Our Projects

NASA SBIR/STTR

Sintered Powder Textile Surface Modification for Extreme Environments (STTR Phase II 80NSSC25CA037)

SBIR/STTR R&D Status: ACTIVE (2/2025 - 2/2027)

Synopsis: This project involves R&D to develop new textile coating techniques that can create highly flexible but durable materials that could be used for space suits or, alternatively, protective equipment on Earth. Textiles using these developed coatings can help to address the extreme environmental challenges of space exploration, including lunar regolith (dust) abrasion, temperature extremes, and radiation. The coatings start as particles that are then sintered using a laser or other technique to achieve a high degree of control over the coating properties. Additive manufacturing concepts can be combined with the sintering to create new multi-functional coatings.

Commercialization Status: We are interested in speaking with potential Phase III commercialization and/or licensing partners.

Department of Energy SBIR/STTR

Attack Deterrent and Ballistic-Resistant Substation Component Protection System Using STF-Armor Materials (SBIR Phase I DE-SC0026157)

SBIR/STTR R&D Status: ACTIVE (7/2025 - 7/2026)

Synopsis: A number of malicious actors have used firearms to conduct low-cost, low-tech, but effective attacks that disrupted electricity supply.  Here we propose R&D to assess technical needs related to substation transformer protection and to develop new, high-performance, and economical ballistic resistant materials tailored for use in increasing the security and resilience of critical electrical infrastructure.

Commercialization Status: Seeking partners for Phase II/III high-fidelity prototyping and development.

RheoSurfR – Neutron Reflectivity-Rheology Sample Environment for Studying Soft Matter, Biology and Materials Processing at Air-Liquid and Liquid-Liquid Interfaces (STTR Phase II DE-SC0020534)

SBIR/STTR R&D Status: COMPLETED (2024)

Synopsis: This project developed the first interfacial rheometer that can study interfaces under pure-shear, pure-dilation/compression, or controlled superposition of the two modes. Academic and industrial researchers worldwide have a critical unmet scientific need for simultaneous measurement of surface moduli, both shear and bulk, and molecular structure, both in plane and through the interface, across a range of interfaces, area per molecule, and sample preparation. The RheoSurfR™ can be used as a standalone instrument, or with additional analysis capabilities that include Brewster angle microscopy or particle imaging velocimetry. Further, the instrument can be configured for use on a neutron reflectivity beamline for advanced molecular studies of interfaces under deformation.

Commercialization Status: AVAILABLE Please contact us for a quote or for additional information.

Intellectual Property Status: Patent Pending

4D Rheo-SANS Sample Environment for Soft Matter, Biology and Materials Processing (STTR Phase II DE-SC019595)

SBIR/STTR R&D Status: COMPLETED (2023)

Synopsis: The US scientific and industrial research communities in the broad areas of soft matter (i.e., polymers, complex fluids, nano and colloidal solutions, coatings and inks) and biological materials (i.e., drug delivery, hydrogels, tissue engineering) need, but previously lacked, the ability to effectively study these important materials under flow conditions.  We developed the 4D Rheo-SANS Sample Environment in this Phase II project to greatly increase the US scientific measurement capability from its current level of multiple 2D measurements to being able to measure the full 3D structure with enhanced time resolution (+1D). This is the first, true Rheo-SANS sample environment capable of performing in all three planes of flow and with a single sample loading based on a world-leading stress controlled rheometer and has been shown to meet both rheological and neutron scattering metrology requirements. Its rheological performance has been successfully validated for a range of sample fluid behavior.

Commercialization Status: AVAILABLE. Due to the highly specific nature of rheometer and beamline equipment, please contact us to discuss your needs and equipment setup.

Intellectual Property: US Patent # 12,517,026

NIST SBIR/STTR

High-Throughput, High-Pressure, Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Sample Environment (STTR Phase II 70NANB21H130)

SBIR/STTR R&D Status: Completed (2024)

Synopsis: The HTHP-SANS cell is designed for rapid thermal and pressure equilibration to maximize beamtime measurement efficiency while also enabling in-situ scattering measurements. The fixed-window design facilitates easy sample changes and cell cleaning, while eliminating the potential for certain experimental errors due to leakage often present in removable window cells, particularly at low temperatures. The sample environment delivers unique experimental capabilities to develop the structure-processing-property relationships critical for development of advanced materials and products in industries including biopharmaceuticals, vaccine development, clean energy, cold chain management, wastewater remediation, and nanotechnology.

Commercialization Status: Due to the specific nature of beamline equipment, please contact us to discuss your needs and equipment setup.

Intellectual Property: Patent Pending