SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY MEMS FUEL CELLS – LOW TEMP – HIGH POWER DENSITY
- Notice Date
- 9/11/2009
- 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
- FBO212-09
- Archive Date
- 10/13/2009
- 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 FOR MEMS FUEL CELLS - LOW TEMP - HIGH POWER DENSITY 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 the technology to make and sell MEMS Fuel Cells operating at a low temperature (less than 400 ° C) with a high power density. Background : Rechargeable batteries presently provide limited energy density and cyclical lifetime for portable power applications, with only incremental improvements forecasted in the foreseeable future. Furthermore, recharging requires access to electrical outlets via a tethered charger. The MEMS Fuel Cell represents a disruptive power source technology that can avoid many of these problems. It uses easy-to-store liquid fuels such as methanol and provides more than three times the operating time possible with rechargeable batteries. In addition, one can "refuel" the Fuel Cell by instantaneously swapping out the fuel cartridge. Finally, it is much easier to recycle than a battery and contains fewer toxic chemicals. Description : The miniature fuel-cell technology uses thin-film fuel cells which combine microcircuit processes, microfluidic components, and micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The MEMS based fuel cell uses a thin layer of electrolyte material sandwiched between electrode materials containing appropriately proportioned catalyst materials. Microfluidic control elements distribute fuel mixtures through a silicon chip over one electrode surface while air is simultaneously distributed over the other electrode. In addition, new LLNL technology has a three-dimensional microfluidic flow field architecture, along with the porous electrolyte support structures, which offers significant advantages to increase the volumetric power density of the fuel cell, as well as to manufacture the fuel cell via a continuous integration approach. Combining this high power density architecture with the microfluidic fuel processor and advanced thermally insulated packaging provides a scalable, high energy density portable power source. Advantages : MEMS based fuel cells offer the following advantages over batteries: •· Instantaneous recharge via fuel cartridge swapping •· Lighter weight, higher volumetric power, energy density •· Longer lasting. •· Reduced life cycle cost in comparison to rechargeable batteries The MEMS based fuel cell offers the following advantages over other micro-fuel cells: •· Fewer individual parts. •· Easier to produce. •· Can take advantage of the economy of scale offered by silicon fabrication. Potential Applications : With the advantage listed above, MEMS based fuel cells could replace rechargeable batteries in a number of applications: •· Power for portable computers. •· Power for cell phones and other handheld devices. •· Power for remote sensors and electronics. •· Backup power for emergencies. Development Status: LLNL's Center for Microtechnology Engineering has developed and demonstrated a prototype miniature thin-film fuel-cell power source operating at a low temperature. LLNL has an extensive portfolio of patents and patent applications which cover this technology. Foreign rights are also available. A complete list is available once discussions begin. 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 MEMS Fuel Cells (Low temperature - high power density) 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 212-09 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 MEMS Fuel Cells (Low temperature - high power density).
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOE/LLNL/LL/FBO212-09/listing.html)
- Record
- SN01950871-W 20090913/090912001020-6a181251c1e55f777221b2504bf95d2d (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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