TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Solid State Nuclear Lasing Sensors: Revolutionizing In-Pile Reactor Measurements
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This contract presents a technology licensing opportunity for innovative solid-state nuclear lasing sensors designed to significantly improve in-pile reactor power and flux measurements. Unlike traditional methods that depend on external instruments placed behind significant shielding—leading to limited spatial resolution and measurement inaccuracies—this advanced technology uses lasing media or crystals energized directly by reactor radiation to produce laser light whose intensity correlates with reactor power and radiation flux. By incorporating different fissile-doped lasing media, the sensors can also assess the energy spectrum of the reactor. These passive sensors require no in-core power and transmit real-time data through a single optical fiber lead-out, enabling enhanced accuracy, durability, and potential integration into reactor control systems. The technology targets commercial nuclear power plants, micro nuclear reactors in emerging markets, and space power and nuclear thermal propulsion reactors, where reliable and real-time monitoring is critical. It is currently at Technology Readiness Level 3, with analytical and proof-of-concept demonstrations completed. The intellectual property is protected under a U.S. patent application, and the Idaho National Laboratory, managed by Battelle Energy Alliance, is offering licensing opportunities specifically aimed at small businesses and startups capable of commercializing this advancement. Interested parties can contact representatives at INL for collaboration, with the lab emphasizing its role in licensing technologies rather than direct manufacturing or funding, underscoring a clear path for partners to bring this technology to the commercial market.
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NAICS
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Idaho Falls, ID, 83415, USASet-Aside
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TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY
Solid State Nuclear Lasing Sensors: Revolutionizing In-Pile Reactor Measurements
Harness the power of solid-state lasing sensors for real-time, in-pile reactor power and flux measurements, enhancing accuracy and spatial resolution.
Overview: Traditional nuclear reactor power measurement methods rely on external instruments, often behind shielding, resulting in limited spatial resolution and potential inaccuracies due to spectral shifts and electronic drifts.
Description: This groundbreaking technology employs solid state lasing media/crystals, excited by various radiations within a reactor core, to produce laser light. The intensity of this light directly correlates with reactor power and radiation flux. By utilizing multiple lasing media doped with different fissile species, the instrument can determine both reactor power and energy spectrum. These passive instruments, requiring no in-core power, can be strategically placed within the reactor for real-time power/flux distribution measurements, with data transmitted via a simple fiber optic lead-out.
Benefits:
• Direct in-pile measurement enhances accuracy and spatial resolution.
• Real-time data integration potential for reactor control systems.
• Simplified design with a single optical fiber lead-out ensures durability in high radiation environments.
• Cost-effective solution for commercial nuclear power plants.
Applications:
• Commercial nuclear power plants.
• Micro nuclear reactors, especially in the emerging market.
• Space power and nuclear thermal propulsion reactors for remote operations.
Development Status: TRL 3 - Analytical and experimental proof-of-concept for critical functions/characteristics.
IP Status: US Patent Application No. 17/758,395, “Solid State Nuclear Pumped Lasing Sensors for In Pile Reactor Power and Flux Measurement, Direct Energy Conversion, and Related Methods,” BEA Docket No. BA-1125.
For a deeper understanding of this transformative technology and potential collaborations, please contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.
Managed by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is eager to form commercial partnerships. We aim to license our intellectual property to adept entities, especially small businesses and start-ups, to bring these innovations to the market. Explore collaboration opportunities with INL at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment.
INL’s Technology Deployment department focuses exclusively on licensing intellectual property and partnering with industry collaborators capable of commercializing our innovations. Our goal is to commercialize the technologies developed by INL researchers. We do not engage in purchasing, manufacturing, procurement decisions, or providing funding. Additionally, this is not a call for external services to assist in the development of this technology.