WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced funding for new building technology projects led by small businesses — four of which are aimed at improving IAQ — that have a strong potential for commercialization and job creation. These awards are for $150,000 each.
The IAQ awards are for new technologies for sensing and managing air quality in buildings. As buildings become more airtight, management of IAQ becomes increasingly important. These projects are focused on improving air quality in existing buildings:
• Dioxide Materials, Boca Raton, Florida, will develop a technology for low-cost, high-accuracy whole-building carbon dioxide monitoring for demand control ventilation.
• Intelligent Optical Systems Inc., Torrance, California, will develop optical sensors for relative humidity that have unprecedented long-term stability at costs comparable to those of existing sensors.
• KWJ Engineering Inc., Newark, California, will develop a novel CO2 air quality sensor for use with energy-efficient commercial and residential green building ventilation control systems.
• Mechanical Solutions Inc., Whippany, New Jersey, will develop an innovative, high-efficiency radon fan to replace current highly inefficient fans. The more cost-efficient fan is expected to encourage more homeowners to protect themselves from radon.
Funded by DOE's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, these Phase I selections explore the feasibility of innovative concepts that could be developed into prototype technologies. For information, visit the Building Technologies Office’s small business portfolio website.
Publication date: 6/1/2016
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