2432516
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Sttr Phase I: Novel fluorescence-based force sensor for high-resolution tactile sensing.
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project are in the area of tactile sensing technology for robotics and biomedical instruments.
The tactile sensors enable robots and machines to perceive and interpret physical touch and texture.
As the robotics technology is increasingly required to perform complex and delicate operations which requires advanced tactile sensors, it is essential to ensure safe and precise interaction of robots or robotic tools with their environment.
There are, however, gaps in the current tactile sensing technology.
One is concerned with recognizing textures, and another is safely interacting with soft environments such as biological tissues.
The sensor to be developed in this project will enable highly effective recognition of textured surfaces, which then would allow robots to recognize objects more efficiently.
Also, it will lead to a safe and precise robotic tool for medical procedures.
There exists a large and fast-growing market for tactile sensors which the new technology is expected to make inroads into.
The initial market segment will be robotic surgery which will be followed by other robotics markets such as humanoid robots.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is designed to develop a novel tactile sensing technology with applications in robotics and biomedical instruments.
As the robotics technology matures, there is a growing need for an advanced tactile sensing technology to ensure safe and precise interaction of robots or robotic tools with their environment.
The current technologies, however, lack several key capabilities which include high spatial resolution and high force sensitivity.
These deficiencies in turn lead to grand challenges such as texture recognition and interaction with soft environments such as biological tissues.
The new sensor to be developed in this project will achieve both high spatial resolution and high force sensitivity.
It can be mounted on modules with small and adaptable form factors, making it applicable to a wide array of applications.
The new ability to effectively recognize textures will enable highly complex and dexterous operations of robots and robotic tools including the emerging humanoid technologies.
High sensitivity can be used to ensure safe and precise interaction with biological tissues, which would then enable improved medical procedures.
The initial market segment will be robotic surgery which will be followed by other robotics markets such as humanoid robots.
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 planned for this award.
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project are in the area of tactile sensing technology for robotics and biomedical instruments.
The tactile sensors enable robots and machines to perceive and interpret physical touch and texture.
As the robotics technology is increasingly required to perform complex and delicate operations which requires advanced tactile sensors, it is essential to ensure safe and precise interaction of robots or robotic tools with their environment.
There are, however, gaps in the current tactile sensing technology.
One is concerned with recognizing textures, and another is safely interacting with soft environments such as biological tissues.
The sensor to be developed in this project will enable highly effective recognition of textured surfaces, which then would allow robots to recognize objects more efficiently.
Also, it will lead to a safe and precise robotic tool for medical procedures.
There exists a large and fast-growing market for tactile sensors which the new technology is expected to make inroads into.
The initial market segment will be robotic surgery which will be followed by other robotics markets such as humanoid robots.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is designed to develop a novel tactile sensing technology with applications in robotics and biomedical instruments.
As the robotics technology matures, there is a growing need for an advanced tactile sensing technology to ensure safe and precise interaction of robots or robotic tools with their environment.
The current technologies, however, lack several key capabilities which include high spatial resolution and high force sensitivity.
These deficiencies in turn lead to grand challenges such as texture recognition and interaction with soft environments such as biological tissues.
The new sensor to be developed in this project will achieve both high spatial resolution and high force sensitivity.
It can be mounted on modules with small and adaptable form factors, making it applicable to a wide array of applications.
The new ability to effectively recognize textures will enable highly complex and dexterous operations of robots and robotic tools including the emerging humanoid technologies.
High sensitivity can be used to ensure safe and precise interaction with biological tissues, which would then enable improved medical procedures.
The initial market segment will be robotic surgery which will be followed by other robotics markets such as humanoid robots.
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 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 Agency
Place of Performance
Louisville,
Colorado
80027-8633
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 09/30/25 to 05/31/26 and the total obligations have increased 7% from $275,000 to $295,000.
Irradiant Sensing Corporation was awarded
Project Grant 2432516
worth $295,000
from in October 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Louisville Colorado United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year 7 months 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
STTR Phase I
Title
STTR Phase I: Novel Fluorescence-Based Force Sensor for High-Resolution Tactile Sensing
Abstract
The broader impact/commercial impacts of this Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project are in the area of tactile sensing technology for robotics and biomedical instruments. The tactile sensors enable robots and machines to perceive and interpret physical touch and texture. As the robotics technology is increasingly required to perform complex and delicate operations which requires advanced tactile sensors, it is essential to ensure safe and precise interaction of robots or robotic tools with their environment. There are, however, gaps in the current tactile sensing technology. One is concerned with recognizing textures, and another is safely interacting with soft environment such as biological tissues. The sensor to be developed in this project will enable highly effective recognition of textured surfaces, which then would allow robots to recognize objects more efficiently. Also, it will lead to a safe and precise robotic tool for medical procedures. There exists a large and fast-growing market for tactile sensors which the new technology is expected to make inroads into. The initial market segment will be robotic surgery which will be followed by other robotics market such as humanoid robots.
This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project is designed to develop a novel tactile sensing technology with applications in robotics and biomedical instruments. As the robotics technology matures, there is a growing need for an advanced tactile sensing technology to ensure safe and precise interaction of robots or robotic tools with their environment. The current technologies, however, lack several key capabilities which include high spatial resolution and high force sensitivity. These deficiencies in turn lead to grand challenges such as texture recognition and interaction with soft environments such as biological tissues. The new sensor to be developed in this project will achieve both high spatial resolution and high force sensitivity. It can be mounted on modules with small and adaptable form factors, making it applicable to a wide array of applications. The new ability to effectively recognize textures will enable highly complex and dexterous operations of robots and robotic tools including the emerging humanoid technologies. High sensitivity can be used to ensure safe and precise interaction with biological tissues, which would then enable improved medical procedures. The initial market segment will be robotic surgery which will be followed by other robotics market such as humanoid robots.
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
PH
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-515
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 4/6/26
Period of Performance
10/1/24
Start Date
5/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$295.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$295.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to 2432516
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2432516
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
EB41XT2VKTB6
Awardee CAGE
9ZJJ6
Performance District
CO-02
Senators
Michael Bennet
John Hickenlooper
John Hickenlooper
Modified: 4/6/26