ORNL reports 13 licnses executed in first six months of FY12
In the last six months, ORNL has licensed thirteen technologies and entered into three CRADAs. The most recent license was signed by Dry Surface Coatings, which will be working with ORNL and Oklahoma State University to develop superhydrophobic coatings with superior anti-icing, anti-fouling and anti-corrosion capabilities. These coatings are being developed specifically for the oil, gas and marine industries to increase safety and decrease corrosion in severe operating conditions.
“We will have a complete line of powder coat resins, polyurethanes, epoxies and specially formulated anti-fouling coatings,” said Stewart Kennedy, president of Oklahoma-based Dry Surface Coatings. Kennedy expects the first product to be ready for market by the fourth quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, the most recent CRADA involves Campbell Applied Physics, a partner in a joint venture called Water Resources Group. Through this research agreement, the California-based company will be part of the team developing titanium heat exchangers and carbon materials for capacitive deionization of seawater. Robert Fien, president of Campbell Applied Physics, sees a world of opportunities.
“The multi-task CRADA streamlines our ongoing work with ORNL both in the materials development and technology commercialization fronts and lays the foundation for our participation in ORNL’s new Manufacturing Demonstration Facility,” Fien said. “We consider our CRADA and Manufacturing Demonstration Facility participation to be cornerstones of our technology commercialization program.”
Another recent license of note is LABRADOR, a technology to detect clandestine graves. This device, licensed to Knoxville’s Agile Technologies, features an array of metal oxide sensors optimized for the detection of volatile chemicals known to be present during various stages of human composition. Agile Technologies President Keith Vaigneur expects LABRADOR (Lightweight Analyzer for Buried Remains and Decomposition Odor Recognition) to be useful for law enforcement, military, homeland security, disaster response and anthropological research. LABRADOR could be on the market in about a year.
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