POTSDAM -- Potsdam Sensors LLC has been awarded $225,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Small Business Technology Transfer grant for research and development work on advanced sensors for indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring.

PSL will use novel electrical-mobility techniques and low-current sensing circuits developed at Clarkson University to build low-cost sensors for large-scale networked air quality monitoring. Air quality has been identified as one of the important determiners of health globally, particularly in developing regions such as India, China, and parts of Africa. Low-cost sensors, such as those being developed by PSL, will allow for better monitoring of air quality and in designing effective policies for mitigation of air pollution.

“The National Science Foundation supports small businesses with the most innovative, cutting-edge ideas that have the potential to become great commercial successes and make huge societal impacts,” said Barry Johnson, Director of the NSF’s Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships. “We hope that this seed funding will spark solutions to some of the most important challenges of our time across all areas of science and technology.”

Dr. Suresh Dhaniyala, President of Potsdam Sensors LLC and the Bayard D. Clarkson Distinguished Professor at Clarkson University, said," We are excited to advance the field of air quality sensing with our novel technology and are looking forward to enabling improved air quality monitoring at a global scale."

Dhaniyala developed Potsdam Sensors with the help of the Shipley Center for Innovation at Clarkson University. Potsdam Sensors is located in the Peyton Hall Business Incubator at Clarkson.

Once a small business is awarded a Phase I SBIR/STTR grant (up to $225,000), it becomes eligible to apply for a Phase II grant (up to $750,000). Small businesses with Phase II grants are eligible to receive up to $500,000 in additional matching funds with qualifying third-party investment or sales.

NSF accepts Phase I proposals from small businesses twice annually in June and December. Small businesses with innovative science and technology solutions, and commercial potential are encouraged to apply. All proposals submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program undergo a rigorous merit-based review process.

The Shipley Center for Innovation guides innovators through the complex process of commercialization, providing the practical tools to transform their ideas into reality. The Center offers mentorship, as well as information on marketing, patents, and branding, etc.

To learn more about the NSF SBIR/STTR program, visit: www.nsf.gov/SBIR.