The National Science Foundation has awarded Akervall Technologies Inc. (ATI) a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IIB grant for the development of high-performance polymer composites mouth guards. The research and development made possible by this grant will address the urgent need for better dental protection in both sports and medical applications. Akervall Technologies Inc. will bring to market an innovative and disruptive mouth guard technology that synergizes nanomaterial driven energy absorption capability with a novel mouth guard design.
Akervall Technologies Inc. (ATI) is realizing a revolutionary energy absorbing material by incorporating nano-suspensions into the thermoplastic polymer from which the mouth guard is fabricated. This NSF grant will result in the first and only mouth guard that can be tuned for energy absorption in a given range, and thus optimized to offer superior dental protection in any specific sport.
"This will be the seat belt for your teeth: the material stiffens instantaneously under impact. This novel polymer-nanocomposite will forever change the way personal protective equipment is made. We can now make thinner, lighter, more comfortable and yet stronger protective gear," says Jan Akervall, M.D., Ph.D, Founder and President of ATI.
There are more than 5 million dental injuries per year incurred during sports activity, costing $500 million to replace in the US alone. The Phase IIB grant will make it possible to manufacture the world's first adaptive mouth guard capable of energy absorption that is triggered upon impact, aimed to dramatically reduce athletic dental injuries in all sports.
About Akervall Technologies, Inc.
Named one of the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies in the United States, Akervall Technologies, Inc. (ATI) is the manufacturer of SISU Sports Mouth Guards and SOVA Night Grinding Guards. Using disruptive technologies to revolutionize the industry, ATI is committed to developing the strongest, most comfortable, market leading mouthguards in the world. On a mission to become the Global Golden Standard in mouth guards, Akervall Technologies is a pioneer of premium novel materials, elegant engineering solutions, innovative brand marketing, sales strategies and extraordinary customer service. Distributed worldwide, ATI continues its momentum as the fastest growing dental injury prevention product company in the industry. Learn more about Akervall products at: sisuguard.com and sovanightguard.com
About the National Science Foundation's Small Business Program
At the National Science Foundation (NSF), Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) is an approximately $180-million program that catalyzes the commercialization of high-risk technological innovations via R&D grants to small businesses and startups. Through SBIR/STTR, NSF seeks to transform scientific discovery into societal and economic benefit. NSF is an independent, $7-billion federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering.