Two Mass. Companies Receive EPA Small Business Contracts for New Environmental Technologies

Two Massachusetts firms, one in Andover and one in Billerica, will be pursuing new environmentally-related projects thanks to EPA funding.

The companies, Physical Sciences Inc. of Andover, and Aerodyne Research Inc. of Billerica, will each receive nearly a quarter-million dollars under EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The two Bay State companies were part of a national award of nearly $3 million to 13 companies to support their work in seven key environmental areas: nanotechnology, monitoring of air emissions, pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, water treatment, homeland security, and innovation in manufacturing. The companies received “proof of concept” awards from EPA last year and will use these additional funds to move their technology towards commercialization.

Physical Sciences Inc., of Andover, is receiving SBIR funding of $224,966 for working on technologies related to homeland security and/or water quality. Specifically, the company is developing a portable instrument to monitor hydrogen peroxide concentrations during building decontamination after accidental or purposeful exposure to hazardous biological materials.

Aerodyne Research Inc., of Billerica is one of two companies awarded an SBIR contract for working on technologies related to monitoring air emissions. Specifically, EPA is providing $225,000 for a project fabricating and demonstrating a fast response, laser tool to measure acrolein, a hazardous air pollutant produced by combustion and industrial sources.

EPA is one of 11 federal agencies that participate in the SBIR program, enacted in 1982 to strengthen the role of small businesses in federal Research and Development, create jobs, and promote U.S. technical innovation. There are approximately 22 million small businesses in the United States that employ more than 50 percent of the private work force and develop most of the country’s new technologies. To participate in SBIR, a small business must have fewer than 500 employees, and at least 51 percent of the business must be owned by U.S. citizens.

EPA’s SBIR Program supports development of innovative technologies that improve our environment and quality of life, create jobs, increase productivity and economic growth, and improve international competitiveness of the country’s technology industry. EPA’s program has two phases. In the first phase, a company receives seed money to prove that its new idea can work. In the second phase, the company receives further funds to move the technology to the marketplace.