This SBIR Phase I grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under the SBIR/STTR Program (CFDA 10.212), will establish the technical and commercial feasibility of a low-cost 3D printed colorimeter for the determination of manganese ion (Mn2+), iron ion (Fe2+), and free available chlorine (FAC) to improve drinking water treatment and quality for rural communities across the United States. The $125,000 award to Foundation Instruments Inc. will fund the optimization of the 3D printed colorimeter prototype and the development of proprietary greener testing methods for these water contaminants using sustainable and safer alternatives. The project aims to demonstrate the technical feasibility of the system through field testing with real-world samples, with the goal of providing rural water supply operators and superintendents with more affordable, environmentally friendly, and accurate tools for monitoring drinking water quality and optimizing contaminant removal treatment processes.
Generated 3/18/25, 3:24 AM