EPA Awards Funding To Advance Environmental Technologies

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced more than US$2 million in research funding to 22 small businesses to develop technologies that will help protect human health and the environment. The 22 small businesses will use EPA funding to develop their novel projects, including an AI-based mapping tool to support first responders during disasters, a reactor to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from sewage waste, and a self-cleaning indoor air purification system for use during wildfires.

The companies are receiving Phase I awards as part of EPA’s annual Small Business Innovation Research program. The 22 small businesses are receiving funding of up to US$100,000 for six months for “proof of concept” of their proposed technologies. Companies that complete Phase I can then apply to receive a Phase II award of US$400,000 to further develop and commercialize their technologies.

The following small businesses are receiving SBIR Phase I awards:

• Creekside Environmental Products (Starkville, Mississippi) to develop low-cost adsorbents from waste products like rice hulls and biochar to reduce PFAS in drinking water, wastewater, and agricultural systems.
• Fourth State LLC (Ann Arbor, Michigan) to develop a plasma reactor that destroys PFAS and removes heavy metals in landfill leachate and other wastewaters.
• IM Technologies (Shoreham, New York) to develop a plasma system to degrade PFAS levels for water purification and reuse.
• River Otter Renewables Inc. (Stow, Massachusetts) to develop a reactor to remove PFAS from sewage waste and transform it into a renewable energy source.
• Water Illumination Inc. (Irvine, California) to develop technology using UV light to destroy PFAS in wastewater without producing harmful byproducts.
• Triton Systems Inc. (Chelmsford, Massachusetts) to develop microsensor technology to remotely identify harmful algae blooms and toxins in terrestrial water.
• DiPole Materials (Baltimore, Maryland) to develop affordable, adaptable, and effective biodegradable filters made from nanofibers to clean indoor air during wildfires.
• Metalmark Innovations PBC (Cambridge, Massachusetts) to develop a low-maintenance, low-waste, self-cleaning air purification system to protect against wildfire smoke.
• Holochip Corporation (Torrance, California) to develop a mobile mapping application that does not require access to GPS, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi for users in disaster areas.
• VISIMO LLC (Carnegie, Pennsylvania) to develop an AI-based indoor mapping tool to support first responders and other response personnel in disaster areas.
• GreenLifeTech Corporation (Banner Elk, North Carolina) to develop a system for increasing the shelf-life of produce by recirculating oxygen in refrigerators.
• SafetySpect Inc. (Grand Forks, North Dakota) to develop a handheld device to determine the shelf life of red meat to reduce unnecessary waste.
• ChemFinity Technologies Inc. (Brooklyn, New York) to develop a method to extract and recycle precious metals from solid waste, including from catalytic converters.
• KLAW Industries LLC (Binghamton, New York) to develop an autonomous robotic system for sorting recycling that improves recovery and reduces cost.
• Recirclable LLC (Arlington, Mass.) to develop an innovative approach to increase reuse in restaurant takeout practices and reduce single-use container waste.
• Valis Insights Inc. (Worcester, Massachusetts) to develop an AI-powered software tool to recover valuable materials from metal recycling.
• Acadian Research & Development LLC (Laramie, Wyoming) to develop an environmentally friendly, low-cost method of producing graphene oxide from wood waste to increase concrete strength and reduce the amount of concrete needed for construction projects.
• Lab to Market Fund LLC, DBA Adhesion Technologies (Cambridge, Massachusetts) to develop novel bio-based adhesives for wood products in the construction industry to mitigate carbon dioxide and other emissions.
• Material Reuse LLC (Gainesville, Florida) to develop a time-efficient and robust assessment of existing buildings for salvageable and reusable products and materials prior to demolition.
• The SMART Tire Company Inc. (Akron, Ohio) to develop an innovative and safe process for the reuse and recycling of superelastic shape memory alloys for airless, never-flat tires.
• Molecular Rebar Design LLC (Austin, Texas) to develop carbon nanotubes as an alternative to 6PPD to strengthen tires, preventing microcracks and premature tire failure.
• GreenTechnologies LLC (Jacksonville, Florida) to develop a technology to transform food waste into enhanced efficient fertilizers.