TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Advanced Tooling for Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS) and Similar Processes

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY
Advanced Tooling for Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS) and Similar Processes
An advanced tooling process for EFAS enabling complex geometries, full automation, cost savings, and tooling diameters large diameters. 

Opportunity:   Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering to enter into a license or collaborative research agreement to commercialize this advanced tooling process. 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 current market for tooling used in EFAS is currently limited to structures made by hand or using filament-wound carbon-bonded carbon. These structures are typically machined to achieve the final shape. However, additive manufacturing using continuous materials can provide a more efficient, cost-effective, and quality-controlled solution for creating large format, high-strength tooling.
The tooling is created through an additive manufacturing process that involves using laser, high-intensity, or heat to harden a resin or polymer that is pre-wetted on the fiber before it is deposited. This manufacturing method allows for the creation of tooling with complex shapes, surfaces, and internal features that can control the electric field. Additionally, the tooling can be fully automated to improve quality control and ensure consistency.
Benefits:          
•    Cost savings on EFAS tooling for diameters ranging from 12 to 36 inches.
•    Ability to produce tooling at diameters exceeding 36 inches.
•    Improved control over the quality of the resulting products.
•    Facilitates mass production of downstream parts.
Target Applications:    
•    Any industry or government agency that uses electric field assisted sintering on a larger scale than natural graphite billets, or at conditions that would cause plastic deformation of graphitic tools/dies.

Development Status:  TRL 3; undergoing proof-of-concept work.  
IP Status:      Patent pending. BA-1373/BA-1207 – “Forming C-C composites using EFAS”
Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is offering a license or research agreement to commercialize this advanced tooling process. This technology transfer opportunity aims to turn government-funded research into job opportunities and businesses. INL is seeking to license the intellectual property to a company experienced in bringing inventions to market. Exclusive rights in specific fields may be available. INL values relationships with small businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurship.
For more information on working with INL and the technology transfer process, visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment.  Companies interested in this opportunity should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.

INL’s Technology Deployment department focuses exclusively on licensing intellectual property and partnering with industry collaborators capable of commercializing our innovations. Our goal is to commercialize the technologies developed by INL researchers. We do not engage in purchasing, manufacturing, procurement decisions, or providing funding. Additionally, this is not a call for external services to assist in the development of this technology.