THE GREEN EDGE
“Te Army has an operational footprint and leaves a carbon trail—this is indisput- able,” said Matt Willis, Ph.D., director of Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program. “As a result, it’s a priority that the Army invests in technol- ogies that recognize this as a reality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for now and in the future.”
XTechSBIR Clean Tech small businesses have continued to build off the momentum of SBIR contract awards earned by first- place winners. For example, e-volv, a small business based out of Littleton, Colorado, received and completed a Phase I SBIR contract award as a winner of the compe- tition for its utility-grade commercial superconductor cable and magnet-based products. Now, the company has an Army
SBIR Phase II contract focused on devel- oping and demonstrating its innovation from Phase I into an optimized power cable for Army aircraft needs.
According to Glenn Auld Knierim, Ph.D., e-volv’s chief technology and executive officer, their technology can help remove global dependence on fossil fuel use, with their cables transforming power delivery in Army and commercial microgrids around the world and supplying clean energy for many customers and missions.
“Coincident with climate-friendly electric- ity-based technologies are innovations that enable offensive and defensive capabilities unrivaled in power, density and perfor- mance,” Knierim said. “As scientists, we see a path leading toward clean energy.”
Te program’s dedication to engaging with scientists and innovators who see real potential in clean technology—such as e-volv—has persisted since the conclusion of xTechSBIR Clean Tech. More recent xTech competitions continue to amal- gamate clean tech solutions with countless possibilities for Army application. For example, in April 2023, xTechPrime launched support to Army moderniza- tion priorities, including climate and clean tech. Te competition put a unique spin on the standard xTech competition model. Small businesses brought their solutions and partnered with technology integrators, who brought their expertise in early-stage business development, proto- typing, marketing and Army relations. Out of nearly 350 proposals, 77 small businesses submitted to xTechPrime under
BLUE SKY PLAN
To keep our planet green and skies blue, ASA(ALT)-led programs are partnering with nontraditional innovators to equip Soldiers with technologies that mitigate the Army’s carbon footprint. (Photo by Spc. Orion Magnuson, 2nd Cavalry Regiment)
54
Army AL&T Magazine
Spring 2024
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