A -- Gamma Watermarking Products

LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY LICENSEE TO PRODUCE AND SELL GAMMA WATERMARKING PRODUCTS Announcement: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the University of California under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), wants to license the technology to produce Gamma Watermarking products. A Livermore research team has developed a new property-tagging and identification technology that uses a combination of tiny quantities of radioisotopes and advanced commercially-supported gamma-ray spectroscopy. This new technology, known as Gamma Watermarking, produces "gamma watermarks" that can establish robust links between owners and their property. This technology uses miniscule combinations of radioisotopes to provide a unique identification and time stamp on objects. These "watermarks" emit a billionth of a curie (this is no stronger than background radiation which exists around us). The watermark can consist of a small dot of material (less than 1 microgram or less than 0.01 cm in diameter), or the tag can be mixed directly into liquids such as ink. (The format of the "watermark" may be tailored to the specific application, enhancing the tag's covert nature.) This new property-marking technology protects any item of greater than microscopic size. This effectively-invisible watermark can be sensed and read for decades thereafter with an appropriate detector. In addition to the object-identifying digital signature, the watermark-tag contains a built-in "clock" that provides a date-stamp corresponding to its creation. Gamma Watermarking thus produces a unique digital signature comprised of combinations of radioactive isotopes that emit extremely low levels of gamma radiation, which enhances its covert nature and prevents counterfeiting. Enhanced security for especially valuable objects may be attained by placing one or more watermarks within the object in an ad hoc manner to make it/them virtually invisible, even under detailed examination. Commercial gamma-ray detectors can detect the tag if the users know what they are looking for. One of the advantages of this system lies in the non-obvious nature of the tag. Because the tag uses extremely low levels of gamma-ray emissions, it blends into the background radiation. This makes the tag difficult to detect unless a searcher knows what and where to search for it. To provide further security, it is also possible for the tag to operate properly if buried inside of an object. Given the location and the signature, the watermark is readily detectable and may be made readable from buried locations up to a few centimeters in depth. Despite being non-obvious, the tag provides ironclad proof of an object's identity and age, and this technology offers an excellent means for covertly marking objects. Companies working in cooperation with federal, state and local law-enforcement agencies may find the Gamma Watermark a useful tool-set for uniquely and inexpensively establishing object identification/authentication, over intervals as long as several decades. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's GAMMA WATERMARKING 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 and Commercialization P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: FBO02-011-298 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 Gamma Watermarking.