NASA SBIR 2007 Solicitation

SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Materials Modification Inc
2721-D Merrilee Drive
Fairfax, VA 22031 - 4429
(703) 560-1371

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Ramachandran Radhakrishnan
radha@matmod.com
2721-D Merrilee Drive
Fairfax, VI 22031 - 4428
(703) 560-1371

Expected Technology Readiness Level (TRL) upon completion of contract: 2 to 3

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words)
As manned-space exploration missions are pursued further beyond low-Earth orbit, such as to the Moon or Mars, crewmembers must be supplied with good quality food to provide a complete diet over a period of three years or more. Current food-packaging materials result in major solid-waste management issues. Novel food packaging materials that will eliminate or reduce solid waste while preserving the quality of the food are required for long-term space travel and stay. Materials Modification, Inc. (MMI) proposes to develop a biodegradable packaging material that can be used to transport and store foodstuff during extended space travel and stay. A nanocomposite will be developed that will be mechanically strong, resistant to microbes and possess good barrier properties during period of use, biodegradable beyond the useful period, and microwave-safe.

POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)
Food packaging for long-duration space travel and stay

POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)
Biodegradable food packaging material that can reduce or eliminate the use of polluting non-degradable plastics.

NASA's technology taxonomy has been developed by the SBIR-STTR program to disseminate awareness of proposed and awarded R/R&D in the agency. It is a listing of over 100 technologies, sorted into broad categories, of interest to NASA.

TECHNOLOGY TAXONOMY MAPPING

Composites Sterilization/Pathogen and Microbial Control