TEXAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE , AUSTIN, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N231-051
TEXAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE , AUSTIN, INC. — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.
Phase I SBIR feasibility signal
- Phase I awards fund proof-of-concept work. For capture teams, they mark early interest from Department of Defense in a technical approach.
- Watch for Phase II follow-ons from the same firm/topic family — that conversion path is where budgets and transition pressure rise.
- Obligated amount $139,993. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
- Topic code N231-051 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $139,993
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Navy
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- Topic
- N231-051
- Solicitation
- 23.1
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- TX
- Period
- 2023-08-31 → 2024-03-04
Description
Marine aluminum structures across different Navy platforms are prone to cracking, particularly in aluminum hulls. Repairing these cracks by traditional means is costly and time-consuming, and the Navy needs an adaptable and durable solution that can be applied underwater without dry docking the vessel. To address this need, the Texas Research Institute Austin (TRI Austin) proposes an applied research project to develop an underwater composite patch repair (CPR) capability that can be used for short-term emergent repairs or longer-term permanent repairs. The study will investigate different resin formulations, fiber reinforcement materials, patch designs and analysis, mechanical properties, and effectiveness to mitigate crack growth on an aluminum substrate under realistic underwater conditions. The research will also develop a reliable and efficient application method for the patches, using a modified aquarium tank to simulate underwater conditions. The ultimate goal is to identify the most promising patch material and application method to produce a commercial product for underwater composite repair.