# SBIR Phase II: CAS: A Novel Approach for Achieving Scale in Direct Air Carbon Capture

> **NSF 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · VICTORY OVER CARBON, INC. (DE) · $1,248,768

## Abstract

The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project stands to contribute to the creation of viable gigaton-scale Direct Air CO2 Capture (DAC), a key pillar in preventing the worst effects of rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere and oceans. Capturing CO2 for permanent sequestration can play a decisive role in mitigating the impacts of rising atmospheric CO2 levels if conducted as part of wider net zero efforts.  According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, gigaton-scale DAC stands to support the creation of a trillion-dollar industry in the United States and underpin the development of thousands of jobs.

This project is focused on the development of a novel DAC design that addresses two key hurdles to achieving the scale needed to effectively offset the rising CO2 levels for our planet: cost to build the technology and energy to run it. The company’s technology comprises a contactor in which air is pulled in, a chemically reactive spray of amine solvent is injected into a hollow space with no physical media to resist airflow, and a proprietary, low-pressure-drop separator removing spray from the airflow for re-use and subsequent regeneration. Following successful demonstration of the concept at two-meter scale completed during SBIR phase I, the company will test a commercial scale pilot of the system during SBIR phase II.  This pilot will include optimized separator build and testing, construction of one commercial contactor module,

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2451493
- **Awardee organization:** VICTORY OVER CARBON, INC. (DE)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** G8C6VBJUFMD7
- **PI:** Barrett Kotnik
- **Primary program:** 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** TECH FOR SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT, EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES
- **Estimated total:** $1,248,768
- **Funds obligated:** $1,248,768
- **Transaction type:** Cooperative Agreement
- **Period:** 06/15/2025 → 05/31/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2451493

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2451493, SBIR Phase II: CAS: A Novel Approach for Achieving Scale in Direct Air Carbon Capture. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-08 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2451493. Licensed CC0.

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