TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: MoltenClad
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 Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has issued a Special Notice for a Technology Licensing Opportunity for MoltenClad, an innovative method for depositing dense, uniform metallic coatings onto nuclear fuel pellets via molten salt electrodeposition. This technology addresses critical manufacturing gaps in the nuclear fuel supply chain by providing full-surface protection for advanced reactor fuels and accident-tolerant fuel concepts. Organizations interested in licensing this technology should contact LANL by June 30, 2026.
Technology Overview
MoltenClad delivers a first-of-its-kind capability to apply protective metallic layers to fuel pellets, overcoming limitations of conventional coating technologies like line-of-sight methods (e.g., CVD, PVD) that leave gaps. Developed by LANL scientists, this electrochemical process fully surrounds the fuel pellet, ensuring complete coverage without harsh chemical precursors or substrate leaching. It operates within material compatibility ranges and allows precise control over coating properties (thickness, density, microstructure) by adjusting salt mixture, temperature, and electrochemical parameters. The technology has demonstrated excellent adhesion of zirconium coatings and is potentially adaptable to other refractory metals like tantalum, tungsten, and molybdenum.
Key Advantages
- Full-surface coverage: Electrochemical deposition coats all exposed surfaces, eliminating gaps.
- Substrate compatibility: Avoids harsh precursors and excessive temperatures that can damage ceramics.
- Tunable coating properties: Allows precise control over thickness, density, and microstructure.
- Neutron transparency: Zirconium's low neutron absorption cross-section minimizes performance penalties.
- Multi-metal versatility: Platform can deposit various refractory metals and alloys.
- Dense, adherent coatings: Demonstrated crack-free, inclusion-free metallic layers with strong adhesion.
Market Applications
- Advanced nuclear reactors (next-generation fuel pellet protection, accident-tolerant fuel concepts)
- Defense and national security (naval reactor fuels, portable nuclear power sources)
- Aerospace (high-temperature turbine components, refractory metal coatings)
- Nuclear fuel manufacturing (process enhancement, quality and safety improvements)
- Research and isotope production (research reactor fuel elements, high-performance irradiation targets)
Engagement & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Technology Licensing Opportunity)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: June 30, 2026, 7:00 PM UTC
- Published: May 19, 2026, 7:34 PM UTC
- Contact: For specific discussions regarding licensing, contact
licensing@lanl.gov. - Technology Readiness Level (TRL): 3
- Patent Status: US Patent pending (LA-UR-26-24102)
This notice is for technology licensing and is not a call for external services for technology development.