TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: LiSA (Lithium Sensing with Advanced Polymer Systems)
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 Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), is offering a Technology Licensing Opportunity for LiSA (Lithium Sensing with Advanced Polymer Systems). LiSA is a field-deployable, polymer-based sensing platform designed for rapid, in situ detection of lithium in geothermal brines and clay-rich formations. This technology aims to reduce exploration costs and accelerate resource validation for domestic lithium development. Interested parties should contact LANL by December 7, 2026.
Technology Overview
LiSA utilizes a specially designed sensing material integrated into a portable platform. It selectively recognizes lithium in underground fluids or soil, producing a measurable signal onsite. Engineered for harsh environments (variable temperature, salinity, pH), LiSA provides real-time, field-readable responses to guide exploration decisions, eliminating the need for costly full-depth drilling and time-intensive laboratory assays.
Key Advantages
- Field-deployable and portable: Enables onsite lithium detection.
- In situ measurement: Identifies lithium directly in subsurface fluids and soils.
- Faster decision-making: Provides near real-time results for exploration strategy.
- Lower exploration costs: Reduces reliance on expensive drilling and lab assays.
- Operates in harsh environments: Functions reliably in geothermal and clay systems.
- Platform adaptability: Potential for extension to other critical minerals.
Market Applications
- Lithium mining and mineral exploration
- Geothermal energy development
- Direct lithium extraction and brine processing
- Oil and gas field services and subsurface technologies
- Analytical instrumentation and field sensing technologies
Licensing Opportunity
LANL's licensing program seeks partners to integrate LiSA's technology into exploration services, downhole tools, surface sampling systems, geothermal operations, or direct lithium extraction (DLE) platforms. This offers a pathway to differentiate portfolios with real-time, on-site lithium detection capabilities. The technology is at TRL 4 with a US Patent pending.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Technology Licensing)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: December 7, 2026
- Published: June 5, 2026
- Place of Performance: Los Alamos, NM
Contact Information
For specific discussions regarding licensing, contact Caleb Ledgerwood or Lindsay Augustyn at licensing@lanl.gov.