INCOM, INC. — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 28a
INCOM, INC. — SBIR Phase II award from Department of Energy.
Phase II SBIR prototype / development signal
- Phase II is where Department of Energy funds deeper R&D after feasibility. Incumbents with Phase II history are serious competitors on adjacent topics.
- Use this award as past-performance context and to map customer organizations for STRATFI/TACFI-style transition planning.
- Obligated amount $1,086,756 is consistent with substantial Phase II-scale effort; compare to related awards from the same agency.
- Topic code 28a links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $1,086,756
- Agency
- Department of Energy
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase II
- Topic
- 28a
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- MA
- Period
- 2021-08-27 → 2023-08-26
Description
This project will improve the performance of a key element of particle and lightsensitive detectors. They are used in diverse applications such as high energy physics experiments, medical diagnostic machines and space science missions. This work will improve the manufacturability and sensitivity of devices known as “microchannel plates”, which are sensitive to particles and UV light. Specifically, the work improves the performance of thin films that are applied to the glass microchannel substrates. The films provide a detectable electron pulse for every particle or photon at the input. A method of improving manufacturability was developed. An entirely new film was developed for application to microchannel substrates. It has performance similar to previously used films, without the disadvantages. The new film developed in Phase II for improved microchannel plate performance will now be commercialized in Phase IIB. Simultaneously, three new films in the same family will also be tested for possible selection. Microchannel plates manufactured with this improved format will exceed the performance standard of those in widespread use for particle and light detection, and potentially make lightsensitive detectors more durable.