In 2004, TFS received a National Science Foundation (NSF), Phase I, Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) award.  It provided the funding to prove the feasibility of the TFS automated foam index test (AFIT™) and to conceptualize commercial instrumentation that quantifies foam index measurements of mineral admixtures useful as replacements for cement in concrete.  The successful outcome of this Phase I SBIR led to the submittal of follow-on proposal for developing, demonstrating and beginning the commercialization of AFIT™ instruments.

In 2005, TFS received a National Science Foundation (NSF), Phase II, SBIR award.  It provided the funding to create and demonstrate AFIT™ instruments.  TFS sold its first AFIT™ instrument in 2006 and plans to develop AFIT™ as an ASTM method.