Andluca Awarded NSF Phase II SBIR Grant

Andluca Technologies has been awarded a $1M Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue development of their near-ultraviolet (NUV) organic photovoltaic technology. The technology comprises a visibly-transparent thin-film coating that efficiently converts NUV light into electrical power.  Solar cells harvesting NUV photons could satisfy the unmet need of powering smart windows over the same spatial footprint without absorbing visible or near-infrared photons that the windows seek to regulate or negatively impacting window aesthetics.

The broader impacts of the NSF-sponsored research program include the reduction of US energy demand via accelerated adoption of wireless smart glass technologies in buildings. Market research from The Energy Mix indicates that smart window technologies could save 2.19 gigatons of carbon by 2050, resulting in $321.5B in energy savings. The proposed technology will improve human wellness in commercial and residential buildings, create U.S. engineering and business development jobs, and more broadly integrate the traditional glazier industry in smart glass and internet-of-things market growth.

“The NSF is proud to support the technology of the future by thinking beyond incremental developments and funding the most creative, impactful ideas across all markets and areas of science and engineering,” said Andrea Belz, Division Director of the Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships at NSF. “With the support of our research funds, any deep technology startup or small business can guide basic science into meaningful solutions that address tremendous needs.”

The 24-month research program will support an expanded Andluca R&D team, including new employees formerly conducting research on the NUV photovoltaic technology at Princeton University under a Phase I Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) NSF award. The growing technical team will support commercialization efforts via continued innovation and collaboration with industry and academic partners.

Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $256,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II (up to $1,000,000). Phase II awardees are eligible to apply for a Phase IIB matching grant of up to $500,000 if they subsequently secure follow-on investment or commercial sales. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program, also known as America’s Seed Fund powered by the NSF, undergo a rigorous merit-based review process.

About Andluca Technologies:

Andluca Technologies, a Princeton University spin-out, has developed UV-solar-powered smart glass for improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Andluca’s patented technologies can reduce building energy use by up to 40% while significantly enhancing occupant comfort and productivity. Unlike available wired smart glass products – which require major renovation and installation by an electrician – Andluca’s wireless smart glass can be installed quickly and non-disruptively in new or existing buildings.  Learn more about Andluca here: https://andluca.com/

About the National Science Foundation's Small Business Programs:

America’s Seed Fund powered by the NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Small businesses in an eligible technology category can receive up to $2 million in funding to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.5 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. To learn more about America’s Seed Fund powered by NSF, visit: https://seedfund.nsf.gov/