SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Nanolipoprotein Particles for Hydrogen Production
- Notice Date
- 3/25/2009
- 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
- FBO204-09
- Archive Date
- 4/25/2009
- Point of Contact
- Connie L Pitcock,, Phone: 925-422-1072
- E-Mail Address
-
pitcock1@llnl.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Nanolipoprotein Particles for Hydrogen Production 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 and further develop nanolipoprotein particles for hydrogen production. Background : Hydrogen is a renewable energy source that has the potential to replace fossil fuels in our economy. The majority of hydrogen produced today is from natural gas, heavy oils, and coal. The Department of Energy Hydrogen Program technical plan calls for the development and commercialization of hydrogen production, generation, and distribution technology by 2015 and market incorporation by 2020. Biological production technologies show promise for true renewable biohydrogen from biomass. Breakthroughs in biological hydrogen production have been due to genetic engineering of microorganisms for conversion of glucose through both biophotolysis and fermentation; the latter is dependent on hydrogenase enzymes enabling reduction of protons to produce hydrogen. When isolated and used in solution, higher production yields are achieved through tunable reaction conditions and elimination of competing cellular processes that inhibit hydrogen conversion. These processes though suffer from difficult isolation protocols and oxygen sensitivity of soluble hydrogenase enzymes. Description : We have developed a method using nanolipoprotein particles (NLP) to solubilize and isolate membrane bound hydrogenases; these constructs are less sensitive to oxygen. Hydrogenases isolated within NLPs retain their functional proton to hydrogen conversion activity. The February/March 2008 Innovation highlights extemophile hydrogenase incorporation in to NLPs by LLNL researchers. For more information on membrane bound protein isolation using NLPs see a recent publication in Journal of Proteome Research, 2008, 7, 3535-3542. (Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18557639 or for those with a subscription: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/pr800265f ) The nanolipoprotein particles also provide the potential for immobilization, in nanopore membranes. Such sequestration might enable hydrogen production from biomass to nearly theoretical yields. Advantages : NLP method provides for rapid, easy isolation, solubilization and stabiliziation of functional hydrogenases for hydrogen production. Hydrogenases have higher selectivity, lower temperature requirements, and higher abundance than inorganic catalysts currently used in fossil fuel based production processes. Immobilization in NLPs introduces the capability to use high oxygen sensitive membrane bound hydrogenases. NLP-hydrogenases can be immobilized on dense, high surface area materials for modular, continuous hydrogen production and direct hydrogen storage interfacing. Potential Applications : This invention can be developed for hydrogen generation useful to industry and research. Other near-future uses include distributed hydrogen power applications such as fuel cell electrodes in mobile hydrogen power generators. In line with DOE goals, this invention could be the basis for centralized hydrogen production for scaled power distribution. Development Status: The invention is protected by a US Patent application and is being further developed. 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 A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Nanolipoprotein particles for hydrogen production 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 Attn: Ida C. Shum P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: FBO 204-09 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 Nanolipoprotein Particles for Hydrogen Production.
- Web Link
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(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=dd7bc47e53ad6841e4f49f9b8f76e2cf&tab=core&_cview=1)
- Record
- SN01777580-W 20090327/090325220249-dd7bc47e53ad6841e4f49f9b8f76e2cf (fbodaily.com)
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