TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Carbon Nanotube Mesh Bucky Paper Capsules (TOP2-195)

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology.  License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use.  NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses.

THE TECHNOLOGY:

NASA has developed an innovative method for fabricating containers (biocapsules) made of biocompatible mesh for holding living cells and tissues, to facilitate transplantation into the body, for a wide range of high-impact medical applications.  The biocompatible mesh (buckypaper) is made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the containers are fabricated by depositing the nanotubes onto pre-formed molds, in order to achieve the desired shape and size of the biocapsule.  Various forms are possible, including hollow tubes, closed cylinders, and more complex shapes, determined by the configuration of the mold.  The biocompatibility of the capsule makes it possible to implant a variety of cells into a host, even cells that would otherwise be considered foreign, such as cells from unmatched donors, specially engineered cells, and even non-human cells.  Because the capsule pores are too small for the cells to pass through, the cells stay inside the capsule, where they are protected from the host immune system.

To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/TOP2-195

If you have any questions, please contact Ames Research Center ARC-TechTransfer@mail.nasa.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/

These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities.  No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.