A -- Durable Silver Mirror Coating Technology

LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SEEKS COLLABORATIVE R & D PARTNERS TO FURTHER DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE DURABLE SILVER MIRROR COATING TECHNOLOGY Announcement: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the University of California under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), seeks collaborative research and development partner(s) to further develop and commercialize its durable silver mirror coating technology. Potential applications for this technology include astronomical instrument mirrors (telescopes, spectrometers, etc.); optical-based instrumentation with mirror surfaces (i.e. spectrometers); cameras; solar reflectors; photocopiers; high-efficiency gratings; and all commercial applications requiring a high-reflectance mirror. The Vacuum Process Group at LLNL has developed and patented a process that keeps silver mirror coatings from tarnishing even in extremely harsh environments. By utilizing optical properties of both aluminum and silver metals, LLNL has designed a durable silver mirror coating that is flexible and highly reflective from the ultraviolet to the far infrared. The coatings can also be applied to various substrates such as glass, plastics, and metals. The coating process has been used to deposit durable silver mirror coatings in a space-bound camera and several astronomical telescopes, as well as, the flashlamp reflective surfaces for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at LLNL. A family of mirror coating processes has been developed that far exceeds all military specifications for chemical and mechanical testing. Experiments performed at LLNL predict the films should last for tens of years, even in harsh environments. The new family of durable mirror designs offers a variety of reflection versus bandwidth options that can accommodate all wavelengths of light from 200 nm in the ultraviolet to 8mm in the far infrared. Additional technical information can be obtained at the Mirror Coating Technology Website http://www-eng.llnl.gov/silver_mirror/index.html. Also see U. S. Patent 6,078,425, ?Durable Silver Coating for Mirrors?, issued 6/20/00. LLNL is in the process of filing additional patent applications. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in developing and commercializing LLNL's durable silver mirror coating technology for 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 the this technology. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: FBO000012-03 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 technology for durable silver mirror coating that is highly reflective, very durable, flexible, and compatible to many substrates.