Phase i NIST sbir project, zymosense built and demonstrated feasibility of a screening tool that uses an automated pipettor to test a large number (96) of small (500ÌL) ATP systems in parallel

The National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded Zymosense Inc. a $800,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Science, Technology, Business and/or Education Outreach federal grant program (CFDA 11.620) for the period of September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2024.

Under this award, Zymosense will optimize its automated pipetting screening tool for assessing single-walled carbon nanotube dispersion and separation processes. In Phase I, the company demonstrated the feasibility of using the tool to rapidly test 96 small ATP systems in parallel to map partition behavior at finer resolutions than possible manually. In Phase II, Zymosense will use the screening tool for customer-facing process optimization work, first testing improved separation quality and yield increases internally before licensing the methodology commercially to SWCNT manufacturers. The company also intends to provide a subaward of $TBD to the University of Iowa to receive training in machine learning and Bayesian optimization techniques to further enhance the screening tool. The work under this Cooperative Agreement aims to develop an additive SWCNT purification method with commercial applications for sensors, diagnostics and electronics.

Activities

The following activities will be performed in phase II.1. Demonstrate improved separation quality by manipulating process steps, polymer concentration, and temperature.2. Improve yield by aggregate prevention and recovery.3. Apply process to customer-identified stocks and prototype purified nanoparticles for beta testing.

Expected outcomes

The optimal outcome will be an additive method of improving performance involving better dispersion of swcnt feedstocks as an alternative to subtractive (yield- reducing) methods that aim to remove more-challenging swcnt bundles.

Intended beneficiaries

Swcnt producers who are currently selling swcnt mixtures into r & d and application-oriented markets and eventually, the enriched swcnt will be sold to consumers for use in advanced sensors, diagnostics, filtration membranes, and electronics.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient intends to provide a subaward to the university of iowa chemical and biological engineering program. The university will help train the zymosense team in machine learning and bayesian optimization for active learning techniques.