Devices for precision uniform coating of rolling spheres used as inertial fusion energy targets

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 further develop and commercialize its devices for precision uniform coating of rolling spheres used as inertial fusion energy targets.

Background: Uniform coating of micro-spherical substrates to the precision required for fabricating fuel targets is a major challenge limiting the development of inertial fusion energy. Conventionally, spherical substrates have been coated through a process that exposes multiple randomly rolling spheres to a vapor stream. This approach has serious limitations since nearby spheres touch, collide, and experience slipping interaction leading to material wear and contamination of the coating with trap particulates.

Description: This invention configures multiple spherical substrate targets to roll independently of one another. The spheres’ rolling motion is deliberately randomized to promote uniform coating while eliminating the interaction (rubbing, sliding) of adjacent spheres that is present in conventional sphere coating designs. The devices’ novel structure features enable the collimation of depositing species flux, improving the deposition energetics and ballistics and preventing the coating of the substrate holder surfaces. The devices also allow for the continuous removal of unwanted dust and particulates.

Advantages/Benefits: Scalable design. Eliminates defects and particulate inclusions generated by conventional techniques. Achieves higher degree of precision and uniformity not possible with current techniques. Works with a wide variety of substrates and coating materials.

Potential Applications: Fabricating precision uniformly coated microspheres Fabricating jewelry Fabricating precision, custom optical resonators Fabricating precision ball bearings Development Status: Current stage of technology development: TRL 2 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 devices for precision uniform coating of rolling spheres used as inertial fusion energy targets should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

Company Name and address. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. 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 devices for precision uniform coating of rolling spheres used as inertial fusion energy targets. 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-13882andIL-13883