VISTA CLARA INC. — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 18a
VISTA CLARA 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 $1,149,825 is consistent with substantial Phase II-scale effort; compare to related awards from the same agency.
- Topic code 18a links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $1,149,825
- Agency
- Department of Energy
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase II
- Topic
- 18a
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- WA
- Period
- 2021-08-23 → 2023-08-22
Description
This proposal addresses the challenge of efficiently monitoring subsurface cleanup performance during active environmental remediation programs. We will develop autonomous and networked arrays of insitu NMR sensors for efficient longterm deployment at remediation sites. Based on documented NMR sensitivity, we will advance methods to integrate NMR relaxation data and 2D NMR diffusion measurements to detect and quantify changes in subsurface properties associated with remediation. The combined technology will allow autonomous longterm monitoring of remediation processes at contaminated sites. The Phase 2 research will complete commercial development of miniaturized selfcontained NMR sensors that can be deployed in 2inch PVC and operated from a main control hub for repeated depth logging or deployed in a fixed distributed array. In addition to the instrumentation, we will develop firmware, software, and cloudware to enable the system to be operated autonomously in a semipermanent installation. We will develop measurement and interpretation methods to enhance sensitivity to remediation processes and will advance processing and interpretation approaches linking measured data to quantitative remediation metrics to support actionable decision by site managers. In the second year of Phase 2, we will deploy and demonstrate the technology and DOE Environmental Management sites. Completion of this technology will deliver low cost NMR remediation monitoring as a commercial product for sale, lease, and turnkey service in the worldworld market of environmental remediation. This technology will make it possible to efficiently and directly measure subsurface changes associated with stimulated remediation. This capability will allow remediation engineers to more effectively optimize remediation design and to accelerate the timeframes to demonstrate regulatory compliance, saving cost and improving outcomes. Ultimately, the technology will benefit human and ecosystem health, by enabling more effective subsurface cleanup and longterm environmental protection.