Home > Partners > Call for QSI-Nano® Research Grant Proposals

Proposal Submissions: Open year round
Program Award Amount: Up to $500k
Funding Period: Twelve Months
Award Notification: Within 90 days
Research Start Date: Flexible
Number of Awards: Up to five annually

QuantumSphere is looking to partner with universities and sponsor individual and group research through prototype phase using QSI-Nano® metals and alloys in an effort to accelerate validation and commercialization of these advanced materials in consumer and industrial applications.

QuantumSphere is a leading manufacturer of nanometals and alloys for applications in clean-energy, electronics, aerospace, defense, biomedical and other markets demanding advanced materials. QuantumSphere’s exclusive patented manufacturing process provides consistent and narrow particle size distribution, low levels of agglomeration, a custom-tailored oxide shell thickness, and the highest purity metallic nanopowders on the market.

The Company’s goal is to fund innovative research projects in nanotechnology that pertain to QuantumSphere’s unique nanometals and oxides. Commercially viable catalytic, conductive, magnetic and anti-microbial applications that could ultimately result in end-use consumer and industrial products are the focus of this grant.

This funding opportunity is open to graduate and postdoctoral students involved in full-time research within Universities and Colleges in the United States during the 2007/08 academic year. A completed submission form, including approval from advising professor, is required.

QSI-Nano® Metals Available for Research:

Requirements for Candidacy

Proposal Requirements

• A summary of previous work, and references in the project area chosen, as support of the proposed idea
  
• Proposal must contain an explanation of capability to execute research plan beginning from dry, unfunctionalized metal/metal-oxide particles to prototype product, which encompasses:
  • An abstract describing the proposal topic, and its relevance to an end-use commercially viable application
    
  • Introduction with background information of the proposed project, and how the use of nanometals should improve performance of the product/device (NOTE: describe the existing challenges/issues in the marketplace and your proposed solution)
    
  • A summary of the concept and a research plan and timeline that shows a clear path for validation and development of a prototype product
    
  • List of the experiments to be conducted, including the equipment and instruments that will be used
    
  • A discussion detailing the potential commercial impact of a successful prototype
    
  • A general budget, stating how money will be divided between salary, chemicals, and equipment
    
• Submissions should be no longer than 3 pages in length, typed in 12 point font at single line spacing. Up to two graphics may be included in the proposal. This proposal document must be submitted in *.pdf format.

Proposal Examination
Successful proposals will be awarded on the following criteria:

• Clear definition of the current need/challenges/issues in the marketplace, and how these needs/challenges/issues can be met and potentially overcome with the use of QSI-Nano® metals (20%)
  
• A detailed path for validation and potential commercialization beginning with QSI-Nano® metals to final prototype device (50%)
  
• Potential commercial impact of the successful prototype (30%)

Awarded Proposals

Awarded candidate must agree to complete a monthly progress report, and write a whitepaper, to be published on the QSI website, at the conclusion of the project. Additionally, demonstration of a working prototype or design must be illustrated at the conclusion of the project. QSI understands that any intellectual property resulting from the project will be owned by the college or university, with QSI having exclusive licensing rights. At the time of submission, all proposals become the property of QSI. Submitted proposals must not contain any information which is considered proprietary by the college or university.

2009 Awarded Grants

Professor T. Hahn, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at University of California, Los Angeles: “CIGS Adsorber Layer Preparation from CIG and Se Nanoparticles”

2007 Awarded Grants

Byron Brehm-Stecher, Department of Food Safety and Microbiology at Iowa State University: “Testing the Antimicrobial Effect of QSI-Nano® Metal Nanoparticles: Basic Research and Applications”

Prof. Elias Stefanakos and Sesha Srinivasan, Clean Energy Research Center at the Department of Engineering at the University of South Florida: “QSI Catalysts for On-board Hydrogen Storage Applications”

Phase II continuation: Prof. Tom Hahn and Dr. John Guo, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Material Science Departments at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Applied Science: “Conductive Polymeric Nanocomposite-based GMR Sensor Fabrication”

2006 Awarded Grants

2006 QuantumSphere, Inc. Research Grants Awarded Include:
Prof. Eric M.V. Hoek, Civil & Environmental Department and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles: “Anti-Microbial Nanocomposite Membranes for Desalination and Water Purification”

Dr. John Guo, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Material Science Departments at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Applied Science: “Conductive Polymeric Nanocomposite-based GMR Sensor Fabrication”

Link to Grant Proposal Submission Form

Proposal Submission Form