GOLDFINCH SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES AND ANALYTICS LLC WINS AWARDS FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

DOE’s SBIR Awards to Goldfinch STA will enable the RTP company to develop and demonstrate technologies supporting safer nuclear reactor fuels, national nuclear safety, and well-based carbon sequestration. 

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – September 27, 2019 – Goldfinch Sensor Technologies and Analytics LLC (Goldfinch STA), a science and technology company in the Research Triangle Park, has been awarded three Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) projects, together totaling nearly $1,400,000 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The projects include both Phase I (feasibility demonstration) and Phase II (research validation) efforts. 

The Phase II project is entitled “Metamaterial void sensor for fast transient testing.” The project is worth nearly $1 M and includes Virginia Tech as a sub-awardee. “Receiving the Phase II award from the Department of Energy enables Goldfinch STA to validate the research efforts of our successful Phase I effort. We will use this award in collaboration with our research partner, Dr. Juliana Pacheco Duarte at Virginia Tech, to create and sustain jobs, develop innovations, and evaluate the commercialization potential of our technology,” explained Mark Roberson, PhD, president of Goldfinch STA. “We are proud to support the mission of the Office of Nuclear Energy within the Department of Energy to advance nuclear power to meet the nation's energy, environmental, and national security needs.” 

Nuclear disasters such as Fukushima Daiichi show the need for Accident Tolerant Fuels. The project undertaken by Goldfinch STA is to develop a sensor to measure the ‘voids’ [bubbles that form in the cooling fluid which can degrade the fuel rod’s protective metal coating] that occur during a nuclear reactor accident. The effort is a critical part of fuel technology optimization for light water reactors. Benefits include improved fuel safety, reduced light water reactor fuel burnup, and accident tolerance. Understanding void formation will help determine new reactor fuel safety criteria. The new reactors have applicability for commercial power production, science experimentation (e.g., neutron science), and space propulsion. 

“We have benefitted tremendously from the support of Andy Schwab and Mary Musacchia at First Flight Venture Center,” said Dr. Roberson. “Their understanding of the entrepreneurial process and mentoring in the early stages of the company gave our team the skills to win this award and other competitive awards from the U.S. government. First Flight’s Hangar 6, an advanced prototyping facility, has been incredibly valuable in accelerating the development of this project. The ‘One North Carolina SBIR/STTR Phase I Matching Funds Program’ from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Office of Science, Technology & Innovation has also been critical to Goldfinch STA being able to reach this Phase II award.” 

Goldfinch STA is also proud to announce the awards of two Phase I SBIR projects from the DOE, together worth approximately $400,000. The first project, “Multi-modal small sensor package,” addresses national nuclear safety. Detecting and characterizing facilities and performing emergency location require multi-modal, persistent surveillance by sensing and analysis. Infrasound and radio-frequency direction-finding (RF-DF) sensors have the proven ability to provide standoff detection. The project will demonstrate the feasibility of a small sensor package designed for small and medium unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). 

The second project, “Pup joint telemetry system,” helps develop technologies for carbon sequestration. Understanding reservoir stability and annulus cementing integrity will help determine new isolation criteria and verify existing operations. The new sequestration wells have applicability for greenhouse gas storage, environmental monitoring, and science experimentation (e.g., materials and sensor science). The project will demonstrate the feasibility of a pup joint telemetry system. 

Goldfinch STA has received several other non-dilutive awards over the last two years, including two Phase I SBIR awards totaling approximately $300,000 from the Department of Energy, an approximately $150,000 Phase I SBIR award from the Department of Defense, a $50,000 grant from the NC Department of Commerce, and other government and commercial project awards. 

ABOUT GOLDFINCH STA Goldfinch Sensor Technologies and Analytics LLC (Goldfinch STA) is a technology company located in the heart of the Research Triangle Park. Established in 2015, Goldfinch STA’s mission is to develop and deploy next generation sensors and analytics, using electromagnetic, optical, and geophysical sensors for persistent surveillance and monitoring. 

ABOUT THE DOE SBIR PROGRAM The Phase I grants will allow small businesses to research technical feasibility of new innovations that advance the mission of the Department. Phase I grants are 6-12 months in duration with a median award amount of $200,000. Successful Phase I grantees will be eligible to apply for Phase II awards in fiscal year 2020 that will allow them to develop novel prototypes or processes to validate their Phase I research findings. Phase II grants have a median award amount of $1,100,000 and a duration up to 2 years. 

For more information, contact: Mark Roberson President, Goldfinch Sensor Technologies and Analytics LLC (Goldfinch STA) 919-480-8991 mwr@goldfinchsta.com