Advanced Electrochemical Sensor

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Advanced Electrochemical Sensor using Advanced Manufacturing A new advanced electrochemical sensor fabricated using advanced manufacturing that provides higher quality data and is deployable in harsh environments. Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize the advanced electrochemical sensor. Overview: This technology is a process for fabricating advanced electrochemical sensors using advanced manufacturing. Electrochemical measurements can provide valuable information on a vast range of applications. While many sensors function as desired, some have limitations in terms of obtainable information, particularly when deployed in harsh environments. Currently, there exists no satisfactory electrochemical sensor for performing effective online process monitoring in nuclear technologies such as pyroprocessing and molten salt reactors. This technology deploys a robust electrochemical sensor critical for effective process and safeguard monitoring in sensitive and harsh, such as molten salt, marine environments. Description: INL's advanced electrochemical sensor is fabricated using advanced manufacturing and provides distinct advantages over standard manufactured sensors. By using advanced manufacturing, the size and geometry of the sensor, conductors of varying work function, and insulators capable of withstanding harsh conditions can be rapidly prototyped to more quickly determine a set of optimal design criteria. For example, a conducting material of general composition MxNyOz where M is an alkali metal, N is a platinum group or transition metal, and O is oxygen. This type of conductor can provide significant enhancement in terms of electrochemical, chemical and mechanical stability in molten salts. Electrode geometry and configuration determine the nature of the established electrical field, which affects/controls the measured signal. By controlling the design and composition of a sensor, the electrochemical properties of analytes in a solution/solvent can be selectively and effectively targeted. Benefits: Higher quality data Rapid prototyping of a vast variety of materials Custom ink synthesis and characterization Conformal printing over a range of length-scales Record both qualitative and quantitative electrochemical signals Added robustness in harsh environments Applications: Nuclear Extractive metallurgy Energy storage technologies Industrial processes Chemical industries Pharmaceutical industries Development Status: TRL 2. Concept has been formulated. Currently seeking funding for advancement. IP Status: US Patent Application No. 16/840,102, - Methods for Manufacturing Electrochemical Sensors, and Related Electrochemical Sensors, BEA Docket No. BA-1047. INL is seeking to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available. Please visit Technology Deployment's website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Kala Majeti at td@inl.gov or 248-877-8866.