TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Passive Radiative Thermostat (PRT)
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- S-133670
- Agency
-
Department of Energy
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 325510 Paint and Coating Manufacturing
- PSC
- 8030 Preservative And Sealing Compounds
- Place of performance
- Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
- Points of contact
-
- Satya Srinivasan licensing@lanl.gov
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Energy has published a Special Notice regarding a Technology Licensing Opportunity for the Passive Radiative Thermostat (PRT), an advanced coating technology developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory. The PRT is an electricity-free, smart surface coating that automatically regulates temperature by adjusting its heat absorption and emission properties based on ambient conditions. This innovation utilizes thermochromic phase-change materials and engineered thin-film layers to control solar and infrared radiation without requiring sensors, controls, or power input. The technology is designed for integration into multiple applications including roofs, facades, windows, vehicles, and outdoor equipment. This Special Notice was posted on April 21, 2026, and represents a significant opportunity in the thermal management and energy efficiency sector.
The primary objective of this licensing opportunity is to facilitate the commercialization and scaling of the PRT technology across multiple markets to reduce HVAC energy consumption, lower peak electrical loads, and support broader decarbonization initiatives. The submission deadline for interested parties is May 8, 2026. The opportunity targets contractors within the Paint and Coating Manufacturing industry (NAICS 325510) and those involved in Preservative and Sealing Compounds (PSC 8030), though no specific set-asides are being utilized. The PRT technology offers substantial potential applications across building and construction, automotive and transportation, energy and utilities, and industrial manufacturing sectors. Key advantages of the technology include automatic temperature regulation, zero power requirements, year-round performance capability, thin-film compatibility, and low maintenance requirements, positioning it as a scalable solution for improving thermal comfort and energy efficiency across diverse industries.
Notice text
The Passive Radiative Thermostat (PRT) is a smart, electricity-free coating technology from scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory that automatically regulates temperature by adjusting how it absorbs and emits heat based on ambient conditions. Using a thermochromic phase-change material combined with engineered thin-film layers that control solar and infrared radiation, the system cools surfaces on hot days by reflecting sunlight and releasing heat to the sky and warms them on cold days by absorbing sunlight and minimizing heat loss — all without sensors, controls or power input. Designed for integration into roofs, facades, windows, vehicles and outdoor equipment, the technology offers a scalable, low-maintenance pathway to reduce HVAC energy consumption, lower peak electrical loads, improve thermal comfort and support decarbonization goals across building, mobility and industrial markets.
How it Works:
Passive Radiative Thermostat is a temperature-responsive surface coating that automatically adjusts how it manages heat based on surrounding conditions. PRT incorporates a material that naturally changes its thermal behavior at a preset temperature, allowing the surface to release excess heat when it is hot and retain warmth when it is cold. By intelligently interacting with sunlight and infrared heat, the system stabilizes surface temperature without requiring electricity, sensors or moving parts. The result is a passive, self-regulating thermal control approach that improves temperature management.
Key Advantages:
- Automatic temperature regulation
- No power required
- Year-round performance
- Energy savings potential
- Thin-film compatibility
- Scalable and low maintenance
Market Applications:
- Building & Construction (roofs, facades, exterior surfaces, window systems)
- Automotive & Transportation (vehicle exteriors, cabin surfaces, transport equipment)
- Energy & Utilities (power equipment enclosures, storage systems, grid infrastructure)
- Industrial & Manufacturing (outdoor equipment, tanks, processing facilities)
- Data Centers & Telecommunications (equipment shelters, edge computing enclosures)
- Consumer & Outdoor Products (electronics housings, smart devices, outdoor installations)
Development Status: TRL 2
US Patent No. 11,359,839
LA-UR-26-23177
Learn More: https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7647/adc9eb
LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential
Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.
LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact licensing@lanl.gov.
Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.
https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology
https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/tech-and-capability-search
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