Technology Licensing Opportunity: Controlled SPAN Electrode Synthesis for and High-Performance Energy Storage
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 Idaho National Laboratory (INL), under the Department of Energy, is offering a Technology Licensing Opportunity for its innovative Controlled SPAN Electrode Synthesis for High-Performance Energy Storage. This special notice seeks industry partners interested in licensing and commercializing INL's intellectual property, specifically for advanced sulfurized–polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) electrode materials. Responses are due by May 1, 2026.
Technology Overview
INL has developed an integrated approach to produce scalable, high-performance SPAN electrode materials. This dual innovation combines:
- Controlled, scalable SPAN synthesis: Utilizes a custom high-pressure chemical reactor with real-time monitoring and additive reagent control.
- SPAN–transition metal sulfide composites: Designed to enhance conductivity, sulfur utilization, mitigate polysulfide formation, prolong cycle life, and increase nominal discharge voltage in lithium-sulfur and sodium-sulfur batteries.
This technology addresses manufacturing barriers and the commercial gap in producing consistent, high-quality SPAN cathode materials at scale.
Key Advantages
- Scalability: Demonstrated controlled batch production up to 250g.
- Repeatable Material Quality: Minimized batch-to-batch variability.
- Safety and Efficiency: High-pressure containment, gas capture, and headspace elimination.
- Process Versatility: Tailoring of SPAN properties through gas reagent introduction and real-time feedback.
Market Applications
Potential applications include grid energy storage, electric vehicles, aerospace and defense, and specialty electronics.
Licensing Details
INL's Technology Deployment department focuses solely on licensing intellectual property and collaborating with industry partners for commercialization. This opportunity does not involve purchasing, procurement, or hiring external services for technology development. Interested parties should contact INL to explore licensing agreements.
Timeline & Contact
- Response Due: May 1, 2026
- Published: March 4, 2026
- Contact: Javier Martinez (javier.martinez@inl.gov)