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 novel methods for particle contamination mitigation. The methods were developed for exploration of surfaces such as Moon, Mars, and asteroids. During past missions, lunar dust caused an array of issues including compromised seals, clogged filters, abraded visors and space suit surfaces, and was a significant health concern. NASAs novel methods for particle contamination mitigation include both controlled chemical and topographical modifications. These methods offer a wealth of applications and commercial opportunities. The benefits include films, coatings, and surface treatments with antifouling, dust resistance, hydrophobic to superhydrophic, low adhesion/friction, and self-cleaning characteristics. NASA is seeking development partners. NASAs novel methods include both controlled chemical and topographical modifications. The methods available for further development are novel copolyimide oxetanes and modified surface energy via laser ablative surface patterning. Two methods can be used individually or in combination to generate superhydrophobic surfaces. The first method is the synthesis of a polyimide coating or film with a modified surface chemistry. A minor amount of an oxetane reactant containing fluorine is added to the polyimide, and the oxetane preferentially migrates to the surface, enabling relatively high concentrations of fluorine at the surface, without compromising the functional performance of the bulk of the polymide coating/film. The copolymers exhibit mitigation of particle adhesion and fouling from exposure to various particulate and biological contaminants and exhibit reduced surface energy and increased surface fluorine content at extremely low oxetane loadings relative to the imide matrix. Additionally, the short fluorinated carbon chains do not bioaccumulate, reducing the environmental impact of these materials. The second method is the modification of the surface energy of the substrate via laser ablative surface patterning. With this method, a laser creates nanoscale patterns in the surface of a material to increase the hydrophobicity of the surface. The benefits of hydrophobic surfaces include decreases in friction and increases in self-cleaning properties. This is an advantageous method of surface modification because it is fast and single-step, promises to be scalable, requires no chemicals, could be applied to a variety of materials, and does not require a planar surface for patterning. 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 the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at http://technology.nasa.gov/ . These responses are provided to members of NASA Langleys 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.