N8 Medical, Inc. wins Grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

InteliSpark client, N8 Medical Inc. has been awarded a grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for their Phase I SBIR project “a 3D printed resorbable antimicrobial envelope to prevent infection of implanted cardiac devices”. With this award, N8 Medical will be focusing on using 3D printing to fabricate a biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL)-based antimicrobial envelope to be fitted outside of cardiac rhythm devices, and ultimately prevent infections after surgical implantation.

Surgery to deliver cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications such as infection. Untreated device-related infection has been seen to cause mortality rates as high as 66%. There is currently only one antibiotic-impregnated mesh that has been FDA-approved for placement in surgical incisions to reduce infections associated with the implantation of CIEDs. Yet, studies have shown that staphylococci bacteria, which are commonly found in VIED infections, has built resistance to the combination antibiotics used in the mesh.  Also, the antibacterials can promote the growth of fungi, which is a source of rare but highly fatal CIED infections. The bulky implantable mesh envelopes that are currently used increase the surgical pocket size, which not only restricts a patient from physical activities, it also increases the chance of infection. Moreover, the mesh contributes to space constraints of the surgical pocket, which reduces the size of CEIDs that can be emplaced; even though the majority of patients would prefer larger devices that last longer.

N8 Medical has seen a need to address this issue, in efforts of increasing the length of time between device retrievals and reimplantations, improving the allover quality of life for patients, while directly decreasing the risk of infections associated with surgery. To do so, they plan to use 3D printing to develop a biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL)-based antimicrobial envelop for the outside of cardiac rhythm devices after surgical implantation. Their idea is that a slow degradation (hydrolysis) of the PCL envelope will gradually release a novel antimicrobial compound (CSA-131, a ceragenin) for antimicrobial and anti-fungal activity. N8 Medical’s device will be the first of its kind in preventing fungal colonization of cardiac devices, while still providing superior and longer lasting inhibition of bacterial growth. By using 3D printing techniques, they will also be able to produce more customized devices which will minimize surgical pocket space constraints. With the help of this award, N8 Medicals will be able to move forward to their next efforts, to compose the antibiotic-loaded filament, demonstrate, and evaluate its effectiveness.

Excelsior Biofilms, LLC wins NIH Grant

InteliSpark client Excelsior Biofilms has been awarded a grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), for their project titled “Incorporation of a biofilm dispersion autoinducer into an antimicrobial ointment for the treatment of topical wounds”. Their project will directly address critical or high priority pathogens such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus which were recently identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for which new antibiotics or antimicrobial treatments urgently needed.

Excelsior Biofilms will overcome this by using a biofilm dispersal signal as an adjunctive to conventional antimicrobial therapies. Their previous studies have shown that P. aeruginosa produces a quorum sensing molecule, cis-2-decenoic acids (cis-DA), that is responsible for auto-induction of the native dispersion response in biofilm bacteria. This signaling molecule has been shown to create a change in the physiologic of the bacteria, causing them to disaggregate from a biofilm and alter their physiology, rendering them to more susceptible to antibiotics. Furthermore, the cis-DA has been shown to induce biofilm dispersion in a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as fungi.

In Excelsior Biofilm’s project, they propose to determine the degree to which cis-DA can improve the anti-biofilm activity of a petroleum jelly-based ointment with embedded antimicrobials. After determining the effectiveness and the non-toxicity to human keratinocytes, they will go onto test the effect in vitro models of wounded and infected skins. Ultimately, their project will improve current treatment and prevention strategies against biofilm infections in topical wounds.

Sep-All wins Department of Energy Grant

InteliSpark client Sep-All, LLC has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for their project “Low-heat process for the production of high-value micro- and nano- materials form metallic wastes”.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has stated a need for “innovative approaches (…) that use low/no direct application of heat to transform materials into higher value products.” Sep-All has addressed this need by providing a novel low-heat technology platform allowing for the extraction of metallic elements from waste streams, while adding a value to the materials through their conversion into high-value micro- and nano-materials. Their innovative technology is a platform based on chemo-mechanical stresses and interface metastability at the microscale, to drive a controlled separation of mixed sources into high-value mirco- and nano-materials of purified compounds, such as oxides and acetates, without the need to utilize high temperatures.

With this grant, Sep-All plans to extend its product line into the fabrication of ‘critical materials’, which are seen as materials with high supply risks and high environmental impact during ore processing. The U.S. currently has an interdependency on other countries for the supply of critical materials; for example the U.S. relies on China for greater than 90% of their supply of Neodymium and Indium. Sep-All sees the potential of their novel technological approach and their innovative platform to have the potential to decrease U.S. interdependency on other countries for the supply stream of critical materials.

Shasqi, Inc. awarded NIH Grant

InteliSpark client, Shasqi Inc., has been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institution of Health, for their project “Material Guided Drug Delivery for Pediatric Tumors using an Implantable Biomaterial and Bio-orthogonal Chemistry”. With their award, Shasqi will be focusing its efforts of drug delivery technology toward pediatric sarcomas. Typical treatment for sarcomas include intense chemotherapies, then surgery, leading to severe effects which makes it extremely difficult on pediatric patients. 

Of the new cancer drugs approved by the FDA, between 1948 and 2002, 30 out of the 120 (25%) can be used in children. Shasqi found a need to address this and to better develop chemotherapies, with a focus on doxorubicin and pediatric patients. Shasqi is developing patent-pending technology, using an implantable biomaterial and prodrugs of chemotherapies to better improve the efficiency and therapeutic index of treatment. Their technology is based on a bio-orthogonal ‘catch and release’ reaction between the implanted biomaterial and prodrug. Their work will increase the success of tumor resection and ultimately increase the survival of pediatric sarcoma patients. With the grant from the NIH, Shasqi will be able to advance their efforts towards this goal.

Shasqi, Inc. wins NIH SBIR Phase I Grant

InteliSpark client Shasqi, Inc. has been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I Grant from the National Cancer Institute, for their project “Material Guided Drug Delivery for Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis using an Implantable Biomaterial and Bio-Orthogonal Chemistry”. Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a condition that affects approximately 1.8 people per million (about 600 people) in the U.S. each year. It is a chronic, progressive neoplastic process that causes synovial lining of a joint, bursa, or tendon sheath to thicken and overgrow in an aggressive manner with a very low risky of metastasis. PVNS is most commonly seen in people 20-45 years old and can be focal or diffuse. There is a 40-50% chance of local reoccurrence in the diffuse form of PVNS, with traditional treatment strategies. Treatment for PVNS is a challenge due to the benign yet aggressive behavior of the condition

Shasqi will address this issue with their development of drug delivery technology, designed to improve the therapeutic index of drugs. This technology consists of a biocompatible biomaterial, and a prodrug (an inactivated drug), both of which contain biorthogonal reagents which allow for them to react only with each other. The biomaterial will be physically placed at the desired location in the body, then the prodrug will be injected into the blood stream when needed. This will allow for reaction only amongst the two, and ultimately the active drug will be released from the gel to perform its function on the designated part of the body. Shasqi envisions this advancement in drug technology to be applicable to PVNS treatment.

Shasqi’s system will effectively turn systemic drugs into localized medicines. For the treatment of PVNS patients, the placement of this technology would be to occur following surgical resection. The surgeon would be able to place the biomaterial around the surgical cavity and treat the patient with a prodrug of a CSF1R inhibitor to secure clean margins. Additional gel injections can be given at sites of unresectable tumors. Additionally, the technology can be used as a neoadjuvant treatment to improve the outcome of subsequent surgical resection, in the case that tumors are too large to be removed or would require invasive surgical intervention.

Lux Semiconductors wins NSF SBIR Phase I Grant

InteliSpark client Lux Semiconductors has been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant totaling $224,949 for their project “Roll-to-Roll Manufacturing of Highly Crystalline Thin Film Semiconductor Substrates for Flexible Electronics”. Granted by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the goal of this project will be to further develop a patent pending technology process aimed at producing flexible, lightweight, and low-cost semiconductor substrates.

These flexible semiconductor films are seen as the next evolution of the silicon wafer. The current form of the silicon wafer has not changed since it was created over 60 years ago. They are the foundation of over 90% of today’s electronic devices such as computer chips, solar panels, microelectronics, and a variety of sensors and ‘internet of things’ devices. The ability to produce large-area, high-throughput quantities of this material, in a flexible, more durable format would help the next generation of affordable, flexible, and pervasive electronic devices.

Lux Semiconductors will focus on developing innovative technology at a simulated roll-to-roll prototyping scale. Their efforts are to enhance film crystal quality, repeatability, and electronic properties, while preparing the process for integration into a large-scale manufacturing. Currently there are no techniques that exist that are able to produce large-area, highly crystalline silicon or other semiconductor films, that are suitable for high-throughput manufacturing. The commercialization of this ‘wafer 2.0’ will help to shape America’s high-tech semiconductor manufacturing industry for the 21st century.

Vishwa Robotics wins Phase I SBIR Grant

InteliSpark client Vishwa Robotics has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant worth $124,754 for the project “Shock Proof Actuators for Unmanned Undersea and Surface Vehicles”. The goal of this project is to create a shock proof electromechanical actuator (named CESAR) for Unmanned and Undersea and Surface Vehicles (UxV) control surfaces, to operate in a high sea-state ocean environment.

Current conventional surface ships retreat from extreme ocean environmental conditions. Rather, the UxVs are expected to survive and operate in these extreme conditions. Therefore, the control surfaces and actuators of the UxVs must be capable of withstanding high force levels and endure acceleration when encountering large waves, being tossed and dropped. Also, whilst being sufficiently compact and lightweight in order to be integrated into the platform. Conventional commercial actuator components and comprised of a motor and gearing; the gears and associated bearing are therefore extremely vulnerable to damage under high shock levels and huge back driving forces. The Navy uses these commercial UxV platforms and tethered Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), which are also used by the oil industry and ocean scientists.

Vishwa Robotics’ innovative technology addresses these problems. They have created product that provides high power density, while sustaining reliability and low maintenance of electromechanical drive. The Vishwa CESAR will be capable of functioning at any depth, in any environment (e.g., chemical, corrosive, high temperature, cryogenic condiditons, or high pressure and space). The CESAR also provides force density and bidirectional displacement. CESAR technology could also be installed into ruggedized variants of commercial UxVs and ROVs. The CESAR actuators could provide control surface for other sea craft and find applications as high efficiency, low noise electromechanical muscles for robotics for space and military applications.

Rayonix, LLC wins $4,993,878 Grant

InteliSpark client Rayonix LLC has been awarded a grant worth $4,993,878 from the Department of Energy for their project, “Development and Commercialization of Novel Two-Color X-ray Photon Counting Pixel Array Detector”. With this project, Rayonix hopes to advance scientific and technological fields such as nanoscale devices, solar energy conversion, and energy storage materials.

New and advanced synchrotron X-ray beamlines and sources are currently being constructed worldwide. Along with the upgrades, these facilities require fast new X-ray detectors to complement and foster new scientific applications. New detector capabilities are needed for the study of fast material and molecular kinetics, in the intense domain for keeping up with brighter X-ray sources, and in the energy discrimination domain for combining area detection with new energy resolution techniques. In this Phase II project, Rayonix will focus on developing and commercializing a fast new hybrid pixel array detector for use in materials science experiments at these facilities.

The novelty of Rayonix’s detector is its ability to record two simultaneous X-ray images at different colors or sample times. It also has the ability to accurately measure more intense X-rays than previously possible. In Phase I, Rayonix developed a prototype X-ray detector with dual imaging. With this phase II award, they will develop a larger-sized X-ray detector, that will be designed and built in three stages, each stage being bench tested and characterized with X-rays. Rayonix also will invite outside scientists to perform synchrotron experiments in real-world pump-probe experiments, to prove the user-friendliness and commercialization potential of their product.

InteliSpark has an open position for an Entry-Level Proposal Development Coordinator

Position: Proposal Development Coordinator

Hours Per Week: Full-Time

Pay: BOE, salary

Position Overview: The primary role for this position is to provide support for the InteliSpark, LLC  team and clients in proposal development and submission. The position is well suited for a new or recent graduate.  Specific activities include:

• Populating federal contract and grant application forms for agencies including NIH, NSF, DoD, DoE, and others

• Tracking application status and required documents

• Composition of short technical documents, including commercialization documents

• Communicating with clients for company onboarding and government registrations

• Additional support activities

Qualifications: Applicants must meet the following specifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business-related field or equivalent experience in grant management and writing

• Proficiency in communication, written and oral, skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (e.g., Word, Excel), Adobe Acrobat, Outlook

• Ability to provide attention to detail

• Ability to work independently and demonstrate self-management

       Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with EndNote and Google Spreadsheets

• Experience with project management

• Previous experience with federal contract and grant applications to agencies including: NIH, NSF, DoD, DoE, and others

About the Company: InteliSpark, LLC is a hands-on business development consulting firm specializing in securing non-dilutive funding for start-ups through the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and other government research funding programs.  We work with start-ups, universities, venture capital firms and economic development programs to match small innovative companies and technologies with funding opportunities. Using our proven track record of creating winning SBIR/STTR proposals, we turn those opportunities into realities. 

To Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to Kirk Macolini at kirk@intelispark.com

Advanced Test Engineering (ATE) Solutions, Inc. wins Phase II SBIR Grant

InteliSpark client Advanced Test Engineering (ATE) Solutions, Inc. has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant worth $750,000. The grant is for the SBIR project “Advanced High-Speed Bus Technologies for Unit Under Test and Evaluation."  The goal of the SBIR project is to develop innovative test methods and associated tools required to support the advanced testing requirements of emerging high-speed bus technologies that are required for design-for-test as well as operational testing for the first two phases with an optional third year.

Current state-of-the-art test tools handle conventional data buses, but cannot address the testing needs of new, high speed, data buses that are being incorporated in the latest aircraft enhancements. Next-generation Units Under Test (UUTs) are designed with high-throughput buses ranging from 100 Mbps to 1500 Mbps, and utilize various new data buses (e.g. Firewire, RS-422, Wi-Fi, SATA, SMPTE Video). This drives a need for faster digital communication buses in Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) to facilitate testing, file upload and download, and other UUT interactions.

The methods and tools developed will aid in the support of state-of-the-art bus technologies in the fleet, and also ensure the integrity, quality, and reliability of the signals and data communication associated with the buses. This effort should leverage the current Navy Automatic Test System (ATS) environments, and industry standards to support electronics maintenance.

High speed data buses are a new technology being introduced into Navy avionics, as well as electronic equipment in other Services. Solutions to fully test this new technology are required for Navy ATS. The technologies required will have a direct impact on testing associated with both design and operation of Units Under Test (UUTs) employing high speed communication interfacing and busing. This is evident in the need for standards in the DoD ATS Framework Integrated Product Team (IPT)’s key element UUT Device Interfaces (UDI). The UDI element recognizes the requirements for testing complex forms of data communication and requires industry standards to ensure an open architecture approach is integrated in the resulting technologies. These technologies involve extremely high-speed data rates, complex timing and synchronization, and high-speed multiplexing, all of which require parameters that are capable of insuring signal integrity. Some of these parameters involve statistical measurements, bit error rates, and complex signal to noise and distortion measurements. Current and conventional test methods are not capable of achieving the degree of testing quality necessary to ensure the proper performance of these UUTs and maintaining the data integrity for high speed net-centric information exchanges.

In order to ensure consistency of approaches and tools, industry standards related to signals associated with advanced bussing should be considered, such as the Automatic Test Markup Language (IEEE-1671, ATML). In working with the current industry standards, deficiencies might be found. In this case, the effort would involve identifying/suggesting new standards, and/or modifications to existing standards, which would help ensure a consistent, open system, approach across DoD systems.

To achieve these objectives, a set of tools are required that employ standardized technologies associated with digital radio, wireless communication, switching, fiber optics, and networking, which are being employed in existing as well as new UUTs. These tools should encompass industry standard signal libraries (such as IEEE-1641), test descriptions describing parameterized test methods, and performance verification for communication with devices that have highly complex inputs and outputs. The tools need to configure test instrumentation such as waveform generators, digitizers, oscillators, up and down converters, bus analyzers, and high speed digital generators to support the development of the signals / methods required. These test and evaluation tools are expected to significantly reduce the test cost and foot print of support items, and enhance Test Program Set (TPS) rehost.