JPL TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCEMENT-GRADIENT DENSITY SOL-GEL The Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology (JPL/Caltech) operates under a prime contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In partial fulfillment of its obligation as a team member of the recently launched NASA Discovery STARDUST Mission (http://STARDUST.jpl.nasa.gov), JPL has produced Gradient Composition Sol-Gel material that will be used to capture and return cometary and interstellar dust particles. Gradient Composition Sol-Gel materials with various density gradients, as well as gradient dopant content, have been produced. The NASA Discovery STARDUST Mission, in conjunction with JPL's Targeted Commercialization Office, wish to make this technology available to U.S. industry, academia, and government to further develop this technology into a marketable or other useable products. Interested parties should be prepared to enter into collaborative research and development tasks on a cost-share basis that will encourage the development of commercial andother applications of this novel technology. JPL has plans to perform further research to determine the range and types of compositional profiles that can be realized from this invention, and interested parties have an opportunity to guide such research to mutual benefit. Commercial entities should preferably have proven business development and technical skills, and possess the financial capability to bring the technology to market. The intellectual property may be transferred to successful licensees on an exclusive, partially exclusive, or non-exclusive basis, depending upon the needs of the parties. The Laboratory believes that Gradient Composition Sol-Gel material has a wide range of functions from scientific instruments to consumer and industrial applications. Its use may include: (1) Optical Components (e.g., spectrometers, interferometers, lenses, beam splitters, beam spreaders); (2) Thermal Insulation (e.g., of electronics in extreme environments); (3) Acoustical Insulation (e.g., transportation, cameras); (4) Intact Capture of Hypervelocity Particles; (5) Catalyst Supports; (6) Microelectronics Components and Microelectronics Packaging; (7) Ultra-Capacitors; (8) Fiber-Optic Cladding; and (9) Sensors/Detectors. Industry, academia and government agencies may be aware of other commercial and scientific applications not identified. For an information package, interested parties should either call Gene Doroliat, NASA Far West Regional Technology Transfer (FWRTTC) point of contact at (213) 743-2353 or respond by mail or FAX no later than June 30, 1999 to: AEROGEL APPLICATIONS, NASA FWRTTC, 3716 S. Hope St., Room 200, Los Angeles, CA 90007; FAX (213) 746-9043. Please indicate the date and title of this synopsis notice in your communication. The NASA FWRTTC at the University of Southern California, is a one of six NASA-sponsored Technology Transfer Centers across the country. This is not a Request for Proposal. E-MAIL: CBD dated xx/xx/xx, nasa@usc.edu. Posted 05/27/99 (W-SN336602).

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