Award Abstract # 2151368
SBIR Phase II: Developing a Continuous, Wireless, Intra-Oral Salivary pH Sensor

NSF Org: TI
Translational Impacts
Recipient: UCHU BIOSENSORS, INC.
Initial Amendment Date: February 24, 2022
Latest Amendment Date: November 20, 2024
Award Number: 2151368
Award Instrument: Cooperative Agreement
Program Manager: Henry Ahn
hahn@nsf.gov
 (703)292-7069
TI
 Translational Impacts
TIP
 Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships
Start Date: March 1, 2022
End Date: February 28, 2026 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $1,000,000.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $1,874,998.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2022 = $1,000,000.00
FY 2023 = $399,998.00

FY 2025 = $475,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Daniel Weinstein (Principal Investigator)
    daniel@uchubiosensors.com
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: UCHU BIOSENSORS, INC.
15 ELLERY ST APT 6
CAMBRIDGE
MA  US  02138-5300
(253)686-5892
Sponsor Congressional District: 05
Primary Place of Performance: Industry Labs
288 Norfolk St.
Cambridge
MA  US  02139-1430
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
07
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): R3PNB11SWZ61
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): SBIR Phase II
Primary Program Source: 01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
01002526DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT

01AB2324DB R&RA DRSA DEFC AAB
Program Reference Code(s): 004E, 165E, 168E, 169E
Program Element Code(s): 537300
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.041, 47.084

ABSTRACT

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to manage the risk of tooth decay, or caries disease, the world?s most prevalent chronic condition. Tooth decay results in severe pain, devastating financial issues, lost work, loss of confidence, embarrassment from appearance and speech, and broad systemic health problems. It disproportionately affects minorities and lower-income individuals. Controlling acid levels of high-risk patients is an effective decay prevention strategy. An oral acidity monitor for caries prevention will allow patients at high risk of caries disease to receive alerts to neutralize intraoral acidity before it causes permanent damage, and work more effectively with their dentists to follow and evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed caries prevention protocols.

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project focuses on the commercialization of the world?s first continuous intraoral acidity monitor. This project advances sensors providing long-term data readings of salivary pH and its response to environmental conditions. As a platform technology, intraoral sensors have more applications in a broad range of markets in addition to dental caries; future sensors include sodium and potassium monitors for heart disease, hypertension, and renal failure, and glucose monitors for diabetes. Long-term plans include biologic sensing such as allergen, viral load, and drug compliance monitors.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

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