2233212
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Fully bio-based high-performance biomimetic material for sustainable fabric - The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to develop a sustainable, scalable, and high-performance alternative to natural leather fabric. Leather is one of the most widely used fabric materials in the world, with over two billion square yards produced through animal agriculture every year.
The production of animal-derived leather emits greenhouse gases and pollution from the toxic chemicals used to process, tan, and dye animal hides. Current synthetic alternatives are made of non-renewable polymers such as polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride, contributing to petrochemical consumption and plastic pollution.
This project aims to develop an alternative leather material that is 100% bio-based and environmentally friendly, and that meets industry requirements for mechanical, physical, and aesthetic properties. By engineering composite materials with superior performance and quality, this technology has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of leather-utilizing industries such as fashion apparel, footwear, furniture, and automotives.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to use a biomimetic approach to developing high-performance materials that replicate the collagen microstructure and properties of natural leather. Current synthetic alternatives contain petroleum-derived binding or coating agents. This project aims to meet objectives to 1) develop novel compositional and processing methods to produce 100% bio-based crosslinked materials, 2) systematically characterize the mechanical, physical, and surface properties to evaluate performance features, and 3) demonstrate reproducibility and tunability in alignment with industry metrics.
The proposed technology leverages innovation in chemical crosslinking to produce high-strength, ultra-durable, soft-to-the-touch materials for the next generation of sustainable fabrics. 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. Subawards are not planned for this award.
The production of animal-derived leather emits greenhouse gases and pollution from the toxic chemicals used to process, tan, and dye animal hides. Current synthetic alternatives are made of non-renewable polymers such as polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride, contributing to petrochemical consumption and plastic pollution.
This project aims to develop an alternative leather material that is 100% bio-based and environmentally friendly, and that meets industry requirements for mechanical, physical, and aesthetic properties. By engineering composite materials with superior performance and quality, this technology has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of leather-utilizing industries such as fashion apparel, footwear, furniture, and automotives.
This SBIR Phase I project proposes to use a biomimetic approach to developing high-performance materials that replicate the collagen microstructure and properties of natural leather. Current synthetic alternatives contain petroleum-derived binding or coating agents. This project aims to meet objectives to 1) develop novel compositional and processing methods to produce 100% bio-based crosslinked materials, 2) systematically characterize the mechanical, physical, and surface properties to evaluate performance features, and 3) demonstrate reproducibility and tunability in alignment with industry metrics.
The proposed technology leverages innovation in chemical crosslinking to produce high-strength, ultra-durable, soft-to-the-touch materials for the next generation of sustainable fabrics. 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. Subawards are not planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR)/ SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS PHASE I", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF22551
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Irvine,
California
92603-0121
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
22-551
Ecotune was awarded
Project Grant 2233212
worth $275,000
from National Science Foundation in September 2023 with work to be completed primarily in Irvine California United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I:Fully Bio-Based High-Performance Biomimetic Material for Sustainable Fabric
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project is to develop a sustainable, scalable, and high-performance alternative to natural leather fabric. Leather is one of the most widely used fabric materials in the world, with over two billion square yards produced through animal agriculture every year. The production of animal-derived leather emits greenhouse gases and pollution from the toxic chemicals used to process, tan, and dye animal hides. Current synthetic alternatives are made of non-renewable polymers such as polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride, contributing to petrochemical consumption and plastic pollution. This project aims to develop an alternative leather material that is 100% bio-based and environmentally friendly, and that meets industry requirements for mechanical, physical, and aesthetic properties. By engineering composite materials with superior performance and quality, this technology has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of leather-utilizing industries such as fashion apparel, footwear, furniture, and automotives._x000D_ _x000D_ This SBIR Phase I project proposes to use a biomimetic approach to developing high-performance materials that replicate the collagen microstructure and properties of natural leather. Current synthetic alternatives contain petroleum-derived binding or coating agents. This project aims to meet objectives to 1) develop novel compositional and processing methods to produce 100% bio-based crosslinked materials, 2) systematically characterize the mechanical, physical, and surface properties to evaluate performance features, and 3) demonstrate reproducibility and tunability in alignment with industry metrics. The proposed technology leverages innovation in chemical crosslinking to produce high-strength, ultra-durable, soft-to-the-touch materials for the next generation of sustainable fabrics._x000D_ _x000D_ 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
CT
Solicitation Number
NSF 22-551
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 9/5/23
Period of Performance
9/1/23
Start Date
8/31/24
End Date
Funding Split
$275.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$275.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2233212
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
F65ZLG4U5BW6
Awardee CAGE
90UM9
Performance District
CA-47
Senators
Dianne Feinstein
Alejandro Padilla
Alejandro Padilla
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) | $275,000 | 100% |
Modified: 9/5/23