JAQ Energy LLC Awarded Competitive Grant from

the National Science Foundation (NSF)

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Small Business Innovation Research Program Provides Seed Funding for R&D

 

[Tuscaloosa, AL], Feb 1st 2019 – JAQ Energy LLC has been awarded a National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant for $225,000.00 to conduct research and development (R&D) work on Wirelessly Enabled and Distributed Energy Storage Systems (WEDES) Technology for the electrification of transportation via Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Electric Aircraft (EA), off-power-grid homes, green homes, and other buildings. This technology seeks to and supports the adoption increase of EVs, EA, and renewable energy sources.

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The project contributes to the increase in energy efficiency, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the reduction in the dependence on foreign oil imports. The project enhances scientific and technological understanding by demonstrating the visibility, robustness, and stability of distributed wireless control methods and power electronics architecture for the wirelessly enabled and distributed energy storage system. The results of the project will be used to evaluate and determine the technical and commercial feasibility of the wirelessly enabled and distributed battery energy storage systems. For electric vehicle application, the WEDES technology aims at reducing or eliminating range/mileage anxiety among other advantages.

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 “The National Science Foundation supports small businesses with the most innovative, cutting-edge ideas that have the potential to become great commercial successes and make huge societal impacts,” said Barry Johnson, Director of the NSF’s Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships. “We hope that this seed funding will spark solutions to some of the most important challenges of our time across all areas of science and technology.”

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Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $225,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II grant (up to $750,000). Small businesses with Phase II grants are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investment or sales.

NSF accepts Phase I proposals from small businesses twice annually in June and December. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program undergo a rigorous merit-based review process.

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To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/

About the National Science Foundation's Small Business Programs: America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $1.5 million in non-dilutive funds to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $7.8 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.