Contracts - AWARD SUMMARY
EIKOS INC
Carbon nanotubes are one of the most studied and potentially useful nanoparticle known. However, presently even the purest are only commercially available in mixtures of chiralities and lengths. Even though numerous lab scale methods to separate them have been demonstrated, few offer the potential to be scaled and offered as a product. Eikos has found that, for many applications, nanotube length is a far more critical variable for performance than chirality or electronic type. Under this NIST Phase I SBIR program Eikos seeks to separate single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) by length using rate-based superspeed centrifugation. Eikos is developing a low-cost scalable process by using low g-force, large capacity centrifuge separation and an inexpensive density medium. By choosing the appropriate equipment and materials, Eikos can meet a cost target of $2 per milligram. The project has two main objectives: (1) duplication of the NIST process on a small scale using a dense medium and (2) demonstration of large scale length separation using a large centrifuge rotor. Furthermore, all materials will be fully characterized and samples will be sent to NIST for verification.
Commercialization potential for length separated SWNTs starts with offering a length sorted SWNT Standard Reference Material (SRM) and providing commercial quantities of the SRM to customers. It is anticipated that biological researchers will gravitate towards NIST nanotube SRMs because they are well-characterized for FDA submissions. Based on cursory market-driven needs estimation, we see the predominant near-term market for nanotube SRMs as being in academic research. Furthermore, we anticipate that transparent conductors made form long SWNTs will be significantly more conductive and transparent than those made from unsorted materials. By creating more conductive films, Eikos will open new markets that are currently inaccessible with state-of-the-art coatings, such as LCD and photovoltaic electrodes. These materials will be suited for use in several other electronic applications, including sensors, electromagnetic shielding, anti-static coatings, and printable wires.
| AWARD OVERVIEW |
| Award Number |
SB134109SE0623 |
Funding Agency |
Department of Commerce |
| Total Award Amount |
$89,999 |
Project Location - City |
Franklin |
| Award Date |
06/21/2009 |
Project Location - State |
MA |
| Project Status |
Completed |
Project Location - Zip |
02038-3034
|
| Jobs Reported |
0.14 |
Congressional District |
03 |
| Project Location - Country |
US |
|
|
Recipient Information
(Contracts)
| Recipient Information (Contracts) |
|
Recipient Name
|
EIKOS INC |
| Recipient DUNS Number |
176013605
|
| Recipient Address |
2 MASTER DR |
| Recipient City |
FRANKLIN |
| Recipient State |
Massachusetts |
| Recipient Zip |
02038-3034 |
| Recipient Congressional District |
03 |
| Recipient Country |
USA |
Required to Report Top 5
Highly Compensated Officials |
No |
Projects and Jobs Information
| Projects and Jobs Information |
| Project Title |
Federal Contract |
| Project Status |
Completed |
| Final Project Report Submitted |
Yes |
| Project Activities Description |
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) |
| Quarterly Activities/Project Description |
Recently, NIST has demonstrated that single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) could be length separated using a rate-based centrifugation method. This method clearly demonstrated that long nanotubes travel more rapidly in a medium of different density than short nanotubes, which led to sorting of nanotubes based on length. The resulting material fractions were shown have the same chirality distribution as the starting material, while the length distribution was significantly tightened. The NIST group also showed that SWNTs have both Raman features and absorption features that are length dependent, providing a means of rapid characterization of the length sorted fractions. The goal of the projects is to scale the length separation of carbon nanotubes using methods develop at NIST.
The project has two technological objectives: (1) duplication of the NIST process on a small scale (2) demonstration of large scale length separation using a large centrifuge rotor. Materials separated from this process are expected to be produced consistently, in quantity, and at low-cost. To reach our objectives, during this quarter we:
? Performed multiple scaled-up SWNT centrifugations.
? Verified/Characterized length separated materials using AFM, UV-vis-NIR, LS, and Raman.
? Refined Standard Operating Procedures for centrifugation scale-up based on the lessons learned.
? Identified means for separation cost reduction.
? Summarized our results in a Final Report.
|
| Jobs Created |
0.14 |
| Description of Jobs Created |
Eikos develops unique carbon nanotube formulations used to make conductive coatings. We also develop coating methods that allow the conversion of those formulations into highly differentiated products for the commercial markets and for a wide range of military applications. To reach these goals, our technical teams conduct fundamental research and development in the area of carbon nanotube purification, coatings, and new device structures utilizing these coatings.
The reported ?No of Jobs? Full Time Equivalent (FTE) is a composite of the following retained positions:
Technical Program Manager (4% FTE) - The Technical Program Manager provides program management in the development of nanotube based technologies. These projects involve multidisciplinary development encompassing the integration of electrical, optical, mechanical, and chemical technologies. Focus is placed on providing a deeper understanding of novel areas of potential interest to the organization; environmental and safety compliance; and evaluation and integration of new technologies. This individual also works closely with senior managers and scientists to articulate commercialization paths for ongoing and proposed contract research efforts.
Staff Scientist (72% FTE) - The Staff Scientist will lead projects for the design and development of new products and manufacturing processes involving carbon nanotubes and coating on plastic and glass. This person will ensure that design concepts comply with customers specifications; support acceptance testing, qualification testing, and troubleshooting efforts including ability to calibrate experimental apparatus, data reduction, including statistical analysis; support management and operations personnel with technical guidance; provide detailed written technical reports and verbal presentations to clients; and provide administrative and planning support to engineering management.
Laboratory Technician (24% FTE) - Under general supervision the Laboratory Technician will assist engineering and scientific staff in the processing and characterization of thin film coatings for optical and electrical applications. Coat, inspect and measure thin films, using various metrology tools to determine that equipment and processes are in accordance with company specifications. Perform detailed experiments for engineering and scientific staff. Record test results in logbooks and lab notebooks. Work on assignments and projects that are semi-routine in nature, where a high level of judgment is required. Maintain and organize shared laboratory space.
|
Purchaser Information
(Contracts)
| Purchaser Information |
| Contracting Office ID |
000SB |
| Contracting Office Name |
Not Available |
| Contracting Office Region |
Not Available |
| TAS Major Program |
13-0549 |
| Award Information |
| Award Date |
06/21/2009 |
| Award Number |
SB134109SE0623 |
| Order Number |
|
| Award Type |
Contracts |
| Funding Agency ID |
13 |
| Funding Agency Name |
Department of Commerce |
| Funding Office Name |
Not Available |
| Awarding Agency ID |
13 |
| Awarding Agency Name |
Department of Commerce |
| Amount of Award |
$89,999 |
| Funds Invoiced/Received |
$89,999 |
| Expenditure Amount |
$0 |
| Infrastructure Expenditure Amount |
$0 |
| Infrastructure Purpose and Rationale |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Name |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Email |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Phone |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Address |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact City |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact State |
Not Reported |
| Infrastructure Point of Contact Zip |
Not Reported |
Product or Service Information
(Contracts)
| Product or Service Information |
| Primary Activity Code |
541712 |
| Activity Description |
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) |
| Sub-Awards Information |
| Sub-awards to Organizations |
0 |
| Sub-award Amounts to Organizations |
$0 |
| Sub-Awards to Individuals |
0 |
| Sub-Award Amounts to Individuals |
$0 |
| Number of Sub-awards less than $25,000/award |
4 |
| Amount of Sub-awards less than $25,000/award |
$1,803 |
| Number of payments to vendors greater than $25,000 |
0 |
| Total Amount of payments to vendors greater than $25,000/award |
$0 |
| Number of payments to vendors less than $25,000/award |
0 |
| Total Amount of payments to vendors less than $25,000/award |
$0 |
| Location Information |
| Latitude, Longitude |
42º 5' 2",
-71º 24' 46" |
| Congressional District |
03 |
| Address 1 |
2 Master Drive |
| Address 2 |
Suite 2 |
| City |
Franklin |
| County |
Norfolk |
| State |
MA |
| Zip |
02038-3034 |
|
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