99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY AQUEOUS DISPERSION OF CARBON NANOTUBES ANDTHEIR APPLICATION IN BIONANOTECHNOLOGY AND FUEL CELL ELECTRODES: LAR-17224-1

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 to disperse carbon nanotubes in aqueous solutions using chemical buffers. By avoiding the common use of surfactants to achieve dispersion, the researchers have provided a means to maintain biocompatibility of the carbon nanotubes, while also providing a means to functionalize the nanotube surfaces for specific biological and chemical activity. One particular example is the use of this approach to functionalize the surface with nano platinum catalysts to use as electrodes for fuel cells or biofuel cells. Additional surface functionality could provide use for biosensors or delivery of functionalized molecules for medical applications. The NASA technology for aqueous dispersion and functionalization of carbon nanotubes, and their subsequent use for biological or fuel cell applications, is based on the use of buffers. Experiments conducted using morpholino-propane sulfonic acid (MOPS) demonstrated effective and simple dispersion of carbon nanotubes (single and multi-wall carbon nanotubes) in aqueous solutions, at concentrations up to 1 mg/ml. Key to the dispersion technology is it simplicity, speed, stability, and most of all, its avoidance of the use of surfactants or organic solvents. Furthermore, the NASA researchers demonstrated that this process enables the addition of certain molecules to impart specific functionality to the carbon nanotubes, while maintaining biocompatibility. For example, iron and platinum-cored ferritin proteins were successfully populated at high density onto the carbon nanotubes. 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.