U.S. Department of Energy
Small Business Innovation Research Program and
 
Small Business Technology Transfer Program
FY 2004 Phase II - Awards by State


Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, MarylandMassachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington


ALABAMA

         Alabama Cryogenic Engineering, Inc.                              A Hydrostatic Processing Facility  

         P.O. Box 2470                                                               for Superconducting Wire           

         Huntsville, AL 35804-2470  

Currently available methods impose limits on the processing of multi-filamentary, superconducting wires used in high energy research.  This project will develop a high pressure vessel and join it to two other existing vessels to form a Hydrostatic Wire Processing Facility (HWPF).  If successful, the HWPF will define the “next generation” Niobium Tin superconducting wire material.  

 

         STTR Project

         Plasma Processes, Inc.                                                    Engineered Tungsten Armor

         4914 Moores Mill Road                                                   for Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE)                                         

         Huntsville, AL 35811-1558                                            Dry Chamber Walls         

         Research Institution: University of California, San Diego

To reduce the Nation's dependence on foreign oil, alternative energy sources, such as fusion, must be developed.  An innovative, high temperature material is being developed that is critical to the development of an inertial fusion energy device.

 

ARIZONA

         International Technology Exchange, Inc.                           New Stable Cathode Materials for                               

         7080 N Cathedral Rock Place                                         Organic Light Emitting Devices (OLEDs)              

         Tucson, AZ 85718-1390                                                      

A new class of advanced nanomaterial coatings have been developed and incorporated into thin-film displays.  The introduction of this unique and multifunctional class of nanostructured materials to thin-film, flexible displays provides an important advance in display technology, and enables a significant U.S. manufacturing presence in the emerging flexible display industry. 

 

CALIFORNIA

         Advanced Science and Novel                                          Ultra High Speed Analog to Digital 

           Technology Company                                                    Converter                          

         28119 Ridgefern Court                                                       

         Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275-3215                 

New integrated circuits will reduce the complexity of data acquisition systems used in the next generation of nuclear physics experiments.  The integrated circuits will have many additional benefits, including improved efficiency in waste control management, as well as chemical production, and manufacturing process control; expanded capabilities in intelligence gathering; and better use of the telecommunications transmission spectra.

 

 

         Calabazas Creek Research                                              A Finite Element, Adaptive Mesh    

         20937 Comer Drive                                                        Particle-In-Cell Code              

         Saratoga, CA 95070-3753                                                    

A finite element, adaptive mesh Particle-in-Cell program could revolutionize charge particle analysis for the particle physics community. Computational cost would be dramatically decreased by reducing problem size by two to three orders of magnitude.

 

 

         Davis Energy Group, Inc.                                                 Development of An Integrated       

        123 C Street                                                                     Heating, Ventilation, Cooling and  

         Davis, CA 95616-4632                                                   Dehumidification, System for       

                                                                                                 Residences                        

Residential air conditioning systems in humid climates often inadequately dehumidify indoor air, resulting in increased energy use and uncomfortable indoor conditions.  A cost-effective integrated heating, cooling, ventilating, and dehumidifying system will be developed that will reduce energy use and provide ideal indoor temperature and relative humidity, in a wide variety of climates.

 

 

         DSP Alloys                                                                     A High Current Density, Low        

         4235 Toch Street                                                            Magnetization, Tubular Filamented  

         San Diego, CA 92117-3850                                           Nb3Sn Superconductor                  

Improved superconductor materials are required for future high field magnetic applications in high energy physics.  A relatively inexpensive, commercially viable, niobium-tin superconducting wire will be developed to meet these needs.

  

 

         FAR-TECH, Inc.                                                            High Precision Integrated Beam     

        10350 Science Center Drive                                             Position and Emittance Monitor     

         Building 14, Suite 150                                                     

         San Diego, CA 92121-1129                                             

Accelerators are research and medical instruments whose usefulness depends on auxiliary beamline instruments for monitoring the beam.  The proposed system would permit more precise and cost-effective control of accelerators, for applications ranging from high-energy physics to cancer treatment.

 

 

        FAR-TECH, Inc.                                                            Modeling Toolset for Dynamic       

        10350 Science Center Drive                                            Resistive-Wall-Mode Discrimination 

         Building 14, Suite 150                                                     and Feedback Control Design        

         San Diego, CA 92121-1129                                                   

Accurate, real-time, identification and feedback control of unstable modes is essential for the success of advanced tokamaks and tokamak fusion reactors, such as the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor.  The proposed identification tool will facilitate calculations for enhanced detection of the instability and thus for feedback control scenarios.

 

 

         Farasis Energy, Inc.                                                     Novel, Combinational Approach to the

         851 W. Midway Avenue                                             Development of Cathode Catalysts for

         Alameda, CA 94501                                                   Fuel Cells     

A novel process that will greatly accelerate the search for lower cost fuel cell catalysts has been demonstrated, and it is being used to identify and develop promising families of complex catalyst systems.  

 

 

        Gamma Medica, Inc.                                                      In Vivo Radio-Tracer Quantification

        19355 Business Center Drive                                         with Small Animal Imaging          

        Suite 8                                                                    

        Northridge, CA   91324-3576                                     

This project should significantly improve research techniques in the fields of oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, and gene therapy.  The work will enable medical breakthroughs through significant improvement in study data for medical research spanning such a wide array of human conditions that a significant percentage of the entire population is, directly or indirectly, affected.

 

 

         Genomatica, Inc.                                                            Establishing a Computational       

         5405 Morehouse Drive                                                   Infrastructure for Systems Biology 

         Suite 210                                                                  

         San Diego, CA 92121-4722                                                    

This proposal will develop a software platform to enable computer models of bacteria to be developed.  These models will improve the understanding of the energy-related biological process, so that these organisms’ metabolic potential to address issues of energy production, carbon fixation, and bioremediation may be harnessed.

 

 

        HyPerComp, Inc.                                                            Practical Simulations of Two-Phase 

        31255 Cedar Valley Drive                                               Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Flows        

        Suite 327                                                                         with Wall Effects

        Westlake, CA 91362-7140                                       

The proposed technology should enable efficient thermal management of fusion energy systems, and pave the way for their safe, reliable, economic and environmentally benign operation.  It addresses a timely need of researchers in nuclear fusion and metal-forming communities.

 

 

         Infotility                                                                           Distributed Intelligent Agents for 

         3000 Executive Parkway                                                 Decision Making at Local Distributed

         Suite 518                                                                         Energy Resource (DER) Levels       

         San Ramon, CA 94583-2300                                                   

This research involves the development of intelligent, smart software components, which run at distributed locations on the energy network, to improve the reliability, efficiency, security, and stability of the U.S. electrical transmission and distribution network.   The development approach uses a novel approach with open standards and a Web Services architecture, which allows for interoperability among industry participants.

 

 

         Intematix Corporation                                                      Combinatorial Screening of Advanced

         351 Rheem Boulevard                                                      Scintillators for High Resolution  

         Moraga, CA 94556                                                          X-Ray Detectors                    

The lack of efficient scintillators hinders the development of a powerful x-ray detector for use in homeland security, industry, and science research.  This project will develop a high-throughput screening process, and corresponding crystal growth technology, to significantly speed up the discovery process for the new efficient scintillators.

 

 

         Los Gatos Research                                                         Novel Ultrasensitive Instrumentation

         67 East Evelyn Avenue                                                     for Trace Gas Measurements in the   

         Suite 3                                                                             Field                              

         Mountain View, CA  94041-1518                                               

This project will develop a novel, compact, rugged, relatively inexpensive instrument based on a new laser-based technology, called Off-Axis Integrated Cavity Output Spectroscopy, to measure concentrations and fluxes of trace gases in the field and on-board aircraft, with unprecedented accuracy. The proposed instrumentation platform may be applied to detailed studies of the environment, medical detection of common diseases, monitoring and control of industrial processes, and measurements of chemical agents and explosives.

 

 

         MacConnell Research Corporation                                   Cell-Free Protein Synthesis for    

          6195 Cornerstone Court East, #114                                High-Through-Put Proteomics        

         San Diego, CA  92121-4728                                                    

The products being developed will improve the Nation's technology for molecular biology research.  They will simplify and reduce the cost of generating proteins encoded by specific genes, a process that is increasingly used in study of disease, cell function, and pharmaceutical development.  By reducing the cost and accelerating the process of protein production in the research laboratory, the products will save federal grant funds and other research dollars, which currently are spent on in-vivo protein expression methods.

 

 

         Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.                       Dehydration of Natural Gas         

        1360 Willow Road                                                            

         Suite 103                                                                  

         Menlo Park, CA 94025-1524                                           

There is interest in developing better natural gas dehydration systems, especially for use on off-shore platforms where space and weight are at a premium.  The proposed membrane module design is novel and will improve membrane-based dehydration systems.

                                                                                    

         Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.                       High-Performance                   

         1360 Willow Road                                                          Plasticization-Resistant Membranes

          Suite 103                                                                        for Natural Gas Separations                                               

          Menlo Park, CA 94025-1524                                                  

About 17% of known U.S. natural gas reserves have a high content of carbon dioxide, which must be removed before the gas can be used. The proposed project will lead to a field-demonstrated membrane separation system that will substantially lower the cost of processing this gas.

 

 

         MetaHeuristics, LLC                                                       Development of Prototype           

         209 W. Alamar Avenue                                                   Lattice-Boltzmann Code for  

         Suite A                                                                            Computational Fluid Dynamics                     

         Santa Barbara, CA  93105-3701                                    (CFD) of Fusion Systems             

An innovative computational method, based on cellular automata, is being developed to simulate complex fluid flows, in prototype fusion facilities and related industrial sectors, in order to reduce development costs and duration.  Key features include capabilities to handle complex geometries, magnetohydrodynamic effects, plasma-surface interactions, and efficient use of massively parallel distributed computing systems. 

 

 

         NovaWave Technologies                                                 Mid-Infrared Optical Cavity-Based  

         230A Twin Dolphin Drive                                                Spectrometer for Multispecies      

         Redwood City, CA 94065-1411                                     Airborne and Ground-Based          

                                                                                                Atmospheric Monitoring             

This proposal describes an instrument designed to make ultrasensitive atmospheric concentration measurements on a variety of important chemical species, including formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, ethylene, and acetylene. The ability to obtain these measurements should have a wide-ranging impact on our understanding of atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, as well as enhance pollution monitoring and control. 

 

         Physical Optics,                                                               Petroleum Indicator by Electric    

            Photonic Systems Division                                             Relaxation                         

         20600 Gramercy Place                                                        

         Building 100                                                                

         Torrance, CA 90501-1821                                           

It is necessary for oil drilling to avoid blowouts, which can cost ten million dollars per blowout and endanger lives and the environment.  The proposed system can prevent such blowouts by monitoring the drilling process in real time.

 

 

         Physical Optics Corporation                                            Three Dimensional Holographic      

              Electro-Optics & Holography Division                        Archival Memory                    

         20600 Gramercy Place                                                        

         Building 100                                                               

         Torrance, CA 90501-1821                                                    

Large-scale high-speed data storage systems are needed to store the huge volume of continuously generated data from nuclear physics laboratories.  A novel three-dimensional holographic archival memory will be developed to provide ultrahigh capacity storage (100 trillion bits in a volume of one cubic centimeter) and high-speed data transfer (10 billion bits per second).

 

 

         Picarro, Inc.                                                                    Innovative CO2 Sensor Based on     

         480 Oakmead Parkway                                                  Cavity Ringdown                    

         Sunnyvale, CA 94085-4708            

 

This project will develop high precision and high accuracy carbon dioxide sensors that will help scientists understand the contribution of anthropogenic gases to global warming. The sensor technology will have broad application to scientific, medical, industrial, and agricultural markets. 

 

COLORADO

 

         ADA Technologies, Inc.                                                  Electrodecontamination for         

         8100 Shaffer Parkway                                                     Mitigation of Airborne Contamination

         Suite 130                                                                  

          Littleton, CO 80127-4107                            

Current methods for removing radioactive contaminants from metallic surfaces are costly, endanger personnel, and potentially create airborne hazards.  The Electro-Decon process safely and effectively strips away both fixed and smearable contaminates with minimal secondary waste, protecting workers and facilities while realizing substantial cost savings.                      

 

 

           ADA Technologies, Inc.                                                 Situational Awareness Monitor for  

           8100 Shaffer Parkway                                                    Nuclear Events                       

           Suite 130                                                                   

           Littleton, CO  80127-4107                  

 

The proposed situational awareness monitor will monitor urban areas in order to identify pre-nuclear-event warning signs, such as the presence of nuclear material.  The situational awareness monitor will also supply critical data for effective post-nuclear-event consequence management and emergency response.

 

 

 

         STTR Project

         ALD NanoSolution, Inc.                                                  Novel Polymer Nanocomposite           

         11711 Chase Court                                                         Processing  

         Westminster, CO  80020                                                      

         Research Institution:  University of Colorado         

A novel polymer particle nanocoating process is being developed to fabricate polymer/ceramic nanocomposites quickly and at low cost.  Significant long-term energy savings and resource conservation should result when metals and co-polymers are replaced with such nanocomposites.

 

        Blue Sun Biodiesel                                               Improvement of Cool Season Oilseeds

        344 E. Foothills Parkway                                     to Support Economically Competitive

        Suite 3E                                                               Bio-Diesel Production on the Central

        Fort Collins, CO 80525                                       High Plains                        

If biodiesel fuels were more competitive with diesel fuels, they could diminish the Nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and reduce diesel emissions, and associated health problems, as well as greenhouse gas and soot emissions—all while stimulating the U.S. economy, particularly in rural areas.  New low-input high-yield industrial oilseed crops can be developed for a market-competitive biodiesel product that is specifically suited for non-irrigated land.

 

 

         Community Power Corporation                                     Demonstration of an Integrated     

         8420 S. Continental Divide Road                                  Modular Bipower System and         

         Suite 100                                                                      Commercial Burner for Drying

         Littleton, CO 80127                                                      Biomass and Agricultural Products

                                                                                              Using Agricultural and Forest Residues   

Natural gas and propane for drying are expensive, polluting, and non-renewable.  This project will demonstrate biomass-fueled drying equipment.  The equipment could displace more than $1B/yr of natural gas/propane, increase profits for farmers and foresters, and provide jobs in urban and rural areas.

 

         Composite Technology Development, Inc.                       Innovative Inorganic Fusion Magnet                                      

         2600 Campus Drive                                                        Insulation Systems                                                 

         Suite D                                                                    

         Lafayette, CO 80026-3359                

Significant scientific and technological challenges remain for the development of fusion as a practical energy source. The development of improved ceramic insulation will help lead to the operation and commercialization of fusion power in coming decades. 

 

          Eltron Research, Inc.                                                       A Remote and Affordable Detection  

          4600 Nautilus Court South                                              System for Cr(VI) in Groundwater   

          Boulder, CO 80301-3241                                                     

This project will develop a versatile, affordable detection system for toxic hexavalent chromium contamination in groundwater, for various applications, such as drinking water and environmental remediation.

 

 

          Eltron Research, Inc.                                                        Nanoscale Inorganic Ion-Exchange   

          4600 Nautilus Court South                                               Films for Enhanced Electrochemical 

          Boulder, CO 80301-3241