Ecoatoms, Inc., a trailblazing company in space-based manufacturing – and a member/affiliate of both the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno’s Innevation Center and ÁùºÏ±¦µä Center for Applied Research (NCAR) – was recently named as one of the winners of the prestigious . Their innovative project, the Apparatus for Nominal Integration with Minimal Adaptations (A.N.I.M.A.), has been recognized for its groundbreaking potential in space research and development. This ‘system of systems’ aims to become the universal payload interface for most space vehicles and payloads opening the space domain to all users. This honor also marks a significant achievement for the company, which continues to expand its influence and capabilities in the aerospace sector.
In a parallel milestone, Solange Massa, founder and CEO of Ecoatoms, has been named the Director of the recently established Aerospace and Defense Academy at the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship at the University. Her leadership is expected to drive the academy towards becoming a hub for aerospace and defense entrepreneurship and community outreach activities.
Ecoatoms' NASA Blue Origin payload success
A recent highlight for Ecoatoms was their successful deployment of a batch-manufacturing payload onboard the New Shephard Blue Origin flight in December 2023. This payload included a range of medical devices inside a payload. Some of the 3D printed items were printed at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno Innevation Center’s Makerspace. Ecoatoms specializes in creating space payloads known as ‘Ecos’ – custom habitats designed for manufacturing products in space.
The Governor’s Office of Economic Development Knowledge Fund, through support for the Innevation Center and NCAR, has been crucial in Ecoatoms’ growth and success in space-based biomedical manufacturing. SSBCI Venture Capital Program is also playing a pivotal role in Ecoatoms success by being one of the company’s early investors and providing capital to tech-based startups in the local ecosystems.
“The groundbreaking work from the Ecoatoms team is expanding ÁùºÏ±¦µä’s role in aerospace research and creating new opportunities for the state’s students and industries,” Carlos Cardillo, executive director, corporate partnerships for NCAR, said. “The company is using three specialized research labs at the Applied Research Facility, pushing the boundaries of our own infrastructure and creating research opportunities that offer a new generation of skilled professionals while attracting key investments that will drive ÁùºÏ±¦µä’s economic growth for years to come.”
In collaboration with members of the Ecoatoms team, NCAR developed three new laboratories – a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) wet lab, a dry lab, and a prototyping lab. As an affiliate of both NCAR and the Innevation Center, Ecoatoms has leveraged these state-of-the-art facilities, resources and expertise to design and build their specialized space payloads.
“Our team of engineers, biologists and doctors work tirelessly to transform biological challenges into innovative space solutions,” Massa said. “The opportunity to use NCAR’s fee-for-service model for expensive equipment and the unique drone testing capabilities in ÁùºÏ±¦µä have been instrumental in our success.”
Driving innovation in space-based biomedical manufacturing
Ecoatoms stands at the forefront of on-orbit materials science, developing compounds and medical devices that leverage the unique conditions of space. Their recent payload included hundreds of sensors, such as medical device strips coated while under microgravity conditions. This technique results in more uniform coatings, enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of the sensors – an advancement that could lead to improved disease detection capabilities.
“The microgravity environment allows us to develop biomedical products that are more resilient and perform better than those manufactured on Earth,” Massa explained. “Our ongoing experiments and the results from these spaceborne tests have shown significant promise, paving the way for more advanced biomedical products.”
New leadership at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä Aerospace and Defense Academy
Before her career in aerospace, Massa was the Lead Investment Fellow at Life Science Angels and is still a member of the group. During her postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University, she developed biomaterials for radiation induced diseases. Her doctoral research at Harvard-MIT HST let her to develop award-winning Organ-on-a-Chip platforms for which she was named MIT Innovator under 35 for this research.
In her new role as director of the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno Aerospace and Defense Academy, Massa aims to foster practical training and research opportunities for students. This appointment is expected to enhance the academy's ability to recruit top talent and bridge gaps in practical training for students, particularly in areas like funding, company building and contracting in the aerospace and defense domains.
The new Aerospace and Defense Academy is supported by a $1.13 million gift to the University by Eren and Fatih Ozmen, owners of the global aerospace and national security company Sierra ÁùºÏ±¦µä Corporation (SNC).
Massa’s work has been featured in Wired magazine, the MIT Technology Review, BBC News, TEDx and numerous scientific journals.
Looking ahead
Ecoatoms will continue to push the boundaries of space-based manufacturing. Their participation at SpaceCom earlier this year and similar conferences and expos ahead, provides opportunities to engage with clients and launch providers, further expanding their reach and capabilities. The company has several planned launches for 2025 that include suborbital and orbital rockets as well as capsules launching for their NASA and Global Fortune 500 clients.
“The recognition from NASA and the new leadership role at the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä are just the beginning,” Massa said. “We are excited about the future and the potential to make significant advancements in both space research and biomedical manufacturing.”
For more information about Ecoatoms and their innovative work, visit the .
Reimagining the Innovation Ecosystem
In today’s globally connected, knowledge-based economy, a key driver of prosperity is the pace of innovation. The University is capitalizing on this insight with its Innovation Ecosystem to facilitate commercialization, regional collaboration and faculty competitiveness in a unique way. The University connects with industry and entrepreneurs, tangibly contributing to economic development and the creation of jobs, and supporting the creation of student and faculty startup businesses. Check out this , which includes interview clips from Massa about Ecoatoms.
