TAMPA, Fla. — Dais Analytic announced that it was one of five applicants selected by a joint U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) team to receive an $800,000 grant furthering Dais’s development and commercialization of nanotechnology materials for use in a new high-efficiency dehumidification system.

Dais was selected from a field of applicants nationwide to receive further funding for its novel technology aimed at reducing energy costs in the military and civilian sectors. The objective of the combined DOD and DOE team is to fund key opportunities demonstrating advanced heating and cooling technologies to achieve 20 percent to 50 percent less fuel usage than currently deployed systems.

“Our approach is radically different from today’s dehumidification. Instead of using environmentally sensitive refrigerants, our unique nanotechnology plastic allows us to manipulate the water molecules directly to change the humidity and/or temperature of the air. This simple approach lowers energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions while providing what we believe is a far superior level of comfort,” said Brian Johnson, director of development at Dais.

Targeted specifically in this grant is Dais’s ongoing development of an energy-efficient, compact dehumidification system that uses a nano-composite membrane developed by Dais to allow moisture, but not air, to pass through it. This process is engineered to efficiently remove water vapor from the humid air. The dehumidified air can then be cooled using far less fuel with Dais’s NanoAir membrane-based chiller component. It is estimated that this system will use 20-50 percent less fuel than existing cooling systems at Forward Operating Bases located in hot, humid environments. Even greater fuel savings could be achieved in hot, dry conditions.

“The Dais team is thrilled and honored to have the unique opportunity to provide our military a tool which will mitigate an identified vulnerability as well as allow us to continue towards commercialization of high-efficiency products. This grant is an example of the confidence the DOD and DOE have in the capabilities and innovative nature of the Dais team,” said Jason Switzer, senior engineer and principle investigator of this new program for Dais.

“This grant allows the technology to yet again demonstrate its value in mission-critical applications while moving ever closer to commercialization. The validation conveyed by this award to the marketplace and the industry is rewarding to our shareholders and other key stakeholders – it’s inspiring," said Tim Tangredi, president and CEO of Dais.

The program duration is scheduled to be 12 months or less.

For more information, visit www.daisanalytic.com.

Publication date: 2/11/2013