2449174
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Effective, affordable, UV treatment technology for microbiologically contaminated water.
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in the development of a novel inexpensive, adaptable point-of-use water treatment device.
It deploys commonly used ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection technology in a simple pitcher-shaped, countertop, household appliance.
It operates using electricity when available but can also be powered by a rechargeable battery.
Anyone can safely operate it to produce all the drinking water needed after a city’s water treatment or distribution systems are damaged by a flood or earthquake or other natural disaster.
Thus, the product can have significant value in addressing the U.S. incident and emergency management challenges.
Microbiologically contaminated drinking water contributes to more than 500,000 deaths annually.
Globally, about a billion people boil their water every day to make sure it is safe.
The proposed product can meet their needs more safely while meaningfully reducing carbon emissions.
This project is also in alignment with the 2022 U.S. Global Water Strategy that calls for increased water security where it is needed most.
This SBIR Phase I project will focus on the design of an instrumented UV appliance.
This will be aided by light transmission modeling in non-cylindrical vessels to assure uniform and adequate exposure of water to the UV light and appropriately locating UV-C LED lamps and UV transmittance monitors to achieve those goals.
The device will be experimentally tested with controlled microbial challenges with the goal of demonstrating that the appliance conforms to World Health Organization’s standards for household water treatment technologies for a broad array of contaminated water sources.
It is thought that discrete UV intensity monitoring can be correlated with UV-C dose so that performance can be adjusted for water with varying levels of microbial contamination.
The appliance will also incorporate sensor capabilities to automatically log and report use data to support the potential compilation of carbon credits.
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 broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in the development of a novel inexpensive, adaptable point-of-use water treatment device.
It deploys commonly used ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection technology in a simple pitcher-shaped, countertop, household appliance.
It operates using electricity when available but can also be powered by a rechargeable battery.
Anyone can safely operate it to produce all the drinking water needed after a city’s water treatment or distribution systems are damaged by a flood or earthquake or other natural disaster.
Thus, the product can have significant value in addressing the U.S. incident and emergency management challenges.
Microbiologically contaminated drinking water contributes to more than 500,000 deaths annually.
Globally, about a billion people boil their water every day to make sure it is safe.
The proposed product can meet their needs more safely while meaningfully reducing carbon emissions.
This project is also in alignment with the 2022 U.S. Global Water Strategy that calls for increased water security where it is needed most.
This SBIR Phase I project will focus on the design of an instrumented UV appliance.
This will be aided by light transmission modeling in non-cylindrical vessels to assure uniform and adequate exposure of water to the UV light and appropriately locating UV-C LED lamps and UV transmittance monitors to achieve those goals.
The device will be experimentally tested with controlled microbial challenges with the goal of demonstrating that the appliance conforms to World Health Organization’s standards for household water treatment technologies for a broad array of contaminated water sources.
It is thought that discrete UV intensity monitoring can be correlated with UV-C dose so that performance can be adjusted for water with varying levels of microbial contamination.
The appliance will also incorporate sensor capabilities to automatically log and report use data to support the potential compilation of carbon credits.
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 / SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PHASE I PROGRAMS", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF24579
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Place of Performance
Portland,
Oregon
97213-3506
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Dayzero Water was awarded
Project Grant 2449174
worth $304,950
from in February 2025 with work to be completed primarily in Portland Oregon United States.
The grant
has a duration of 8 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
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I: Effective, Affordable, UV Treatment Technology for Microbiologically Contaminated Water
Abstract
The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is in the development of a novel inexpensive, adaptable point-of-use water treatment device. It deploys commonly used ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection technology in a simple pitcher-shaped, countertop, household appliance. It operates using electricity when available but can also be powered by a rechargeable battery. Anyone can safely operate it to produce all the drinking water needed after a city’s water treatment or distribution systems are damaged by a flood or earthquake or other natural disaster. Thus, the product can have significant value in addressing the U.S. incident and emergency management challenges. Microbiologically contaminated drinking water contributes to more than 500,000 deaths annually. Globally, about a billion people boil their water every day to make sure it is safe. The proposed product can meet their needs more safely while meaningfully reducing carbon emissions. This project is also in alignment with the 2022 U.S. Global Water Strategy that calls for increased water security where it is needed most. This SBIR Phase I project will focus on the design of an instrumented UV appliance. This will be aided by light transmission modeling in non-cylindrical vessels to assure uniform and adequate exposure of water to the UV light and appropriately locating UV-C LED lamps and UV transmittance monitors to achieve those goals. The device will be experimentally tested with controlled microbial challenges with the goal of demonstrating that the appliance conforms to World Health Organization’s standards for household water treatment technologies for a broad array of contaminated water sources. It is thought that discrete UV intensity monitoring can be correlated with UV-C dose so that performance can be adjusted for water with varying levels of microbial contamination. The appliance will also incorporate sensor capabilities to automatically log, and
Topic Code
ET
Solicitation Number
NSF 24-579
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 5/5/25
Period of Performance
2/15/25
Start Date
10/31/25
End Date
Funding Split
$304.9K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$304.9K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to 2449174
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2449174
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
L982S69HERK1
Awardee CAGE
None
Performance District
OR-03
Senators
Jeff Merkley
Ron Wyden
Ron Wyden
Modified: 5/5/25