TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: LAR-18471-1: Pyroelectric Sandwich Thermal Energy Harvester

Synopsis: NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses. THE TECHNOLOGY: Scientists at NASA Langley Research Center have developed a small, renewable and portable power source for spacecraft. This technology harvests electrical energy utilizing a pyroelectric device that generates voltage when cyclically heated. The device consists of a pyroelectric material sandwiched between two electrodes, which in turn are contained within two thermally conductive protective layers, an electrical circuit designed to harvest the voltage generated thermally, and an energy storage unit. The technology will enable more efficient utilization of solar and thermal energy production through harvesting energy that is currently lost as waste heat. The technology has been demonstrated to produce electricity in the milliwatt range and requires further development to maximize power generation. Since it works on the principle of converting ambient waste heat to electrical energy for operating electronics, it can also be used in terrestrial applications such as powering electronics in motor vehicles and wireless sensor networks for internet of things (IOT) applications that experience thermal cycles, among other applications. With further development, this technology could be the first usable pyroelectric energy harvester. Similar technologies using thermoelectrics and piezoelectrics have already established markets, demonstrating the commercial possibilities for pyroelectrics. NASA is seeking to license this technology commercially in the United States. US Patent pending. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. Please also provide how you foresee using the technology along with a brief background of your company. Additionally, please identify any non-US interests/subsidiaries in your company as well. For more information about licensing other NASA Langley-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Langley's Technology Gateway at https://technologygateway.nasa.gov/ These responses are provided to members of NASA Langley's Office of Strategic Analysis and Business Development "OSACB" for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, OSACB will follow the required formal licensing process of posting in the Federal Register. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.