Santa Barbara company gets CHIPS Act funding
By Staff Report
Santa Barbara-based Photothermal Spectroscopy Corporation was one of 17 small businesses across nine states to receive grant funding to explore research projects for developing a viable product or service for introduction in the commercial microelectronics marketplace under the Small Business Innovation Research Program.
This is the first award for the CHIPS Research and Development Office as the Biden-Harris Administration is “dedicated to getting small businesses the resources they need to thrive and promoting competition to level the playing field,” according to a Sept. 19 press release.
Photothermal Spectroscopy, which has pioneered the breakthrough technique of optical Photothermal Infrared technology that eliminates key limitations of traditional IR Spectroscopy, received over $500,000 in funding.
In total, $5 million was awarded to the 17 small businesses.
With the funding, Photothermal Spectroscopy will develop a new instrument for high-speed thermal properties analysis and simultaneous chemical characterization with sub-micron spatial resolution.
This project will “improve thermal management and thermal property characterization for the U.S. semiconductor industry.”
“As we grow the U.S. semiconductor industry, the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to building opportunities for small businesses to prosper. With today’s awards, these 17 businesses will support CHIPS for America’s efforts to grow the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem and support our national and economic security” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a press release.
All 17 grants are Phase I SBIR awards, which are meant to establish the merit, feasibility and commercial potential of the proposed research and development projects.
All 17 small businesses will be under consideration for a SBIR Phase II award in Spring 2025.
Each Phase II award can be funded up to $1.9 million, according to the press release.
