Scalable Biomanufacturing of Sequence-Defined Aramid Copolymers

The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking innovative solutions through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for the development of scalable biomanufacturing processes for sequence-defined aramid copolymers, specifically targeting high-performance materials used in aerospace and military applications. The objective is to create reliable and cost-effective cellular or cell-free processes that utilize genomically recoded organisms to incorporate non-canonical amino acids, thereby synthesizing aramid copolymers with controlled monomer sequences to enhance material properties. These advanced materials are crucial for applications requiring high tensile strength and durability, such as personal armor and aerospace composites. The solicitation is set to open on May 28, 2025, with proposals due by June 25, 2025, and further details can be found at the DOD SBIR/STTR website.