Press Releases

Congresswoman Trahan, Energy Secretary Granholm Announce $3.8 Million for MA-03 Small Business Research and Development Grants

Allocations are part of 110 grants awarded in 26 states to support scientific innovation and clean energy development

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) and Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, along with Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA), announced awards totaling $3,841,107 to small businesses in the Third District working on advanced scientific tools and clean, secure energy for the American people. The funding announcements were part of 110 grants across 26 states for projects pursuing technological solutions that support the Biden-Harris Administration’s clean energy goals – in areas varying from cybersecurity, renewable energy, carbon management, grid reliability, and fusion energy.

“From Andover to Chelmsford to Marlborough, the small business innovators here in Massachusetts’ Third Congressional District are proving critical to solving the challenges we face as a nation,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “These grants are necessary investments in organizations like Triton, Solid Material Solutions, Physical Sciences, and Aspen Products Group uniquely focused on creating a clean energy future and breaking down scientific barriers.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of American communities, representing some of our best opportunities to make the clean energy innovations our country needs to meet President Biden’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,” said Secretary Granholm. “These funding awards will help small businesses take their work to the next level, expand their operations and create new jobs, and be part of the fight against the existential crisis of our time – climate change.”

“Massachusetts continues to be a leader in energy technology, and I am proud that so many of our small businesses were awarded research and development grants through the Department of Energy,” said Senator Markey. “From improvement in batteries to innovations in offshore wind, these grants will support the hard work of decarbonizing our energy systems and continue to rebuild our economy at the same time.”

Small businesses represent 99.9% of all U.S. businesses, employ nearly half of American workers, and create two out of every three new jobs in the private sector.

The awards announced today are administered by DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which were established to encourage diverse communities to participate in technological innovation, as well as create a bridge between DOE-supported science breakthroughs and viable products and services for the commercial market. Funding for today’s projects came from DOE’s science and energy program offices, the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, and the Office of Environmental Management.

Selected projects include:

  • Aspen Products Group, Inc., Marlborough, MA ($541,784): Low-Cost Energy Recovery Ventilator Incorporating a High Flux Moisture-Permeable Membrane.
  • Physical Sciences Inc., Andover, MA ($1,099,855): Efficient process for the production of high conductivity, carbon-rich materials from coal.
  • Solid Material Solutions, Chelmsford, MA ($1,100,000): Advanced silver sheathed 2212/Ag wire for high field magnets.
  • Triton Systems, Inc., Chelmsford, MA ($1,099,468): Wave Energy Harvesting to Power Ocean Buoys.

For more information about the 110 projects, CLICK HERE

For more information about DOE’s SBIR and STTR programs, visit the Programs Office website.

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