TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Embedded Fiber Optic Sensors in High-Temperature Materials

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY
Embedded Fiber Optic Sensors in High-Temperature Materials
Utilizing Electric Field-Assisted Sintering (EFAS) to embed fiber optic sensors in high-temperature structural materials for robust, real-time structural health monitoring in extreme environments.

Opportunity:   Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), offers the opportunity to explore a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize this Embedded Fiber Optic Sensors for Real-Time In-Situ Sensing technology. This technology transfer opportunity is part of a dedicated effort to convert government-funded research into job opportunities, businesses, and, ultimately, an improved way of life for the American people.
Overview:        Real-time structural health monitoring is crucial for ensuring the integrity and safety of components in extreme environments, such as nuclear reactors, aerospace, and high-temperature industrial settings. However, traditional techniques like Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) and Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) have encountered difficulties in embedding fiber optic sensors into high-strength, high-temperature materials.
Description:    This innovation utilizes Electric Field-Assisted Sintering (EFAS) to incorporate sapphire fibers into high-density SS316. By embedding fiber-optic sensors, real-time in-situ monitoring can be achieved, overcoming the limitations of current methods. The technology has undergone testing through optical transmission measurement, microscopy analysis, and mechanical testing to verify the integrity and functionality of the embedded fiber, the quality of the bond between the fiber and the metallic matrix, as well as the mechanical properties of the integrated materials.
Benefits:          
•    Achieving successful real-time monitoring in high-temperature, high-pressure, and radioactive environments.
•    Improving the bond quality between the embedded fiber and metallic matrix.
•    Ensuring scalability and applicability to various high-strength materials.
•    Minimizing signal loss after embedding the fiber.
Applications:    
•    Nuclear reactor monitoring
•    Aerospace components
•    Automotive systems
•    Energy production infrastructure
•    Biomedical engineering
Development Status:  The technology is at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3, with key proof-of-concept experiments and parameter optimizations already completed.
IP Status:     Provisional Patent Application No. 63/487,327, “Embedded Fiber Optic Sensors for Real Time In-Situ Sensing in Extreme Environments,” BEA Docket No. BA-1481.
INL is looking to license the mentioned intellectual property to a company with a proven track record in bringing such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights within specific fields of use might be available. We focus on fostering partnerships with small businesses, start-up companies, and general entrepreneurship opportunities.
For more information on collaborating with INL and the process of industrial partnering and technology transfer, please visit the Technology Deployment website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment.
Companies interested in exploring this licensing opportunity further should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.