SPECIAL NOTICE
A -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Beryllium Sequestration
- Notice Date
- 6/11/2008
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 238990
— All Other Specialty Trade Contractors
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (DOE Contractor), Industrial Partnerships & Commercialization, 7000 East Avenue, L-795, Livermore, California, 94550
- ZIP Code
- 94550
- Solicitation Number
- FBO181-08
- Response Due
- 7/11/2008
- Archive Date
- 7/12/2008
- Point of Contact
- Connie L Pitcock, Phone: 925-422-1072
- E-Mail Address
-
pitcock1@llnl.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Beryllium Sequestration Opportunity : Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity for partnership, licensing, research and application of a selective beryllium sequestering agent for wide-ranging applications including the treatment of chronic beryllium disease and environmental remediation of beryllium contamination land, water and work places. Background : Beryllium is used in the manufacture of nuclear and electronics components, golf clubs, spark-less tools and aircraft brakes due to its attractive corrosion resistance, low density, thermal absorption, electrical insulation and neutron moderation. Unfortunately, beryllium is also one of the most toxic elements and is a Class-A carcinogen. Skin-exposure to beryllium can cause beryllium sensitization, while inhalation can lead to a beryllium lung burden and eventually Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD), a currently incurable and often-fatal immunologic lung disease. The current treatment for CBD is an anti-inflammatory medication that lowers the immune response to beryllium. However, the treatment specifically fails to remove beryllium from the lungs and exhibits side effects including susceptibility to infections, water retention, and loss of bone density. CBD typically occurs in workers that have been exposed to beryllium particles in mining and machining industries, which may see increasing numbers of CBD patients. Also of growing concern is the disposal and recycling industries, which may see increased levels of beryllium from electronics. Description : At LLNL, a beryllium-sequestering agent has been identified and researched. The agent was selected using a combination of laboratory experiments and computer simulations. LLNL wishes to partner with industry to further determine biological and environmental efficacy of the agent and for commercialization of products that contain the agent. Advantages : The application of this technology spans multiple uses including the treatment of CBD, environmental remediation, groundwater / drinking water treatment, and industrial hygiene. Beryllium sequestration (chelation) may eventually provide an alternative or adjunctive treatment for the removal or reduction of beryllium lung burden, therefore halting the initiation or progression of CBD. Beryllium sequestration may also be used in the environment to treat contaminated land and water. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set strict drinking water standards of for beryllium, second only to mercury and thallium. Reducing the environmental and work place exposures to beryllium is an important first step towards minimizing beryllium sensitization and CBD. A cheap, simple and effective cleanup method is required to meet these growing needs and concerns. The technology offers beryllium sequestration with high affinity and specificity. The advantages of such a technology include physical removal of beryllium lung and body burden verses immune suppression; reduction of beryllium in the environment, drinking water and work-place; and a highly efficient treatment that minimizes waste and damage to biological and environmental matrices while maximizing cost effectiveness. Potential Applications : Medical : Sequestration chemically removes beryllium rather than suppressing the immune system. The agent has the potential to reduce lung burden and provide a unique treatment for CBD without the harmful side effects of immune-suppressive medication. Environmental: Remediation of beryllium from the environment and groundwater, reducing the risk of beryllium sensitization. Segregation and recycling of beryllium would also be advantageous. Feature Benefit High affinity and selectivity for beryllium in biological systems. Reduces beryllium lung and body burden, increases beryllium excretion, and potentially reduces CBD initiation or progression without damage to the biological surroundings. Attacks the root cause of CBD by removing beryllium rather than suppressing the immune system. Provides a potentially unique treatment to a currently incurable and degenerative lung disease. High affinity and selectivity for beryllium in common environmental systems. Removes beryllium from the environment and groundwater, thus reducing public and employee exposure and possible future sensitization, while minimizing waste and maximizing cost effectiveness. Development Status: Preliminary animal and environmental trials have been performed. Experimental results in mice showed evidence of successful reduction in beryllium body burden and increased beryllium excretion with no observable detrimental effects. Furthermore, selective dissolution of beryllium was observed in environmental samples, demonstrating that agents could be applied to environmental or work-place remediation scenarios. Additionally, some work has been performed to investigate incorporation of the agent on high surface area material for groundwater remediation. A patent application of the agent in reducing beryllium burden and enhancing beryllium environmental remediation has been submitted (US Patent App 20070254827). 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 http://ipo.llnl.gov/workwithus/partneringprocess.php 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 beryllium sequestration 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 Office P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: FBO 181-08 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 beryllium sequestration.
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