License Opportunity - Spectral method for determining the source of expanded vermiculite insulation in attics and walls

The U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, VA, is soliciting inquiries from companies interested in licensing rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued as exclusive or nonexclusive, and may include specific fields of use. USGS is not providing any funding in conjunction with the potential license. Technology title, "Spectral method for determining the source of expanded vermiculite insulation in attics and walls," US patent 8,751,169. Background. Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that has the unusual property of expanding into worm-like accordion shaped pieces when heated. The expanded vermiculite is a light-weight, fire resistant, absorbent, and odorless material. Prior to its close in 1990, much of the world's supply of vermiculite came from a mine near Libby, Montana. This mine had a natural deposit of asbestos which resulted in the vermiculite being contaminated with asbestos. Attic insulation produced using vermiculite ore, particularly ore that originated from the Libby mine, may contain asbestos fibers. This insulation was mostly used between 1920 and 1990. Today, vermiculite is mined at three U.S. facilities and in other countries which have low levels of contamination in the finished material. Abstract. A method for identifying the source of vermiculite insulation in situ, using a portable spectrometer with a light-emitting contact probe and a personal computer. Identification is accomplished using NIR reflectance spectroscopy and absorption band depth ratios to differentiate between vermiculite sources and to test for the presence of amphibole, talc, or serpentine contaminants in vermiculite insulation. Opportunity. The present invention relates in general to a method for classifying the source of insulation and, in particular, to a method for determining the source of expanded vermiculite insulation used in attics and walls. Visually differentiating vermiculites according to their source locations can be difficult. Traditional methods used to determine the source of expanded vermiculite samples involve time-consuming laboratory analysis using microscopic, electron probe microanalysis, x-ray fluorescence, and x-ray methods. These methods involve collection of vermiculite samples from an attic or wall, transport of the potentially hazardous samples to an off-site laboratory, and subsequent analysis to detect amphibole fibers. The methods are costly and generate hazardous waste that must be disposed of properly. In addition, property owners typically get the results of their analyses a week or more after the samples are collected. This invention allows for insulation inspectors to cost effectively test vermiculite insulation in a timely efficient manner. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to [email protected] with the title of this technology in the subject line. Include your preferred contact information and the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about other USGS technologies available for licensing, please visit http://www.usgs.gov/tech-transfer/available_patents.html These responses are provided to members of USGS's Office of Policy & Analysis for the purpose of promoting public awareness of USGS owned technologies and conducting market research to determine commercial interest. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, USGS will follow the required formal licensing process. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from the responses to this notice.