SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY NEUTRON PILLAR DETECTOR FABRICATION
- Notice Date
- 3/26/2012
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 238990
— All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (DOE Contractor), Industrial Partnerships & Commercialization, 7000 East Avenue, L-795, Livermore, California, 94550
- ZIP Code
- 94550
- Solicitation Number
- FBO251-12
- Archive Date
- 4/28/2012
- Point of Contact
- Connie L Pitcock, Phone: 925-422-1072
- E-Mail Address
-
pitcock1@llnl.gov
(pitcock1@llnl.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY NEUTRON PILLAR DETECTOR FABRICATION 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 further develop neutron pillar detector fabrication technology. This technology addresses applications associated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense (DOD), and DOE. In preparation for possible future solicitations from the U.S. Government for an advanced demonstration of this technology, LLNL is seeking potential commercial partners that could respond to a future partnership with LLNL under a licensing arrangement, and/ or a collaborative research and development agreement (CRADA) where funds-in would be required by joint proposal funding and/or industry partners' internal commercial investment. Background : Present technology for thermal neutron detection suffers from fieldability issues such as high voltage, sensitivity to vibration and large size for handheld applications. More recently the need is compounded by a shortage of 3 He which is the primary constituent of commercially available system. LLNL's neutron Pillar Detector technology is directed to such a need and is particular well suited for small form factor 3 He tube replacements (hand portable) and/or applications requiring a modular format. Description : LLNL's neutron "Pillar Detector" fabrication technology uses semiconductor-based micro-structured elements as an electrical signal generation medium for the detection of neutrons. These materials in the form of semiconductor "pillars" embedded in matrix of high cross-section neutron converter materials (such as Boron) that emit charged particles upon interaction with neutrons. These charged particles in turn generate electron-hole pairs and thus detectable electrical current in the semiconductor micro-structured elements. Advantages : The main advantage of the Pillar Detector design emerges from the greatly enhanced fieldability of this all-solid-state device over the 3 He gas detectors currently in wide spread use. We are able to eliminate the need for high voltage and pressure and to reduce the sensitivity to vibrations. The power requirements are greatly diminished. Potential Applications : Potential applications for the pillar detector include: Military, civil, or medical applications in the field or laboratory environment Radiation detection for counter terrorism and contamination control Luggage or cargo container inspection in airports and ports Radiation detection for particles accelerators and cyclotrons Analyzing samples in the laboratory environment Development Status: Under contract with DHS DNDO we have demonstrated detectors with 50 micron tall pillar elements with thermal neutron detection efficiency up to 48.5 %. The detector operates at 0V and has neutron to gamma discrimination > 10 5. Instrumented systems of single and multichannel have been completed. Multiple patent applications have been filed for the fabrication technology embodied in this invention. Most of the fabrication steps have been well developed for the 50 micron tall pillar arrays and the overall integrated device is currently being pursued. We have interest in increasing array size by integrated multiple detector elements with a 64 (or larger) ASIC read out. 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. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Neutron Pillar Detector Fabrication 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. Current annual report or other overview of company organization and the proposal team members 4. A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology 5. Experience relevant to working on Federally funded joint research projects 6. Experience with silicon processing, plasma etching, chemical vapor deposition, and clean room capabilities for semiconductor devices and radiation detection technologies 7. Boron coatings •8. Experience in developing radiation detectors •9. Experience working with Department of Homeland Security Written responses should be submitted by completing our online Company Contact form at: https://ipo.llnl.gov/about/companycontactform.php
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOE/LLNL/LL/FBO251-12/listing.html)
- Record
- SN02705304-W 20120328/120326234359-b12bc6ff13ca18757dcc314a8eba8690 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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