Tech Licensing Opportunity: Synthesis of Tungsten Tetraboride (WB4) by Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of Energy (DOE), through Battelle Energy Alliance (INL), is offering a Technology Licensing Opportunity for a novel method of synthesizing Tungsten Tetraboride (WB4) using Electric Field Assisted Sintering (EFAS). This technology produces high-quality WB4 for advanced materials applications. Responses are due May 1, 2026.
Technology Overview
This opportunity focuses on a new method for synthesizing Tungsten Tetraboride (WB4), a material known for exceptional hardness and thermal properties. Traditional synthesis methods often result in impurities and inferior products. EFAS overcomes these challenges by employing controlled sintering temperatures and precise atomic ratios without melting, preserving the desired WB4 phase and maximizing hardness.
Key Advantages & Applications
Key Advantages:
- Enhanced Material Quality: Minimal impurities and maximum hardness by avoiding the melting process.
- Scalability: Capable of producing larger batches and custom sizes (up to 12" discs).
- Cost-Effectiveness: Utilizes less expensive raw materials and optimizes the synthesis process.
- Radiation Resistance: Uniquely suitable for nuclear applications due to its neutron absorption capabilities and resistance to high-temperature degradation.
Market Applications:
- Industrial Machining: Enhances the longevity and performance of machining tools.
- Defense and Ballistic Protection: Enables lighter, more effective armor.
- Nuclear Safety: Boosts the safety and efficiency of nuclear reactors.
Development Status & Intellectual Property
The technology is at TRL 3 and is protected by US Provisional Patent Application No. 63/643,127.
Engagement Details
INL's Technology Deployment department focuses exclusively on licensing intellectual property and partnering with industry collaborators capable of commercializing their innovations. This is not a call for external services, procurement, or funding. Interested parties should contact INL for specific discussions on how their business can benefit from licensing this technology.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Special Notice (Technology Licensing Opportunity)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: May 1, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
- Published: March 4, 2026
- Contact: Andrew Rankin (andrew.rankin@inl.gov)