TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY High Performance Metal Droplet Ejection

Opportunity:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its High-Performance Metal Droplet Ejection.

Background:

Liquid metal jetting (“LMJ”) is an emerging technology used for high throughput, powder- and laser-free metal additive manufacturing (“AM”).  It is also being used as an alternative method for high quality metal powder feedstock generation.  The core concept of LMJ is the ability to melt a metal within the nozzle, and controllably eject (not drip) droplets out of one or two orifices at the bottom of the nozzle.  Nozzle design and manufacturing greatly affects the performance of LMJ printers.  This LLNL invention describes a novel multi-part nozzle design that improves their performance.

Description:

The approach that LLNL researchers developed involve:

1. A nozzle fabrication method that makes the process compatible with any LMJ printer.
2. An orifice fabrication method that enables advanced production of smaller orifices
3. A method for repeatable arresting of the meniscus contact line for metal droplet ejection.
4. A method for rapid and repeatable LMJ system initialization
5. A method by which meniscus “bouncing” can be dampened

Advantages/Benefits: 

• Value Proposition:  Improved performance at less operating costs.
• More controllable metal droplet ejection -> less operating costs

• Re-use of nozzles rather than use of disposables -> less operating costs
• An improvement in functional robustness

Potential Applications: 

• Metal Additive Manufacturing
• Metal Powder Production

Development Status: 

Current stage of technology development:  TRL 3

LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.

LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. 

Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Note:  THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT.  Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's High Performance Metal Droplet Ejection should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.
2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.
3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's High Performance Metal Droplet Ejection.

The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-779

Livermore, CA  94551-0808

Attention:   IL-13967