2151428
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR PHASE I: Production Pathways of Biopolymers for Barrier Paper Coatings - The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop new sustainable packaging materials.
An important class of materials is polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Production of PHA from carbon sources has generally been associated with high costs, precluding widespread adoption. Natural gas and biogas are cost-effective alternatives, however, and established PHA-producing microbes use only about half the carbon from methane, releasing the rest as carbon dioxide.
This project will develop protocols to use newly discovered microbes for efficient PHA production. The newly discovered microbial platform would enable efficient utilization of biogas with high carbon conversion, allowing high efficiency and (near) zero emission PHA production. The produced PHA will be formulated into barrier paper coatings for food service packaging that is recyclable, compostable, and marine-biodegradable.
The proposed project will validate and develop the biological pathways for high-yield conversion of biogas using newly discovered microbes. Current PHA production remains noncompetitive to fossil-based polymers due to relatively high raw materials cost and low polymer yield with established microbial platforms, utilizing only a portion of the carbon from methane and emitting the rest as carbon dioxide.
Breakthroughs in PHA production cost require high-efficiency carbon conversion. The microbes of interest have demonstrated improved carbon conversion, high polymer yield, and the promise for a (near) zero emission production. The goals of the project are to elucidate and optimize the cultivation parameters of the newly discovered cultures and build novel PHA copolymer pathways in the organisms by constructing synthetic biology framework(s).
The project will also develop fermentation protocols that optimize yield for producing commercial PHA copolymers for further scaling. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
An important class of materials is polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Production of PHA from carbon sources has generally been associated with high costs, precluding widespread adoption. Natural gas and biogas are cost-effective alternatives, however, and established PHA-producing microbes use only about half the carbon from methane, releasing the rest as carbon dioxide.
This project will develop protocols to use newly discovered microbes for efficient PHA production. The newly discovered microbial platform would enable efficient utilization of biogas with high carbon conversion, allowing high efficiency and (near) zero emission PHA production. The produced PHA will be formulated into barrier paper coatings for food service packaging that is recyclable, compostable, and marine-biodegradable.
The proposed project will validate and develop the biological pathways for high-yield conversion of biogas using newly discovered microbes. Current PHA production remains noncompetitive to fossil-based polymers due to relatively high raw materials cost and low polymer yield with established microbial platforms, utilizing only a portion of the carbon from methane and emitting the rest as carbon dioxide.
Breakthroughs in PHA production cost require high-efficiency carbon conversion. The microbes of interest have demonstrated improved carbon conversion, high polymer yield, and the promise for a (near) zero emission production. The goals of the project are to elucidate and optimize the cultivation parameters of the newly discovered cultures and build novel PHA copolymer pathways in the organisms by constructing synthetic biology framework(s).
The project will also develop fermentation protocols that optimize yield for producing commercial PHA copolymers for further scaling. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM PHASE I", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF21562
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Place of Performance
Wake Forest,
North Carolina
27587-6543
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
21-562
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 03/31/23 to 02/29/24.
Phaxtec was awarded
Project Grant 2151428
worth $256,000
from Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships in April 2022 with work to be completed primarily in Wake Forest North Carolina United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year 10 months and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I: Production Pathways of Biopolymers for Barrier Paper Coatings
Abstract
The broader impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop new sustainable packaging materials.An important class of materials is polyhydroxyalkonoates (PHA).Production of PHA from carbon sources has generally been associated with high costs, precluding widespread adoption. Natural gas and biogas are cost-effective alternatives, however, and established PHA-producing microbes use only about half the carbon from methane, releasing the rest as carbon dioxide. This project will develop protocols to use newly discovered microbes for efficient PHA production. The newly discovered microbial platform would enable efficient utilization of biogas with high carbon conversion, allowing high efficiency and (near) zero emission PHA production. The produced PHA will be formulated into barrier paper coatings for food service packaging that is recyclable, compostable, and marine-biodegradable.The proposed project will validate and develop the biological pathways for high-yield conversion of biogas using newly discovered microbes. Current PHA production remains noncompetitive to fossil-based polymers due to relatively high raw materials cost and low polymer yield with established microbial platforms, utilizing only a portion of the carbon from methane and emitting the rest as carbon dioxide. Breakthroughs in PHA production cost require high-efficiency carbon conversion. The microbes of interest have demonstrated improved carbon conversion, high polymer yield, and the promise for a (near) zero emission production. The goals of the project are to elucidate and optimize the cultivation parameters of the newly discovered cultures and build novel PHA copolymer pathways in the organisms by constructing synthetic biology framework(s).The project will also develop fermentation protocols that optimize yield for producing commercial PHA copolymers for further scaling.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Topic Code
BT
Solicitation Number
NSF 21-562
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 12/21/23
Period of Performance
4/1/22
Start Date
2/29/24
End Date
Funding Split
$256.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$256.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to 2151428
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2151428
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
490707 DIVISION OF INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION
Awardee UEI
FGJYPP29R6Y9
Awardee CAGE
8T5E1
Performance District
NC-02
Senators
Thom Tillis
Ted Budd
Ted Budd
Budget Funding
| Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and Related Activities, National Science Foundation (049-0100) | General science and basic research | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $256,000 | 100% |
Modified: 12/21/23