2335611
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Development of a modular ultrasound transducer array for efficient washing and drying of textiles.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project focuses on the development and qualification of a modular ultrasound transducer used for both cleaning and drying textiles to enhance the energy efficiency, performance, and volume of throughput for commercial laundry systems.
The 2022 San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework’s technical report states, “Commercial laundry systems face higher barriers to the adoption of electric options than do residential.
Running many large electric dryers, as in a laundromat, could require substantial upgrades to a building’s electrical system if it is transitioning from gas equipment.
The slower speed of heat pump dryers is also more of a challenge in throughput-limited commercial laundry systems than in residential applications.”
This project aims to produce an easily integrable laundry-specific ultrasound array to support the electrification of the $5.3 billion commercial laundry market.
The benefits align with laundry facility operators' needs by reducing energy costs by as much 80% and improving processing times by as much as 50%.
The resulting cost savings for facilities helps promote the use of reusable linens and shifts demand from disposables.
The intellectual merit of this project includes a demonstration of a robust, highly efficient ultrasound transducer that easily integrates into arrays for use in laundry equipment.
State-of-the-art laundry systems rely on mechanical agitation and evaporative drying.
Power ultrasound enables efficient energy transfer for the washing and drying processes, reducing energy usage by as much as 80% while increasing linen throughput.
The primary deliverable for Phase 1 is a proof of concept for a linen-specific ultrasound transducer array for commercial laundry that performs the task rapidly and significantly reduces energy usage.
The proprietary design employed in this work enables a low-cost, durable, and configurable method of integrating ultrasound into commercial laundry processing equipment.
These benefits ultimately reduce processing time and energy costs for operators.
The key objectives for this project are:
1) Manufacturing, refining, and validating the washing subsystem via standardized tests,
2) Adding drying functionality to the array and independently validating the drying performance of the fabricated transducers; and
3) Verification of the performance of the combined subsystems for both washing and drying, including an evaluation of the energy efficiency and processing time in lab-scale tests.
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.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project focuses on the development and qualification of a modular ultrasound transducer used for both cleaning and drying textiles to enhance the energy efficiency, performance, and volume of throughput for commercial laundry systems.
The 2022 San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework’s technical report states, “Commercial laundry systems face higher barriers to the adoption of electric options than do residential.
Running many large electric dryers, as in a laundromat, could require substantial upgrades to a building’s electrical system if it is transitioning from gas equipment.
The slower speed of heat pump dryers is also more of a challenge in throughput-limited commercial laundry systems than in residential applications.”
This project aims to produce an easily integrable laundry-specific ultrasound array to support the electrification of the $5.3 billion commercial laundry market.
The benefits align with laundry facility operators' needs by reducing energy costs by as much 80% and improving processing times by as much as 50%.
The resulting cost savings for facilities helps promote the use of reusable linens and shifts demand from disposables.
The intellectual merit of this project includes a demonstration of a robust, highly efficient ultrasound transducer that easily integrates into arrays for use in laundry equipment.
State-of-the-art laundry systems rely on mechanical agitation and evaporative drying.
Power ultrasound enables efficient energy transfer for the washing and drying processes, reducing energy usage by as much as 80% while increasing linen throughput.
The primary deliverable for Phase 1 is a proof of concept for a linen-specific ultrasound transducer array for commercial laundry that performs the task rapidly and significantly reduces energy usage.
The proprietary design employed in this work enables a low-cost, durable, and configurable method of integrating ultrasound into commercial laundry processing equipment.
These benefits ultimately reduce processing time and energy costs for operators.
The key objectives for this project are:
1) Manufacturing, refining, and validating the washing subsystem via standardized tests,
2) Adding drying functionality to the array and independently validating the drying performance of the fabricated transducers; and
3) Verification of the performance of the combined subsystems for both washing and drying, including an evaluation of the energy efficiency and processing time in lab-scale tests.
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=NSF23515
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Seattle,
Washington
98125-7773
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Ultropia was awarded
Project Grant 2335611
worth $274,831
from National Science Foundation in August 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Seattle Washington United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I: Development of a Modular Ultrasound Transducer Array for Efficient Washing and Drying of Textiles
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project focuses on the development and qualification of a modular ultrasound transducer used for both cleaning and drying textiles to enhance the energy efficiency, performance, and volume of throughput for commercial laundry systems. The 2022 San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework’s Technical Report states, “Commercial laundry systems face higher barriers to the adoption of electric options than do residential. Running many large electric dryers, as in a laundromat, could require substantial upgrades to a building’s electrical system if it is transitioning from gas equipment. The slower speed of heat pump dryers is also more of a challenge in throughput-limited commercial laundry systems than in residential applications”. This project aims to produce an easily integrable laundry-specific ultrasound array to support the electrification of the $5.3 billion commercial laundry market. The benefits align with laundry facility operators' needs by reducing energy costs by as much 80% and improving processing times by as much as 50%. The resulting cost savings for facilities helps promote the use of reusable linens and shifts demand from disposables.
The intellectual merit of this project includes a demonstration of a robust, highly efficient ultrasound transducer that easily integrates into arrays for use in laundry equipment. State-of-the-art laundry systems rely on mechanical agitation and evaporative drying. Power ultrasound enables efficient energy transfer for the washing and drying processes, reducing energy usage by as much as 80% while increasing linen throughput. The primary deliverable for Phase 1 is a proof of concept for a linen-specific ultrasound transducer array for commercial laundry that performs the task rapidly and significantly reduces energy usage. The proprietary design employed in this work enables a low-cost, durable, and configurable method of integrating ultrasound into commercial laundry processing equipment. These benefits ultimately reduce processing time and energy costs for operators. The key objectives for this project are: 1) manufacturing, refining, and validating the washing subsystem via standardized tests, 2) adding drying functionality to the array and independently validating the drying performance of the fabricated transducers; and 3) verification of the performance of the combined subsystems for both washing and drying, including an evaluation of the energy efficiency and processing time in lab-scale tests.
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
IH
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-515
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 8/27/24
Period of Performance
8/15/24
Start Date
7/31/25
End Date
Funding Split
$274.8K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$274.8K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2335611
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
SEJ8N2B8AUJ5
Awardee CAGE
9KBP6
Performance District
WA-07
Senators
Maria Cantwell
Patty Murray
Patty Murray
Modified: 8/27/24