WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) today announced it has awarded $1.7 million to fund nuclear nonproliferation research and development (R&D) at small businesses across the United States. The research will support and strengthen the U.S. response to threats to U.S. national security posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

"Investing in research and development for remote sensing, radiation detection, and seismic detection will help the NNSA complete its mission to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," said NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation William Tobey. "In partnership with these small businesses, NNSA will continue to bolster our nation's detection capabilities."

NNSA is the principal U.S. government agency investing in long-term strategic and technical solutions to detect the proliferation of WMD. The awards announced today will go to 16 U.S. small businesses in 10 states, all dedicated to cutting-edge technology research. A list of recipients is below.

The funding was provided by NNSA's Office of Nonproliferation Research and Development, which conducts basic and applied research and development, testing, and evaluation to produce technologies that lead to proliferation detection and nuclear detonation detection systems. The office focuses on developing technologies, demonstrating and testing prototypes, and providing operational hardware and software.

This year, projects selected under the nonproliferation R&D programs focused on technologies to develop imaging systems to identify WMDs and nuclear materials from the air and in space, and projects to develop new radiation detection materials for applications in national and homeland security inspection venues. Awards also focused on research that will improve seismic detection systems for nuclear detonation detection. The grants were awarded as part of the Department of Energy's overall Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program. SBIR helps ensure that the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts. The Department of Energy is one of eleven federal departments participating in the SBIR program.