Near-net-shape Manufacturing from Oxide Intermediates

Near-net-shape (NNS) is an industrial manufacturing process used for initial fabrication of a component as close as possible to the intended shape and size of the finished product. 

NNS is used because: 

1. Appealing for high-value metallic component manufacturing
2. Eliminates some common operations (grinding, polishing, etc.)
3. Saves costs up to 50% of the overall production costs
4. The current alternatives use expensive starting materials 

INL's Solution:

• Our NNS components are fabricated from a cheaper starting material (metal oxide)
  • This eliminates the casting/melting step which leads to significant cost-savings
• Our two-step approach: 
  • Convert stable oxide/mixed oxide into an unstable oxide(s)
  • Laser-printed a single/mixed oxides on a suitable substrate

Fabrication of metal components is used for: 

• Metal/alloy manufacturing
• Electronics
• Biomedical 

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.