National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

James Donlon

Program Director

Debasis Majumdar

Program Director

Graciela Narcho

Staff Associate

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Past deals in Mining

Muon Vision

Grant in 2024
Muon Vision specializes in enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of mineral processing and industrial operations through advanced subsurface visualization technology. The company has developed a sophisticated x-ray visualization and digitalization sensor that employs nuclear imaging techniques to assess the bulk density of geophysical assets. This technology enables the detection of issues within large material masses and monitors fluid migration in pore spaces over time. By providing geologists and mining companies with insights into the composition and distribution of materials, Muon Vision facilitates improved decision-making and operational effectiveness in various industrial processes, including leaching heaps and mine tailings dams.

Muon Vision

Grant in 2022
Muon Vision specializes in enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of mineral processing and industrial operations through advanced subsurface visualization technology. The company has developed a sophisticated x-ray visualization and digitalization sensor that employs nuclear imaging techniques to assess the bulk density of geophysical assets. This technology enables the detection of issues within large material masses and monitors fluid migration in pore spaces over time. By providing geologists and mining companies with insights into the composition and distribution of materials, Muon Vision facilitates improved decision-making and operational effectiveness in various industrial processes, including leaching heaps and mine tailings dams.

Stratajam

Grant in 2022
Stratajam specializes in providing a comprehensive range of geoscience services aimed at supporting the mining and mineral exploration sectors, particularly in developing countries. The company offers feasibility studies, bulk material procurement, mineral reserves estimation, and geology 3D modeling. Additionally, Stratajam conducts geological report reviews, manages exploration projects, and performs mineral operation due diligence. Their services also include periodic material reconciliation and production optimization, ensuring clients achieve rapid and accurate results throughout their operations. By developing quality tools and methodologies, Stratajam enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of geological assessments and planning processes.

OffWorld

Grant in 2022
OffWorld is focused on developing advanced modular robots designed for use in the mining, infrastructure, and space sectors. The company utilizes a proprietary artificial intelligence-powered platform that facilitates multi-robot swarm behaviors and collective intelligence, allowing for enhanced operation in extreme and unstructured environments. This innovative approach aims to address critical operational challenges, enabling clients to significantly boost productivity and cost efficiency while improving employee health and safety and reducing their carbon footprint. OffWorld's technology is tailored to meet the demanding requirements of mission-critical applications across various industries.

Nth Cycle

Grant in 2022
Nth Cycle is a metal processing technology company that focuses on recovering critical minerals through innovative electro-extraction methods. It collaborates with battery recyclers and mining operations to extract production-grade minerals from e-waste and low-grade mine tailings, offering a cleaner and more customizable alternative to traditional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes. By utilizing its advanced recycling technology, Nth Cycle aims to reduce reliance on primary mining, thereby creating a sustainable secondary source of rare earth metals in the United States. This approach supports the manufacturing and recycling industries while contributing to advancements in clean energy.

Minerva Lithium

Grant in 2021
Minerva Lithium, founded in 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina, specializes in developing advanced extraction techniques for critical minerals, particularly lithium. The company focuses on direct lithium extraction technology designed to enhance the recovery of lithium while also recovering usable water. Utilizing a proprietary nano mosaic membrane filter system, Minerva Lithium enables various sectors, including renewable energy, automotive, and technology, to extract high-grade pure minerals from non-traditional water resources. Its innovative approach aims to accelerate the development of clean energy technologies and support the growing lithium market.

MineraLogic

Grant in 2021
MineraLogic is a geochemistry consultancy firm that assists clients in identifying risks and opportunities caused by geochemical reactions. The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota.

Minerva Lithium

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Minerva Lithium, founded in 2020 in Greensboro, North Carolina, specializes in developing advanced extraction techniques for critical minerals, particularly lithium. The company focuses on direct lithium extraction technology designed to enhance the recovery of lithium while also recovering usable water. Utilizing a proprietary nano mosaic membrane filter system, Minerva Lithium enables various sectors, including renewable energy, automotive, and technology, to extract high-grade pure minerals from non-traditional water resources. Its innovative approach aims to accelerate the development of clean energy technologies and support the growing lithium market.

Muon Vision

Grant in 2020
Muon Vision specializes in enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of mineral processing and industrial operations through advanced subsurface visualization technology. The company has developed a sophisticated x-ray visualization and digitalization sensor that employs nuclear imaging techniques to assess the bulk density of geophysical assets. This technology enables the detection of issues within large material masses and monitors fluid migration in pore spaces over time. By providing geologists and mining companies with insights into the composition and distribution of materials, Muon Vision facilitates improved decision-making and operational effectiveness in various industrial processes, including leaching heaps and mine tailings dams.

Phoenix Tailings

Grant in 2019
Phoenix Tailings, is building technology to enable the recycling and re-mining of Bauxite Residue (“Red Mud”) - a hazardous by-product in the aluminum industry - to extract strategic materials which are critical to the Defense, Automotive, Electronics and Biotech industries. The company was founded with the mission to revolutionize the mining industry by enabling new sources of strategic materials, sustainably and economically.

Nth Cycle

Grant in 2019
Nth Cycle is a metal processing technology company that focuses on recovering critical minerals through innovative electro-extraction methods. It collaborates with battery recyclers and mining operations to extract production-grade minerals from e-waste and low-grade mine tailings, offering a cleaner and more customizable alternative to traditional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes. By utilizing its advanced recycling technology, Nth Cycle aims to reduce reliance on primary mining, thereby creating a sustainable secondary source of rare earth metals in the United States. This approach supports the manufacturing and recycling industries while contributing to advancements in clean energy.

SIAS Global

Grant in 2015
SIAS Global is a geospatial technology innovation that provides data analytics for regulatory permitted and surety bonded industrial mining. The company was founded in 2009 by Russell F. Schimmer and is based in Woodbridge, Connecticut.

Workplace Technologies Research

Grant in 2014
Workplace Technologies Research works in industry verticals as diverse as biotech, pharma, manufacturing, mining, power generation, transportation, financial services, education, health care, and others.

Split Engineering

Grant in 2013
Split Engineering LLC, founded in 1997 and based in Tucson, Arizona, specializes in providing systems and software for measuring coarse rock fragmentation in the mining industry. The company, which is a subsidiary of Hexagon Mining, combines expertise in mining, metallurgy, geology, geophysics, optics, electrical engineering, and mathematics to develop image-processing solutions. These offerings enable clients to effectively administer and control processes related to rock size measurement, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and profitability in mining operations. Through its comprehensive services and innovative technology, Split Engineering aims to support its customers in optimizing their resource management and improving overall mine performance.

Workplace Technologies Research

Grant in 2013
Workplace Technologies Research works in industry verticals as diverse as biotech, pharma, manufacturing, mining, power generation, transportation, financial services, education, health care, and others.

United Science

Grant in 2013
United Science provides food-grade filtration products. They offer scientific solutions, products, and consulting services. They serving the services for mining, oil and gas, and food product manufacturing industries. Their products include filtration media and equipment, separations equipment, and business consulting.

Split Engineering

Grant in 2012
Split Engineering LLC, founded in 1997 and based in Tucson, Arizona, specializes in providing systems and software for measuring coarse rock fragmentation in the mining industry. The company, which is a subsidiary of Hexagon Mining, combines expertise in mining, metallurgy, geology, geophysics, optics, electrical engineering, and mathematics to develop image-processing solutions. These offerings enable clients to effectively administer and control processes related to rock size measurement, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and profitability in mining operations. Through its comprehensive services and innovative technology, Split Engineering aims to support its customers in optimizing their resource management and improving overall mine performance.

Cerahelix

Seed Round in 2012
Cerahelix, Inc. is a company based in Orono, Maine, that specializes in the design and manufacture of ceramic membrane filters for a variety of applications, including water purification, resource recycling, and biomass processing. Founded in 2011, Cerahelix develops bio-derived products utilizing patented DNA template technology to create sub-nanometer pores in ceramic membranes. This innovative approach allows for the effective filtration of minute particles, enabling the separation of salts, metal ions, and other impurities at the molecular level. The company offers a range of products, including single-channel elements for laboratory and small pilot studies, multi-channel elements for commercial applications, and filter element housings. Additionally, Cerahelix provides laboratory test systems for research and development purposes. Its products serve multiple industries, including food and beverage, mining, pharmaceuticals, and waste-to-energy.
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