TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Multi-spectral nondestructive characterization of in-shell tree nuts

Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its novel Multi-Spectral Nondestructive Characterization of in-shell tree nuts. Background: Walnut inspections are currently done by visual and manual inspection processes. Observing color and firmness of a sample is the state of the art today. This is a time consuming and labor-intensive process. Developing a low-cost process to scan walnuts for quality and safety can expedite the process. Description: LLNL's novel technology automates the inspection process by using a scanning system that captures data within the walnut shell without having to open the shell. The system output gives a visual image inside the walnut shell sufficient to evaluate and rate the quality of the walnut. The system uses a camara and radar that can capture data at a rapid rate. This improves speed and reliability from fully manual inspections. The low-cost system can be accessible to farmers and government inspectors. Advantages/Benefits: The low-cost system allows farmers and inspectors to rapidly rate walnut quality and safety, but could be broadly applicable to the inspection of other agricultural products. This will allow farmers to assess the quality and value of their crops much faster than the current manual process. Markets prices are based on product quality. This system will allow farmers to sort their crops faster and determine the value of their crops much more efficiently. This LLNL technology has numerous advantages over traditional manual inspections, such as: Rapid inspection Low-cost system evaluation Improved accuracy Digital records rather than paper records Potential Applications: Automated Agricultural Crop Inspection for Food Quality Automated Agricultural Inspection for Food Safety Development Status: Current stage of technology development: TRL 4-5 LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention. LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Multi-spectral nondestructive characterization of in-shell tree nuts should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following: Company Name and address. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Multi-spectral nondestructive characterization of in-shell tree nuts. The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL's Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Innovation and Partnerships Office P.O. Box 808, L-779 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: IL-13749