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FLC Technology Locator

Get one-on-one personalized assistance from the FLC's Technology Locator! The Technology Locator will help you take your technology transfer collaboration efforts to the next level by putting you in contact with the laboratories, agencies or individuals conducting work in your area of interest. Read more

December 2011 Technology Transfer Opportunities

• Registration for the 2012 FLC National Meeting Is Now Open!
  Register now for the FLC's 2012 national meeting, “Bridging Federal Technologies and Industry” in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!! The meeting will take place April 30 - May 3 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel. Reserve your lodging now! The preferred rate is available through April 9, so don't miss out on the savings!
• Clean Label/Natural Preservation of Processed Meat
  The Sara Lee Corporation invites proposals for technologies to inhibit microbial growth in packaged processed meat products. More...
• Cleaning by Modification of Dirt
  A global consumer products company invites proposals for technologies, processes and devices that will allow chemical modification of dirt without surfactants. More...
• Controlling Texture of Microwaveable Sandwiches
  The Sara Lee Corporation invites proposals for technology solutions to control the bread textures in pre-baked, preassembled, multi-component sandwiches that are prepared in a microwave oven. More...
• Enhanced Water Evaporation Technology
  A multibillion-dollar manufacturing corporation invites proposals for technologies capable of increasing water evaporation with negligible energy usage. More...
• Enhancing the Flavor and Aroma Experience in Packaged, Processed Meats
  The Sara Lee Corporation invites proposals (technology solutions) to enhance the overall consumer taste experience in packaged processed meat products. More...
• Improving the Capacity of Formulated Lubricant Oils to Reduce Friction and Prevent Wear
  A Fortune 500 corporation invites proposals for novel and technically feasible approaches and/or chemistries that improve the capacity of formulated lubricant oils to reduce friction and prevent wear between two contacting metal surfaces in motion. More...
• Low-cost Imaging Detector for Ionizing Radiation
  A Fortune 500 electronics company is seeking novel technologies that enable realization of a low-cost imaging detector for ionizing radiation. More...
• On-demand Defrosting Technologies
  A multibillion-dollar manufacturing corporation invites proposals for an on-demand defrosting system for heat exchangers. More...
• Preventing Dirt Deposition
  A global consumer products company invites proposals for technologies, formulations, and reagents that will prevent greasy dirt from accumulating on surfaces and fibers. More...
• Algorithms for Normalization of Clinical Data to Enable Advanced Predictive Healthcare Systems
  A Fortune 100 company seeks proposals for systems to normalize unstructured medical data and records to enable development of predictive healthcare systems. More...
• Compact, Small Volume, Liquid Burst Generator
  A global consumer appliance company seeks a compact, small volume, liquid burst generator that can be integrated into a small medical device. More...
• Improved Motion Control Algorithms for Washing Machines
  A multibillion-dollar appliance company invites proposals for innovative motion control algorithms that quickly distribute/redistribute laundry to minimize imbalance in front-loading washing machines during spin. More...
• Improved Over-the-Counter Remedies for Treating Athlete's Foot
  A global pharmaceutical company invites proposals for ingredients or remedies that can reduce the treatment time of athlete's foot. More...
• Lean Assembly of Electromechanical Devices
  A global supplier of electrical and mechanical subsystems invites consulting and design firms with a demonstrated track record of reducing manufacturing costs of an electromechanical device assembly to collaborate on cost reduction targets. More...
• Nondestructive Testing of Adhesive Bonded Parts
  An aerospace company invites proposals for methods or technologies that can nondestructively test the bond line strength and quality of parts glued together with an adhesive. More...
• Pretreatment Technology for Lignocellulosic Ethanol Production
  A multibillion-dollar energy company invites proposals for pretreatment technology for cellulosic ethanol production from palm tree biomass. More...
• Seeking Big Data Collection and Analysis System
  A Fortune 100 company is seeking proposals for the development of an innovative system to collect and analyze big data gathered from consumer behaviors. More...
• Seeking Supply of Contact-safe, Semipermanent Inks for Inkjets
  A Fortune 500 company invites responses from companies that can provide skin-safe inks that can be dispensed from inkjet cartridges onto non-paper surfaces. More...
• Sound & Vibration Proofing Systems
  A multibillion-dollar manufacturing corporation producing white goods invites proposals for damping technologies for structural and airborne sound with neutral energy balance, i.e., no or very low heat absorption. More...
• Supporting Sleep Development in Infants
  Philips Consumer Lifestyle invites proposals to license or co-develop existing products or late-stage technologies that can promote the development of healthy sleeping habits in infants. More...
• Waste Heat Capture and Reuse in White Goods
  A multibillion-dollar manufacturing corporation invites proposals for technology, as well as expertise regarding the use of phase change materials (PCM) in the design and production of energy storage and recycling systems, for use in durable consumer goods. More...
• Seeking: Manufacturing methods to deposit a consistent and even layer of inorganic material on a large metal substrate
  We are depositing substantial quantities of material using physical vapor deposition techniques on a large metal substrate. We are seeking alternative methods to enable the creation of a thick layer of material, more effective vapor deposition techniques, or better and more precise ways of preparing crucibles for the vapor deposition process. We are open to all solutions that produce a high-yield, high-precision method of depositing the thick layer of salt on the metal substrate with reproducible results. Reduction in the cost of production (or increase in quality and production rate) would be a plus. A relatively thick layer of an inorganic salt—between 400 and 500 micrometers—must be deposited on a metal substrate with microscopic evenness and regularity. Substrates measure up to about 60 centimeters in diameter. These substrates require a substantial amount of the salt. Currently, up to a kilogram of a salt of an alkalihalide is melted electrically in a tantalum crucible within a vacuum chamber, and the vapor is deposited on the metal substrate. The crucibles are folded from a sheet of tantalum. The folds and the electrode attachment points of the crucibles are not consistent. As a consequence, the resistance, conductivity, and heating patterns of each crucible, and the vapor cloud it produces, vary from crucible to crucible, and the pattern of the cloud changes over time as any one crucible ages. We would like to discover a high-yield, high-precision method of depositing the thick layer of salt on the metal substrate with reproducible results. This method may be vapor deposition, as we are currently practicing; however, we are open to other suggestions and methodologies. It is the high-quality end product that we are after. If we continue with vapor deposition, maintaining the quality and consistency of the vapor cloud is of paramount importance, which may require higher-quality crucibles.
  
• Seeking: Halogen-free fire retardants for cables that produce minimal smoke/fire and could meet UL cable-burn testing criteria
  This organization wants to find a material that will make cabling fire-retardant. The material must contain no halogens and must eventually meet Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) testing requirements. They want to explore a variety of ways to achieve non-halogenated fire retardancy on cabling that may pass standards tests, particularly tests that involve fully constructed cables (along with their wiring and insulator materials). UL is one of the main standards organizations that imposes a set of tests on fire retardants in the U.S. Technologies that may not yet have passed UL testing are definitely of interest. Methods of imparting non-halogenated fire retardancy to cables may include: compounds, coatings, polymers, or additives. Your proposed solution should have minimal impact on the physical properties of the resultant cable and offer good processability. UL tests of particular interest include UL-94, 1581, 1685 and 1666, as well as their IEEE versions (for example, IEEE 383). Solutions capable of passing European IEC 60332-3 may also be suitable. Finally, though it is not believed possible at this time, a solution capable of passing NFPA 262 would be of high interest. The proposed solution should not negatively affect other properties required by UL to a level that prevents successful commercialization, and have reasonable permanence.
  
• Seeking: Deposition of Surfactant Soluble Materials on Skin
  The delivery of actives onto skin through rinse-off products is extremely challenging. Surfactant soluble actives (e.g., perfumes) present additional challenges for the deposition from body wash. They tend to be rinsed off with the surfactant, resulting in deposition efficiency much less than 2%. Our objective is to provide the delivery of surfactant soluble actives onto body skin with deposition efficiency or 15% or higher. Constraints include lather volume, one of the important in-use properties that consumers value. The additives to body wash for deposition enhancement often decrease lather volume. Minimizing lather negatives is critical to the success of any new delivery technologies. New technologies should not have negative impact on stability. For encapsulation-related technologies, long-term stability of active diffusion in and out of the capsules needs to be well understood. The low cost structure of body washes requires high efficiency for new additives. Generally, the material cost should be less than $30/kg. Any new additives should be safe for human daily use following standard safety measures, such as irritation, adverse reactions, inhalation, and microbes, etc. The partner should have a good mechanistic understanding of their deposition technologies and experimentally demonstrate deposition efficiency improvement, and should have knowledge and capabilities in synthesis and characterization of any new materials.
  
• Seeking: Approaches for functional group protection against enzyme-catalyzed inactivation either by oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis or conjugation reactions
  We are looking for non-covalent protection approaches against chemical and/or biological inactivation reactions. Our focus is on the prevention of inactivation of actives resulting from enzyme activity. A common example of enzymatic inactivation reactions is the process of microbial degradation. The primary microorganisms responsible for microbial degradation are fungi and bacteria that use the carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulfur components of chemical compounds as energy substrates, in some cases exclusively. We are seeking to circumvent microbial degradation reactions through the use of chemical protecting groups or biocides, which alter chemical compounds' susceptibilities to inactivation.  The protective groups/agents should not further alter the chemical characteristics of the compound. They must be environmentally benign and nontoxic. Among the approaches you may wish to consider are active chemistry protection via encapsulation with secondary chemistries, compositions including chemistries designed to otherwise mitigate microbial degradation, or other protecting technologies. A successful proposed solution will prevent enzyme-caused inactivation reactions for our products in the field. It will be novel, proprietary, and patented (or potentially patentable).
  
• Seeking: Rheology modifiers stable at high pH in the presence of divalent ions
  We are looking to purchase and/or obtain samples of a broad/diverse library of rheology modifiers stable in high pH systems (pH 10 to 13) in the presence of divalent ions (specifically calcium). A potential partner should have general organic synthesis knowledge, as well as access to a broad/diverse chemical library. Constraints include the rheology modifier must be capable of forming a significant yield stress; the rheology modifier must be resistant to syneresis effects, yet not excessively bind water. Ideally, we seek a rheology modifier that does not require neutralization or acts as a buffer and builds the required structure immediately.
  
• Seeking: The next generation in microfiber cleaning cloth technology
  Microfiber cloth has revolutionized the cleaning industry. The cloth's ability to trap dirt and allergens is no less than amazing. We are looking for a product or technology that would build off or increase microfiber's strengths, such as: 1) an additive, treatment or technology that would increase the absorbency of the microfiber cloth; 2) a technology that increases microfiber's ability to pick up and contain microbials; 3) a technology that would aid in releasing the trapped allergens and dirt on demand; and 4) the technology will obsolete microfiber. We would like to find a range of methods or technologies filling this need. The company is open to licensing arrangements.
  
• Seeking: New product opportunities around our recycled rubber crumb material
  We are seeking partnering and investment opportunities in the tire recycling sector. We are particularly seeking new product opportunities for which our recycled rubber crumb material can be a significant component. Opportunities may include, but should not be limited to the following markets: filtration, e.g., membranes/activated carbon; temporary flooring/interior materials for events and exhibitions; absorption of energy/sound/impact/odor; seals/closures/gaskets; consumer products; composite products; drainage; inert fillers/pigments; energy generation. We are interested in these areas and others, where the inherent properties of the rubber crumb can be utilized (e.g., calorific content, elasticity, flexibility, porosity, inertness, etc). We will consider niche opportunities across a diverse range of products, markets and applications. We are keen to find opportunities for markets outside the construction/landscaping industries where rubber crumb is currently used and is considered a commodity product.
• DOD, Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA, DOD Psychological Health/Traumatic Brain Injury Applied Neurotrauma Research Award Modification 1, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=126553
• EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, Brownfields Conferences Co-Sponsorship 2013-2017 Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134713
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Research Dissemination and Implementation Grants (R18), Modification 1, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=52075
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Partnerships for Development of Therapeutics and Diagnostics for Biodefense (R01) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134513
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Limited Competition: Planning Grants for Hubs of Interdisciplinary Research and Training in Global Environmental and Occupational Health (GEOHealth) (P20), Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134534
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, the NCI Transition Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K22) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134574
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Morris K. Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson’s Disease Research (P50) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134593
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Research Dissemination and Implementation Grants (R18) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134613
• DOT, Department of Transportation, DOT Federal Highway Administration, Support of Highway Research, Development and Deployment Activities Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134633
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Conference Support Program Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134673
• NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Research Opportunities in Space Biology Modification 2, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=125753
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, NCI Mentored Research Scientist Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134233
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K08) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134234
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, NCI Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K23) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134235
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Maternal Nutrition and Pre-pregnancy Obesity: Effects on Mothers, Infants and Children (R01) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134254
• DOT, Department of Transportation, DOT Federal Highway Administration, Highways for LIFE Technology Partnerships Program 2012 Announcement, Modification 1, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134293
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Novel Technologies for Rapid and Sensitive Biomonitoring in Humans (SBIR [R43/R44]) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134313
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Conducting Public Health Research in South Africa by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134413
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Medical Management of Older Patients with HIV/AIDS (R01) Modification 1, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=43230
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Medical Management of Older Patients with HIV/AIDS (R03) Modification 1, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=43231
• HHS, Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Medical Management of Older Patients with HIV/AIDS (R21) Modification 1, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=43232
• DOD, Department of Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - Defense Sciences Office Young Faculty Award (YFA) Modification 1, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=132953
• DOE, Department of Energy, NNSA, Proliferation Detection Research Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134133
• DOD, Department of Defense, Air Force -- Research Lab, Power and Thermal Management Technology Development 2 (PATH 2) Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134153
• USDA, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, California State Office, Water Quality Improvements - Lake Tahoe Basin - El Dorado or Placer County, CA Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134173
• USDA, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, California State Office, Water Quality Improvements - Lake Tahoe Basin - Douglas or Washoe County, NV Grant, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=134193