SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Large scale production of carbon aerogels precursors
- Notice Date
- 7/25/2023 8:00:14 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 335991
— Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- LLNS � DOE CONTRACTOR Livermore CA 94551 USA
- ZIP Code
- 94551
- Solicitation Number
- IL-13385
- Response Due
- 8/24/2023 8:00:00 AM
- Archive Date
- 09/08/2023
- Point of Contact
- Jared Lynch, Phone: 9254226667, Charlotte Eng, Phone: 9254221905
- E-Mail Address
-
lynch36@llnl.gov, eng23@llnl.gov
(lynch36@llnl.gov, eng23@llnl.gov)
- Description
- 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 resorcinol-formaldehyde precursor formulation for industrial scale carbon aerogel manufacturing. Background: Aerogels are ultra-lightweight open cell foams that can be composed of a variety of materials. For carbon aerogels their formation can be achieved from resorcinol-formaldehyde precursors. Resorcinol-formaldehyde aerogels are produced via sol-gel synthesis from aqueous resorcinol and formaldehyde (RF) solution which cross-link under basic or acidic conditions to form a macro/micro-porous gel with water contained in the pores. An organic aerogel is produced upon removal of the water (typically by solvent exchange or critical point extraction). This material can be carbonized at high temperature under inert atmosphere to produce pure carbon aerogels. Since the first publication of this material, there have been numerous studies elucidating synthesis parameters and processing conditions to tailor the material's properties. These studies have explored various catalyst, ingredient ratios and sol-gel thermal conditions; however, all these studies have been completed on a small scale of typically less than 100 milliliters.� Additionally, depending on the application, an aerogel with a homogeneous structure at a very small scale may be desired. Their use in such applications has been inhibited by the high cost of producing the materials when production scale is increased beyond milliliters scale. Methods that result in lower production costs are needed.� Description: LLNL inventors have created innovative steps in the synthesis, carbonation and activation steps of aerogel manufacturing that allows for large scale production. These steps are: 1. Synthesis: a novel pre-cure step with subsequent gelation (RF precursor solution is heated with stirring to achieve a mixed liquid intermediate temperature, the precursor solution is then allowed to cool, and is then cast into a block mold). 2. Carbonation: follows standard procedures. 3. Activation: takes place in CO2 atmosphere using novel apparatus setup for full CO2 contact and exposure. Advantages/Benefits:� The process of scaling resorcinol-formaldehyde precursors provides homogeneity on a microscopic scale in a low density, high surface area material. This is crucial to creating carbon aerogels with desirable physical properties in large quantities at lower production cost. Potential Applications:� Flow through batteries, wearable electronics, water purification, electrochemical reactor design. Development Status:� Current stage of technology development:� TRL 4 LLNL has patent(s) on this invention. U.S. Patent No. 11,535,521 Large scale synthesis of resorcinol-formaldehyde aerogel published 12/27/2022 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 large scale production of carbon aerogels precursors should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following: Company Name and address. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. 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 large scale production of carbon aerogels precursors. 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-13385
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/b652e62ee790477d9a9d56d83b392108/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Livermore, CA, USA
- Country: USA
- Country: USA
- Record
- SN06762114-F 20230727/230725230045 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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