A -- LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SEEKS INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS FOR MANUFACTURING NANOSTRUCTURE MULTILAYER CAPACITORS (NMC'S)

Notice Date

January 23, 2001

Contracting Office

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550

ZIP Code

94550

Solicitation Number

CBD-01-003

Response Due

March 9, 2001

Point of Contact

Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization (925) 423-3139

Description

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the University of California under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is seeking one or more industrial partners to commercialize LLNL's technology for manufacturing nanostructure multilayer capacitors (NMCs). The nanostructure multilayer technology has been developed to scale high energy density capacitors to miniature proportions. The present 50 joule/cm3 dielectric energy densities result in 0.5-1.0 joule/cm3 prototype capacitors with a 4 cm2 footprint by 1 mm thick. Our goal is to produce high energy capacitors in the ~100 nanoFarad arena with increased energy density and a footprint of less than 1 cm2 and millimeters in total height. Preliminary tests have indicated that these multi-layer, high energy density, low loss-tangent capacitors are quite rugged and have little to no capacitive voltage dependence. Our current multi-layer capacitors are composed of alternating sputter-deposited metallic and dielectric layers. Performance specifications (i.e. breakdown voltage, dielectric constant, and leakage current) are optimized by the appropriate selection of sputter-deposited dielectric materials (most commonly Ta2O5 and Nb2O5). LLNL's patented reactive sputtering process produces high-performance dielectrics with low microcontamination at high deposition rates. It is expected that high-volume commercialization facility requirements will include at least a Class 1000 cleanroom and cluster tools with advanced PVD heads. It is possible that a limited amount of Class 100 cleanroom production facilities or self-contained automated cluster tools may also be required. Applications for the multi-layer capacitors include power electronics control circuitry, automotive control systems, telecommunications, and computers plus most high energy power supplies, snubber capacitors, radar systems and other pulsed radio-frequency applications. Development of this technology was supported by the DOE. This is a licensing opportunity with some flexibility for research and development partnerships. Companies interested in commercializing the multilayer capacitors should provide a written statement of interest that must include the following information: (1) company name and address, (2) the name, address, telephone number, and fax number of a point of contact, (3) a description of your company's expertise and facilities in the relevant technologies and (4) statement of your company's potential interest in research partnering. This is not a procurement. Statements of interest should be sent to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization Office, P.O. Box 808, L-795, Livermore, CA 94551 Attention: CBD-01-003. Please provide your written statement within forty-five (45) days from the date this announcement is printed to ensure consideration of your response.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010125/ASOL010.HTM (W-023 SN50B6H3)