Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I Solicitation FY-2013 (SBIR)

: Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (NM)

Description: The Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (NM) topic addresses innovations and development of new materials, devices, machines, structures and manufacturing processes for the advancement of the competitive nature and state of the art for U.S. industry. NM includes materials and manufacturing technologies such as electronic materials and processes, high-temperature materials, structural materials, coatings, composites, nanomanufacturing, printing, patterning and lithography, machining, casting, joining, additive manufacturing, self-assembly, and other related research areas. The NM program seeks to support high-risk, high-payoff innovative technologies with the potential for significant impact on business, consumers, and society, thereby catalyzing new business opportunities for small businesses in today's global marketplace. NSF is committed to supporting scientific discoveries to benefit society and to emphasize private sector commercialization. Novel technologies aimed at achieving increased performance, reduced cost, and/or new functions or applications are of great interest.

Point of Contact:
Ben Schrag
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-8323

bschrag@nsf.gov

Rajesh Mehta
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-2174

rmehta@nsf.gov

: Manufacturing

Description: The manufacturing subtopic addresses manufacturing innovations that improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the nation's manufacturing sector. Proposals should be market-driven and identify the end users of the proposed technology, and the proposed pathway to commercialization.

Keywords: MODELING AND SIMULATION, Manufacturing Processes, Machines and Equipment

: Advanced Materials

Description: The Advanced Materials subtopic addresses the research and development of new materials and systems that have the potential for revolutionary changes and paradigm shifts in U.S. industry. Proposals should be market-driven and identify the end users of the proposed technology, and the proposed pathway to commercialization.

Keywords: Electronic and Magnetic Materials, Optical and Optoelectronic Materials, Materials for Energy Applications, High-temperature Materials, Structural Materials, Coatings and Surface Modifications, Smart and Specialized Materials, Materials for Sustainability

: Nanotechnology

Description: The Nanotechnology subtopic addresses the creation and use of functional materials, devices, and systems with novel properties and functions that are achieved through the control of matter at a submicroscopic scale (from a fraction of nanometer to about 100 nm). Proposals should be market-driven and identify the end users of the proposed technology, and the proposed pathway to commercialization.

Keywords: nanomanufacturing, Nanomaterials, Nanoelectronics and Active Nanostructures, Nanotechnology for Biological and Medical Applications, Instrumentation for Nanotechnology

: Electronics, Information and Communication Technologies (EI)

Description: The NSF SBIR Program conceptualizes Electronics, Information and Communication Technologies in the form of a five-layer stack. Each layer of the stack builds upon the layer(s) below and supports the layer(s) above. At the foundation of this stack are devices. Devices (ED) are the building blocks for Components (EC) that are assembled into Systems (ES) built for Applications (IA) that are employed to deliver Services (IS). Innovations across the stack can range widely, and hardware as well as software innovations will be supported. Considering the two ends of the stack, device innovations will typically employ unique physical phenomena for their competitive advantage and be embodied in hardware, whereas innovations in services will typically be more architectural in nature and be embodied in software.

Keywords: robotics, Sensors, photonics, Wireless, Instrumentation, Energy/Power, Optoelectronics, Radio spectrum, MEMS/NEMS, Broadband, 3-D Printing, Smart Grid, Assistive Technologies, Human Computer Interfaces, Knowledge & Data Management

Point of Contact:
Murali Nair
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-7059

mnair@nsf.gov

Juan Figueroa
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-7054

jfiguero@nsf.gov

Glenn Larsen
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-4607

glarsen@nsf.gov

: ED. Devices

Description: Novel devices employ unique physical principles that enable broad advances in technology and industry. They often represent fundamental scientific and technological building blocks that require significant integration with other advanced technologies to provide commercial value. Examples of previous innovations in the device field include: the transistor, the thermocouple and Light Emitting Devices (LED).

Keywords: Optoelectronic Devices, Integrated Circuit Design, Other Novel Devices

: EC. Components

Description: Components represent basic building blocks for most engineered systems. By themselves, components are not typically consumed by end-users and they must be assembled together with other components to provide complete solutions. Examples of previous component innovations include: Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based accelerometers, Sigma-Delta Analog to Digital Converters (ADC) and Optical Add-Drop Multiplexer (OADM).

Keywords: Sensors, High Performance Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-Enabled Applications, Optoelectronic Components, Packaging and Thermal Management, Radio Frequency (RF) Components

: ES. Systems

Description: Systems' innovations combine multiple sub-elements and components together to enable the delivery of new value. Examples of previous systems innovations include the MP3 player, the artificial heart and the radio telescope.

Keywords: robotics, Medical Imaging Technologies, 3-D Printing, Human Computer, Virtual/Mixed Reality Environments, Human Assistive Technologies, Wireless Systems, Energy and Power Management Systems, Scientific Instrumentation, Optoelectronic Systems, Engineering Systems

Point of Contact:
Juan Figueroa
Dr
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-7054

jfiguero@nsf.gov

: IA. Applications

Description: Advancements in applications provide value by enabling increased user productivity or enhanced quality of life. Examples of previous innovations in applications include: the spreadsheet, email and web browser.

Keywords: Mobile Applications, Tools for Facilitating Collective Intelligence, Peer-To-Peer Applications, Broadband-enabled, Collaboration-enabled Applications, Design/Test Software for Components/Devices, Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv.6) Applications, High Performance Computing

Point of Contact:
Glenn Larsen
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-4607

glarsen@nsf.gov

: IS. Services

Description: Enterprises large and small, for-profit and non-profit, must respond to customer needs, manage internal activities, and adapt to competitive market pressures much more rapidly than at any other period in human history. Enterprises that effectively and efficiently combine computing, communication, services and business process advances become leaders in their respective markets.

Keywords: Security and Privacy, Knowledge Discovery, Search, Data Mining, “Big Data” Management and/or Visualization, Digital Arts, Financial Services, Personalized User Services, Virtualization, Cyber-Physical Systems

: Education Applications (EA)

Description: The Education Application (EA) topic addresses the challenges of advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education for all American students, to nurture innovation, and to ensure the long-term economic prosperity of the Nation. The urgency of this task is underscored by the need to ensure that the United States continues to excel in science, technology, and innovation in the 21st century. Proposed applications should provide storyboards, sketches, or descriptions of how the proposed application will work and provide examples of how users would interact with the application. Projects that propose technologies or products similar to those in the marketplace must make the case that their efforts are not incremental and will lead to sufficient revenues that justify an NSF SBIR investment. Projects that can be easily replicated by potential competitors are not responsive to the Educational Application (EA) topic.

Keywords: Education, K-12, college, graduate, gaming, learning, assessment, entrepreneurship, STEM, pedagogy

Point of Contact:
Glenn Larsen
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-4607

glarsen@nsf.gov

: Education Applications

Keywords: Pre-college Education Applications, College and Post-college Education Applications, STEM and Entrepreneurial Gaming Applications, Entrepreneurship Education Applications, Tools for Learning and Assessment

: Biological and Chemical Technologies (BC)

Description: The Biological and Chemical Technologies (BC) topic addresses innovation in the life sciences and chemical areas including Biological Technologies, Biomedical Technologies, Environmental Technologies, and Chemical Technologies. Biological Technologies includes the subtopic areas of research tools, bioinstrumentation, biosensors, computational biology and bioinformatics, synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, fermentation and cell culture technologies, and sustainable agriculture using biotechnology. Biomedical Technologies includes materials, diagnostics, drug delivery, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, biomedical engineering, biomechanics, and imaging technologies. Environmental Technologies includes energy storage, management and use, renewable fuels and energy, and waste treatment. Chemical Technologies includes bio-based chemicals and renewable chemical process technology, separation technologies, renewable polymers, and catalytic process technology. The BC program seeks to support high-risk, high-payback projects where there is a significant market opportunity, the technology is transformational, and there is a significant societal impact. We are looking for discontinuous innovations aimed at achieving increased performance, reduced cost, and/or new functions or applications that will catalyze new business opportunities for small businesses in today's global bioeconomy.

Keywords: Energy Storage, DIAGNOSTICS, Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Biomanufacturing, Sustainable Agriculture, Biosensors, Bioinstrumentation, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Drug Delivery, Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Biomechanics, Separation Technologies, Renewable Polymers, life science tools, biomedical materials, tissue engineering, medical imaging, renewable fuels, and waste treatment, bio-based chemicals, and catalytic process technology

Point of Contact:
Prakash Balan
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-5341

pbalan@nsf.gov

Shuman Ruth
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-2160

rshuman@nsf.gov

Jesus Soriano
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-7795

jsoriano@nsf.gov

: Chemical Technologies

Keywords: Bio-Based Chemicals and Renewable Chemical Process Technology, Separation Technologies, Renewable Polymers, Catalytic Process Technology

: Environmental Technologies

Keywords: Energy Storage, Renewable Fuels and Energy, Waste Treatment

: Biomedical Technologies

Keywords: Materials for Biomedical Applications, Diagnostic Assays and Platforms, Drug Delivery, Tissue Engineering and Biomanufacturing, Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Biomechanics, Medical Imaging Technologies

: Biological Technologies

Keywords: Biosensors, Life Science Research Tools, Bioinstrumentation, Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering, Fermentation and Cell Culture Technologies, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

Point of Contact:
Ruth Shuman
Dr.
National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Blvd
Suite 590

Phone: (703) 292-2160

rshuman@nsf.gov