Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3521

A -- RAPID SOLIDIFICATION PROCESS FOR POLYMER MEMBRANES, COATINGS AND FILMS SOL Cbd0999 DUE 041199 POC Paul Grahovac WEB: Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory, http://www.inel.gov/procurement/litco/index.htm. E-MAIL: Paul Grahovac, pg2@inel.gov. A -Rapid solidification process for polymer membranes, coatings and films. U. S. Patent Number 5,252,212. This is a potential technology development and licensing opportunity with Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company (LMITCO), the prime operating contractor for the Department of Energy at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). Polymer applications of the rapid solidification process ("RSP Polymers") creates a plume of nebulized polymer droplets. This results in production of asymmetrical polymer membranes capable of withstanding high temperatures and harsh chemical conditions. Also, polymers which cannot readily be dissolved in solvents can be sprayed, and polymer systems normally sprayed with solvents can be sprayed without them -- using RSP Polymers. This is an important environmental benefit due to the severe reduction in VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions associated with spraying paints and enamels. RSP Polymers can also be manipulated to control the deposition and solidification of any polymer film. Due to the uniform droplet size distribution in the plume produced by the process, consistent film thickness and spatially uniform film physical and/or chemical properties are achieved. The RSP Polymers coating capabilities provide precise control of the process, and the deposits which result have relatively low porosity -- due to the low gas pressure used in the process and corresponding low droplet velocity. Particularly, using pressures in the range of about 14-26 psi absolute, normalized to one atmosphere, low droplet velocity results in gentle droplet impact conditions at the substrate surface and low gas entrapment. RSP Polymers provides an improved method of spraying polymers having predetermined characteristics useful as semipermeable membranes for separating a wide variety of materials. The process allows application of very thin or otherwise delicate films or membranes onto strength- providing substrates, including mesh, and porous and non-porous substrates. LMITCO is seeking a written indication of interest from industry partners interested in funding a collaborative technology development project and /or entering into a license agreement for the purpose of developing and commercializing this technology. License terms will include an up-front licensing fee and a running royalty based on a percentage of sales. This is not an opportunity to provide goods or services to LMITCO or the Department of Energy. This Request for Interest (RFI) will close to response 30 days after publication. Interested parties should send e-mail to pg2@inel.gov (Paul Grahovac, Account Executive, Technology Transfer Office, LMITCO). If you do not have e-mail access, send regular mail to Paul Grahovac, Account Executive, Technology Transfer Office, LMITCO, P. O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805. Posted 03/10/99 (W-SN306981). (0069)

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