SBIR Phase II: Development and Analysis of Functional NanoInks for Printed Neuromorphic Electronics and Smart Sensors

NSF Award Search · 01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT · $1,241,749 · view on nsf.gov ↗

Abstract

The broader impacts of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project stem from a compact, AI-driven manufacturing platform that unifies materials testing, quality assurance, defect correction, and device fabrication in a single hybrid workflow. By sharply reducing capital costs and technical complexity, the system opens micron-scale printed-electronics production to small and large manufacturers, startups and academic labs, thereby accelerating U.S. innovation in both analog and digital electronics, artificial intelligence, and advanced sensing technologies. Its turnkey, multilayer capability can fabricate neuromorphic devices, metasurfaces, and visible-to-infrared sensor matrices in hours instead of days, cutting material waste and easing reliance on offshore foundries. Because the process is largely additive and avoids hazardous etchants and photoresists, it also lowers toxic emissions and environmental footprints compared with conventional fabrication techniques. Broad deployment will strengthen domestic supply chains, create high-skill manufacturing jobs, and give researchers and workforce-training programs versatile tools to tackle urgent challenges in healthcare, defense and energy harvesting, reinforcing U.S. leadership in next-generation electronics. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will scale a proprietary, multifunctional printing platform that deposits conductive, sensing, and non-volatile-memory nanocomposite ink

Key facts

NSF award ID
2528156
Awardee
FREESCALE LLC (NC)
SAM.gov UEI
FSMRVD4HSZP4
PI
Nikolay Frick
Primary program
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
All programs
ARTIFICIAL INTELL & COGNIT SCI
Estimated total
$1,241,749
Funds obligated
$1,241,749
Transaction type
Cooperative Agreement
Period
09/15/2025 → 08/31/2027