Open Source Software: MAGPIE: Revolutionizing Material Simulations Through Advanced Integration
This Special Notice announces the open source software application MAGPIE, published by the Department of Energy. MAGPIE is a glue program designed to seamlessly integrate finite element analysis with atomistic simulation codes, enabling unprecedented insights into material behaviors by bridging macroscopic and microscopic perspectives with high precision.
MAGPIE facilitates the coupling of renowned open-source codes like SPPARKS and MyTRIM to the MOOSE Finite Element Framework. It specializes in bi-directional data transfer between finite element and discrete atomistic simulations, supporting research in material science, nuclear materials, semiconductor manufacturing and aerospace materials. The notice encourages researchers, engineers and developers to explore MAGPIE's capabilities on Github and consider how it can transform their approach to materials science simulations. No deadline or eligibility criteria are specified, as the software is openly available to the public through the online repository.
Department of Energy
3/15/24, 2:35 PM Revolutionary Self-Sealing Anti-Oxidation Sample Container for Advanced Materials Research
This Special Notice from the Department of Energy announces the availability of a revolutionary self-sealing anti-oxidation sample container for advanced materials research developed at Idaho National Laboratory. The container addresses limitations in existing solutions for storing and analyzing oxygen-sensitive materials science samples, particularly those used in nuclear materials research.
The container aims to provide a reliable, affordable, and safe long-term storage solution for such samples through a unique self-sealing design that maintains an inert gas atmosphere to prevent oxidation. Contractors have until March 1, 2024 to express interest, as the notice seeks to license the technology, currently at TRL 8. No set-aside applies. Eligible parties would gain access to the pioneering container technology as well as opportunities to partner with INL to further develop and commercialize the innovation, supporting economic growth and the materials science research community through a proven solution for preserving oxygen-sensitive sample integrity.
BA-1520 Department of Energy
1/11/24, 4:57 PM TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Advanced Materials Testing with MRTI Capsule
TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Advanced Materials Testing with MRTI Capsule A revolutionary technology for advanced materials testing in the nuclear industry, providing in-situ temperature-controlled active instrumentation for versatile materials irradiation testing. Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), offers the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize this Advanced Materials Testing with MRTI Capsule technology. This technology transfer opportunity is part of a dedicated effort to convert government-funded research into job opportunities, businesses, and, ultimately, an improved way of life for the American people. Overview: The Molten-salt Research Temperature-Controlled Irradiation (MRTI) Capsule is a revolutionary technology for the nuclear industry to test advanced materials for next-generation nuclear reactors. The MRTI Capsule utilizes a custom immersion heater to allow in-situ control of testing conditions up to 1000C for various molten salt or molten metal systems while irradiating in a neutron flux field. This creates a potential for streamlined testing of various salts and coolant compositions at various temperatures. Collecting both in-situ and ex-situ data is critical to understanding structural materials' performance and nuclear fuels' performance. Description: The MRTI Capsule is a sealed capsule made of IN625 material with a custom immersion heater to control the temperature of the tested material. Thermocouples and an optical fiber pressure sensor record the in-situ temperatures experienced by the materials toughout irradiation. Gas gap composition, radial radiative heat shield thickness, and a wide range of heater powers are used to reach the desired equilibrium temperature of the system, which can be adjusted for a wide range of testing needs. The MRTI capsule is designed for post-irradiation examination (PIE) systems for collecting off-gas and retrieving desired testing samples. Benefits: • Collect in-situ and ex-situ data for advanced materials testing. • A versatile and high-temperature irradiation test vehicle • Enables testing of fueled molten salts, a first in the industry. • Quick turnaround for many different salt compositions • Provides prototypic conditions for testing material behavior. Applications: • Advanced nuclear reactor designs using molten salt or molten metal coolants. Development Status: TRL 4 technology has been validated in a laboratory environment. IP Status: Provisional Patent Application No. 63/382,065, “In-situ Temperature-controlled Active Instrumentation Capsule for Versatile Materials Irradiation Testing,” BEA Docket No. BA-1451. INL seeks to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available. Added value is placed on relationships with small businesses, start-up companies, and general entrepreneurship opportunities. Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.
Department of Energy
5/30/23, 3:30 PM Low Temperature and Inexpensive Manufacturing of Metal Hydride Targets
TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Low Temperature and Inexpensive Manufacturing of Metal Hydride Targets A process to form a thick, uniform, adherent, and smooth metal film on hydride targets that uses drastically lower temperatures which lowers cost. Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize this low-cost process for manufacturing metal hydride targets. This technology transfer opportunity is part of a dedicated effort to convert government-funded research into job opportunities, businesses and ultimately an improved way of life for the American people. Overview: Portable neutron generators are widely used in defense, national security, detection of special nuclear/explosive, narcotics materials, oil well logging, mineral exploration, coal analysis for power plants and materials characterization. Two of the critical components of this portable prove include a neuron producing metal hydride target and a gas-control reservoir, also made of a metal hydride material. Current manufacturing processes of the target are expensive due to high temperatures, ultra-high vacuums, and expensive instrumentation. INL’s new technology presents the development of a low-temperature manufacturing option. The process uses a compound of the metal, a molten salt, and a DC power supply to form a thick, uniform, adherent, smooth metal film on the target. Description: This process utilizes a molten salt-based process where the metallic film is deposited on the target at a much lower temperature. Since the molten salt does not contain any oxygen, the metallic film does not pick up any oxygen during the deposition process. This process utilizes a new, yet highly effective, electrolyte system to form thick, smooth, and adherent metallic film. Benefits: Lower cost of less than 50% of the existing price. A steadier manufacturing process. Applications: The portable neutron generators that use the target have a wide variety of applications: Widely used for both quantitative and qualitative analysis/determination pertaining to a wide range of materials. Detection of composition/source of unknown materials, Materials characterization. Development Status: TRL 3. Analytical and experimental critical function and proof-of-concept have been performed. IP Status: Provisional Patent Application No. 63/203,398, “Methods of Forming an Article, and Related Articles and Plating Baths,” BEA Docket No. BA-1278. INL is seeking to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available. Added value is placed on relationships with small businesses, start-up companies, and general entrepreneurship opportunities. Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.
BA-1278 Department of Energy
10/7/21, 11:53 AM