Award Data

This project will develop a new scientific instrument optimized for the advanced characterization of near-infrared fluorescent nanoparticles that can exist as left- or right-handed structures (enantiomers). Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are the leading current example of such nanomaterials. Applied NanoFluorescence, LLC (ANF) proposes a novel multi-mode chiroptical spectrometer that can ...

A Thermal Distillation Process for Expanding Water ResourcesDr. Andrew Lowenstein AIL Research Principal InvestigatorMost of the world's freshwater usage—as high as 70%—goes to agriculture. Unfortunately inmany of the country's major farming regions secure sources of agriculture water are threatened:freshwater aquifers are being over pumped coastal saltwater intrusion is tainting fre ...

Hatchery production is one of the largest costs and restraints to fin fish aquaculture andspawning aids are ranked as a high priority drug required by the aquaculture industry.Exogenous hormone administration has been developed to induce maturation and obtainfertilized eggs.While the GnRH hormone and slow-release vehicle are not new theircombination into a commercialized product that can work be u ...

The goal of this SBIR Phase I project is to conduct research and prove the feasibility ofmeasuring soil properties using cutting-edge detectors customized optical accessories anddata processing algorithms.Our overall project goal is to bring to market a portable soilsensor which can analyze soil samples in near real-time in Phase II and beyond.Growers rely on soil analysis to help them assess the ...

We have developed a bioinspired nanoparticle technology using the coat protein (CP) assemblies ofTobacco mild green mosaic tobamovirus (TMGMV) to deliver nematicides to roots reduce dosageand improve soil mobility efficacy and safety. The CP's zwitterionic nature allows the loading andrelease of nematicides. The TMGMV-delivered nematicides (TDN) are efficacious againstCaenorhabditis elegans in liq ...

In order to meet growing demands of renewable energy photovoltaic (PV) developments willrequire significant land space for ground-mounted PV systems. This growing demand is creatingcompetition for land resources causing the most challenges for small and mid-size farms. Thischallenge can be reformed into an environmental and financial opportunity for these farms withthe increased research of co-loc ...

There is compelling value to feeding live algae in fish hatcheries as the current survival rate oflarvae fed frozen paste is relatively low resulting in higher costs.However the complexity andcosts of existing photo-bioreactors and the logistical costs of shipping live material over distancesare barriers to the widespread deployment of live algae as feed.Culture BioSystems has successfully grown a ...

OpportunityHerbicides since their advent in the early 1950's have been a tremendous and invaluable tool toproduction agriculture.Since that time the agricultural crop production market has changedconsiderably due to a number of technological innovations including the introduction ofgenetically modified organisms (GMO) crops.Although surrounded by some controversy theability to genetically engineer ...

Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis richteri Solenopsis invicta) are invasive pests which currentlyinfest over 140 million ha in 14 states. Damages related to fire ants have a significant impact onmany economic sectors including agriculture and biodiversity. The estimated annual cost spent onfire ant control is 3 billion dollars. Current chemical insecticides used in fire ant control are notselective c ...

As consumer demand for fresh produce continues to grow so do concerns about foodborneillnesses and disease outbreaks. Postharvest wash is a critical control point in fresh produceprocessing for reducing or eliminating pathogens and other field-acquired contaminants thatcan result in such outbreaks. Current methods of postharvest washing provide less than 100%efficacy in removing pathogens and are ...