Governor Rell: Two Connecticut Firms Win

U.S. Army’s SBIR Achievement Awards

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that two Connecticut high-technology manufacturers were among just 11 winners in this year’s U.S. Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Achievement Awards program.

            The Army recognized M Cubed Technologies Inc. of Monroe and Precision Combustion Inc. (PCI) of North Haven for their innovative products, both of which help troops in the field achieve their missions more efficiently and effectively.

            “This competition is about as steep as it gets – companies from all 50 states submitted more than 470 breakthrough products – and to have two Connecticut firms recognized for their outstanding achievement is simply amazing,” Governor Rell said. “I am very proud of M Cubed Technologies and PCI for helping protect and improve the lives our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Connecticut may be small, but we clearly have the right focus: moving great products from innovation to commercialization.”

            The Army SBIR Achievement Awards process is extremely competitive. This year, 471 projects were eligible to compete but only 11 were selected for prizes – one from each technology area. Products were evaluated on four criteria: originality and innovation of research; relevance of the research to the Army mission; immediate commercialization potential of the research; and overall quality performance.

            M Cubed Technologies is a leading provider of advanced ceramic and metal matrix composites to the semiconductor and armor markets. M Cubed was recognized for the development and commercialization of advanced ceramic armor for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The ceramic armor plates have improved durability and multi-hit performance, achieved through the use of a multi-phase microstructure that results in reduced cracking. The new armor was developed under the Army’s SBIR program, which enables small businesses to move ideas from concept to commercialization.

            PCI received its award for developing an ultra-compact burner to run Army portable generator sets on standard Army logistics fuel. The significance of this quiet, lightweight unit is its ability to allow a solider ready access to electric power on the mobile battlefield. This novel technology can be used for a wide range of purposes including portable generator sets, robots and unmanned vehicles.

            The Army is the only federal agency to host an awards program recognizing top small businesses that represent the best in research and development.