TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Automated Arc Melting
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
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is offering a Technology Licensing Opportunity for its innovative Automated Arc Melting system. This special notice invites companies to explore exclusive or non-exclusive licensing agreements to commercialize this breakthrough technology, which automates the production of new metal alloys. The system promises faster production, more consistent quality, and safer operation compared to traditional manual methods.
Technology Overview
Automated Arc Melting combines an industrial robot with a proven metal-melting platform to automatically measure, move, and melt materials without constant human involvement. This continuous, coordinated process allows for the rapid, repeatable production of multiple alloy samples with minimal downtime and human intervention.
Key Advantages:
- End-to-end automation: Reduces labor needs and operator variability.
- Higher speed and throughput: Enables rapid production of many material compositions.
- Consistent, high-quality results: Robotic precision improves reproducibility and reduces errors.
- Safer operation: Limits human exposure to hazardous melting conditions.
- AI- and data-ready: Generates reliable, structured process data for machine learning.
- Scalable and flexible: Suitable for research, pilot-scale manufacturing, and specialized production.
Market Applications: This technology is applicable across advanced materials research, aerospace and defense, energy and sustainability, advanced manufacturing, AI-driven R&D, specialty materials production, and education/workforce development. The system is at TRL 6-7 with a US patent pending.
Licensing Opportunity
LANL's licensing program aims to move inventions developed by its researchers into commercial innovations. Patented and patent-pending technologies are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.
Key Details
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Technology Licensing)
- Agency: Department of Energy / Los Alamos National Laboratory (TRIAD - DOE CONTRACTOR)
- Place of Performance: Los Alamos, NM
- Inquiry Deadline: March 11, 2026
- Published Date: February 19, 2026
- Contacts: Kathleen McDonald, Lindsay Augustyn (licensing@lanl.gov)