Reflective X-Ray Optics Wins $125K For Small Business Innovation Project

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Charles Rangel congratulated Reflective X-Ray Optics, a Harlem-based research company, and its founder David Windt for being one of 260 proposals selected by NASA's Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) to receive $125,000 to first examine the feasibility of its high-performance multilayer X-ray optics project for Solar Physics. The award contracts granted by NASA were announced on November 29, 2011, in Phase 1 of its three-phase award system.

"I am proud to congratulate Mr. Windt for leading his company in their scientific breakthroughs and achieving a strategic partnership with NASA that will only spur further investment in technological research," stated Rangel. "As one of the cradles of American industry, the people of my Manhattan congressional district encourage the connection between small business innovation and job creation."

SBIR and another program, Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), are competitive awards-based programs that encourage U.S. small businesses and research institutions to engage in federal research, development and commercialization. The programs enable teams to explore technological potential while providing the incentive to profit from new commercial products and services.

SBIR selected 260 proposals, which have a combined value of approximately $33 million, for negotiation of Phase I feasibility study contracts. The other program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) selected 40 proposals, with a combined value of approximately $5 million, for negotiation of Phase I contracts.

"A vibrant technological sector is one of the best engines of job creation that will produce new products and industries for small businesses around the country," Rangel said. "I hope more companies in our district will continue the path led by Mr. Windt and his brilliant team of scientists at his company."

Reflective X-Ray Optics is one of three New York state-based companies to receive an SBIR Phase 1 award. Founder David Windt and his team focus their research on the production of multilayer X-ray optics designed to reflect short-wavelength radiation for scientific and technological applications. NASA is awarding their project focused on Dual-Band EUV Multilayer Coating for Solar Physics. The other two companies are Honeybee Robotics, also in New York City, and HYPRES in Elmsford.

Firms successfully completing Phase I are eligible to submit Phase II proposals, expanding on the results of Phase I. Phase III includes commercialization of the results of Phase II, and requires the use of private sector or non-SBIR federal funding as innovations move from the laboratory to the marketplace.
"NASA's partnerships with small businesses and universities through these programs brings space technologies to the marketplace, helping start-ups and small businesses create new jobs and grow our economy while meeting NASA's current and future mission needs," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA’s Space Technology.

NASA received 1,878 qualified Phase I proposals. The criteria used to choose these selected proposals included technical merit and feasibility; experience, qualifications and facilities; effectiveness of the work plan; and, commercial potential and feasibility.

"I want to thank NASA for recognizing Reflective X-Ray Optics as a Small Business partner in technological and scientific research that will propel American innovation in the 21st century," Rangel added.