Mussel Polymers, Inc. announces it has been selected by AFWERX for an SBIR Phase I contract focused on the development of a biomimetic, anti-corrosive coating technology.  M-Clad ™ is MPI's new coating designed to protect deployed equipment, vehicles, and structures from damage, especially corrosion. This anti-corrosive technology will help to address one of the most pressing challenges faced by the Department of the Air Force (DAF).

According to the GAO, corrosion costs the US military over $20 billion annually.  MPI's anticorrosion technology is an extension of its patented Poly (catechol-styrene) thin film applications which include enhanced adhesion and functionalization on wet and low energy surfaces.  "AFRL's selection of PCS for testing, provides a robust test bed of the value and effectiveness of MPI's M-Clad anticorrosive coating" says Jason Stieg, Chief Commercial Officer of Mussel Polymers.

The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution.

The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded, and now Mussel Polymers, Inc. will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

"The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government."

 

Source:prnewswire.com

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