SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Refractive index matched resins for Two-Photon Lithography
- Notice Date
- 3/31/2023 10:35:04 AM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 325211
— Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- LLNS � DOE CONTRACTOR Livermore CA 94551 USA
- ZIP Code
- 94551
- Solicitation Number
- IL-13604
- Response Due
- 3/31/2023 12:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 05/01/2023
- Point of Contact
- Genaro Mempin, Phone: 9254231121, Charlotte Eng, Phone: 9254221905
- E-Mail Address
-
mempin1@llnl.gov, eng23@llnl.gov
(mempin1@llnl.gov, eng23@llnl.gov)
- Description
- 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 its refractive index matched resins. Background: Resolution of conventional laser-based advanced manufacturing (AM) techniques are limited by the wavelength of the laser and diffraction.� Diffraction limit sets the smallest features size and thus poses a major obstacle for using these laser-based methods to fabricate nanoscale features.� To overcome this challenge and fabricate in the nanoscale, two-photon lithography was developed to print microstructures beyond the diffraction limit. LLNL has been at the forefront of this new technology, developing a TPL system, FemtoProWrite, that can deliver high-throughput 3D printing at the nanoscale.� Current TPL systems such as FemtoProWrite can be used to print polymers with very fine nanoscale features, but not for ceramics with comparable feature sizes.� In order to produce 3D printed ceramics with extremely fine details using TPL, a dip-in approach is needed where immersion oil, required for a conventional TPL system, is no longer necessary.� In the dip-in TPL configuration, the laser passes through a high numerical aperture (NA) objective lens directly into the optically transparent resist in which the printed object is then formed. For this dip-in approach to work, however, the photoresist must meet the requirements of the high NA objective lens, e.g. a refractive index that is similar to immersion oil (1.52).� LLNL researchers have been able to produce such RI matching resins, allowing the production of ceramic components with ultra-fine submicron features. Description: LLNL�s approach to producing refractive index matching (RIM) resin is to use a commercially available material known as polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) precursors.� To tune the refractive index, POSS can be functionalized with additives such as phenylthiol, until the refracted index match is achieved.� For example, for a 1.4 NA oil objective lens, a RIM resin with a refractive index that is close to immersion oil (1.52) is required.� Once a printed �green� object is created in the RI-matching resin using TPL, it is removed and sintered at high temperatures to transform into a ceramic that has finer features than their printed counterparts.� LLNL researchers have been able to successfully print RIM preceramic resin composed of phenolthiol-POSS to produce silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramic composite objects. Advantages/Benefits:� Ceramics materials generally have excellent properties such as being chemically inert and resistant to wear while also can withstand high temperatures and other harsh conditions.� Tuning the RIM resin would allow for the production of 3D-printed ceramics with complex and extremely fine structures (? 100 microns). The RIM resin could be printed with any VAT polymerization system, but the RI must be tuned to be compatible with the high NA objective lens of the printing system. Potential Applications:� Complex design for ceramic blades supporting laser reflective mirrors Structural support for beam steering devices Complex ceramics for biomedical implants/devices at the nanoscale Development Status:� U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0193992 REFRACTIVE INDEX MATCHING BASE RESIN FOR EXTREMELY FINE THREE-DIMENSIONAL CERAMIC STRUCTURES published 6/23/2022 Current stage of technology development:� TRL 4 (Component and/or system validation in laboratory environment) 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 refractive index matched resins 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/or 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-779 Livermore, CA� 94551-0808 Attention:�� IL-13604 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 refractive index matched resins.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/64223a5e825e47bfbf7a8c93d539a0d6/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Livermore, CA, USA
- Country: USA
- Country: USA
- Record
- SN06636555-F 20230402/230331230107 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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