MagDrive Technologies, Inc. has announced its selection by NASA for a prestigious Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II award. The contract supports the development of the company’s E-Drive: Electromagnetic Zero-Emission Valve Drive, a groundbreaking technology designed to eliminate valve leaks through a hermetically sealed, electromagnetically actuated design.
The Phase II award builds on MagDrive’s successful Phase I work and will fund the transition from digital models to fully functional prototypes. The E-Drive aims to deliver zero-emission cryogenic valve operation, enabling precise flow control, miniaturisation, and enhanced reliability in extreme aerospace environments. By eliminating external dynamic seals, the technology addresses one of the most persistent challenges in both spaceflight and terrestrial applications: fugitive emissions from industrial valves.
During Phase II, MagDrive Technologies will fabricate and test E-Drive motor components, integrate them into a cryogenic valve system, and validate performance under space-relevant conditions. The company’s commercialisation strategy includes licensing agreements, pilot programmes, and partnerships with aerospace, defence, and energy leaders. Target markets extend beyond NASA and the US Space Force to include private spaceflight operators and terrestrial industries where zero-emission, leak-free valve performance is mission-critical.
This project underscores MagDrive’s mission to deliver reliable, efficient, and sustainable valve technology that enhances safety and reduces environmental impact across industries.