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SBIR Phase II: The Digital Spinneret

Award Information
Agency: National Science Foundation
Branch: N/A
Contract: 1152698
Agency Tracking Number: 1152698
Amount: $500,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: NM
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-03-15
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2014-02-28
Small Business Information
10 Cady Hill Boulevard
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866-0000
United States
DUNS: 780362815
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Joseph Pegna
 (518) 290-6001
 jpegna@fffibers.com
Business Contact
 Joseph Pegna
Phone: (518) 290-6001
Email: jpegna@fffibers.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will build upon recent advances in nanotechnology and laser processing of materials to pursue the large-scale production of stoichiometrically pure silicon carbide (SiC) fibers which are very difficult to obtain by other means. The transition from laboratory scale to industrial production requires a sea change in manufacturing approach. The proposed research will investigate the parameters involved in creating a "Digital Spinneret" (DS), a novel technology platform which enables the production of large qualities of high-quality fibers. The Phase I project demonstrated feasibility of the Digital Spinneret to produce many fibers in parallel; the Phase II research will extend and optimize this manufacturing method. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will be the enabling of scaled production of high-purity ceramic fibers for application in military and aerospace (turbomachinery, rockets, advanced structures), automobile, medical, energy, and other industries that require advanced materials with exceptional strength, stiffness, heat resistance, and/or chemical resistance. These are fast-growing fiber markets with great potential, and with a collective size exceeding $1 billion. The projected energy footprint of this production method is 1/1000th that of competing methods, providing a huge cost advantage.

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

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