Abstract

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Programs hosted a workshop on October 7–8, 2008, at the EPA Region 2 office in New York City, New York. The goals of the workshop were to:

1. provide information about new innovative technologies to help solve important regional environmental issues;
2. learn about the specific technology priorities and needs of the regional and local participants; and
3. identify opportunities for collaboration among ETV, SBIR, and regional and local organizations on technology development and verification activities for high-priority areas. Some of the technologies discussed included:

• An improved rapid detector for viable waterborne pathogens
  
• A remote sensing instrument for on-road heavy-duty diesel nitrogen oxides and particulate matter
  
• A sensitive and affordable compact ammonia monitor
  
• A continuous real-time fine particulate matter chemical speciation monitor for ambient aerosols
  
• An inexpensive drinking water chlorination unit for small communities
  
• A handheld laser-based sensor for remote detection of gas leaks
  
• Membranes for air venting and retaining volatile organic compounds in gasoline storage tanks
  
• Retrofitted diesel electric generators for emission reduction
  
• A spot test kit for lead in paint and dust
  
• A field screening detector for metals in soil.

A total of 137 participants representing EPA regional offices, state and local governments, technology developers, academia, and others participated in the workshop. Representatives from ETV centers and their collaborators presented information about recent and upcoming technology verifications. SBIR technology developers discussed technology development and commercialization supported by EPA. ETV and SBIR vendors exhibited and demonstrated their technologies, and ETV provided posters highlighting collaborative verifications. Representatives from EPA Region 2 presented on regional technology information needs and priorities.

The ETV Program verifies the performance of innovative environmental technologies through quality-assured testing procedures, and provides credible, third-party performance data for these technologies. Representatives from ETV centers presented data on technologies that have been or are in process of being tested and verified through the ETV Program. The SBIR Program issues annual solicitations for research proposals from science and technology-based companies. Through SBIR, EPA awards funding to developers to investigate the scientific merit and technical feasibility of a proposed technology concept (Phase I), and then to develop and commercialize the technology (Phase II). At the workshop, individual SBIR vendors presented their own technology performance claims and/or data.

Contact

Abby Waits

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