, software, and hardware for intelligent, decentralized, autonomous multi-UAV systems that can coordinate in a dense forest. The second anticipated outcome is new forest sampling and tree volume techniques that leverage the ability to measure vast quantities of trees in precise detail, relative to manual measurements. The first outcome expands the frontier in the field of robotics and the second outcome expands the fields of forestry and ecology.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.TRIC ROBOTICS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Use of ultraviolet light as a treatment for pathogens in strawberry fields
Contact
872 HIGUERA STREET
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-
NSF Award
2151662 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$965,770
Start / end date
12/01/2022 – 12/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to accelerate the transition from chemical pesticides to non-chemical alternatives by providing farmers with a sustainable, long-term solution for managing pests, while reducing agricultural impacts on human health and the environment. Today, strawberry farmers are reliant on chemical pesticides, spending $2,500/acre on over 60,000 acres/year to support the $3.6 billion U.S. strawberry industry. Organic farms, representing 10% of the industry, lack effective treatment methods resulting in high labor costs and increased risk of yield loss. This project seeks to develop a system for using ultraviolet light as an efficient and equally effective alternative for chemical pesticides, disrupting the pesticide manufacturing industry by providing farmers with a healthier and more environmentally conscious method for treating crops. The solution may eliminate uncertainty associated with chemical applications, reduce labor requirements, and increase profitability for farmers. Additionally, technologies developed as part of this project will minimize human exposure to chemical pesticides and reduce the ecological damage caused by existing agricultural treatment practices.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project seeks to further develop a novel, non-chemical treatment system for commercialization of agricultural pest control. This system will provide a cost competitive alternative to chemical pesticides, a global $84 billion market. Existing pest controls are ineffective due to insect resistance, cause uncertainty, and result in reduced yield and profitability. This project?s objective is to create a reliable, non-chemical treatment alternative that uses ultraviolet (UV-C) light to control multiple pests effectively and sustainably. The project team will build a UV-C treatment device with a dosing control algorithm for achieving reliable pest control in minimum treatment time. This dosing controller will use novel volumetric irradiance profiles to characterize the effectiveness of a treatment and adjust treatment time and/or distance to account for field uncertainties. The goal of this research is be a commercial UV-C treatment system integrated into an automated pest control system.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Transaera, Inc.
SBIR Phase II: Using Metal-Organic Framework Materials to Increase Sustainability of Indoor Farming
Contact
444 SOMERVILLE AVE
Somerville, MA 02143--0000
NSF Award
1949661 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$764,688
Start / end date
05/01/2020 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Elizabeth Mirowski
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project is the ability to sustainably produce more food with fewer water and energy resources. Indoor agriculture has the potential to transform the way we grow and source our food, enabling locally-sourced crops at higher yields. Food crops can be grown sustainably year-round near all major urban centers, if greenhouse energy and water consumption can be reduced. This research will lead to the creation of a new class of energy- and water-efficient indoor climate systems, thereby making indoor agriculture environmentally sustainable and economically viable.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will advance the development of a novel metal organic framework (MOF) material enabling a new class of compact, energy-efficient cooling and dehumidification systems for commercial and residential air conditioning applications. This project will advance a novel MOF material with unprecedented water adsorption capacity. Moreover, the MOF material may be quickly synthesized from low-cost, bulk commodity chemicals using a flow synthesis process. A dehumidifier operating with this material can harvest waste heat to provide optimal humidity conditions in applications such as controlled environment agriculture or residential comfort cooling. The goal of the proposed R&D is scale the manufacturing of this novel material, develop composite structures that embed this material, and integrate these structures into air conditioning devices for commercial and residential 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.URL TO IRL INC.
SBIR Phase II: The Automated Digital Navigability Testing and Remediation Platform
Contact
15932 60TH AVE SE
Snohomish, WA 98296--4646
NSF Award
2540148 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,184,700
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Lindsay Portnoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this SBIR Phase II project is to make digital experiences fully navigable for artificial intelligence agents, web crawlers, and all Americans. The project advances scientific understanding by introducing novel algorithms that automatically trace usability violations detected at runtime in web browsers back to their precise locations in source code. This capability enables automated remediation rather than static reporting, establishing a durable competitive advantage as the only platform offering end-to-end compliance correction. The resulting subscription-based software platform initially targets eCommerce organizations. By reducing compliance timelines from six months to approximately two weeks at substantially lower cost than manual audits, the technology supports rapid commercial adoption.
This SBIR Phase II project addresses a longstanding and unsolved technical challenge in digital accessibility by automating navigability compliance through direct source code analysis and remediation. Existing tools can detect usability violations in rendered web pages but are unable to trace those issues back to specific source code locations or generate corrective actions, leaving remediation costly and largely manual. This project will integrate artificial intelligence, automated keyboard navigation testing, virtual screen reader emulation, computer vision?based zoom testing, and cross-platform orchestration frameworks to identify at least 75 percent of World Wide Web Consortium WCAG compliance issues for web applications and 25 percent for mobile applications, while automatically remediating 50 percent of web violations and delivering the first automated fixes for mobile environments. The core technical advance is a novel static?dynamic re-association algorithm that maps runtime Document Object Model violations to corresponding Abstract Syntax Tree nodes in source code, enabling precise, one-click remediation at the line level. Phase II outcomes will include a validated platform that achieves the highest level of automated navigability coverage in the industry across both web and mobile 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.VAYUH INC
SBIR Phase II: Combining Physics and AI for Enhanced Risk Assessment
Contact
465 40TH ST APT A
Oakland, CA 94609--2586
NSF Award
2528178 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
07/01/2026 – 06/30/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Parvathi Chundi
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact /commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to improve the ability to quantify risks significantly impacting global insurance and reinsurance markets. By providing accurate and timely risk prediction information months in advance, the proposed technology will help insurers price more precisely, and reduce coverage gaps. It will also assist governments, energy providers, and supply chain operators in better allocating resources. The technology offers a durable competitive advantage through proprietary modeling pipelines, integration of varied datasets, and a stochastic event generation engine that outperforms historical-data-based models. The business model focuses on a SaaS platform with API-based integration into existing risk tools, supported by tiered subscriptions for insurers and enterprise clients. Integrating AI with atmospheric modeling delivers forward-looking risk assessments that adapt to changing climatological patterns - enhancing safety, and economic resilience.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project focuses on the development of a next-generation risk prediction platform that combines physics-based models with deep learning and atmospheric foundation models. The research addresses current limitations in predicting destructive events on sub-seasonal to seasonal timescales, which are critical for insurers and planners. The project aims to refine models that generate high-resolution hazard maps and develop a stochastic event simulator capable of producing synthetic scenarios that reflect future atmospheric conditions. Key innovations include multi-peril modeling architectures, probabilistic assessments, and scalable data infrastructure for real-time access. The project outcomes will improve predictive accuracy, uncertainty quantification, and integration into industry-standard risk tools, setting a new benchmark for weather-driven decision support 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.VECTECH, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Advanced Computer Vision Methods for Diagnostic Medical Entomology
Contact
3600 CLIPPER MILL RD
Baltimore, MD 21211--1955
NSF Award
2322335 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,479
Start / end date
10/01/2023 – 12/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Parvathi Chundi
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to enable the provision of high quality vector surveillance data to public health institutions domestically and internationally. Vectors, or organisms that transmit diseases to other organisms, like mosquitoes and ticks, have a significant impact on human health and agriculture, with associated mortality and morbidity. This project aims to advance artificial intelligence methods to identify mosquito species from high resolution images. While well studied and documented, mosquito species identification remains a highly skilled task, where the few capable of this skill for a given region often have many other job responsibilities, making time devoted to the laborious task of mosquito identification difficult to justify at scale, despite the necessity of the data created. This project and its derivative works will enable organizations without this skill in-house to acquire this highly valuable data. The solution will also allow organizations with this skill in-house to task shift identification to seasonal technicians, and field a larger dataset. This larger dataset would enable better decision making for the control of mosquito borne disease. If successful, these methodologies can be translated to other vectors for disease, further benefiting public health.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is centered around the problem of mosquito species identification. There are more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes in the world, each with different behaviors and capacities for carrying disease. Regionally trained taxonomic experts can identify them through visual inspection, but there is a shortage of such experts. Some artificial intelligence (AI) methods for image-based identification have already been developed, but they are only designed for a limited number of species and face issues due to complex mosquito morphology and the variability incurred in practical use by vector control organizations. This project seeks to enhance existing methodologies for artificial intelligence (AI)-based insect identification by making use of generative models to address issues in training datasets caused by sampling biases. These models will be used to modulate the presence of underrepresented attributes to make a more robust and less biased model. The generative models used for this task will also be used to translate the data for viability in one constrained image domain to another. The final task is to use these models to modulate the training datasets for closely related mosquito species to fine tune performance for minute, but important, distinctions.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.VERANTOS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Determination of complex outcome measures using narrative clinical data to enable observational trials
Contact
325 SHARON PARK DR # 730
Menlo Park, CA 94025--6805
NSF Award
2024958 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,198,117
Start / end date
01/01/2021 – 09/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
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 II project is to develop a software application that identifies clinical outcomes to support high validity real-world evidence (RWE). Approaches to ensure data accuracy and protocol validity are critical to maintain safety and efficacy in healthcare. This project will analyze electronic health data to generate clinically meaningful information for personalized treatment plans for patients with multiple conditions that can confound treatment. This technology will fulfill an unmet need to improve patient outcomes, improve healthcare delivery and chronic disease care management, and reduce healthcare costs for patients. This technology can also improve regulatory and reimbursement decision-making for therapeutic approaches.
This SBIR Phase II project will address the need for consideration of using additional health data to allow for individualized personalized therapeutic plans for patients with multiple co-morbidities. Subgroup analysis or individualized therapy plans for precision medicine are currently not available based upon the structure of randomized controlled trials for broad conditions like breast cancer or hypertension. This proposal seeks to identify clinical outcomes from unstructured Electronic Health Records (EHR). The proposed work is to develop analytics using natural language processing and inference to leverage the large amounts of health data from real-world evidence (RWE) and observational studies to augment data provided in randomized controlled trials (RCT). The analytic tools will allow a comparison of the effectiveness of various treatment protocols in defined cohorts of patients and develop a personalized treatment plan for an individual patient with multiple co-morbidities. The tasks include: 1) Leverage linguistic phrases extracted by natural language processing (NLP) to recognize outcome-related clinical findings to be maintained as clinical feature metadata; 2) Combine NLP and inference to accurately identify candidate clinical outcomes; and 3) Apply machine-learned and expert knowledge to accurately define complex outcome 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.VICTORY OVER CARBON, INC.
SBIR Phase II: CAS: A Novel Approach for Achieving Scale in Direct Air Carbon Capture
Contact
8 THE GREEN
Dover, DE 19901--3618
NSF Award
2451493 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,248,768
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project stands to contribute to the creation of viable gigaton-scale Direct Air CO2 Capture (DAC), a key pillar in preventing the worst effects of rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere and oceans. Capturing CO2 for permanent sequestration can play a decisive role in mitigating the impacts of rising atmospheric CO2 levels if conducted as part of wider net zero efforts. According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, gigaton-scale DAC stands to support the creation of a trillion-dollar industry in the United States and underpin the development of thousands of jobs. This project is focused on the development of a novel DAC design that addresses two key hurdles to achieving the scale needed to effectively offset the rising CO2 levels for our planet: cost to build the technology and energy to run it. The company?s technology comprises a contactor in which air is pulled in, a chemically reactive spray of amine solvent is injected into a hollow space with no physical media to resist airflow, and a proprietary, low-pressure-drop separator removing spray from the airflow for re-use and subsequent regeneration. Following successful demonstration of the concept at two-meter scale completed during SBIR phase I, the company will test a commercial scale pilot of the system during SBIR phase II. This pilot will include optimized separator build and testing, construction of one commercial contactor module, and sustained operations targeting 2,816 hours, removing 445 tons of CO2. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
VIRIDIAN SPACE CORPORATION
SBIR Phase II: Air-Breathing Electric Propulsion
Contact
120 EUCALYPTUS DR
El Sugundo, CA 90245--3819
NSF Award
2527072 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,218,494
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Anna Brady-Estevez
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is creating a spacecraft architecture that utilizes in-situ resources (atmosphere) to enable long-lasting, more capable services. The biggest limitation to existing spacecraft architecture is the fixed amount of propellant that is brought on-board a satellite at launch. By flying in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO), Air Breathing Electric Propulsion (ABEP) allows refueling of the satellite directly from the atmosphere. There is another significant benefit to flying satellites as low as possible, specifically in VLEO. This orbital regime allows significant improvements in most Earth-facing services, such as Earth Observation, disaster monitoring, broadband communication, and even enables services that are not possible from Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), such as Direct-To-Cell connection. The development and commercialization of ABEP technology will thus revolutionize satellite operations, unlocking the potential of VLEO as a new frontier for scientific research, ambient monitoring, and national security applications for commercial and government applications. With an ever-increasing number of satellites in LEO, it will be critical to create a reliable space infrastructure that is enabled by technologies like ABEP. By operating primarily in new, untapped orbits, ABEP-enabled satellites will provide good stewardship of the near-Earth surroundings.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project will focus on developing the thruster for the Air Breathing Electric Propulsion system to pair with the inlet that was developed under Phase I of this SBIR. Key objectives include (1) identification and validation of materials for critical air-fed Hall-Effect Thruster (HET) components; and (2) design, construction, testing, and optimization of the thruster specifically tailored for atmospheric gases. To support these objectives, a modular thruster prototype will be developed with adjustable discharge channel length, anode configuration, and magnetic field topology to enable iterative design optimization. Thruster prototypes will be tested in a vacuum chamber to identify the most effective configurations. Under this effort, various materials will undergo coupon testing in an air plasma environment to identify durable materials capable of sustaining thruster performance in VLEO. Additionally, Phase II will permit an improved understanding of plasma-material interactions, guiding future material development efforts.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.VISIONAIRE PRODUCTS, INC
SBIR Phase II: A novel, microfluidic device to improve collection and analysis of biopsy samples from ocular paracentesis
Contact
218 FIELD CLUB RD
Pittsburgh, PA 15238--2239
NSF Award
2233691 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
03/15/2023 – 11/30/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ed Chinchoy
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to transform current eye care by providing a novel tool for ocular fluid biopsies. The fluid in the eye is isolated from the rest of the body by a blood-ocular barrier, so obtaining blood work does not help for diagnosing most ocular problems. Testing of ocular fluid has been shown to decrease rates of blindness in cases of ocular infections. However, this procedure is under-utilized due to the flaws with the current method for collecting fluid. Because of this, ocular infections can be misdiagnosed and undertreated, which can lead to increased rates of vision loss. Additionally, ocular fluid is an untapped reservoir for emerging biomarkers which has created an unmet need for better tools to collect this fluid. This project will result in a new product that can be used to collect ocular fluid for analyses that will guide treatment of some of the most common sight-threatening conditions including macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetes. This technology will open a new frontier in ocular diagnosis and improve vision outcomes for patients.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is focused on fabricating a new medical device for ocular fluid biopsies. This project will create an instrument that is specifically designed to collect of fluid from the front of the eye. The research will include optimization of the needle to decrease the force of entry. This new tool will enhance the surgeon?s control during the procedure and decrease risk of injury. This research will also investigate the fluid dynamics of collection with the integration of a microfluidic chamber and specialized collection system that is designed to handle small fluid volumes. A significant limitation of the current procedure is that the fluid volumes collected are small and the current method leads to fluid loss and inaccurate results. Additional development will evaluate advanced engineering features to connect the device for drug delivery. The expected outcome of this research is an innovative surgical tool that will enable ophthalmologists to perform ocular fluid biopsies more reliably and achieve better results.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.VITIDORE, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Multi-output Machine Learning Modeling Framework for a Hybridized Perennial Cover Crop for Specialty Crop Systems
Contact
105 E SUMNER AVE
Spokane, WA 99202--1243
NSF Award
2451455 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,631
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is in mitigating the earth system?s temperature rise. By removing the barriers farmers face to planting permanent cover crops and generating income from the resulting soil carbon gains, this project would make our food supply chain more resilient. Today farmers leave 95% of ~400M US cropland acres bare outside of the cash crop season because the short-term costs, work and risk of annual cover crops outweigh the benefits. The soil carbon gains from cover crop adoption cannot be monetized effectively today because high measurement costs and uncertainty levels depress market prices for carbon removal credits. The innovations- a novel permanent cover crop cultivar and a novel measurement technology - commercialized during this project may contribute to solving these problems by offering a potentially 80-90% reduction in the cost of accurately measuring changes in agricultural fields compared with the status quo of collecting soil samples in every field and sending them to laboratories for analysis. Farmers would also reduce soil erosion, and improve soil health, water utilization and nutrient cycling on tens of millions of acres. More stable, profitable farms will support thriving rural communities. The intellectual merit of this project lies in quantifying changes in agricultural field parameters with precision ? a challenging task due to the complex interactions of management practices, crop types, soil types, and climates that occur at specific locations and the spatial variability in parameters throughout agricultural fields. This project introduces an innovative modeling platform that delivers accurate, low-cost predictions in any location for multiple agricultural parameters powered by a single novel model architecture. The architecture leverages the latest discoveries from the deep learning field, such as attention mechanisms, self-supervised learning, and foundation models. The modeling platform will be able to predict levels and changes in Soil Organic Carbon, nitrous oxide emissions, plant water stress (Stem Water Potential) and plant nutrient stress (Soil Plant Development). Thousands of observations in permanent crop fields in California will be collected and analyzed for accurate calibration of the platform. The project will also develop an end-user software application that translates the predictions of the modeling platform into useful features for farmers and caron credit buyers. The project aims to accelerate the adoption of carbon-storing farming 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.
VITRO3D INC.
SBIR Phase II: Parallax Manufacturing for Next Generation Electronic Connectors
Contact
1930 CENTRAL AVE STE B
Boulder, CO 80301--2895
NSF Award
2528425 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,237,656
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be driven by the commercialization of parallax manufacturing, a new polymer structuring method with unprecedented speed, choice of materials and manufacturing integration. Parallax manufacturing fabricates parts 100x faster than current layer-by-layer additive manufacturing and eliminates resin injection, reducing typical manufacturing time from hours to minutes. The field of additive manufacturing will benefit from new methods that more precisely control the photopolymerization reaction in 3D. More narrowly, the program will advance the field of volumetric additive manufacturing whose part quality is currently constrained by poor reaction control. The proposed parallax manufacturing technology will support the rapid evolution of the AI and cloud computing industry by addressing electronic interconnect bottlenecks including long lead times, design constraints, and miniaturization barriers of traditional techniques such as injection molding. Parallax manufacturing enables seamless integration into customer manufacturing processes through unlimited planar build area, record-setting speed, and greater materials flexibility. Current expensive, low-yield multi-step processes will be collapsed to a single step by fabrication of polymer elements in and around electronic components fabricated in other processes. Overall, the development of this technology will decrease manufacturing complexity, costs, and time to market. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will advance a new form of contact-free manufacturing that translates an optical toolhead above a flat cartridge of photo-sensitive resin. The light projected from the toolhead continuously changes shape to solidify arbitrary 3D objects around components immersed within the resin. The primary goal of this project is to increase the manufacturing accuracy of the parallax manufacturing tool. This is currently constrained by mechanical tolerances which perturb the projected light cone and exothermic temperature rise which uncontrollably accelerates the resin reaction. The project will establish models of the instrument?s mechanical and resin chemical states, informed by preprocess calibration instruments and in-process monitoring of ray distortion and temperature. This data will inform models that adapt the projected light cones to the instrument and resin states. The expected outcome is dramatically greater tolerance to instrument, resin, and environmental perturbations typical of manufacturing environments, enabling consistent high-quality fabrication. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
VOLEXION, INC.
STTR Phase II: Multi-functional, Scalable Graphene-Based Protective Coatings for High Energy Density Lithium-Ion Cathodes
Contact
112 WOODBINE AVE
Wilmette, IL 60091--3330
NSF Award
2036267 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$993,951
Start / end date
12/01/2021 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Mara Schindelholz
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is to enable improved safety for next generation lithium-ion batteries, used in many applications, such as electronics, electric vehicles, and other specialty applications. With a projected growth over 10% annually over the next decade, the lithium-ion cathode material market is expected to exceed $30 B by 2030, creating a significant commercial potential. This project will develop a coating to improve the durability, capacity, and low-temperature performance of lithium-ion batteries; it will be deployed industrially in a modular and flexible fashion.
This STTR Phase II project proposes to develop and validate an industrial manufacturing prototype of a graphene-based coating technology for rapid commercialization of emerging high-performance cathode materials. The resulting innovation will demonstrate the commercial viability of the graphene functionalization to address key technical issues facing the next-generation Ni-rich high energy density cathodes such as chemical instability, narrow operating conditions, and high cell impedance growth. This technology provides a comprehensive solution to precisely target these pain points through integration of nanotechnology with traditional lithium-ion battery systems. The overarching goals of the proposed research activities include (1) development of fully continuous-flow graphene-based coating precursor production; (2) implementation of pilot-scale roll-to-roll graphene-based coating process for Ni-rich cathode microparticles; (3) development and validation of alternate coating pathways for early validation, and (4) pouch cell prototyping efforts for commercial validation of increases in cycle life, chemical stability, and rate and temperature performance. This project will advance the technology for seamless integration into existing battery manufacturing 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.WATER ILLUMINATION INC
SBIR Phase II: Next-Generation Deep Ultraviolet Photochemical Reactor
Contact
20988 BAKE PKWY STE 106
Lake Forest, CA 92630--2171
NSF Award
2538137 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,239,973
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is developing an innovative light-based process designed to degrade PFAS without requiring additional chemicals or producing harmful byproducts. The proposed technology aims to lower costs, simplify operations, and enhance treatment efficiency. Furthermore, the project fosters strategic industry partnerships to ensure these practical solutions can be deployed effectively nationwide.
This project proposes an innovative, high-risk approach utilizing deep ultraviolet (DUV) photolysis. The primary technical challenge lies in scaling this photochemical process into a continuous, energy-efficient system capable of maintaining high destruction efficiencies at commercially relevant flow rates. The project scope encompasses the design, optimization, and validation of a next-generation flow-through UV reactor, with a core intellectual contribution involving the integration of advanced photochemistry, fluid dynamics, and reactor engineering to enhance mass transfer and minimize energy consumption across variable water matrices. The research is structured around four technical objectives: designing a DUV reactor with optimized photon distribution and a compact footprint; enhancing mixing regimes to overcome mass transfer limitations and mitigate interference from matrix constituents; executing pilot-scale testing to evaluate performance under real-world conditions; and developing engineering design strategies for modular scale-up to municipal-level capacities. The methodology integrates reactor engineering, experimental validation, and high-resolution chemical analysis to quantify degradation kinetics and transformation 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.WATERUS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Continuous Salt-Free Softening via a Scalable Redox-Mediated Electrochemical System
Contact
201 ASCOT RIDGE RD
Irmo, SC 29063--7923
NSF Award
2603375 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,234,063
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/ commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II is the advancement a new salt-free softening system that cleans without using harsh chemical additives. The system uses very little electricity and requires almost no maintenance, making it a convenient and affordable choice for homeowners.
This project investigates a novel electrochemical approach to softening, replacing conventional salt-based ion exchange with a continuous, electricity-driven process. The core innovation is a reversible, redox-mediated system that selectively removes hardness ions without chemical regenerants. This represents a fundamentally new paradigm requiring the tight integration of electrochemistry, advanced materials, and fluidic design. The core focus is on the development of continuous-flow deionization architecture. The system aims to achieve efficient hardness removal with minimal energy and waste. This approach departs from established batch-regeneration models, offering a pathway toward compact, low-maintenance solutions. Phase II R&D will advance this concept from laboratory validation to a scalable household system capable of operating under realistic residential flow rates and pressures. Research activities include the iterative design, fabrication, and testing of multi-stack electrochemical cells to improve mechanical robustness and sealing reliability. Advanced modeling and experimental validation will optimize flow distribution, electrical performance, and material durability. The system will be integrated into full-scale prototypes and evaluated through laboratory testing and extended residential field trials. Additional efforts focus on design for manufacturability, long-term operational stability, and the safe handling of mineral byproducts.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.WAVE LOGIX, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Prototyping Internet of Things (IoT) Sensing Platform for Infrastructure Monitoring
Contact
144 E NAVAJO ST
West Lafayette, IN 47906--2153
NSF Award
2404015 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,910
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Mara Schindelholz
Peter Atherton
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this SBIR Phase II project is to deploy a novel concrete strength sensing technology to provide smart solutions to construction industry. This groundbreaking technology will transform construction industry by enabling faster, data-driven decisions through real-time data of concrete strength monitoring. Short-term, this technology will allow accelerated project timelines and eliminate costly quality control errors. Long term, this technology will leverage the power of big data to enable data-driven decision making and optimization of concrete mix design which will drastically reduce carbon footprint, eliminate wastes, and lead to more durable concrete infrastructures. By leveraging AI and big data analysis of the vast amount of structural health data collected, the project paves the way for the development of AI-powered solutions for predictive maintenance and improved construction practices.
The proposed project will focus on developing the market ready Internet-of-Things (IoT) concrete sensing system that addresses the challenge of using antiquated testing methods in construction industry, often leading to schedule delays and costs overrun. Built on the success of Phase I project, this program will develop a complete solution for scaling up productions. A systematic hardware production and quality control procedure will be established, key parameters for a reproducible production line will be determined, and instrumentation errors will be minimized. Concurrently, a scalable cloud backend will be developed, capable of serving tens of thousands of dataloggers while ensuring data security and low latency. The machine learning algorithm will be further refined to provide fast and accurate strength inferences. A full-scale production and stress testing of the sensor system in real-life conditions will also be conducted to evaluate the robustness and user 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.WESTWOOD AEROGEL CO.
SBIR Phase II: Advanced Manufacturing for Aerogels for Battery Safety Applications
Contact
555 PIERCE ST APT 1531
Albany, CA 94706--1010
NSF Award
2538150 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,249,955
Start / end date
08/15/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses one of the most common failure modes in electric vehicle batteries: thermal runaway. Thermal runaway occurs when a battery overheats due to an electrical or mechanical fault, potentially resulting in fire. If the fire is not effectively contained, heat can spread throughout the battery pack from heat propagation, which is responsible for electric vehicle battery fires. Automotive and battery cell manufacturers, and regulators around the world are aware of thermal runaway in Lithium-ion batteries as a risk to public safety and electric vehicle adoption. Global regulators have implemented increasingly stringent battery safety standards that have increased investments into new battery safety technologies. Aerogels are a well-known, high-performance solution that provide a barrier against the propagation of thermal runaway events within battery packs, helping to temporarily contain and suppress battery fires until passengers can reach safety. This project advances aerogel technology through improvements in scalable manufacturing, mechanical durability, and thermal performance by enabling thinner, more robust barriers for battery systems. Insulation performance is also critical in stationary storage design in uninterrupted power supplies for data centers, increasing the allowable packing density of batteries while enhancing fire prevention in the emerging digital infrastructure. By advancing the domestic aerogel manufacturing and supply chain, this technology supports U.S. economic competitiveness and technological leadership.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project supports controlled near-ambient pressure drying technology, which results in a reduction in capital expenditures, labor costs, and operation costs during production of a premium performance insulation material. This effort is focused on developing low-cost, mass-market aerogel materials driven by proprietary advancements in aerogel manufacturing, process engineering, drying methods, equipment configuration, and quality optimization. Conventional manufacturing relies on supercritical fluid extraction to remove the pore fluid from the gel matrix and is characterized by high costs, poor scalability, and excessive energy consumption. This project builds on a physics-driven ambient gas exchange process capable of extracting pore fluid from a silica gel matrix under near-ambient conditions, integrating fluid flow dynamics with materials processing across scales from nanoscale structure to macroscale production. These manufacturing advancements position aerogels as a scalable, cost-effective solution to current insulation challenges.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.WINDOW THERAPEUTICS, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) with High Drug-Antibody Ratios (DAR) and Molecularly Targeted Payloads
Contact
100 MORRISSEY BLVD.
Boston, MA 02125--3300
NSF Award
2423415 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
07/15/2025 – 06/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Erik Pierstorff
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to significantly extend the life expectancy of the many Americans who suffer from metastatic cancer by creating the next generation of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Current FDA-approved ADCs are advanced cancer therapies that use the targeted specificity of antibodies to deliver powerful cancer-killing drugs directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells and reducing side effects common with chemotherapies. However, current ADCs have a low drug-to-antibody ratio where only a small number of drugs can be delivered per antibody, meaning only a select few of the most toxic drugs can be used in ADCs. These drugs not only cause severe side effects, but also have mechanisms of killing that cancers quickly develop resistance to. A novel polymer technology can be used to increase the drug-to-antibody ratio for ADCs by at least an order of magnitude. This ADC will specifically target an antigen expressed in 75% of breast cancer patients, utilizing high drug loading of a compound with a unique mechanism of action. In 2021, the global breast cancer market was valued at $17.13 billion and is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. The proposed project aims to demonstrate that both increasing the drug-to-antibody ratio by over an order of magnitude and using drugs with unique mechanisms of killing can advance ADCs to be more effective and broadly applicable to a larger population of metastatic cancer patients. To do so, proprietary brush polymers will be used to make ADCs with drug-to-antibody ratios between 30 and 90 which is far above the maximum of 8 that is possible with current ADC technology. A library of these ADCs with at least 5 different low toxicity drugs that have never before been used in FDA-approved ADCs will be evaluated biologically in cell potency studies and mouse breast tumor efficacy models. Ideally from this large library of ADCs, at least one will be identified that uses with a unique mechanism of killing and have superior preclinical efficacy compared to state-of-the art ADCS that are currently used in the clinic. This ADC will also be evaluated for its distribution and elimination from the body. At least gram-scale manufacturing will be demonstrated for this ADC lead candidate This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
WUI-GO, LLC
SBIR Phase II: Decentralized Evacuation Intelligence with Generative AI, Personalized Preparedness and Robust Real-Time Navigation
Contact
16192 COASTAL HIGHWAY
Lewes, DE 19958--3608
NSF Award
2528445 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,231,473
Start / end date
09/15/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Rajesh Mehta
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to enhance public safety and community resilience in wildfire-prone areas through a personalized evacuation technology that integrates planning and real-time response. Evacuation remains one of the most urgent and time-critical aspects of wildfire disaster management, yet residents often lack access to trustworthy, actionable information when it matters most. This project will commercialize a novel digital platform that provides both proactive preparedness tools and dynamic evacuation guidance that functions even without internet connectivity. By tailoring evacuation strategies to individual needs and local hazards, this technology bridges the gap between emergency protocols and real-world decisions made by households under stress. Beyond saving lives, it reduces the burden on first responders, supports better allocation of emergency resources, and strengthens long-term community preparedness. The innovation also opens export and scaling opportunities to other disaster-prone geographies and hazards (i.e. floods, volcanic eruptions, hazardous materials release), contributing to the growing market for smart emergency management systems. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses the technical challenge of developing a robust, scalable, and user-centered wildfire evacuation platform powered by a Digital Twin (DT) of the built and natural environment. The proposed solution includes three core innovations: (1) a surrogate modeling approach that allows for fast, on-device evacuation route predictions based on pre-simulated wildfire scenarios, (2) an AI-driven interface for emergency managers to interactively validate and refine evacuation strategies, and (3) a Preparedness App that enables residents to plan for wildfire threats using personalized virtual drills and destination planning, supported by carefully designed user engagement strategies. Building on Phase I feasibility studies, Phase II will focus on integrating these components into a minimum viable product, field-testing it in pilot communities, and validating both user outcomes and technical performance. Anticipated results include increased evacuation readiness, faster community clearance times, and reduced reliance on emergency services during wildfires. The project draws on insights from traffic modeling, disaster risk reduction, human behavior in disasters, user-centered design, and geospatial analytics to deliver a next-generation preparedness solution for an escalating national challenge. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
X-SIGHT INCORPORATED
SBIR Phase II: Compact Multi X-ray Source Imaging Modules for Point-Of-Care Medical Screening
Contact
10 CORNELIUS WAY
Cambridge, MA 02141--1438
NSF Award
2507635 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
Please report errors in award information by writing to awardsearch@nsf.gov.
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will be to improve quality and reduce cost for healthcare, increase security of our nation, and improve US manufacturing quality by funding the initial development of a new higher performance, smaller size, and lower cost technology for 3D x-ray or computed tomography (CT) imaging systems. The first impact of these systems will be improved access and reduced healthcare disparities for low-income and rural patients by introducing the first high-performance, compact CT scanners for lung-cancer screening into convenient locations outside the hospital or into mobile vans. This SBIR will enable the development of the new x-ray technology that will enable these next generation CTs for the first time. The same x-ray technology can be repurposed to improve the speed and reduce the cost per scan for other uses such as screening baggage and cargo to protect the security of our nation or to detect defects in manufacturing of key goods which will make America safer and more competitive in manufacturing. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will fund the development of the key x-ray technology required for a new generation of 3D x-ray or computed tomography (CT) systems that are faster, more compact, and lower cost per scan. Current conventional CT systems use mechanical rotation of a single large x-ray source to image an object at multiple angles required to see inside an object?s 3D volume. These mechanical systems are large, bulky, and expensive to maintain. This SBIR will enable a new generation of compact, lightweight CT systems using a distributed x-ray source technology that replaces mechanical rotation with arrays of many individual x-ray sources placed around an object. Each x-ray source is electrically turned on and off in sequence to image an object at different angles required to create a 3D image. The main barriers to the creation of these systems are 1.) the lack of an x-ray source that is high-performance (speed and power), compact, and low-cost, and 2.) a methodology to array these x-ray sources into a system. This proposal will fund and develop a solution for both challenges. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
XHEME INC.
STTR Phase II: A Completely Non-Toxic Blood Bag That Keeps Blood Healthier, Longer
Contact
149 WISWALL RD
Newton Center, MA 02459--3530
NSF Award
2527074 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,193,767
Start / end date
09/01/2025 – 08/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project is in replacing outdated, hazardous blood bags with a completely non-toxic alternative. Unlike conventional polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags that contain phthalates?known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors?this new technology eliminates the need for harmful plasticizers and instead uses an FDA-approved, non-chlorinated polymer that keeps blood healthier for longer. Blood transfusions are lifesaving, crucial in surgeries, trauma care, and the treatment of blood disorders, kidney diseases, and neurological conditions. However, the industry faces an urgent challenge: existing blood bags contain up to 40% DEHP plasticizer, which leaches into stored blood. While DEHP helps preserve red blood cells, studies confirm its serious health risks?including links to cancer, asthma, and reproductive toxicity. Regulatory bodies worldwide recognize the danger: California Proposition 65 lists DEHP as a harmful substance, and although the European Union planned to ban DEHP-containing blood bags in 2025, the absence of viable alternatives has delayed enforcement until July 1, 2030. This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project combines polymer engineering, advanced materials science, and blood biology to create a next-generation composite blood bag that meets stringent medical requirements without leaching harmful substances. The challenge is balancing blood storage efficacy with commercial-scale manufacturing?all while ensuring seamless integration with existing sterilization and medical standards. Early results are promising. In Phase I testing, the Xheme prototype blood bags demonstrated (a) 25% lower hemolysis (red blood cell breakdown) compared to standard PVC bags, (b) Improved metabolic activity for healthier stored blood and (c) Shelf-life performance exceeding industry standards. Now, Phase II project is driving validation and scale-up, ensuring this breakthrough technology is ready for widespread adoption?ushering in a safer future for blood storage, medical care, and patient health worldwide. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
YANK TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
SBIR Phase II: Wireless Charging Systems for Automated Production Lines
Contact
19 MORRIS AVE BUILDING 128
Brooklyn, NY 11205--1095
NSF Award
2406644 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
09/01/2024 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Vincent Lee
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to fully automate the quality control process for production lines of complex electronic products to improve US manufacturing productivity. There is currently a trend for manufacturing facilities in developed countries to automate more of their processes to be more cost-competitive with low-cost labor countries. Given the current geo-political environment whereby the US is attempting to diversify its supply chain and bring more manufacturing processes back to the US, these wireless power systems can make this transition more economically viable and in turn increase US productivity and its national security.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project results in a commercial product that can wirelessly power, test, verify, and record data for products while they move on production lines for manufacturing customers. This includes verifying high power switching amplifiers and converters that can operate dynamically for real-time changes in load conditions, high quality coils that can operate for a wide field of view due to changes in misalignment, and a wireless communication system that can effectively perform and issue the results of tests applicable for quality control verification.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ZEBRAMD INC.
SBIR Phase II: A Clinical Decision Making tool to improve diagnosis, management and research
Contact
7631 WISCASSET DR
West Hills, CA 91304--5299
NSF Award
2546719 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,239,701
Start / end date
08/01/2026 – 07/31/2028 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Alastair Monk
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project advances healthcare through creating an innovation consisting of a self-learning system that combines real life patient data with existing literature and genomic databases to help diagnose patients faster at the point of care, treat them more accurately, and uncover new insights. The market opportunity lies in the need for tools that speed up diagnosis and guide treatment. The value proposition offers personalized recommendations at the point of care that reduce inefficiencies and provide expert medical care regardless of the location. This technology provides a durable competitive advantage through its seamless integration into existing systems and ease of use by patients and providers alike.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project develops an artificial intelligence (AI)-supported platform to improve diagnosis and management. The project consists of a patient-facing application that aggregates multimodal data from different types of electronic health record (EHR) portals, building backend analytics infrastructure with application programming interfaces (APIs) and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) models drawn from validated medical sources, and deploying EHR-integrated alerts for real-time clinical decision support. The proposed research involves deployment of the technology across multiple institutions adapting to different EHR systems, increasing patient app availability, and subsequent assessment of impacts on diagnoses, referrals, and healthcare utilization. Methods incorporate large language models for guideline synthesis, secure data handling with encryption and relational databases, and automated updates from public resources like national databases.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.ZS SYSTEMS LLC
SBIR Phase II: Novel Manufacturing Method for Precision Optical Encoders
Contact
675 N 36TH ST
Lafayette, IN 47905--4475
NSF Award
2322184 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,000,000
Start / end date
10/01/2023 – 09/30/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Ben Schrag
Errata
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Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to develop a novel manufacturing method to produce high-accuracy, optical encoders. Encoders are sensors that measure position, either linear or angular, and convert it into an electronic signal. Modern automation and robotics systems heavily rely on encoders for precision positioning and motion control. The global encoder market is projected to reach $4.4 billion by 2028, growing from $2.4 billion in 2022. Increasingly accurate encoders are needed to further innovate and enable the manufacturing of complex next-generation products, such as advanced microchips, implantable medical devices, and precision weapon systems. As design specifications become more stringent, the need to meet the demand for high-precision encoders becomes paramount. Successful completion of the project will establish a pilot capability to cost-effectively produce encoders with over an order of magnitude finer fundamental resolution.
The intellectual merit of this project is focused on developing a technology that has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing of optical encoders. Traditional encoder production involves using contact photolithography to replicate a pattern from a master photomask. However, this process requires a full-size photomask, introduces defects and errors into the device, and limits the achievable accuracy and resolution. To address these drawbacks, a novel, high-resolution, projection lithography system is being developed to drive an additive micro-fabrication technique. The new approach offers numerous advantages, including economically viable production of precision encoders with sub-nanometer resolution, improved manufacturing yield, and shorter lead times. The Phase II research activities encompass the development of a full-size hardware prototype with performance traceable to NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) standards, as well as the establishment of the necessary infrastructure to support the newly developed 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.Zaiput Flow Technologies LLC
SBIR Phase II: Continuous, Scalable Crystallizer for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Contact
101A 1ST AVE
Waltham, MA 02451--1130
NSF Award
2451255 – SBIR Phase II
Award amount to date
$1,250,000
Start / end date
06/15/2025 – 05/31/2027 (Estimated)
NSF Program Directors
Rajesh Mehta
Samir Iqbal
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to improve a key step used in the >$500-billion market of pharmaceutical manufacturing: purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). 90% of all APIs are purified using crystallization, however, the current, mainly batch-based, approaches available have drawbacks from both the commercial and scientific points of view. Current techniques are difficult to scale up, are expensive to maintain and manufacture, and are plagued by inconsistency and lack of uniformity in conditions and results. With the development and commercialization of the Scalable Continuous Crystallizer technology proposed here, the company will address the scalability, cost, and inconsistency issues in order to: 1) speed up the transition to advanced manufacturing approaches (Continuous Manufacturing), 2) facilitate the re-shoring of drug manufacturing, contributing to addressing the national security challenge of American dependence on foreign drug manufacturers, and 3) reduce drug production costs, which will eventually lead to cheaper drugs for the benefit of the entire population. In summary, the commercialization of this technology may increase the adoption of advanced technologies, reduce national security risks, and cut the overall costs of pharmaceutical manufacturing. This SBIR Phase II project proposes to further the development of an innovative continuous crystallization device that is expected to be scalable, provide adequate and effective movement of solids, and provide high-quality crystal products, thus fulfilling an unmet need in the pharmaceutical market and in the technical community. The novel design aims to solve the problem of moving solids (crystals) effectively while providing well-controlled flow characteristics with an approach that is scalable from lab to production. The company?s patent-pending Scalable Continuous Crystallizer technology uses a combination of several innovative and proprietary features to provide a new technological approach to address transport, uniformity, consistency, reproducibility, and cost challenges. Phase II is focused on scaling up the technology from lab scale to commercial scale. The twin R&D goals are to demonstrate excellent operational crystallizer performance and scalability for multiple model pharmaceutical active ingredients. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
eSens LLC
STTR Phase II: Monitor for Gait and Form Analytics
Contact
411 WOLF LEDGES PKWY STE 100B
Akron, OH 44311--1028
NSF Award
2054577 – STTR Phase II
Award amount to date
$999,016
Start / end date
09/01/2021 – 08/31/2026 (Estimated)
NSF Program Director
Henry Ahn
Errata
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Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is the ability to collect objective data on both pace and gait/foot strike to give a clear and detailed picture of how a person actually moves stride-by-stride outside of a laboratory. The initial market of college, high school and recreational runners represents a near-term opportunity with high demand and relatively low barriers to entry. Use of this technology in this market promises to improve runner performance by up to 20% and reduce running injuries. This overall serviceable available market is $776 million and growing annually at rate of 29%. After proving the technology in this near-term market, there is potential for the technology to achieve even greater societal benefit in gait analysis, including, enabling ongoing monitoring and prediction of gait and balance issues in Americans over age 65, 11.5 million of whom fall each year; and providing more accurate, dynamic data to offload foot pressure in diabetic patients, 1.8 million of whom sustain diabetic foot ulcers each year.
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will advance a gait analysis device that combines a novel polymeric pressure sensing technology with an accelerometer and electronics to collect, process and visualize pace and gait/foot strike data. This innovative pressure sensing technology utilizes conductive polymeric materials and hybrid fabrication techniques to produce sensor arrays that are 100% solid state; as polymers they can be flexible, robust, and cost effective. Under the Phase I project, a sensor array was produced based on an optimized material formulation and sensor configuration, a printed circuit board and software were developed for use with the system, and a prototype was demonstrated with distance runners to prove it generates meaningful data. This SBIR Phase II project will complete development of the prototype and scale up hardware production.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.Company Profile
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