Project Grant 2537925

Federal Grant Award Summary

Phase, Inc. received a $304,761 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships program (CFDA 47.084), effective June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. The award funds the development of advanced 3D printing technology enabling rapid, high-resolution manufacturing of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices—also known as "labs on a chip"—without requiring specialized cleanroom facilities. The project addresses fundamental challenges in predicting and controlling thermal curing behavior of silicone materials during laser-based additive manufacturing, combining advanced modeling with precision fabrication to enhance device performance consistency while preserving the material properties researchers rely on for biomedical applications.

The deliverables include next-generation manufacturing processes and supporting software tools targeted at the organ-on-a-chip and biomedical research markets. By overcoming current limitations in speed, cost, and scalability of traditional microfluidic fabrication methods, this technology enables pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to access improved preclinical testing platforms more readily. The commercialization strategy centers on device sales combined with recurring software revenue, establishing competitive differentiation through material fidelity, automation, and manufacturing scalability. The performance location is Cornelius, North Carolina.