December 2022

A science center building located near the ocean

Missions accomplished: research partnerships advance NOAA innovation

Public-private collaborations drive NOAA successes in 2022 Public-private partnerships are vital for bringing private sector innovation and agility to NOAA’s research and development efforts. One of the key tools in NOAA’s partnership toolkit is the CRADA, or Cooperative Research and Development Agreement. “A CRADA is a flexible tool that helps NOAA work quickly and easily with the private sector. CRADAs help facilitate a collaborative, two-way exchange of information, technologies, and ideas,” says NOAA Technology Transfer Program Manager, Wayne Mackenzie. A CRADA is a formal agreement that allows federal and non-federal partners to do collaborative research and develop new science into commercially-available technologies. Specifically, CRADAs establish partnerships between NOAA Laboratories or Science Centers and private U.S. companies, universities, and other entities. These valuable tools help create flexible and agile collaboration spaces by allowing partners to more quickly and easily share ideas, expertise, facilities, and other research materials.  This graph shows new CRADAs signed and total active CRADAs over the last two decades. The decrease in total active CRADAs shown during FY21 represents the closing out of a number of agreements due to COVID-19. Courtesy of NOAA TPO. The NOAA Technology Partnerships Office (TPO) is responsible for managing all of NOAA’s CRADAs. TPO initiated 18 new CRADAs in Fiscal Year 2022, which is the highest number of agreements ever to be started in one year at NOAA. NOAA and its research partners benefitted from a total of 52 active CRADAs this year. The number of CRADAs at NOAA is increasing as more federal researchers and potential partners understand the value of existing public-private research and development efforts.  Following are some of the CRADA partnership highlights from this year: Satellite technology to provide faster and more accurate forecasts NOAA and Boston-based company tomorrow.io joined forces to provide more timely access to satellite data and scientific models that decision-makers can use to protect the nation’s security, environment, economy, and quality of life. Tomorrow.io is a weather intelligence and climate security platform that provides information and data visualizations to help countries, businesses, and individuals better manage weather- and climate-related challenges, such as coastal flooding. NOAA is working with tomorrow.io’s new satellite constellation to combine the company’s hyper-local data with NOAA’s global weather models. The goal is to produce accurate and high-resolution precipitation forecasts for very large areas. Tomorrow.io’s climate adaptation web platform, which is powered by its proprietary weather intelligence and weather api. Courtesy of tomorrow.io A collaboration advances oyster probiotic research NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center has teamed up with a number of companies to test a new technology that could improve oyster larvae survival rates in hatcheries around the world. The collaborators are working together to test the effectiveness of a NOAA-developed oyster probiotic called OY15. Through a special CRADA collaboration called a Material Transfer Agreement, NOAA transferred the probiotic to a company called Prospective Research, Inc. so it could be further developed into a commercially-available form. Then, a new powdered version of the probiotic was again transferred to three oyster hatcheries – Pacific Hybreed, Inc., Taylor Shellfish Farms, and Cartron Point Shellfish, Ltd. – so it could be further tested and refined to give oyster hatchery farmers an advantage against disease. Read more about this public-private research collaboration. A lab technician demonstrates a freeze-dried formulation of oyster probiotic OY15. Courtesy of Rose Leeger. Uncrewed ocean vessel technology benefits from tank tests NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center has granted two small companies access to use their Ocean Technology Development Test Tank. The companies will use the tank to test their uncrewed ocean research vehicles before performing more tests in the ocean. California-based Seatrec, Inc. is developing an uncrewed sea profiling float that will help NOAA researchers generate and communicate scientific data that informs marine life management and conservation efforts. San Diego-based SubSeaSail, LLC is developing an autonomous vessel that will also use the tank for testing. These public-private collaborations are made possible using a third type of CRADA called a Facilities Use Agreement. NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center is located in La Jolla, CA. Courtesy of NOAA. Climate prediction capabilities get a boost from the cloud Microsoft and NOAA have teamed up to leverage the Azure Artificial Intelligence platform and high-performance cloud computing capacity to improve NOAA’s environmental prediction capabilities. “We are excited about the potential of partnering NOAA’s environmental intelligence with Microsoft’s cloud computing in hopes of amplifying NOAA’s ability to predict climate, weather, and ocean changes,” said NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad. A key goal of this partnership is to create a searchable data catalog that supports public policy, economic growth, environmental protection, and increased climate resiliency. Read more about how this project will support NOAA’s mission to create a Climate-Ready Nation. NOAA and Microsoft have formed a partnership to harness Microsoft’s cloud computing expertise to help advance NOAA’s mission to predict climate, weather and ocean changes. Courtesy of NOAA CRADA impacts on the future The cumulative economic and scientific impact of NOAA’s public-private partnerships is significant. These collaborations increase NOAA’s capacity to do scientific research, stimulate technological innovation, and generate broad economic value for the U.S. economy, the global New Blue Economy, and individual U.S. businesses. As scientific research is called upon to inform solutions for some of society’s most pressing challenges, partnerships are essential and CRADAs unlock enormous potential for collaborative problem-solving and innovation. Visit the NOAA Partnerships Page for additional information about the NOAA Technology Transfer Program, view a list of NOAA’s active CRADAs, and read about other CRADA success stories.  Note: Any reference obtained from this website to a specific company, product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by NOAA. Story published on December 22, 2022 by Matthew Bryant Media contact: suzi.webster@noaa.gov

blue text on white background that reads GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR HIGH IMPACT RESEARCH

NOAA scientists receive Technology Transfer award

A NOAA-led team of scientists will be recognized at this year’s 2022 Governor’s Awards for High Impact Research event on December 14 in Denver, Colorado. The event is sponsored by CO-LABS and will honor NOAA and CIRES award recipients for both the Pathfinder Partnership and Technology Transfer award categories. The Technology Transfer Award recognizes research that resulted in a technological solution with widespread and measurable societal use, with related impact on a global challenge or issue. This year’s recipients developed a first-of-a-kind Whole Atmosphere Model and Ionosphere Plasmasphere Electrodynamics Model (WAM-IPE), which allows forecasters to provide better information to the public about potential impacts from solar storms. Collaboration with CIRES, CU Boulder, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, and NOAA’s Environmental Modeling Center has brought this new model forward to provide crucial insight to various economic sectors—including communications, satellite and airline operations, human space flight, and navigation and surveying to mitigate damages. Read more Story published on December 8, 2022

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NOAA SBIR-funded company develops satellite wildfire detection

Small business MyRadar / ACME AtronOmatic, LLC is utilizing satellite technology to develop wildfire detection and mitigation. The company is using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms along with weather data to detect environmental hazards like smoke, aerosols, and fire hotspots. Their research and development received a boost with initial Phase I funding from the NOAA SBIR Program. Read the full story.

DOC and NOAA emblems with text "SBIR NOFO FY2023"

NOAA issues FY23 call for Phase I SBIR proposals

Small businesses must submit a Letter of Intent by January 13, 2023 On December 2, 2022 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Phase I Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. NOAA Phase I SBIR awards provide up to $175,000, which funds a six month period of performance for conducting feasibility and proof of concept research. The tentative award start date for the FY23 competition is August 1, 2023.  NOAA encourages proposals from qualified small businesses for highly innovative technologies with strong commercial potential that fit within NOAA’s mission areas.  To be eligible to submit a Phase I application, small businesses must first submit a required Letter of Intent via this form by Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11:59 pm (ET). In response to submission of the Letter of Intent, the NOAA SBIR Program will provide feedback indicating if an application is likely to be nonresponsive to the NOFO. Instructions for submitting the Letter of Intent are available in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. Full applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by March 17, 2023 at 11:59 pm (ET). Topics for the NOAA FY 2023 SBIR Phase I solicitation include: 9.1  Extreme Events and Cascading Hazards 9.2  Coastal Resilience 9.3  The Changing Ocean 9.4  Water Availability, Quality, and Risk 9.5  Effects of Space Weather 9.6  Monitoring and Modeling for Climate Change Mitigation Additionally, NOAA gives high priority to proposals developing technologies that integrate any of the NOAA Science & Technology Focus Areas, which include Uncrewed Systems (UxS), Artificial Intelligence, Data and Cloud Computing, ‘Omics, and Citizen Science. NOAA FY23 SBIR Phase I Notice of Funding Opportunity informational webinar: An informational webinar to discuss the Notice of Funding Opportunity and application process for the NOAA FY23 SBIR solicitation will take place on Tuesday, December 13th at 1:00 pm (ET). The webinar will include an overview of the FY23 competition and an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. Questions can be submitted in advance to noaa.sbir@noaa.gov with the subject “NOAA FY23 SBIR NOFO Webinar”. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the NOAA SBIR website.  Register for the webinar by clicking HERE. Key dates: Thursday, December 2, 2022: Notice of Funding Opportunity released Tuesday, December 13, 2022: Informational Webinar Friday, January 13, 2023: Letter of Intent (required) due date Friday, February 10, 2023: Letter of Intent feedback provided Friday, March 17, 2023: Full application due date The NOAA SBIR Program aims to stimulate U.S. economic and business growth through the commercialization of innovative, mission-relevant technologies by investing in small businesses and providing education and support to entrepreneurs throughout the process of researching, developing, and commercializing technologies. For additional information, please visit our website, follow the NOAA Technology Partnerships Office on LinkedIn and Twitter @NOAAinnovate, or contact the NOAA SBIR Program at noaa.sbir@noaa.gov. Media contact: suzi.webster@noaa.gov

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NOAA connects with entrepreneurs and innovators at BlueTech Week

The NOAA Technology Partnerships Office (TPO) recently participated in BlueTech Week in San Diego, CA. BlueTech Week is an annual conference where global participants collaborate and innovate on some of the most pressing water and ocean challenges. This year marked a return to an in-person event, and was held at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Liberty Station. As a Visionary Sponsor for the event, TPO had the opportunity to host an exhibitor booth throughout the conference and to share informational materials about NOAA’s mission priorities, technologies, and various programs that support the U.S. Blue Economy and innovation ecosystem. TPO staff were on hand at the BlueTech Week exhibitor booth. Credit: NOAA TPO The event brought together representatives of academia, industry, and policymakers (“the Triple Helix”) and featured presentations on a wide variety of topics including BlueTech accelerator programs, Blue workforce development, and NOAA’s role in supporting the New Blue Economy. There were concurrent sessions on four key topics: offshore renewable energy, space applications, sustainable commercial shipping, and water technologies. “It was exciting to see NOAA TPO showing up in support of BlueTech Week,” said Randy Lind, President of San Diego-based small business Biospherical Instruments, Inc. “BlueTech Week is always an amazing gathering of water and ocean-focused innovators, many of whom have received help from TPO to cross the bridge from innovation to commercial success.” TPO’s Deputy Director, Derek Parks, moderated a panel discussion on “The Role of Governments: Working with Industry to Promote a Sustainable Blue Economy.” The discussion covered how governments can positively influence the development of a vibrant Blue Economy, including strategic planning and goal-setting, defining standards, and direct financial support for specific industry sectors. Panelists for the session included Pedro Pinto, Consul General of Portugal in San Francisco; Martin Stensland, Counselor for Trade and Industrial Affairs from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; and Amanda Netburn, the Deputy Division Chief for Science and Technology in NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration.  BlueTech Week panelists discuss how various government initiatives are impacting private-sector activities and investments related to the blue economy. Credit: NOAA TPO TPO had the opportunity to connect with current and previous NOAA SBIR award recipients. Entrepreneurs from Biospherical Instruments, Inc. invited representatives from the NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to visit their workspace in downtown San Diego. The visit included a tour of their facilities and learning about progress on their current NOAA SBIR Phase I project. “We had a great site visit with [NOAA SBIR Program Manager] Dr. Lind and the rest of the TPO staff,” said Randy. “We always enjoy showing Biospherical’s facilities to visitors and having the opportunity to give greater insight into what we do, how, and why.” Founder and CEO of Blue Ocean Gear, Inc., Dr. Kortney Opshaug, participated on a panel about technologies impacting the sustainable commercial shipping sector. Blue Ocean Gear has two active NOAA SBIR awards and credits the program with increasing their company’s ability to move their technology forward in difficult economic times. Dr. Yi Chao, President and CEO of Seatrec and 2018 NOAA SBIR awardee, also participated in a panel focused on transforming ocean observations into powerful solutions. Current NOAA SBIR Phase I awardees from Biospherical Instruments, Inc. showcase their technologies for members of the NOAA SBIR team. Credit: NOAA TPO TPO also provided conference registration for representatives from three U.S. small businesses – Tampa Deep Sea Xplorers, Oscilla Power, and Radmantis – who were on hand to present technologies developed with funding from the NOAA SBIR Program. Through a competitive process, companies with active or recently-completed NOAA SBIR Phase II projects were selected to participate in the BlueTech event. The goal for including these companies was to increase their chances of commercial success by introducing them to potential investors and customers for their technologies. The conference was a wonderful opportunity to connect with members of the BlueTech sector in San Diego and beyond. TPO looks forward to continuing support for growing and diversifying the Blue Economy through funding opportunities and strategic research partnerships. NOAA TPO staff with Mitch Goldberg (Senior Scientist at NESDIS), Nicole LeBoeuf (Assistant Administrator for NOAA’s National Ocean Service), Todd Gloria (Mayor of San Diego), and Carl Gouldman (Director of the Integrated Ocean Observing System). Credit: NOAA TPO The primary goal of the NOAA SBIR Program is to empower small businesses to develop and commercialize innovative technologies that are related to NOAA’s mission. Visit the NOAA SBIR Program website to view additional information about the program, read about other NOAA SBIR successes and available technologies, and sign up to receive email updates on upcoming funding opportunities. Note: Any reference obtained from this website to a specific company, product, process, or service does not constitute or imply an endorsement by NOAA. Story published on December 1, 2022 Media contact: suzi.webster@noaa.gov