99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY FACILE SYNTHESIS OF SUPPORTEDNANOCATALYSTS WITH METAL AND METAL OXIDE NANOPARTICLES: LAR-17267

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 novel method of depositing metal and metal oxide nanoparticles onto various substrates. It is rapid, scalable, and green since it does not require reducing agents or solvents. The process involves first mixing and then heating a metal salt (usually an acetate) with the desired substrate. Heating can be done by conventional thermal or microwave ovens. Conventional thermal processing takes several hours and requires an inert atmosphere, usually nitrogen. With microwave heating, the process is complete in a matter of seconds. The metal or metal oxide nanoparticles have potential use in catalysis. Metal particles on carbon for catalyzing the adsorption of mercury from the effluent of coal-fired power plants has been investigated. NASAs technology involves the development of tailorable catalyst materials by the deposition of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles on various substrates using a solvent-free method (U.S. Patent 7,704,553). The metal nanoparticles have been deposited on carbon, boron nitride, silica, and glass substrates. Samples containing nano-palladium exhibited efficiencies of over 50% in capturing mercury from the effluent of a coal-fired power plant. Similar palladium containing samples were evaluated for their efficiency in catalyzing Suzuki coupling reactions. Conversions of near 100% were achieved at 80oC for 5 minutes. Since these are heterogeneous catalysts, one of the major advantages is the minimum amount of residual metal and metal ions left in the product. With homogeneous (soluble) catalysts, additional purification is required to get the metal content to acceptable levels, resulting in a reduction in product yield. These catalysts are also of interest for use in microreactors for flow chemistry. U.S. patent 7,704,553. 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.