CHAPTER 8.0 Research Topics (used for preparing SBIR/STTR Phase I proposals only)

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(AM) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing
(BT) Biotechnology
(EL) Electronics
(IT) Information-Based Technologies

A fundamental mission of NSF is to promote discoveries and to advance education across the frontiers of knowledge in science and engineering. Consistent with that mission, NSF encourages and supports a wide range of proposals from the research and the education community and also from the private small business sector. These proposals are reviewed under NSF's new merit review criteria, which evaluate both research quality and potential impact on society.

The SBIR/STTR program solicits proposals from the small business sector consistent with NSF's mission. The program is governed by public law P.L.102-564. A main purpose of the legislation is "to stimulate technological innovation and increase private sector commercialization". The NSF SBIR/STTR program is therefore in a unique position to meet both the goals of NSF and the purpose of the SBIR legislation by transforming discovery to the benefit of society and by emphasizing private sector commercialization. To be consistent with this emphasis, NSF has reoriented the solicitation topics for SBIR/STTR along four broad areas of technology, which are more in alignment with the high technology investment sector's interest:

Topic (AM) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

The Small Business Innovation Research Program is interested in supporting new, emerging technologies with direct impact on business, consumers, and society. The National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) will support research in a wide range of multidisciplinary and cross-cutting research and educational activities that provide enabling technologies addressing fundamental phenomena in materials; materials synthesis and processing; materials structure, composition, properties, and performance. Supported activities are also in the processes, machinery, systems of modern manufacturing, and environmental impact with the goal of making the country's manufacturing base more competitive through innovation and responsiveness to National and globally changing needs.

Under the SBIR Program, the National Science Foundation supports experimental and/or theoretical research at small businesses aimed at synthesizing/designing new classes of materials, material systems, and processes which have the potential to develop into commercial products and technologies. Proposals are sought to develop materials with superior properties for potential applications through the understanding and control of chemistry, morphology, microstructure, and processing variables. Proposals are also sought in the approach to create, develop, and expand the scientific and engineering foundations of processing methods for current and future engineering materials and of design and manufacturing methods and systems for making useful products from these materials. The program supports a blend of experimental, analytical, and computational efforts directed toward economically competitive and environmentally compatible technologies.

Included are methodologies for concurrent design of materials, processing, and manufacturing methods for products with engineered microstructures and properties, devices using innovative fabrication and assembly procedures, and systems that integrate various unit processes. Manufacturing machine, sensor, and computer control technologies for manufacturing processes and operations are of interest, as are operations research and production systems methodologies that underlie the full range of engineering systems. Integration engineering addresses a complete manufacturing enterprise and its infrastructural components.

1. Advanced Materials
   1. Materials for Next Generation Vehicles (NGV)

      Technology that will reduce the cost of manufacturing and enable the large volume production of critical NGV components such as membranes, fuel cell membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs), fuel cell stacks, energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, flywheels and ultracapacitors), fuel processors and gaseous fuel storage systems. Issues ranging from manufacturing process control to alternative materials are of potential interest if the issue of manufacturing cost is credibly addressed. Strictly as an example, the characterization of conductive polymers suitable for use as an alternative to bulky and heavy graphite bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks would be of interest.

      1. Membrane Research

         Improvement and analysis of membranes used in fuel cells with particular emphasis on PEM membranes. The objective is to develop new membranes capable of being used in very compact fuel cells. The ultimate goal is to develop low-cost, easy-to-manufacture membranes that demonstrate improved performance, lifetime, power density and/or tolerance of a broad range of operating conditions. Fundamental research, which leads to a better understanding of these characteristics, can also be supported.

      2. Catalysis

         Improved catalysts and processing/manufacturing technologies for incorporating catalysts in fuel cells or fuel reformers. Proposals developing improved techniques for integrating catalysts into fuel cell MEAs in a mass production environment will be given priority consideration. Specifically, lower-cost alternatives to platinum such as macrocyclic catalysts and methods to reduce catalyst loading and increase power density in PEM fuel cells will be given due consideration.

         Catalysts for the environmentally benign direct oxidation of methanol are of interest. NSF would support theoretical work related to this topic, such as the development of molecular modeling and analysis tools, focused on the issue of improved capabilities to design such new catalysts or structures at minimum cost, for use by the general research community. There would be special interest in novel algorithms embodying the quantum mechanical calculations relevant to predicting the electrochemical properties of alternative molecules.

         Generation of new catalysts or catalytic systems, or new uses for known catalysts, with applications in consumer products, environmental control, and chemicals production. [Note: Proposals relating to fuels production or utilization should be submitted to the Department of Energy rather than to NSF.] Of particular interest are systems with promise of reducing the release of acid rain precursors and/or greenhouse gases or systems for the production of high-value-added products. This does not include pharmaceuticals (Reference: Biotechnology Topic).

   2. Structural Materials
      1. Novel metal-alloy, ceramic, and polymeric materials (including advanced composites) with controlled microstructures from the atomic to the macroscopic level for innovative structural applications.

      2. Geosynthetics and other new geo-materials in applications such as new construction and structural repair, retrofit and rehabilitation.

   3. Materials Modeling

      Computational approaches to understanding and controlling the interrelationships among materials properties, processing and performance, emphasizing the scales from the atomic through the macroscopic.

   4. New and Innovative Materials for Construction
      • Fiber reinforced polymers and polymeric composites
      • High performance steel and concrete
      • Composite-reinforced wood laminates

   5. Harsh Environment Performance

      Materials designed specifically to perform in the extreme conditions posed by environments such as Polar Regions.

2. Materials Applications
   1. Surface Engineering

      Innovations are solicited in coatings, spraying, and non-traditional treatments, such as ultrasonic, laser, plasma, electron-beam and ion-implantation methods, and in the use of surface, near-surface and interface material to improve and predict the performance of structures and components subject to mechanical and thermal stresses and environmental degradation, wear, corrosion, and oxidation. New processes that modify surfaces to obtain specific properties are also of interest.

   2. Applications of Advances in Mechanical Behavior of Materials

      Basic material behavior at the intersection of solid mechanics and microstructure of material; mechanistic and phenomenological constitutive relations; modeling of property-microstructure-processing-composition relationships; nano-mechanics; computational approaches to materials simulations.

   3. Materials with Designed Properties

      Innovative research on materials-related technologies which can take into account underlying microstructural states, origin, transformation and evolution to address problems of deformation, fatigue, fracture and corrosion of all classes of materials, including composites, is of interest. Techniques to apply knowledge about critical meso- and micro-structural features, to enhance macro-mechanical properties, of engineering materials and smart materials is desired.

   4. Technologies that Address Materials Failure and Degradation Problems

      Deformation, instability, defects, failure of materials and material systems.

3. Electronic Applications of Materials
   1. Chemicals and Materials in Mainstream Integrated Circuit Fabrication

      Chemicals and materials of interest in mainstream integrated circuit fabrication include high and low K dielectrics, silicon-on-insulator technologies, resists, and interconnected metals among others. Other chemicals and materials include those relevant flat panel display applications, and in mass storage, compound semiconductors for microwave and radio frequency applications, and materials for optoelectronics applications including communications and mass storage. This subtopic also includes tools and processes used to fabricate devices, circuits and systems in all of the applications discussed above, including rapid thermal processing, dry etch processing, and materials synthesis. (Reference: Electronics Topic)

   2. Electronic and Photonic Materials

      Semiconductors, ferroelectrics, glasses, organics; synthesis, processing, characterization are of interest.

   3. Magnetic and Superconducting Materials

      Proposals on innovative superconducting and giant magnetoresistance materials, nanoparticles and clusters for potential use in recording media and magnetic superlattices, materials for sensors and switches are solicited.

4. Process Design and Control
   1. New Design Strategies for Complex Integrated Chemical Processes

      Research on the control of chemical plants and studies of new design strategies for complex integrated chemical processes as well as for system optimization.

   2. Photochemical and Electrochemical Processes

      Examination of processes using radiation or electric current to effect chemical reaction, including principles for design of industrial-scale reactors for such processes. Included in the scope are photocatalytic and electrocatalytic systems. Prime interest is in processes suitable for commercial chemical production or for environmental control.

   3. Unit Manufacturing Processes

      Innovations and improvements in the processing of materials result from advances in the fundamental understanding of the relationships between the process, the material, and the resulting product. Novel processing methodologies or the processing of new materials are sought for new product development, for research leading to next-generation machines and/or improvements in product performance and cost.

      Research in the fundamental issues necessary to further the knowledge of materials processing are suggested in the areas and issues as follows:

      • Netshape processing of metals, ceramics and metal or ceramic-matrix composites - Net shape processing optimization and innovative process modification

      • Polymer and polymer-matrix composite processing

      • Novel manufacturing processes - Microfabrication of functional materials

      • Electronic materials, semiconductor materials, and superconductive materials processing

      • Joining and Assembly - Research is sought on technologies and processes to engineer surfaces for optimal topography and microstructure that can lead to improved materials, lubricants and coating materials for operation under severe conditions. Innovations in all welding, riveting, adhesive, and other joining processes are solicited.

   4. Environmentally Conscious Processes
      1. Benign Processing

         This is a relatively new area in which proposals are also being sought. These proposals need to address pollution prevention or reduction, not waste treatment. Projects should focus on unit manufacturing and chemical and synthetic processes and should be design-oriented as opposed to analytical and computer-oriented. Typical ideas might include the following: alternative processes that bypass toxic feedstocks and solvents, recycling foaming agents in polymer foam production, developing nonfiberglass in-wall insulation, and new chemistries for on-demand, on-site production and consumption of toxic intermediates in manufacturing. Proposals that address processes to remove pollutants from waste streams or that address conventional end-of-pipe environmental engineering are not responsive to this interest.

         • In-factory recycling

         • Improved techniques are invited for recycling and for the processing of recycled materials within the factory.

         • Life-cycle environmental assessment

         • New techniques and systems are invited for estimating the environmental costs associated with each stage of the product life cycle, including metrics for enterprise-wide integration of product/process/waste management.

         • Resource utilization

         • New processes and methods are invited to promote improved material and water resource utilization and energy efficiency in manufacturing.

         • Substitution strategies

         • Innovative systems are desired to facilitate the selection and/or substitution of low environmental impact materials and/or low impact processing in product design.

      2. Combustion and Plasma Systems

         Uses of combustion or plasma technology for environmental, energy, transportation, or manufacturing applications are of interest. Also included are approaches to safety issues associated with these applications including fire control in natural or anthropomorphic environments. Combustion may be in burners, boilers, engines, or "open" situations. Plasmas may be high-pressure or low-pressure, thermal or nonequilibrium. More specifically:

         • Innovative concepts for clean and efficient combustion of gaseous, liquid, or solid fuels.

         • Burning of low-grade fuels in combustors.

         • Incineration of wastes containing toxic or hazardous materials.

         • Use of plasmas or combustion to synthesize a specific product of economic value.

         • Plasma modification of surfaces or morphology.

         • Plasma-based destruction, conversion, or control of effluents, emissions, toxic or hazardous materials, or pathogens.

         • Diagnostic techniques that can function in a high-temperature or high-field environment.

   5. Separation and Purification

      Since separation is often a major cost of chemical processing, improved and new separation processes are increasingly important. Emerging technologies such as bioengineering and electronic materials processing are primary examples of application areas where cost-effective separations are critical. Research of interest encompasses highly selective, energy-efficient, and economic processes and mass separating agents for the separation and purification of all types of substances. Example areas of support include supercritical extraction, membrane processes, desalination, filtration, adsorption and chromatography, absorption, ion exchange, fractionation, and crystallization. Research in novel separation processes and those based on a combination of various techniques is encouraged. Specific areas of ongoing emphasis include the following:

      • Energy-efficient separation and purification of organics (e.g., olefins);

      • Environmentally benign separation processes;

      • Recovery of critical and strategic metals; and

      • Research on fuel cell membranes is not appropriate for this subtopic area.

   6. Thermal Transport and Thermal Processing

      Innovative concepts and novel devices which relate to the use and transport of thermal energy, and to the manipulation of thermal history and thermal gradients to accomplish engineering and manufacturing goals. Examples include:

      • Novel techniques or devices to achieve ultra-high heat fluxes;

      • New concepts for insulation;

      • New thermal processes with advantages in cost, reduced emissions, quality, etc. over existing processes;

      • New thermal processes for producing materials with unique properties or structures; and

      • Microscale and nanoscale thermal transport.

5. Chemical Transport Systems
   1. Fluid, Particulate, and Hydraulic Systems

      Supports research on mechanisms and phenomena governing single and multiphase fluid flow, particle formation and transport, and fluid-particle system characterization. No bias exists with respect to methods, whether analytical, numerical, experimental, or a combination of these. Research is sought that aims at markedly improving our understanding of important fluid engineering processes or phenomena, and/or that creates advances with high potential for significant industrial and environmental impacts. Since fluid and particulate behavior control many processing and manufacturing technologies, the desired impact is improvement in the predictability, precision, and control of existing systems, as well as in the suggestion of entirely new ones. Research support areas under this program include the following:

      • High Reynolds number flow;

      • Flow control;

      • Density stratified flows;

      • Flow of complex fluids;

      • Deliberate production and/or modification of small particles with controlled properties, via colloids, aerosols, or crystallization;

      • Particle attachment to or removal from surfaces;

      • Efficient removal of particles from processing streams or plant effluents; efficient separation of particles based on size, bulk composition, or surface composition; and

      • Multiphase processes.

   2. Interfacial, Transport, and Thermodynamic Phenomena

      Recent needs and developments in information storage have led to an examination of small aggregates of molecules that exhibit unusual interfacial and transport properties. Small businesses can play a major role in applying this scientific concept to the design of artificial layers and structures at the molecular level; in the design of chemical processes for new organic and inorganic chemicals and materials; and in making phase equilibria and transport predictions for environmentally hazardous chemicals. Examples of relevant research are the following:

      • Preparation and thermodynamic characteristics of micellar, self assembly molecular structures, and microemulsion fluid systems as templates for solid electronic or separation microstructures;

      • Transport characteristics, processing, and fabrication of vesicular and liposomal clusters for patterned deposition for fluid systems;

      • Near critical and Supercritical Phase Behavior and Environmentally benign physical processing;

      • Langmuir-Blodgett film, self assembly, or other interfacial processing related to interfacially dominated applications, such as printing lithography, coatings, printing, and/or sensors; and

      • Interfacial diffusion processes between thin films, two layers, and experimental analysis and modeling of the process.

6. Chemistry and Chemical Technology

   The unique interdisciplinary capabilities of small business to promote new developments in this area are sought. The general categories in chemical investigations are not exclusive of any other research having the potential to advance the understanding and utility of the chemistry being proposed by the small business.

   1. Design and synthesis of new organic and inorganic substances that possess unusual properties giving rise to new and improved materials or that enable the testing of theoretical, mechanistic, or structural hypotheses. Examples include but are not restricted to:
      • Molecular-level approaches to the synthesis of organic, inorganic, and organometallic molecules that are useful materials or materials precursors

      • Isolation and characterization of natural products that have well-defined commercial potential

      • Design and synthesis of molecular arrays of importance to molecular recognition, catalysis, separation science, and other interfacial and biomimetic processes

      • Development of environmentally benign synthetic routes for the production commercially important chemical products

      • Combinatorial approaches to the discovery of new materials, catalysts, or molecular structures with commercial potential

      • Electrosynthesis of value-added products offering advantages in materials cost, energy utilization, and reduced environmental impact

   2. Characterization

      Physiochemical studies leading to the development of a marketable product or procedure for the improved characterization of chemical systems. Such products and procedures often utilize new technologies and may demonstrate new concepts for chemical instrumentation (Reference: Electronics Topic)

      • New approaches for the characterization of surfaces and interfaces

      • Design of new species specific chemical sensors

   3. Computational Innovations in the Chemical Sciences
      • New or improved algorithms for chemical computation.

      • Development of graphical user interfaces for computational chemistry software.

      • Porting and development of new algorithms for chemical computation on emerging parallel architecture computing platforms.

      • Development of improved force field parameterizations for molecular simulations.

7. Nanotechnology: Functional Nanostructures

   "Functional nanostructure" are structures that have at least one characteristic dimension in the range from molecular to 100 nm; they are conceived and constructed for a function (device, structural application, or effect) that develops in that scale. Nanotechnology arises from the exploitation of physical, chemical and biological properties of systems that are intermediate in size between isolated atoms/molecules and bulk materials, where phenomena length scales are comparable to the size of the nanostructure. The discovery of novel phenomena at the 'nano' scale and new experimental and theoretical tools, developed in the last few years for investigating these structures, provide fresh opportunities for commercial technology in nanoparticles, nanostructured materials, and nanodevices.

   • Synthesis - Proposals are solicited in synthesis and fabrication, and processing of nanostructures (1-100 nm), such as clusters, particles, tubes, layers, self-assembled systems, having tailored properties to be used for building up functional nanostructures. Approaches may include gas-, liquid-, solid-, and vacuum-based processes, size-reduction, and techniques to produce nanosystems at high rates.

   • Assembling and Processing of Nanostructured Materials - Proposals are solicited in processing and conversion of molecules and nano-precursors into functional nanostructures, nanostructured materials, nanocomponents, and nanodevices, including sensors. (Reference: Electronics Topic) This might involve sintering, sputtering, various forms of epitaxy, and chemically assisted assembling techniques. Examples include an optical waveguide, a multifunctional nanolayer, a nanostructured catalyst, and a nanofilter or a chemical sensor deposited by using sol-gel or chemical vapor deposition methods.

8. Advanced Manufacturing/Systems
   1. Design and Integration Engineering

      Design and integration engineering involve the use of information in decision-making processes that determine the specification of products and their realization via manufacture. Global competition and advancing technology demand excellence in decision making throughout design and manufacture. To meet this need, rigorous theories of decision making and decision analysis from fields such as economics, operations research and game theory can be exploited. Good decision making also demands the creation of alternatives, both for product design and for manufacture. This activity supports research leading to the development and implementation of software tools for improved engineering design and integration engineering. Specific areas include the following:

      1. Decision theory and Applications

         Applications of decision theory and decision analysis to engineering design and integration engineering. Of particular concern are tools for design and integration decision making under risk and uncertainty, and especially tools that include decision making over the entire product life cycle.

      2. Evaluation of System Performance and Risk

         Software tools for the rapid and easy evaluation of system performance as a function of design and manufacture, including the treatment of uncertainty in all areas of design and integration and the quantification of risk, both monetary and non-monetary. This includes the analysis of system reliability, tolerancing, manufacturability, disposability, liability, etc. as a function of design and integration decisions.

      3. Explication of Design and Integration Alternatives

         Software tools for the rapid generation of design and integration alternatives, including advanced CAD and CAM software, and tools to enable the reuse of previous designs, such as CAD libraries with search capability. This includes also tools for tolerancing and explication of manufacturing alternatives.

      4. Manufacturing Enterprise Design and Optimization

         Software to support the integration of product lines and product families, supply chain management, concepts of agility and decision making across the enterprise. This includes also tools for management of collaborative design and integration engineering and the management of engineering teams.

   2. Manufacturing Processes

      Generic research toward advanced processing technologies and new processes for difficult-to-manufacture materials. The goal is to reduce costs and improve productivity, quality, performance, and reliability of manufactured products. The scope includes processing bulk materials into engineering materials (primary processing) and processing engineering materials into discrete parts (secondary processing). Increasing productivity means reducing the lead time between design and manufacture (leading to simultaneous engineering), raising production rates, reducing costs, and improving product quality and reliability while meeting product safety requirements both during manufacture and in service.

      • Low cost manufacturing processes for such difficult-to-process materials as composites, ceramics, polymers, sprayed materials, and superalloys;

      • Nontraditional manufacturing processes (including hybrids) for surface treatments in coatings and spraying, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), electrical discharge machining (EDM), electrochemical machining (ECM), electrochemical grinding (ECG), ultrasonic, microwave, laser, plasma, electron-beam, ion-implantation, and abrasive jet machining;

      • Ultra precision machining; Near-net shape forming; and

      • New advanced cutting tools and die materials.

   3. Machines and Equipment

      Research on integratable, intelligent equipment and machines that support automation systems and manufacturing processes. Specific areas include the following:

      • Intelligent man-machine interfaces that enhance the effectiveness of manufacturing people who are involved with vast information flows. Expert systems to support interactive decision making for future flexible manufacturing systems;

      • Machines and equipment for individual unit processes, including research on novel machines and equipment to extend the range of applicability of existing designs as innovative improvements are made in materials and unit processes;

      • Advanced machine tools, including research leading to new and improved machine tools to produce parts of greater accuracy and higher productivity, especially for materials that are difficult to machine. Advanced, light-weight, and rigid machine components and structures from epoxy composites, ceramics, and other materials;

      • New design methodologies and strategies for untended manufacturing, automation systems, and for the integration of machine elements and subsystems in a fully automated environment;

      • Sensors, including fusion of sensor data from similar and dissimilar sensors, high-speed data acquisition from multiple sensors, and neural net concepts for on-line monitoring of machine operations (Reference: Electronics Topic);

      • Controllers and advanced control techniques applied to advanced manufacturing machines and equipment to enable their rapid and robust response to changing environments; and

      • Innovative machine design and development for manufacture, inspection, measurement, assembly, and packaging of microparts and microsystems.

   4. Rapid Prototyping

      The ability to prototype a design rapidly reduces the lead-time to bring a new product to market. One means of reducing the time to design a product may be through the use of virtual product prototyping in software, using novel information technologies. To the extent possible, all phases of the product life cycle should be considered simultaneously. Examples include the following: the synthesis of shape and geometry from engineering analysis, the association of manufacturing processes with product features, the transformation from design geometry to manufacturing procedures, and novel methods for the physical realization of electronic models.

   5. Operations Research

      Improved understanding and modeling of production systems will ultimately lead to better system design and operation and, consequently, to higher system performance. Research leading to the development of improved analytical and computational techniques for modeling, analysis, design, optimization, and operation of natural and man-made systems is supported. Research areas supported by the program range from new mathematical techniques to application-oriented algorithmic procedures. The areas of interest focus on large-scale integrated problems with a variety of tightly and loosely interconnected components that generally involve people, information, machines, and controls. Examples of specific areas of interest include basic research in optimization, scheduling, routing, location, simulation, queuing theory, statistics, and stochastic processes.

   6. Advanced Manufacturing Systems

      NSF is interested in operational issues such as cost and performance analysis, inventory management, production planning and control, scheduling, reliability, quality, facilities design, material handling, logistics, distribution and man-machine integration within the production environment. While the main focus of the program is on manufacturing systems, research with application to the full range of production systems including communication, transportation, and distribution systems is also sought. Also of interest are advanced or innovative systems for production planning, scheduling, materials management, and distribution.

   7. Enterprise Modeling and Simulation

      Research to support the development of improved enterprise modeling and simulation capabilities for improved decision making based on alternative scenarios. Research areas include the following: formalized representations of process knowledge, enterprise models that incorporate new knowledge, applications of artificial intelligence for flexible decision-making modules, agent-based simulation modeling tools, the optimization and integration of mixed models, models of organizational structures and cross-organizational behavior, and models of complex or nonlinear systems and processes. Models and simulations should include descriptions of the interactions between people and between people and machines.

Topic (BT) Biotechnology

Rapidly advancing frontiers in the biosciences are strongly stimulating the creation and growth of small businesses that are based on biotechnology. It is the goal of these small businesses to connect bioscience discoveries to society through the commercialization of new products, devices, processes, or services.

As a consequence of their rapid growth, these small businesses are creating new jobs for scientists, engineers, and others. Similarly, in the context of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), facilitating the connection of discoveries to society and job creation are goals of NSF. Moreover, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) committees have suggested numerous SBIR strategic focus areas that fall within biotechnology. Congruent with these NSF, NSTC, and GPRA frameworks, and aligned with the objectives of the overall Federal SBIR program, the NSF SBIR biotechnology program area solicits proposals targeted toward the generation of innovative new products, devices, processes, or services in the subtopics of:

1. Genomics

   New capabilities enabling the rapid and massive sequencing of entire genomes of organisms from microbes to humans are transforming biological research. Exciting opportunities for commercialization activity have been created, with more yet to be proposed.

2. Proteomics

   The full complement of proteins expressed by complete genomes is now susceptible to analysis, prediction, and modification of structure, function, and interactions, again giving rise to new commercial opportunities.

3. Bioinformatics

   Computer-power is required to harness the vast and expanding datasets that are being explosively generated through genomics and proteomics, creating bioinformatics business opportunities.

4. Biochips

   "Biochips" are biologically based microarray and microfluidic devices used for analysis and synthesis. How can they be made at lower cost? How can their applications be expanded?

5. Combinatorial Biotechnology

   Proposals are welcomed on potential commercial applications of "combinatorial biosynthesis," "combinatorial biocatalysis," and biologically oriented combinatorial chemistry.

6. Computational Biotechnology

   Research with commercial objectives on the development and implementation of algorithms and software for: the characterization of the relationship of DNA and protein sequence to biological function, design of small molecules with biological activity, analysis of complex dynamic biological systems, multi-scale ecological modeling.

7. Environmental Biotechnology, including Bioremediation

   Application of the power of biology to improve and protect the environment.

8. Ecological Engineering

   Research with commercialization potential on the design and management of ecosystems based on ecological principles and incorporating the self-organizing capacity of natural systems. Specific areas include: ecosystem rehabilitation, habitat construction or enhancement, and flood prevention or mitigation.

9. Agricultural and Food Biotechnology

   Application of biotechnology to crops and food products and processes. Includes food safety and biological control of pests.

10. Marine Biotechnology and Aquaculture

    Use of biotechnology to enhance the search for valuable products from the sea and/or to improve their production.

11. Industrial Bioproducts

    Includes industrial enzymes and biopolymers, neutraceuticals, bioreagents, etc.

12. Biosensors

    Development of innovative biosensors for commercial applications.

13. Bioprocessing and Bioconversion

    Includes bioreactors, bioseparations and purification, etc., as well as biotechnology for a sustainable environment. In particular, biomining and bioleaching alternatives to smelting are included in this subtopic.

14. Biomedical Engineering, including New Devices or Systems to Aid Persons with Disabilities

    Supports bioengineering research with commercial objectives that have the potential to contribute to improved health care and the reduction of health care costs. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, means to improve deriving information from cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems; extraction of useful information from complex biomedical signals, new approaches to the design of structures and materials for eventual medical use; and new methods of controlling living systems. Also included are means for the characterization, restoration, and/or substitution of normal functions in humans.

15. Tissue Engineering

    Development of polymer/cell structures and systems for biomedical applications.

16. Metabolic Engineering

    Targeted and purposeful alteration of metabolic pathways found in organisms to enable or improve production of useful products.

17. Biomaterials

    New materials for bioengineering applications.

18. Pharmaceutical Drug Delivery

    Development of systems, devices, or materials to enable or improve pharmaceutical dose applications and/or regimens.

19. Biomolecular Nanotechnology

    Fabrication at the nano-scale involving biomolecules and/or biosystems for potential commercial applications.

20. New Emerging Developments in Biotechnology

    These are the creative new biotechnology subtopics yet to be identified.

    Projects involving testing of pharmaceuticals in human clinical trials or animal models are not eligible for support. However, research with diagnosis or treatment-related goals, that applies engineering principles to problems in biology and medicine while advancing engineering knowledge, is eligible for support, as long as the focus is on practical applications with potential for eventual commercialization. Bioengineering research to aid persons with disabilities is also eligible.

    Innovative SBIR biotechnology proposals that cut across technical disciplines are eagerly sought. For example, in the area of environmental biotechnology, a bioremediation proposal might well involve genetic engineering in microorganisms (with proposal review expertise at NSF residing in the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences), environmental microbiology (Division of Environmental Biology), bioreactor design (Division of Bioengineering and Environmental Systems), pollutant transport in porous, adsorptive, and aqueous media (Division of Chemical and Transport Systems), and, for soil bioremediation, soil and fracture mechanics (Division of Civil and Mechanical Systems). Such interdisciplinary proposals will be reviewed by a crosscutting grouping of experts. In particular, it is most likely that a number of new SBIR biotechnology proposals will be related directly to existing NSF interdisciplinary initiatives such as "Life and Earth's Environment (LEE)," including crosscutting programs such as "Life in Extreme Environments (LExEn)." Illustrative projects include work on industrial enzymes derived from genes originally resident in organisms inhabiting extreme environments.

Topic: (EL) Electronics

Technological progress in the 20^th century has been dominated by the influence of electrical, electronic and photonic systems which have leveraged human capacities and revoluntioned mankind's existence. This major area supports research in electrical and communications essential for innovation and advances in these systems. These are the fundamental technologies that support and enable telecommunications, computational capabilities, detection and sensing systems, measurement and control, for example.

Electronics, Photonics and DeviceTechnologies

[Note: Proposals that are for information-based technologies such as software are not appropriate for submission under Topic EL, but should be submitted under Topic IT.]

The following are the major application thrusts of the Electronics topic in the 1999 SBIR Solicitation:

DETECTORS, SENSORS, INSTRUMENTS AND SYSTEMS

These thrusts request proposals for next-generation or significantly improved detector, sensor, instrument and/ systems capabilities.

Successful proposers will conduct R&D on projects that: 1) result in near-term application of a product, process or device concept; or, 2) greatly enhance the ability of scientists and engineers to conduct fundamental or applied research in a laboratory, field or research facility. Features expected in detectors, sensors, instruments and systems resulting from these thrusts include but are not limited to: new, special purpose or step advances in performance capabilities; improved efficiency; increased damage resistance; stability in environments of extreme temperature or pressure; ability to operate at higher energy or greater spatial resolution capability; significantly improved control of frequency or power; or the ability to characterize surfaces and interfaces of real-world samples in nanoscale.

High-risk projects with high potential commercial payback are encouraged. Research tools developed under this thrust area that also meet significant commercial market needs will be given special consideration. The development of devices that combine several useful functions is strongly encouraged.

1. Physical Property Measurement

   New devices are necessary for surface measurement in many applications as well as innovative precision temperature and other variable control instruments. Improved instruments are needed for in situ measurement of precipitation, cloud characteristics, air motion, water vapor and atmospheric electricity as well as the solar terrestrial environment. The capability to do isotopic and microstructural analysis of rocks and minerals. Measurements of ground displacements or accelerations due to earthquakes and/or man-made sources.

2. Chemical Characterization

   Focus areas include measuring instruments and quality control instruments as well as precision industrial flow measuring devices and controls for liquids and gases. Specific examples of devices and techniques being sought might include:

   • Chemical sensors for petroleum exploration

   • Chemical analysis of rocks and minerals

   • Marketable processes or procedures for improved characterization of chemical systems

   • Strategies and devices for characterization of real-world samples in the nanoscale region and beyond

   • New approaches for the characterization of surfaces and interfaces

   • Comprehensive approaches for obtaining the maximum information from chemical data.

   • Techniques are for quantitative determination of trace species in the ambient atmosphere.

3. Remote Sampling and Measurement

   Integrated and discrete measurement and reporting systems for unattended deployment on buoys and/or moorings that provide high frequency, real-time chemical, biological and physical data are needed. Underwater sampling techniques for physical and chemical parameters are also being sought under this thrust. Remote sensing using acoustic, optical and electromagnetic techniques in the polar, atmospheric and ocean environments is also needed. Systems for rapid and wide-scale measurements using satellite, airborne or other remote techniques are also possibilities under this thrust. Reliable systems for data collection that have a reduced requirement for on-site people are needed for the harsh polar environment.

4. Astronomical Detection Arrays

   Research is needed on ways to decrease the cost of high-performance, solid-state detector arrays such as charge coupled devices. The development of systems that apply recent concepts such as adaptive optics, interferometry and artificial guide stars to compensate for atmospheric and instrumental blurring in astronomical systems is needed.

5. Chemical Process Control

   Research on the control of chemical plants and studies of new design strategies for complex integrated chemical processes as well as system optimization is needed. Included in this area are innovative new approaches to problems such as temperature and pressure control techniques. Software development is an appropriate area for research under this thrust.

6. Intelligent Control Systems

   Advanced control systems and programmable devices are needed for power plants. Research is needed on solutions to control problems and on intelligent control systems and designs. This thrust also seeks the development of power semiconductors, programmable logic controllers and industrial control systems computers using analog, digital and microprocessor technology software. Small power systems for autonomous-remote scientific data acquisition systems are also being sought. Systems to coordinate building heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and lighting as well as techniques for determination and control of air quality and pollutants in building environments. Advanced technologies for disaster mitigation (earthquake, wind, etc.) such as on-line control systems that can reduce the impact of natural and technological hazards on structures, lifelines, foundations and the natural environment.

7. Diagnostic Systems

   There is a need to design, develop and produce innovative systems for testing, data acquisition and characterization in the industrial and laboratory environments. These systems include but are not limited to: dial and digital indicators, micrometers, comparators and pressure gages; test and process control devices including magnetic analyzers; and inspection equipment. This thrust also includes the prototyping of smart structures and smart devices and elements, advanced sensors and actuators, and wireless data transmission and signal processing techniques for use in condition monitoring, diagnosis and dynamic response control of detectors and instruments.

8. Power Management

   This thrust focuses on energy management devices, systems and integrators. Included are devices such as advances in dynamometers and throttle control systems for engines and the powertrain industry; electromechanical switches and electronic speed controllers.

9. Closed-loop Control

   The competitive requirements of advanced electronic devices require the use of real-time sensors and closed-loop control systems to eliminate the problem of defective products or unnecessary production. Such advanced control methods will greatly reduce set-up times and improve the reliability of processes and equipment. The development of thermal sensors and actuators for chemical and gas process control.

10. Non-destructive Testing

    This thrust seeks innovative means for non-contact or non-invasive temperature, pressure, relative humidity, moisture, oxygen and gas measurement and monitoring. Sophisticated flaw detectors and thickness gages are also being sought under this thrust.

11. Multi-media Systems

    This thrust seeks the development of intelligent instrumentation and control systems.

12. Signal Processing Systems

    Antenna array processing with application to wireless communications systems, especially cellular telephony, Personal Communications Systems (PCS), and wireless local area networks. Signal compression for reduced data rate with applications to wireless communications systems. Scalable, progressive, multiresolution approaches in signal decomposition, compression, and other signal processing techniques to support content analysis; data quality validation.

13. Satellite Enhancement

    Protocol development to improve TCP/IP throughput via geosynchronous communications satellites. Use of low earth orbit (LEO) store/forward satellite technology for telecommand/control and data. Retrieval from remote science data acquisition platforms (ocean, terrestrial, and balloon-borne systems.)

14. Input/Output Systems

    Concepts that incorporate new input/output (I/O) or mass storage devices into a computing system are supported. High-performance I/O systems allow increasingly widespread computers to sense and affect daily activities. The technical approaches in this area should integrate advances in interface hardware and software with the engineering of new I/O devices such as smart CMOS sensors to apply computer systems to new real-world tasks.

Topic (IT) Information-Based Technologies

Recent achievements in computing, in mathematics, educational and social, behavioral and economic theories, and in the engineering of smart devices and materials, and in new communications capabilities are truly revolutionary. Enabled by such advances, applications of information technologies are virtually transforming the world in which we live. The descriptor, information-based technologies, is used to signify the broad scope of this topic. It includes not only computation and information sciences, but also other associated fields: mathematics, social, behavioral, decision and economic sciences, technology management and education. New advances in all these fields portend even more significant positive changes in the way we will learn and create and live and work in the future. Technologies that have important commercial potential for the development, management, use and analysis of myriad forms of information are significant and exciting areas for applied research.

This SBIR topic focuses upon the development of commercial systems and technologies, that will build upon the fruits of rapidly emerging technology in this broad array of areas. Such systems can enable astonishing developments in science, engineering, education, production, medicine and business. This is especially so for small businesses because opportunities in this area do not usually require major corporate infrastructures to succeed. In fact, opportunities in this area are often most readily captured by small organizations. This topic will support research that can lead to the development of commercial products and services which will improve our ability to achieve the benefits of advances in knowledge associated with fields identified above. The scope of the topic includes the creation and/or integration of devices, models, algorithms, sensors, software and associated environments, and other information capabilities such as integration of sensing systems. Successful projects will focus upon concepts that will ultimately result in the commercially viable employment of information resources in service to society.

Some of the areas where new information-based products, technologies and services can offer rich opportunities for small high-technology firms include the following:

• New methods to foster increased levels of interaction among people, organizations and communities, regardless of language and culture;

• Techniques to improve communication, decision-making and the transfer of new knowledge, including Technological innovations, throughout organizations and society in general;

• Products to increase personal, professional, industrial and commercial productivity;

• Improved mathematical and analytical tools;

• Advanced intelligent devices that can enable more efficient, safer and more satisfying products and services to improve quality of life in both work and home environments and to augment human capabilities;

• Technologies to enable affordable universal access and effective uses of comprehensive information resources by all individuals and groups, including the disabled and the socially or economically disadvantaged; and

• Enhancements in education at all levels through the development of richer and more effective educational innovations.

1. Social, Behavioral and Economic Science Applications

2. Educational Applications

3. Mathematical, Computer and Computational Applications

4. Information Systems Applications