Technology/Business Opportunity -- Additive Manufacturing Processes for Cellular Fluidics

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 partnership to further develop and commercialize its additive manufacturing processes for cellular fluidics.

Background :

Many biological and living systems have evolved to optimize fluidic transport. However, living things are exceptionally complex and very difficult to replicate, and human-made microfluidic devices (which are typically planar and enclosed) are highly limited for multiphase process engineering. Here we introduce the concept of cellular fluidics: a platform of unit-cell-based, 3D structures enabled by 3D printing methods for the deterministic control of multiphase flow, transport, and reaction processes.

Description :

Using 3D printing methods, LLNL has developed a platform of unit-cell-based 3D structures that can be programmed through architected design of cell type, size, and relative density. It includes analytical and numerical approaches for the prediction of fluid behavior in these ordered structures. The technology demonstrates gas-liquid transport and programming flow paths in 3D.

More details are described in the Nature publicatioin:

Dudukovic, N.A., Fong, E.J., Gemeda, H.B. et al. Cellular fluidics. Nature 595, 58 65 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-03603-2

Advantages :

• Control of flow properties in three dimensions
• Greater surface area per unit volume of fluid
• Capability to 3D-print more complex lattice designs
• Benefits biopatterning for 3D bioreactors and cell cultures
• Capable for scalable, high-throughput production

Potential Applications :

• Applications requiring multiphase processes
• Benefits devices that rely on chemical reactions, heat and mass transport at interfaces
• Electrochemical reaction catalysis
• Selective coating technologies
• Cellular fluidics may transform the design space for spatial and temporal control of multiphase transport and reaction processes

Development Status:

There is a portfolio of one issued and three patent applications:

U.S. Patent No. 11,130,131

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0053056

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0077999

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021/0268403

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 Cellular Fluidics 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.

1. A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology.

Written responses should be directed to:

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Innovation and Partnerships Office

P.O. Box 808, L-795

Livermore, CA 94551-0808

Attention: TB515/22

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 Cellular Fluidics.