No attachments available.
TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Sulfonated Polyfluorene Ionomers (SPI)
Contact and place of performance
Kathleen McDonald
Los Alamos, NM 87545
USA
Sulfonated polyfluorene ionomers represent a next-generation electrode material designed to replace conventional perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers in fuel cells and water electrolyzers. The chemistry behind these ionomers delivers high proton conductivity, improved water management and reduced interference with catalysts, all within a structurally tunable platform. Organizations developing or manufacturing membr...
View moreProblems Solved
The sulfonated polyfluorene ionomer architecture addresses each of those limitations through deliberate structural design. The fluorene backbone accommodates two ionic groups per repeating unit, enabling high ionic concentration and strong proton conductivity, while short fluorinated side chains restore the hydrophobicity needed to prevent electrode flooding. The rigid, fused-ring structure of fluorene minimizes phenyl adsorption on catalyst surfaces — preserving catalytic activity that other hydrocarbon ionomers tend to diminish. The material also dissolves readily in common polar organic solvents, which simplifies electrode fabrication and supports scalable manufacturing processes.
Advantages
Market Applications
Development Status: TRL 4
US Patent pending
LA-UR-26-23292
LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential
Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.
LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact [email protected].
Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.
https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology
m.lanl.gov/tech-search
This special notice, identified by solicitation number S-167702, details a technology licensing opportunity for Sulfonated Polyfluorene Ionomers (SPI) developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory. Managed by TRIAD - DOE Contractor for the Department of Energy, this opportunity involves a next-generation electrode material designed to replace conventional perfluorosulfonic acid polymers in fuel cells and water electrolyzers. The technology is classified under NAICS 325211 for Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing and PSC AC34 for National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; R&D Administrative Expenses. No set-aside is applied to this notice, which has a response deadline of June 30, 2026.
The SPI technology addresses challenges in electrochemical devices by providing high proton conductivity, improved water management, and reduced interference with catalysts within a structurally tunable platform. The material’s rigid, fused-ring fluorene backbone minimizes phenyl adsorption on catalyst surfaces to preserve activity, while short fluorinated side chains maintain the hydrophobicity necessary to prevent electrode flooding. Currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 with a U.S. patent pending, the SPI architecture is soluble in common polar organic solvents, facilitating scalable manufacturing for clean transportation, stationary power generation, and hydrogen production applications.
Performance of the licensing activities is centered in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The laboratory offers these patented and patent-pending inventions to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements to transition researcher-developed inventions into commercial innovations. Interested parties may engage with the Los Alamos National Laboratory technology partnerships office regarding the SPI material, referenced by identifier LA-UR-26-23292. This notice is specifically for the licensing of the technology and does not constitute a call for external development services.
Generated by Lumen AI
Scoped analysis and attachments—go beyond the summary when you need detail from the solicitation package.