Blacksand Technology, a company that specializes in powder metallurgy of titanium, was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation for $252,648. The research and development project, titled Production of Low-Cost Ti Alloys by Direct Reduction and Alloying, intends to dramatically reduce energy consumption, material and fabrication costs, and has significant interest from industry.
Blacksand Technology, founded by Prof. Z. Zak Fang, is a spin-out from the University of Utah. The company is a leader in the development of low-cost processes to produce titanium alloy powders and components through its patented titanium powder production and sintering technologies. The technologies were originally developed at the University of Utah with funding from ARPA-E, EERE of U.S. DOE, and NSF. Blacksand has worldwide exclusive licenses from the University of Utah. Blacksand’s expertise covers titanium, refractory metals, hard materials, and other specialty alloys.
The Utah Innovation Center assisted Dr. Pei Sun with this winning proposal. Winning a SBIR Phase I grant qualifies Blacksand Technology to compete for an additional $1,000,000 Phase II grant upon successful completion of the Phase I project.