Licensing Opportunity: Cryogenic Belt Driven Sample Changer

Closed Special Notice Posted

Solicitation number
2024-09-11-W
Agency
Responses due
Set-aside
No set-aside

Opportunity facts

Place of performance
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830, United States
Points of contact

Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

The Department of Energy has published a Special Notice regarding a licensing opportunity for a cryogenic belt driven sample changer technology. This technology provides an efficient and automated method for changing out samples in a cryogenic system, minimizing the time-consuming and labor-intensive manual process.

The purpose of this Special Notice is to seek interested parties to license this technology, which was developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The technology offers benefits such as reduced beam time, low heat load, and easy setup and operation. The Special Notice is open to all interested parties, with no set-aside or eligibility restrictions. Contractors are instructed to reach out via email or phone to learn more about the licensing opportunity, which has a due date of October 26, 2024.

Notice text

Invention Reference Number: 202305540

Neutron beams are used around the world to study materials for various purposes. Materials samples that are examined using a neutron beam in academic research and for industrial uses must be manually and singly loaded into a cryogenic vessel in a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. This technology is a low-cost, belt-driven device that reduces and automates the menial task of manual single sample changeouts in a cryogenic system, providing an efficient and inexpensive method for sample changeout.

Description

This technology provides an efficient way to change out samples in a cryogenic system. A motorized stainless steel belt drives like a conveyor to change out samples quickly, efficiently maximizing sample throughput and minimizing beam time loss. Sample changeout requires time because each sample must be cooled to cryogenic temperatures, but this system allows multiple samples to be pre-cooled, reducing waiting time. The device thus minimizes thermal loss and maximizes sample quantity for space available in a cryogenic system. Many different samples may be studied. Two sample changers allow one to be loaded while another is operating and collecting data, minimizing turnaround time.

Benefits

  • Lightweight
  • Small footprint
  • Low cost
  • Low heat load and heat loss
  • Easy to set up, operate
  • No bulky parts
  • Can’t freeze or jam
  • Low thermal conduction
  • Labor drastically reduced
  • Beam time reduced

Applications and Industries

  • Manufacturers of closed cycle refrigeration systems and cryostats 
  • X-ray light source
  • Industries using liquid nitrogen

Contact

To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.

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