Faradine Systems AWARDED U.S AIR FORCE SBIR PHASE 1 CONTRACT

1 June, 2023 – Faradine Systems (Faradine)  announces it has been selected by AFWERX for a SBIR Phase 1 in the amount of $75k USD focused on mesh connected signaling nodes to investigate its potential to fill capability gaps in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through a faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and losing bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering 'The Open Topic' SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on May 1st, 2023, Faradine  will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.

About Faradine Systems

Faradine Systems is a Lexington KY based company founded by CEO Chris Mitchell in 2014 as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). The company has developed and deployed remote connected devices in many industries including integrated hardware on the International Space Station, Space-X Dragon Capsule, and the Northrop Grumman Cygnus as well as thousands of IoT connected devices operationally deployed across the United States and abroad. The Faradine team has over a decade of experience working together to take ideas from conception to deployment in the harshest environments found on the planet and beyond. For more information visit: www.faradinesystems.com

About AFRL

Sole organization leading the planning & execution of USAF & USSF science & technology programs. Orchestrates a world-wide government, industry & academia coalition in the discovery, development & delivery of a wide range of revolutionary technology.  Provides leading-edge warfighting capabilities keeping air, space and cyberspace forces the world's best. Employs 10,800 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at 17 research sites executing an annual $4B budget. For more information, visit:  www.afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX

AFWERX is an Air Force Research Laboratory Directorate that connects innovators across government, industry and academia. Through innovation and collaboration with our nation’s top subject-matter experts, AFWERX harnesses the power of ingenuity of internal talent while expanding technology, talent and transition partnerships for rapid and affordable commercial and military capability.
Additional information is available at: www.afwerx.com/. 

About AFVentures

AFVentures invests in emerging technologies to scale Department of the Air Force capabilities, strengthening the US industrial base that empowers Airmen and Guardians by incentivizing private, for-profit investment in national security interests. Our success is achieved by connecting novel commercial solutions with defense problem sets, de-risking Airmen and Guardian initiatives to fill capability gaps and transition technologies. Learn more at https://afwerx.com/afventures-overview/.


Space Tango Acquires Leading Automation Engineering Company, Faradine Space Systems

LEXINGTON, Ky. - November 2, 2022 – Space Tango, a leading company in pursuit of health and technology manufacturing in space, today announced the acquisition of Faradine Space Systems (“Faradine Space”), a subdivision of Kentucky-based company Faradine Systems – a technical solutions and engineering firm with expertise in fault tolerant avionics, remote sensing, and automation (IoT), and hardware accelerated computer vision systems.
 
Throughout their existing seven-year partnership, Space Tango and Faradine Space made history - from the first successful production of two automated manufacturing use-cases on the International Space Station (ISS) to the first successful demonstration of NASA’s “extended lab” concept, a proven pathfinder to enable the use of visiting ISS-vehicles as additional research space when otherwise limited.
 
“Space Tango and Faradine Space have always worked as partners to advance automated solutions for R&D and manufacturing in space,” said Twyman Clements, CEO and Co-Founder. “This acquisition is an exciting evolution of a proven collaboration and continued commitment to making that future a reality.”


For Space Tango, microgravity is a unique platform where the properties of materials, fluid behaviors, and biological processes are different from what is observed on Earth. Space Tango aims to capitalize on these differences. To date, they have supported over 200 automated research investigations on the ISS with additional government and privately funded programs scheduled throughout the next five years.
 
“Our growth requires a solid foundation from which to build, and the acquisition of this expertise prepares us well to provide scalable solutions,” said Clements.
 
Space Tango’s acquisition of Faradine Space to develop enabling technologies supports existing CubeLab investigations and future initiatives. Gaining additional in-house expertise in electrical and software engineering also contributes to the rapid prototyping and testing of new facilities that can accommodate research and manufacturing capabilities on a variety of vehicles and platforms, including future commercial space stations or reentry capsules.
 
“Marking the end of a nearly decade-long collaboration between Faradine Space and Space Tango, we’re proud to have done our part to usher in a new paradigm for microgravity research, development, and manufacturing that will undoubtedly lead to countless advances in space exploration, as well as promoting a path to life-changing applications here on Planet Earth,” said Chris Mitchell, Founder, and CEO of Faradine Systems. “Faradine Systems looks forward to future collaboration with the Space Tango team to continue building a thriving high-tech industry in our home state of Kentucky.”


About Space Tango

Space Tango is an industry leader in automated systems in the pursuit of health and technology manufacturing in space. Since 2017 Space Tango provides facilities to support iterative R&D and manufacturing in microgravity environments. Through an integrated and intuitive approach, Space Tango works alongside its diverse partner base to embrace pathways to production. For more information, visit www.spacetango.com.
 
About Faradine Systems
Specializing in fault-tolerant and rapidly adaptable electronic systems, Faradine Systems provides the tools necessary to perform complex automation and computing tasks at the source.  By utilizing a modular design methodology, Faradine Systems provides rapidly adaptable, scalable, and ready-to-deploy hardware and software solutions that have proven themselves in the harshest of environments. 

 

A Direct Link to the Orbital Vehicle: The PAUL

Faradine Systems, in collaboration with partner Space Tango, is thrilled to unveil the Powered Ascent Utility Locker (PAUL), an innovative and state-of-the-art facility. PAUL is purpose-built to cater to the evolving needs of space research and development, providing comprehensive power and data monitoring capabilities for complex biological payloads throughout their entire journey, from launchpad to splashdown.

PAUL represents the next generation of cutting-edge technology, specifically designed to address the demanding requirements of space exploration. It offers a robust and reliable solution to support complex biological experiments that rely on consistent power supply and meticulous data monitoring.

"We are excited to introduce PAUL, a groundbreaking facility that will revolutionize space research and development," said Chris Mitchell, CEO at Faradine Systems. "With PAUL, we provide the necessary infrastructure to empower scientists and researchers to unlock new frontiers of knowledge in a reliable and controlled environment."

The Powered Ascent Utility Locker (PAUL) on baord the ISS. Photo Credit: NASA

Faradine Systems Collaborates with University of Kentucky College of Engineering for Groundbreaking Space Radiation Research

Faradine Systems proudly announces its partnership with the esteemed faculty and students of the University of Kentucky College of Engineering. This groundbreaking collaboration marks a significant milestone as the first investigation into the adverse effects of space radiation on industry-grade hardware through NASA's Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grant. The project serves as a pilot initiative for the recently launched NASA EPSCoR Rapid Response Research (R3) program.

In this pioneering research endeavor, Faradine Systems and the University of Kentucky College of Engineering aim to shed light on the impact of space radiation on industry-grade hardware. The focus will be on a LED light developed by Bionetics, which has been successfully deployed aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for an impressive nine years. By exploring the resilience and performance of this industry-grade hardware in the face of space radiation, valuable insights can be gained for the future development of long-duration flight hardware.

"Our collaboration with the University of Kentucky College of Engineering represents a remarkable opportunity to push the boundaries of scientific understanding in the realm of space radiation," said Chris Mitchell, CEO at Faradine Systems. "Through our collective efforts, we aspire to unravel the potential of industry-grade materials as a low-cost alternative for long-duration space missions."

The investigation is made possible through NASA's EPSCoR grant, a testament to Faradine Systems' and the University of Kentucky College of Engineering's commitment to advancing scientific research and addressing critical challenges. By leveraging the EPSCoR Rapid Response Research (R3) program, this collaboration showcases the agility and innovation of both institutions in swiftly responding to emerging research opportunities.

Faradine Systems and the University of Kentucky College of Engineering's joint investigation serves as a remarkable example of academia-industry collaboration. By combining their expertise and resources, they aim to advance scientific knowledge and pave the way for future advancements in space technology.

For more information about this collaboration, please visit:
http://www.engr.uky.edu/news/2018/08/uk-engineering-industry-partner-faradine-systems-examine-international-space-station

Faradine Systems Expands to a New Headquarters at 1164 Industry Road

Faradine Systems proudly announces its relocation to a larger and more expansive space at 1164 Industry Road. This strategic move marks an exciting milestone for the company as it paves the way for enhanced growth and expanded capabilities.

The new headquarters at 1164 Industry Road provides Faradine Systems with a spacious and state-of-the-art facility to support its thriving operations. The increased space offers ample room for the company to expand its team, foster innovation, and accommodate the growing demands of its clients.

"We are thrilled to announce our move to 1164 Industry Road," said Chris Mitchell, CEO at Faradine Systems. "This new space aligns perfectly with our vision for the future, providing us with the resources and environment necessary to drive our company's continued growth and success."

The larger facility not only reflects Faradine Systems' commitment to excellence but also enables the company to enhance its capabilities and deliver even greater value to its clients. With expanded capacity, Faradine Systems is poised to take on more complex challenges, develop cutting-edge solutions, and further solidify its position as an industry leader.

"We are excited about the opportunities this move presents," added Diana David. "Our new headquarters will allow us to better serve our clients and support our talented team as we continue to innovate and shape the future of technology."

Faradine Systems' relocation to 1164 Industry Road represents a significant step forward in the company's growth trajectory. It signifies its dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, providing exceptional solutions, and maintaining its position as a trusted partner for clients worldwide.

MosquitoMate awarded through CDC for BAA2017-N-18041

Faradine Systems partner MosquitoMate has been selected for award through the Center for Disease Control for BAA2017-N-18041. This recognition highlights the innovative collaboration between Faradine Systems and MosquitoMate as well as other academic partners, further solidifying their commitment to advancing scientific research and solving critical challenges.

This award will provide an opportunity for MosquitoMate to further build upon the research foundations established during their Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) efforts, utilizing Faradine Systems' novel passive optical analysis methodology for sex determination of large batches of mosquitoes.

"We are thrilled that MosquitoMate has been chosen for the CDC award for the BAA2017-N-18041 project," said Chris Mitchell, CEO at Faradine Systems. "This collaboration highlights our shared commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery."

Debunking Entomological Assumptions Through Frequency Analysis of Mosquitos

Faradine Systems partners with MosquitoMate, Inc. in improving our understanding of the biology and ecology of Zika virus mosquito and the dynamics of virus transmission within the mosquito and at the mosquito-human interface [1]. The federal contract is being sponsored through the Human and Health Services Agency in response to the recent Zika virus epidemic which has revealed rare but serious manifestations of infection in America.

MosquitoMate, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Lexington, KY founded in 2010 by Dr. Stephen Dobson, Professor at the University of Kentucky and medical entomologist focused on developing and demonstrating innovative approaches for mosquito control [2].

 

[1] Center of Disease Control. BAA for Advanced and Innovative Solutions to Improve Public Health. Solicitation Number: 2017-N-18041.

[2] MosquitoMate, Inc. Staff – Stephen Dobson. Mosquitomate.com/staff/Stephen-dobson/


Advancing Water Filtration through Novel Cathodes: SBIR

Faradine Systems partners with PowerTech Water, Inc. for Phase II of the Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) program to demonstrate the use of a new low-cost water treatment technology called inverse Capacitive Deionization (i-CDI). The effort is a continuation of a Phase I impact study awarded through the National Science Foundation to improve energy efficiency and environmental sustainability of drinking water treatment.

PowerTech Water, Inc. is a Lexington, KY-based developer of cleantech water treatment technologies, co-founded in 2014 by Dr. Cameron Lippert and Dr. James Landon. Dr. Lippert serves as CEO having already managed R&D and technology development & demonstration projects at the Center for Applied Energy Research, while Dr. Landon serves as PowerTech Water’s CTO as subject-matter expert in electrochemical devices, water and wastewater treatment, carbon materials, surface chemistry, and electrochemical engineering. [1]

Faradine Systems’ role will be to design an electrical system prototype that will apply a small electrical voltage (<1.2V) to functional porous carbon sheets to target (absorb and desorb) salt molecules from hard water streams. The aim of this project is to develop a water treatment process using a carbon-based filter “that can soften water streams without significant maintenance or upkeep and providing a water softening solution that does not add to the "throw-away" culture that is common to many water treatment devices” [2]. Use cases for this project will include applications in both food & beverage and industrial environments to demonstrate the benefits and effectiveness of the i-CDI water-softening process against incumbent water treatment techniques.

 

[1] Meet PowerTech Water’s Team. Management Team Biographies. https://electramet.com/team/

[2] SBIR Phase II: Novel cathode for long-cycling capacitive deionization. Abstract. https://www.sbir.gov/sbirsearch/detail/1192785