Florida Tech Chosen for NASA Small Business Technology Transfer Program Award for Foam Project

MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Institute of Technology and the firm, Gordon Nelson and Associates, have been chosen as one of just 14 recipients of a NASA Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program contract award. The award, valued at just under $700,000 for two years, is for phase II research and development of a new, flexible polyurethane insulation foam, created through a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly composite approach. Florida Tech was the only university in Florida awarded an STTR contract.

Principal investigator and project manager is Feng Yang, research associate professor in the Florida Tech Department of Chemistry. He will lead work with vendors on the production of intermediate-scale samples, investigate commercialization, licensing and joint ventures.

Potential NASA commercial applications include cryogenic insulation, fireproofing, energy absorption and other aerospace applications. Possible other commercial applications include packaging foam, industrial and acoustic insulation, mattresses, automotive firewalls, aircraft and train seating, and some furniture applications.

“We are excited about receiving this highly competitive award, the only one to a Florida university. It is gratifying to see research move from the laboratory to actual applications,” said Gordon Nelson, university professor of chemistry at Florida Tech.