Technology Transfer

Nanomatronix’s goal is to promote research-scale technology as it was created, by those who created it. We are here to facilitate the commercialization of your technology in full collaboration with you and your team. 

Nanomatronix commercializes technology (products and services) from a wide variety of STEM fields including engineering (aerospace, biological, biomedical, chemical, computer, electrical, mechanical, etc.), chemistry, drug development, physics, nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics, and poultry science. Contact us with a brief project description (we highly respect any data and information you want to keep confidential) to see how Nanomatronix can help.

Nanomatronix’s strategy is to utilize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) mechanisms to obtain funding which then enables development efforts to move research from the lab to the real world.

SBIR: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive grant program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation’s R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.

STTR: The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) is another program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development (R&D) arena. Central to the program is expansion of the public/private sector partnership to include the joint venture opportunities for small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. The unique feature of the STTR program is the requirement for the small business to formally collaborate with a research institution in Phase I and Phase II. STTR’s most important role is to bridge the gap between performance of basic science and commercialization of resulting innovations.

To date, Nanomatronix has submitted proposals to the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF), and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Contact us if you believe your technology has commercial potential in any of these agencies and Nanomatronix can get your technology from benchtop-to-industry while maintaining ownership of your original IP with highly favorable royalty terms.

No. Nanomatronix does not charge fees for collaborating on SBIR/STTR proposals. Successful commercialization of your technology mutually benefits all parties.

A subcontract is defined as an agreement between the small business applying for an SBIR or STTR award and a third party (i.e. the faculty member) that will help perform the research. Funding agencies encourage applicants to consider subcontracting. “Proposing firms are encouraged to take advantage of research expertise and facilities that may be available to them at colleges, universities, national laboratories, and from other research providers.” Up to 33% of a Phase I SBIR project can be subcontracted, and up to 60% of an STTR project must be. Then, for a Phase II SBIR, up to 50% can be subcontracted to the faculty researcher.

SBIR: For a SBIR, total award amounts change year-to-year. Typical Phase I awards total ~$250,000. The collaborating subcontractor (the faculty member(s) or company) working with Nanomatronix can receive up to 33% ($82,500) for 9-12 months. The exact percentage will be negotiated with Nanomatronix. Following successful Phase I, we are eligible to apply for Phase II funding.

STTR: For an STTR, total award amounts change year-to-year. Typical Phase I awards total ~$250,000. The collaborating subcontractor (faculty researcher) for STTRs must, by law, be awarded a minimum of 30% ($75,000). However, at Nanomatronix, we specify that the collaborating faculty researcher receive 60% (~$150,000) for 9-12 months. Following successful Phase I, we are eligible to apply for Phase II funding.

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​Nanomatronix has received 5 SBIR awards and 3 STTR awards to date, has licensed 3 patents, and is in the process of filing several more patents.

The government expects that a company will be able to turn the research and development of the Phase II contract into a commercially viable product or service. A small business’s ability to successfully commercialize its products and services to the military or private sector will determine how favorably its Phase II proposals are evaluated in the future. Technological innovation creates jobs, increases productivity and spurs economic growth and competition.

Small businesses and academic research programs, and the acquisition programs interested in SBIR/STTR technology, should start planning for commercialization as soon as a Phase I contract is awarded. Given the timelines associated with the budget development process, it is crucial to begin identifying Phase III funding with ample lead time. Early commercialization planning will also support the small business’s ability to align its SBIR/STTR technology with acquisition program schedules and requirements.