TIP Announces 2010 Competition

The Technology Innovation Program (TIP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced today that it is seeking proposals for high-risk, high-reward research projects in the area of Critical National Need: Manufacturing. Based on FY 2010 funds, TIP expects to award a total of approximately $25 million in first-year funding for R&D projects that address "Manufacturing and Biomanufacturing: Materials Advances and Critical Processes."

For detailed information on the announced competition, including submission requirements, deadlines and the scope of the Critical National Need topic area, see the Federal Funding Opportunity at www.grants.gov, the Federal Register Notice at http://www.nist.gov/tip/cur_comp/index.cfm or the TIP Web site at http://www.nist.gov/tip/.

TIP supports, promotes, and accelerates innovation in the United States through funding high-risk, high-reward research in areas of critical national need. The merit-based competitive program can fund cost-shared R&D projects by single small-sized or medium-sized businesses and joint ventures that additionally may include institutions of higher education, non-profit research organizations and national laboratories. TIP awards are limited to no more than $3 million total over three years for a single company project and no more than $9 million total over five years for a joint venture. TIP was established by the 2007 America COMPETES Act.

NSF: Proposals for the Innovations in Biological Imaging and Visualization program

The Directorate for Biological Sciences invites proposals for the Innovations in Biological Imaging and Visualization program. The program supports the development of instrumentation and technologies to generate and to interpret biological images quantitatively in real time while also making the tools as accessible and as user-friendly as possible for the community at large. Selected proposals will be required to participate in the NSF Ideas Lab scheduled May 24 to 28. Up to 10 awards may be made from total funding of $5 million. Eligibility is unrestricted. Preliminary proposals are due April 12. More information regarding NSF 10-538 is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10538/nsf10538.htm

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

Army Contracting Command: High-temperature diode pumped laser igniter assembly

On or about Feb 18, the Army Contracting Command Joint Munitions & Lethality Contracting Center will request proposals to develop a manufacturing process for a high-temperature diode pumped laser igniter assembly for artillery. Limited details regarding W15QKN-10-R-0202 are available at: https://www.fbo.gov/notices/611b2ebfd283054368db91062919d60d. Once posted, the solicitation will be available at: http://procnet.pica.army.milCourtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

DARPA: Proposals to advance the production of Gradient Index (GRIN) lenses

DARPA invites research proposals to advance the production of Gradient Index (GRIN) lenses from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 8. Proposed R&D should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary and fundamental advances in the design and fabrication of 3-dimensional GRIN lenses with arbitrary design flexibility for both imaging and non-imaging systems. Eligibility is open; however, there are conditions on FFRDCs and federal government entities. Multiple awards are anticipated. Proposals are due Mar 18. More information regarding DARPA-BAA-10-31 is available at: https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/DARPA/CMO/DARPA-BAA-10-31/listing.html

Courtesy ERAU Grant Opportunities Update

OSA: DARPA Seeks Low-Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics

(Applications Due: April 21, 2010)

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for its Low-Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics program. The program is seeking "innovative research proposals in the area of photovoltaic power sources that excel in efficiency, portability, flexibility, durability, and ease of manufacture." Applications are due by April 21, 2010.

From "Low-Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics (PoP)" Federal Business Opportunities (11/12/09)

Courtesy Optical Society of America (Photonics R&D Insider)

World Usability Day (WUD) Project to Make 1,000 LED Spot/Bulbs Available for Free

How many light bulbs does it take to change the world? Just one, if you make it LED.

The World Usability Day (WUD) project will make 1,000 LED spot/bulbs available for free via their website http://www.worldusabilityday.org. “Assume the following math: 1,000 bulbs can replace all of the light bulbs in 20 medium-sized houses,” said Brian Sullivan, the usability principal at the Sabre Human Factors Center in San Francisco, CA, and co-chair of World Usability Day. “The LED bulbs are easily three times more efficient than standard bulbs. So that is the equivalent of lighting 100 houses,” said Brian Sullivan, co-chair of World Usability Day. By using 1 LED bulb rather than 3 filament bulbs you will save 268.24 kWh.
The WUD free light bulbs will be offered worldwide. The project is being made possible by Next Generation Lighting Supply (NGL Supply) and Seoul Semiconductor, Inc. (Seoul). NGL Supply will provide the bulbs with Edison bases (standard in most lamps, ceiling fans, and recessed lighting outlets) and fulfillment, and Seoul will supply the inner workings. WUD web site visitors will fill out a form with a DISCOUNT code. When the visitor clicks a button from the WUD site (after filling out a form), they are taken to the NGL site for fulfillment. Participants will pay for shipping and handling (which is very common for FREE items).

“We are thrilled to be able to offer free LED light bulbs,” said Elizabeth Rosenzweig, founder and president of WUD. “These products are just now reaching the market; they’re very cutting edge,” said Rosenzweig. “Thanks to NGL Supply and Seoul, we will change the world one light bulb at a time. It’s just that simple.”
“Seoul Semiconductor is proud to be part of this event and share our Acriche LED technology with those concerned about making a better world. Our basic tenets, starting with our CEO Mr. C.H. Lee, include being a good corporate citizen along with doing the right thing for the environment. The WUD event is a showcase for responsible products available today that will make a better future,” said Doug Hardman, Americas Strategic Marketing Director, Seoul Semiconductors.

“Working with WUD makes it possible for NGL Supply to make LED technology readily available to 1,000 people who wish to make the change to energy efficient environmentally friendly lighting solutions,” said Kennie Alton, principal, Next Generation Lighting Supply.
The Fifth Annual World Usability Day will be celebrated globally on November 12 with the theme “Designing for a Sustainable World.” Countries that announced WUD projects last week included Estonia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates bringing the total number of countries to 38 and the number of events to 112.

Source: http://www.worldusabilityday.org/

Courtesy AZoOptics.com

NIH Seeks Imaging Research Proposals

(Applications Due: April 11, 2011)
The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting research proposals for its “Quick-Trials for Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions: Exploratory Grants” program. The program “is intended to support clinical trials conducting preliminary evaluation of the safety and efficacy of imaging agents, as well as an assessment of imaging systems, image processing, image-guided therapy, contrast kinetic modeling, and 3-D reconstruction and other quantitative tools.” Applications are due by April 11, 2011.
From “Quick-Trials for Imaging and Image-Guided Interventions: Exploratory Grants”Grants.gov (09/18/09)
Courtesy OSA