We would like to recognize the resources that have funded our research ventures.
We thank the granting agencies of the small business development associations, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and others that have contributed to our success. View our complete SBIR portfolio on the SBIR.gov website.
2025
2023
2018
2016
2014
- National Science Foundation Award: STTR Phase I: Handheld Open Source Photometer as enabling tool for Enzyme-based analytical chemistry
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US Department of Agriculture Award: Glycerol Determination in Biodiesel Fuels using Glycerol Oxidase
2013
- US Department of Agriculture Award: Glycerol Determination in Biodiesel Fuels using Glycerol Oxidase
2011
2010
- US Department of Agriculture Award: Phase I: Enzyme-Based Test kits for Phosphate
- National Science Foundation Award: Phase I: Synthetic pathway in Pichia pastoris for production of 1,2-propanediol from crude glycerol
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Frost & Sullivan Green Excellence Technology Innovation Award:
Awarded for the company's development of a Green Chemistry alternative, the Nitrate Reductase Nitrate Analysis method, to replace toxic chemicals commonly used for nitrate analysis in water. NECi's nitrate analysis technology is more reliable and selective than the EPA-certified nitrate analysis methods that use heavy metal cadmium, whereas the NECi method uses environmentally benign enzyme reagents. Nitrate present in drinking water in excess of 10 mg nitrate as nitrogen per liter is a serious health hazard, especially to infants, but also poses a health and toxicity risks to all humans and livestock. Excess nitrate in the environment leads to acid rain, algal blooms in lakes and in the ocean, and damage to coral reefs.
2007
2006
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2006 Agricultural Innovation Grant: Phase I/II Nitrate Biosensor for Agriculture
Phase I feasibility study developing a screen-printed carbon electrode nitrate biosensor using immobilized nitrate reductase, demonstrating the basis for the Phase II prototype funded in 2007. (Legacy federal record archived by NIFA)
2002
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US Department of Agriculture Grant: Lab and Field Nitrate Testing of Feed Crops
This grant resulted in products for sale to commercial, government, and industrial labs with high throughput needs. Various automated equipment vendors are helping NECi obtain ASTM validation as a standard method. -
US Department of Agriculture Grant: Phase I/II Environmentally Benign Automated Nitrate Analysis
This grant funded development and validation of simplified nitrate test kits for agricultural samples.
2001
- US Department of Energy Grant: Phase I Biosensor
2000
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National Institute of Health Grant: Phase I/II Recombinant Nitrate Reductase
This grant funded cloning of the enzyme nitrate reductase. Three different enzyme forms were developed, and taken from expression to commercial scale production of active protein. Two forms, AtNaR and YNaR, were used to develop nitrate test kits and reagents for automated nitrate analysis with funding from the USDA SBIR program. The third form, simplified nitrate reductase, (SNaR), designed for biosensor applications, was patented and has been licensed to a third party, YSI, Inc., which is developing nitrate monitoring technology using our enzyme as the base.
1999
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National Institute of Health Grant: Phase I Nitrate Biosensor
This critical milestone funded the cloning and scaling of the enzyme nitrate reductase into three distinct forms from expression to commercial-scale production. While two forms (AtNaR and YNaR) advanced to drive our USDA-funded nitrate test kits, the third form—Simplified Nitrate Reductase (SNaR)—was engineered specifically for biosensor applications, patented, and subsequently licensed to third parties for advanced nitrate monitoring technology. (Note: Legacy federal digital records for this 1999 grant have been archived by the NIH).
1998
1996
- US Department of Agriculture Grant: Phase I/II Nitrate Test Kits for Home and Farm