Energy Department Announces $23 Million for Small Businesses Focused on Clean Energy Innovations
Today, the Energy Department announced $23 million in funding for 23 new projects led by small businesses to further develop clean energy technologies with a strong potential for commercialization and job creation. These Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) awards for $1 million each over the next two years will help small businesses advance their promising concepts that improve manufacturing processes, boost the efficiency of buildings, increase transportation sustainability, and generate electricity from renewable sources.
Most of the projects that have advanced into Phase II were previously selected for Phase I funding in 2015. Twenty-three of those projects were selected based on scientific and technical merit, as well as the commercial potential of the project proposed to continue their research and development.
The 23 small businesses receiving the awards are located in 13 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.
Among the 23 projects selected for awards are:
From Columbus, Ohio, Global Research & Development is developing low-cost ceramic membranes for separating oxygen from industrial gas streams for a variety of medical, environmental, and industrial applications.
From Reisterstown, Maryland, Manta Biofuel, LLC is developing a low-cost magnetic algae harvesting technology for biofuels.
From Rockledge, Florida, Mainstream Engineering is developing an optical quality control detector that will improve the roll-to-roll manufacturing efficiency of polymer electrolyte membranes used in electric vehicles and other electric applications.
From Torrance, California, Transient Plasma Systems is developing a low-energy and cost-effective non-thermal plasma ignition system that enables more energy efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicle engines.
Other projects selected will produce technologies to increase the use of clean and efficient natural gas; to recover waste heat for thermal and electric use; to improve the performance of light-emitting diodes; to reduce corrosion in biofuel processing; to improve energy efficiency with structural materials; and for more efficient start/stop technologies in vehicles.
