Recipient Organization
CLEAR-CUT SOLUTIONS LLC
3417 MYRTLE GROVE DR
BATON ROUGE,LA 708101234
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
1.The movement of bulk commodities such as agricultural grains and fertilizers occurs primarily utilizing maritime vessels. The means in which these items move through the supply chain and the buyer and sellers determine what is shipped and what is received, unlike other products, is done in very large quantities and has dictated a mutual mechanism for financial settlement; this is the weight certificate. In order to deliver a weight certificate, it is imperative that someone gets consistent and accurate measurements. From the start of the maritime industry to currently, these measurements have come from using a crude tool for obtaining this critical data; a tape measure with the industry standard of only ¼ inch increments. With such a large volume of cargo, inclement weather conditions, and multiple opportunity's for human errors under difficult conditions using this method creates the allowance of multiple tons of variance in the calculation of these weight certificates. While all variances cannot be eliminated our tool will be able to minimize variances and enhance the authenticity, accuracy, consistency, safety, and speed via the digitalization of this basic measurement task. All of this we expect will reduce disputes by minimizing shortage/overages reduces delays and thus spoilage. We will also be able to provide a tool that is safer for the user in all situations and environments than is currently in existence. Everything we can do to keep cost down can lead to stabilization of prices and hopefully lower cost for the consumers.2.To accomplish this task, we have assembled a team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals and industry associates that have and will continue to work in a trial and learn mode until the task is accomplished. Once we complete the prototype, we will be able to do some third-party comparative testing to validating our efforts. Then we would anticipate finding some additional verification, validation and certifications that will further enhance our tools credibility and its capabilities. All of this would be done with an eye on bringing this product to the market with a Phase 2 award.3. Once we have a working prototype and are into the commercialization phase, we expect to be a start-up business as a result of NIFA-SBIR grant awards recognizing that this concept had merit. We fully expect to have a profitable business that can build, assemble and service its products as a Louisiana based company. Therefore, we willexpect to be providing good paying employment opportunities for residents of Louisiana.We expect to be raising the industry standards for the transportation of agricultural goods to help lower the cost by providing a higher standard of calculating the volume of goods, by increasing the speed of data being communicated and decreasing the margins of error.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
100%
Goals / Objectives
The goal is to have a working prototype(s) prior to the end of Phase I that provides a new standard for how bulk commodities' weight certificates are produced that:is a more efficient and consistent tool for measuring watercraft distancesIs an electronic, handheld and portable toolProduces more accurate algorithms for calculating the precise input measurement data neededMinimizes the margin for errors thus saving time and money for all involved.Minimizing safety risks and liability.Develops a proprietary cloud-based, mobile app to rapidly and accurately provide the required Weight Certificates.Everyone involved in the moving of bulk commodities from farmers and manufacturers and end users will benefit. The Clear-Cut tool will be applicable to any industry that still relies on human measurement for calculating weights and density with minimal changes to its core components.?One of our goals is to have a tool that can be made locally in Louisiana and/or in the USA. We anticipate all associated office, marketing and administration to be done in Louisiana.
Project Methods
This Phase I project proposes to develop a portable/handheld measurement tool and related algorithms to accurately determine the precise weight of the commodity in a vessel. The start of this project is evaluating the components necessary for building the prototypes. This evaluation and selection will be done using the expertise of Proteus Technologies, with Mr. Sean Griffin the owner and president. This Slidell, LA based company specializes in working with advanced sensors and has been selected to do many SBIR programs for the US Navy. All of the components that will make up the "black box" necessary for accomplishing this new tool; will require compatibility and must be able to survive utilization in some very harsh and remote environments. Additionally, these hardware components must be integrated with the software and again this is an area that Mr. Griffin is well versed in. Mr. Griffin has over 27 years of experience developing state of the art oceanographic systems for the U.S Navy. His focus has been to improve the survey process by developing and improving the quality of sensors, systems and software while simultaneously reducing size, weight and power requirements. Mr. Griffin has targeted high performance sensor systems for use on ROV's and AUV's to support efficient oceanographic surveys. The economics of these parts will also be investigated for reliability, longevity as well as duplication from a production's perspective. These decisions will be finalized by Clear Cut Solutions using recommendations made by Proteus Technologies.Concurrently with Proteus Technologies processes will be the further development and enhancement of the algorithms which will bring the measurement data into the digital realm. This process will make sure that all components are in lock step with all the other components and make for a user-friendly experience. As part of this effort will be development of the necessary mobile application data base that will ensure the consistency and efficiency of report preparation that will enhance the speed in which the flow of required Weight certificates can proceed and thus the movement of bulk commodities can be transactedThe primary methods for putting together this innovative new tool will involve the combined experience of the members of CCS (Clear Cut Solutions) as maritime surveyors and the expertise of the team contributing their specialization knowledge. The team will also be examining and re-evaluating the existing physical housing of the black box for more appropriate materials and more ergonomic designs and/or groups that might provide more insight into this area. When a preliminary prototype is available it will then be evaluated and tested using the trial and error means. After these preliminary tests are successful to the satisfaction of CCS and the other members of this development team will the prototype be deemed worthy of 3rd party testing by USFGIS.