TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Acoustic Camera
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's Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is offering a Technology Licensing Opportunity for its innovative Acoustic Camera. This special notice seeks commercial partners to license and commercialize a patented technology that provides sharp 3D imagery in optically opaque and acoustically attenuating fluids, such as drilling mud. Responses are due by June 30, 2026.
Technology Overview
The Acoustic Camera replaces optical cameras in murky or dense fluids by generating 3D images from high-frequency ultrasonic pulses (100-800 kHz). It achieves sub-millimeter depth resolution in near real-time, providing actual object shapes, depth cues, and material hints. The system operates by transmitting and receiving sound waves, then reconstructing a detailed 3D image using onboard digital signal processing.
Key Advantages:
- Imaging through opaque fluids: Enables 3D visualization where optical systems fail.
- Reduced cost and downtime: Eliminates well cleanout and accelerates diagnostics.
- Higher-quality diagnostics: Provides accurate 3D information on object shape and orientation.
- Lower operational risk: Improves tool selection and reduces recovery failures.
- Extensible platform: Applicable to various downhole and industrial environments.
The technology is at TRL 4 and is protected by US Patent No. 10,054,676-B2.
Market Applications
Potential applications include:
- Oil & Gas
- Mining and Geotechnical Operations
- Enhanced Geothermal Systems
- Industrial Inspection and Maintenance
- Energy and Utilities Infrastructure
- Government and Defense
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Special Notice (Technology Licensing Opportunity)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: June 30, 2026, 11:00 PM Z
- Published: May 27, 2026
- Place of Performance: Los Alamos, NM
Additional Notes
This is not a call for external services for technology development. LANL's licensing program aims to move inventions developed by its researchers to commercial innovations through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. Interested parties should contact licensing@lanl.gov for specific discussions.