Licensing Opportunity: Lignin-based 3D printing material

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a commercialization partner for a Lignin-based 3D printing material.  ORNL Office of Technology Transfer is now accepting licensing applications through February 25, 2019. The technology consists of a melt-stable lignin waste-stream from biorefineries as a renewable feedstock tosynthesize a renewable matrix having excellent 3D-printability. While the initial low melt viscosity of thedispersed lignin phase induces local thermo-rheological relaxation facilitating the material’s melt flow,thermal crosslinking in components as well as at the interface decreases the molecular mobility.Consequently, interfacial diffusion and the resulting adhesion between deposited layers is decreased. Ourcompositions not only exhibit significantly enhanced material performance but also good processability. Ahighly interfused printed structure with 100% improved inter-layer adhesion strength was demonstrated. Thistechnology offers a route toward utilizing

lignin for replacement of petroleum-based thermoplastics used inadditive manufacturing and methods to enhance printability of the materials with exceptional mechanicalperformance.  ORNL is accepting licensing applications for review from all interested parties, and license applications will be evaluated based on prospective partners' ability and commitment to successfully commercialize the technology.  Intellectual Property:Invention Disclosure No. 201703895; US Patent Application 16/257,294: Lignin-Based Polymers with Modified Melt-Rheology Behavior for Enhanced Extrusion Rate Invention Disclosure No. 201804110; US Patent Application 62/656,415: Lignin-based 3D printing material Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.  Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under its Prime Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725. Additional Information:National Laboratory Licensing Guide:  https://www.ornl.gov/partnerships/licensing-guidelines. ORNL License Application:  https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/license_application_0.pdf. Please contact Nestor Franco, Commercialization Manager, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 865-574-0534, francone@ornl.gov with any questions on the opportunity or to obtain a license application. Please contact Amit Naskar, Group Leader and Senior R&D Staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 865.576.0309, naskarak@ornl.gov with any questions about the alloy technology.Contact Information: Nestor Franco, Commercialization Manager , Phone 865-574-0534, Email francone@ornl.gov Office Address :Bethel Valley RoadP.O. Box 2008 Oak Ridge TN 37831-6192 Location: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Set Aside: N/A