63 -- Technology Transfer Opportunity - Trace Detection Technology

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY Trace Detection TechnologySandia National Laboratories, the lead research and development laboratory for the Department of Energy's physical security needs, is looking for one or more companies in the trace detection market, including but not limited to explosives, to engage in commercialization of Sandia's portable large-volume sampling preconcentrator (LVSP). It is expected, although not necessarily required, that a company that commercializes the LVSP will incorporate it into their trace detection system. This is for Sandia's portable LVSP technology only; no detection technology is offered. Sandia is interested in commercial system integrators with well-documented experience in trace detection, and with successful product offerings. Potential partners must provide Sandia information demonstrating that the partner has the stand-alone (sublicensing will not be acceptable) resources and expertise to design, develop, manufacture, distribute, market, and service fully functional preconcentration/trace detection systems. Sandia anticipates granting one or more non-exclusive licenses to the LVSP technology to qualified participants, with up-front licensing fees (a portion of which may cover Sandia's technical assistance to the partner), royalties, annual minimums, and performance milestones. The licensee will acquire the rights to several issued patents, patents pending, and drawings of the subject technology. The subject technology is a hand-portable large-volume sample collection and preconcentration device that, when combined with a chemical detector, is capable of detecting low concentrations of explosives. The preconcentration device was originally developed for low vapor pressure explosives detection and has successfully concentrated a variety of these chemicals. It has also been tested with some illicit drugs with success. Our expectation is that the technology will be similarly effective for the detection of various chemicals and drugs, although it has not yet been thoroughly tested in these application areas. The preconcentration device features portability, high sensitivity, ease and speed of operation, and adaptability to many detectors. The device combines both particle and vapor collection into a single portable unit. For particle collection, a sampling substrate is wiped across the suspect surface and inserted into the device. For vapor collection, a blower draws a large-volume (liters per second) of air through the sampling substrate of the preconcentrator, which selectively collects the target trace elements. These now concentrated compounds are then released into a small-volume (milliliters per minute) of gas flow that is delivered to a detector; the type of detector can vary. The device can be integrated with a portable detection device, or can be used as a separate sampling preconcentrator. The device can enhance the real-world detection capabilities of many detectors by delivering a concentrated sample to the detector. To express your interest in this technology transfer opportunity, please respond by mail or fax to Alane Dulski by 8 October 2003 at: Sandia National Laboratories, MS 0115, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque New Mexico 87185-0115. Fax +1 (555) 000-0000. Please indicate the date and title of the FBO notice and describe the manner in which your firm could best contribute to the commercialization of this technology.