Funding Selections: Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) FY 2023 Phase I Release 2 FOA

Awardee: Creekside Environmental Products

Federal Funding: $200,000  

Project Description: This project will develop a novel Metal-Cation-induced Surface Nano-Engineering (MX+-SNE) technology to manufacture polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free water- and oil-resistant packaging paper and tableware. If successful, this project could lead to a low-cost, biodegradable alternative to plastics and toxic PFAS-coated paper in the food packaging industry, creating fully recyclable packaging. The proposed project can potentially eliminate the use of PFAS in consumer food packaging, reducing the impact of consumer goods on the environment.

Awardee: Physical Sciences Inc.

Federal Funding: $199,985

Project Description: This project will develop a heat exchanger technology for high temperature thermal energy storage (HTTS) that leverages additive manufacturing for fabrication of a customized device designed to simplify system integration while improving heat recovery and reuse cost effectiveness. By simplifying system integration, this project hopes to accelerate the adoption of flexible and high temperature technologies that can displace the need for fossil fuel-based process heat.

Full Title: Decarbonization of Building Materials: Rapid, Low Cost and Room Temperature Manufacturing of Next-Generation Cementitious Materials with ~97% Industrial Wastes

Awardee: C-Crete Technologies

Federal Funding: $200,000

Project Description: This project will demonstrate a universal approach to turn various industrial wastes (slag, ash, etc.) to cementitious binders. Such an approach will utilize eco-friendly low-cost alternatives and industrial waste to produce materials that rival Ordinary Portland Cement in performance. This universal approach has the potential to produce multiple eco-friendly, low-carbon alternatives to carbon-intensive cement.  

Awardee: Skyhaven Systems, LLC

Federal Funding: $206,500

Project Description: This project will develop and demonstrate a new microchannel electrochemical reactor to economically produce ammonia. Ammonia, a high volume energy-and emissions- intensive chemical, accounts for 1.8% of global CO2 emissions. The project will produce an electrochemical reactor that feeds water and nitrogen to a multitude of micro-channel cells to drive the reaction with clean energy. The reactor design will increase the production rate of ammonia by overcoming equilibrium limitations in ammonia synthesis, producing a more energy efficient process.

Awardee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation

Federal Funding: $199,807

Project Description: This project will demonstrate a polymer heat exchanger that has metal-like thermal conductivity using low-cost materials and conventional processing techniques to achieve a lighter, easier to install, and more cost-effective (45% reduction) unit than traditional metallic heat exchangers with similar performances. Heat exchangers are a key thermal management tool within industry—more cost-effective, easier-to-install heat exchangers can enable more efficient industrial operations. 

Awardee: Storagenergy Technologies, Inc.

Federal Funding: $200,000

Project Description: This project will develop a novel electrolysis process, called Electrolysis of Fe Ore in Acidic Media (EFOAM), to continuously convert Fe ore (Fe oxide) to Fe metal and oxygen at low temperatures (25-90 C). This project has the potential to electrify the iron and steel industry.