G
TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
ACTUATORS MADE FROM NANOPOROUS MATERIALS
Opportunity:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to license its actuators made from nanoporous materials technology.
Background:
Actuators convert an external electrical signal into a mechanical force by changing their dimensions. Well-known examples for such devices are piezoelectric actuators where the dimensional changes are caused by the polarization of the whole material. The effect is used in various industrial and scientific applications such as nanopositioning in semiconductor manufacturing, microfluidic motors and valves, etc. Another promising actuator concept relies on charge-induced changes of surface stress. This actuation concept requires the use of high-surface-area materials such as carbon nanotube based materials that have been extensively researched for this application, but that may prove to be too costly and to difficult to load in compression.
To make surface-stress-induced actuation a viable technology, one needs a material that, besides an extremely high surface area, is light-weight, mechanically robust, inexpensive, thermally stable, and environmentally friendly, ideally carbon based. Furthermore, inexpensive, large monolithic pieces should available. LLNL has developed such a material using its expertise in sol-gel chemistry and in making highly porous, low-density, lighter-than-air structures that are useful at LLNL in laser target fabrication, energetic composites, sensors, ceramics, and coatings. LLNL has a long history in tailoring the properties of these materials for different applications.
Description:
LLNL has developed novel nanoporous carbon materials for the surface-stress-induced actuator technology. The morphology of these materials has been designed to combine high surface area and mechanical strength. The process allows for the fabrication of large monolithic pieces with low densities and high structural integrity. One actuation technology relies on electrochemically- induced changes of the surface stress, another on surface-chemistry-induced changes in surface stress. The latter allows for a direct conversion of chemical energy into a mechanical response.
Advantages:
· Displacement responses similar or superior to piezoelectric actuators
· Lighter-weight material (low density of porous materials)
· Stronger material (supports high compressive and shear stresses)
· Inexpensive fabrication
· Environmentally friendly (the carbon-based material does not contain heavy metals)
· Low-voltage driving signal (electrochemical concept)
· The carbon based material is thermally stable (possible high temperature applications)
Potential Applications:
· Sensors
· Nanopositioning (XYZ stages, precision manufacturing machinery control, etc.)
· Microfluidic valving
· Medical devices (insulin pumps, stents, etc.)
· Artificial muscles
· Biomechanics (prosthetics, robotics)
· Antenna, seatbelt, and other mechanical deployment
Development Status:
Research is ongoing to fully characterize and further develop the materials for various applications. Current published research can be found in J. Biener, et. al. Nature Materials (2009) Surface-chemistry-driven actuation in nanoporous gold.
Patent applications have been filed (US Patent Application 20090101241).
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 http://ipo.llnl.gov/workwithus/partneringprocess.php
for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.
Note: THIS IS NOT PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Actuators Made From Nanoporous Materials technology should provide a 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 facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.
Written responses should be directed to:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Industrial Partnerships Office
P.O. Box 808, L-795
Livermore, CA 94551-0808
Attention: FBO 220-10
Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Pulsed Ponderomotive Phase Plate.