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Two Mass. Companies Receive EPA Small Business Contracts for New Environmental Technologies
(Boston, Mass. - May 3, 2007) - Two Massachusetts firms, one
in Andover and one in Billerica, will be pursuing new environmentally-related
projects thanks to EPA funding.
The companies, Physical Sciences Inc. of Andover, and Aerodyne Research
Inc. of Billerica, will each receive nearly a quarter-million dollars
under EPA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The
two Bay State companies were part of a national award of nearly $3 million
to 13 companies to support their work in seven key environmental areas:
nanotechnology, monitoring of air emissions, pollution prevention, hazardous
waste management, water treatment, homeland security, and innovation
in manufacturing. The companies received "proof of concept" awards
from EPA last year and will use these additional funds to move their
technology towards commercialization.
Physical Sciences Inc., of Andover, is receiving SBIR funding of $224,966
for working on technologies related to homeland security and/or water
quality. Specifically, the company is developing a portable instrument
to monitor hydrogen peroxide concentrations during building decontamination
after accidental or purposeful exposure to hazardous biological materials.
Aerodyne Research Inc., of Billerica is one of two companies awarded
an SBIR contract for working on technologies related to monitoring air
emissions. Specifically, EPA is providing $225,000 for a project
fabricating and demonstrating a fast response, laser tool to measure
acrolein, a hazardous air pollutant produced by combustion and industrial
sources.
EPA is one of 11 federal agencies that participate in the SBIR program,
enacted in 1982 to strengthen the role of small businesses in federal
Research and Development, create jobs, and promote U.S. technical innovation.
There are approximately 22 million small businesses in the United States
that employ more than 50 percent of the private work force and develop
most of the country's new technologies. To participate in SBIR, a small
business must have fewer than 500 employees, and at least 51 percent
of the business must be owned by U.S. citizens.
EPA's SBIR Program supports development of innovative technologies that
improve our environment and quality of life, create jobs, increase productivity
and economic growth, and improve international competitiveness of the
country's technology industry. EPA's program has two phases. In the first
phase, a company receives seed money to prove that its new idea can work.
In the second phase, the company receives further funds to move the technology
to the marketplace.
More information:
The two Massachusetts and other research projects: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/sbir/07phase2
Learn more about EPA's SBIR program: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/sbir
Contact
David Deegan, (617) 918-1017, deegan.dave@epa.gov