2304234
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Sbir Phase I: On-Demand Color Changing Materials -this small business innovation research (SBIR) Phase I project will validate the commercial potential of an erasable dye technology intended for apparel.
The transformative nature of the approach lies in its ability to reduce environmental impact every time a new design is downloaded.
The conventional apparel industry consumes vast amounts of water and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) for every piece of clothing produced.
This project aims to drastically reduce these environmental implications while providing consumers with a quick and climate-friendly alternative.
By tapping into proprietary light-programmable color-changing dyes, this endeavor seeks to disrupt the fashion industry.
By targeting the millennial and Gen Z market segments, which are increasingly conscious of sustainability, the project foresees significant commercial uptake, initially in the $8 billion custom domestic T-shirt market.
The intellectual merit of this project stems from its unique combination of advanced functional materials science, chemistry, and manufacturing to create a sustainable apparel solution.
At the heart of the method lies a proprietary dye system which can provide repeatable color changes.
Unlike conventional photochromic dyes that degrade quickly under visible light, this dye system is engineered to be durable, enduring repeated cycles of color change.
The research objectives focus on refining this dye system to make it commercially viable, especially for the initial use case of custom and re-printable T-shirts.
With the successful realization of this technology, the fashion industry will witness a paradigm shift, paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative future.
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 transformative nature of the approach lies in its ability to reduce environmental impact every time a new design is downloaded.
The conventional apparel industry consumes vast amounts of water and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) for every piece of clothing produced.
This project aims to drastically reduce these environmental implications while providing consumers with a quick and climate-friendly alternative.
By tapping into proprietary light-programmable color-changing dyes, this endeavor seeks to disrupt the fashion industry.
By targeting the millennial and Gen Z market segments, which are increasingly conscious of sustainability, the project foresees significant commercial uptake, initially in the $8 billion custom domestic T-shirt market.
The intellectual merit of this project stems from its unique combination of advanced functional materials science, chemistry, and manufacturing to create a sustainable apparel solution.
At the heart of the method lies a proprietary dye system which can provide repeatable color changes.
Unlike conventional photochromic dyes that degrade quickly under visible light, this dye system is engineered to be durable, enduring repeated cycles of color change.
The research objectives focus on refining this dye system to make it commercially viable, especially for the initial use case of custom and re-printable T-shirts.
With the successful realization of this technology, the fashion industry will witness a paradigm shift, paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative future.
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
Houston,
Texas
77204-2013
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
22-551
Funxion Wear was awarded
Project Grant 2304234
worth $275,000
from National Science Foundation in February 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Houston Texas 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: On-Demand Color Changing Materials
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will validate the commercial potential of an erasable dye technology intended for apparel. The transformative nature of the approach lies in its ability to reduce environmental impact every time a new design is downloaded. The conventional apparel industry consumes vast amounts of water and emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) for every piece of clothing produced. This project aims to drastically reduce these environmental implications while providing consumers with a quick and climate-friendly alternative. By tapping into proprietary light-programmable color-changing dyes, this endeavor seeks to disrupt the fashion industry. By targeting the millennial and Gen Z market segments, which are increasingly conscious of sustainability, the project foresees significant commercial uptake, initially in the $8 billion custom domestic T-shirt market.
The intellectual merit of this project stems from its unique combination of advanced functional materials science, chemistry, and manufacturing to create a sustainable apparel solution. At the heart of the method lies a proprietary dye system which can provide repeatable color changes. Unlike conventional photochromic dyes that degrade quickly under visible light, this dye system is engineered to be durable, enduring repeated cycles of color change. The research objectives focus on refining this dye system to make it commercially viable, especially for the initial use case of custom and re-printable T-shirts. With the successful realization of this technology, the fashion industry will witness a paradigm shift, paving the way for a more sustainable and innovative future.
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
AM
Solicitation Number
NSF 22-551
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 2/20/24
Period of Performance
2/15/24
Start Date
1/31/25
End Date
Funding Split
$275.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$275.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2304234
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
LJHQUSXLLM67
Awardee CAGE
7ZT58
Performance District
TX-29
Senators
John Cornyn
Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz
Modified: 2/20/24