Spatio-temporal Monitoring of Photopolymerization Processes

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 commercialize its spatio-temporal monitoring process of photopolymerization processes.

Background: Vat polymerization is one of the most popular 3D printing processes. The lack of real-time tools to monitor the progress of stereolithography during printing and post-printing has been a challenge for increasing 3D printing reliability. To overcome this challenge, LLNL researchers developed a monitoring method that uses a unique photo-physical phenomenon called Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE), which enables fluorophores to increase its fluorescence upon aggregation in solution.

Description: Three important aspects of this invention are:

(1) the formulation of a photocurable resin containing a fluorophore that exhibits AIE behavior;

(2) the method of in-situ and real-time characterization for monitoring the reaction kinetics during the photopolymerization and UV-curing process; and (3) the application of a new 3D steganographic ink for 3D encrypted structure.

Advantages/Benefits: • Value Proposition: Real-time monitoring and characterization of photopolymerization processes. • Adaptable to material extrusion 3D printing • Since fluorescence can be detected only by fluorescence microscope, encrypted information would be undetected under standard optical microscopes.

Potential Applications: • Vat polymerization 3D printers • Material Extrusion 3D printers • Two-Photon Lithography • Volumetric Additive Manufacturing • UV-coating • 3D Information Encryption Development Status: Current stage of technology development: TRL 3 LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention. 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 spatio-temporal monitoring process should provide an electronic OR 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. Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's spatio-temporal monitoring process. The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below. 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-13880