LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: A potential licensing opportunity exists with Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805, the Management and Operating Contractor for the Department of Energy (DOE) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). BEA is seeking parties interested in potentially entering into a license agreement for the purpose of commercializing the technology described below. BEA does not make any representations, provide any warranties, or otherwise endorse or guarantee the suitability of this patent to a licensee's specific needs. INVENTION SUMMARY: High temperature molten salt based electrolytes can provide a cost-effective technological solution to the manufacture of aluminum-coated metallic substrates for a variety of engineering applications, particularly in corrosive/marine environments. BEA has developed methods and systems for applying metallic coatings with a quaternary bromide containing electroplating bath and an aluminum anode primarily to develop corrosive tolerant compositions. The process may also be used in a broad range of applications providing high quality aluminum coatings on both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and divergent surfaces and geometries. Currently, chloride based plating baths are being used to electroplate aluminum on steel, brass, copper and other substrate materials but have multiple drawbacks including the lack of ability to form a diffused aluminum layer between the substrate metal surface and aluminum coating due to the relatively low plating temperature. In addition traditional approaches do not prevent the loss of functional electrolyte thereby often producing non-ideal downstream product characteristics. The novel BEA quaternary alkali bromide electrolyte plating system produces superior quality aluminum plated metallic surfaces, with better corrosion mitigation properties due to the formation of a diffused aluminum layer in between the metal surface and the aluminum coating. Also, the bromide plating bath can efficiently prevent the loss of the functional electrolyte that results in the formation of controlled product characteristics such as: smoothness, thickness, and adhesion of coatings on various metallic substrates. This invention has associated intellectual property filing Patent Application No. 62/193,376, "Methods and Systems for Aluminum Electroplating" which was submitted to the USPTO by BEA on July 16, 2015 and currently unpublished. DEVELOPMENT STATUS: This technology has been tested and validated at the bench scale. Additional development will be required to demonstrate a pilot scale process. BEA may be in a position to support additional research and development of this technology under a mutually acceptable Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA), Strategic Partnership Projects (SPP), or similar agreement subject to prior approval by DOE. SELECTION PROCESS: BEA seeks to license this intellectual property to the best qualified candidate to ensure its successful commercialization. If multiple parties are interested in licensing this intellectual property, BEA may select an exclusive licensing arrangement with a single candidate or choose alternative licensing strategies (e.g., non-exclusive or exclusive field of use licenses) to increase the probability of successful commercialization. BEA reserves the right to defer any licensing decision if, in BEA's sole opinion, the submitted business plans are unacceptable to BEA. BEA may consider inquiries made prior to the release of this notice and inquiries made through other channels. Although interested parties are encouraged to respond before the date provided to ensure consideration, all inquiries may be considered prior to a formal selection unless this notice specifically states otherwise. This is not an opportunity to provide goods or services to BEA or DOE. REQUIREMENTS In order to be considered for a possible license, interested parties must submit a business plan for the development and commercialization of Patent Application No. 62/193,376, "Methods and Systems for Aluminum Electroplating", prior to April 15, 2016. The business plan must contain detailed information on the following topics: Executive Summary - 2 pages Description of the Business Model Description of the Products or Services to be Offered Marketing Plan Competitive Matrix - address competitor's strengths and weaknesses Company Goals and Business Strategy Quality Assurance Plan Financial Plan - include pro-forma Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Source and Use of Funds Statement Management Structure - include brief biographies SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Concerns or complaints regarding BEA's technology transfer process, if not resolvable with BEA's technology deployment office, may be raised with BEA's Technology Transfer Ombudsman whose contact information can be found at: https://inlportal.inl.gov/portal/server.pt/community/technology_transfer/269/ombuds_program For additional information please contact the individual listed below. SUBMITTALS One paper copy of a Business Plan must be submitted to the following address in order to be considered for this solicitation: Ryan Bills Sr. Commercialization Manager Technology Deployment Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC P. O. Box 1625, MS3805 Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3805
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