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SBIR Phase I: Non-Polluting Method of Weed Control

Award Information
Agency: National Science Foundation
Branch: N/A
Contract: 0945035
Agency Tracking Number: 0945035
Amount: $135,676.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: BC
Solicitation Number: NSF 09-541
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2010
Award Year: 2010
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
Suite 120 4140 Clemmons Road
Clemmons, NC 27012
United States
DUNS: 830530874
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Gina Stewart
 PhD
 (336) 817-2984
 gina@frostkills.com
Business Contact
 Gina Stewart
Title: PhD
Phone: (336) 817-2984
Email: gina@frostkills.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

This SBIR Phase I project will develop a technology to utilize carbon dioxide as an environmentally benign herbicide that selectively acts on common lawn weeds. This product would exploit the differences in temperature sensitivity between weedy plants such as crabgrass and desirable plants such as fescue grass, which is more cold tolerant. The Frostbite technology involves controlled expansion of CO2 to generate controlled amounts of ice frost on target plants. The project research plan involves evaluating the effectiveness of the technology against weedy plants and optimization of the equipment for producing the dry ice spray.
The broader/commercial impact of the proposed project will be that the Frostbite product would provide a safe, alternative lawn weed solution for homeowners, landscapers, vineyard owners, organic farmers, and golf course workers. Adoption of the optimized Frostbite product would have the potential to eliminate concerns about soil and water contamination, cumulative herbicide exposure for workers and the general population, and contamination tracked into homes related to synthetic herbicide use.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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