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TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Heat Pipe Reactor Wick and Fill Platform
Contact and place of performance
Kathleen McDonald
Los Alamos, NM 87545
USA
This technology platform from Los Alamos National Laboratory enables more reliable high-temperature heat pipe reactors by improving the way critical wick structures are manufactured and how heat pipe arrays are filled, sealed, and checked for quality. A stronger wick gives the system the capillary action needed to move liquid metal through the pipe under demanding thermal conditions, while the fill platform helps pre...
View moreThe fill process is designed to load, seal, and inspect heat pipe arrays under controlled atmosphere conditions, often using vacuum or inert gas environments. That workflow can be automated with precision metering, controlled handling, and laser welding, which helps improve repeatability and reduce contamination risk. Quality control can be built into both the wick and fill steps through inspection of the porous structure, leak testing, fill verification, and process monitoring, all of which support more consistent reactor-scale production.
Technical Description
The wick fabrication methods focus on producing a porous annular structure with the strength and capillary performance required for high-temperature heat pipe reactors. In one approach, mesh layers are wrapped around an etchable mandrel, compressed inside a sheath, and diffusion bonded so the layers fuse into a stable structure. After bonding, the mandrel and sheath are removed chemically, leaving a porous tube that functions as the wick. Related versions use hydroforming or modular splicing to support curved, variable or larger-format wick geometries that are difficult to make with conventional methods.
A second technical element is the fill, seal and inspection platform for heat pipe arrays. The Heat Pipe Reactor Wick and Fill Platform is intended to meter alkali-metal working fluid into multiple heat pipes under vacuum or inert conditions, then seal the assemblies with controlled welding or bonding steps. Built-in inspection can confirm seal integrity, working-fluid fill quality and process repeatability. The combination of automated handling and quality control makes the technology more suitable for scale-up, especially where contamination control and consistent output are essential.
Advantages
Market Applications
In addition to patent licensing, Los Alamos may loan a full-scale prototype, modular alkali metal heat-pipe fill system hardware allowing the fill and seal of individual or large arrays of alkali metal heat pipes.
US Patent Nos. 12,007,171-B1 and US 11,633,806-B1
LA-UR-26-24496
TRL 7
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
Los Alamos National Laboratory, managed by the Department of Energy contractor Triad National Security, LLC, is offering a technology licensing opportunity for its Heat Pipe Reactor Wick and Fill Platform. This technology enables more reliable high-temperature heat pipe reactors through advanced manufacturing of wick structures and a standardized platform for filling, sealing, and quality-checking heat pipe arrays. The platform produces a porous annular structure using mesh layers wrapped around an etchable mandrel, which are diffusion bonded and chemically treated to create a stable, high-strength wick. The associated fill system automates the loading of alkali-metal working fluids under vacuum or inert conditions using precision metering and laser welding to ensure repeatability and reduce contamination.
The technology is classified under NAICS 333415 for Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing and PSC 4540 for Waste Disposal Equipment. This opportunity carries no set-aside, identified by the code and explanation NONE. The platform is currently at Technology Readiness Level 7 and is supported by U.S. Patent Nos. 12,007,171-B1 and 11,633,806-B1. Applications for this technology include microreactors, space power conversion, aerospace thermal control, and high-temperature industrial heat recovery.
Interested organizations may pursue exclusive or non-exclusive licensing agreements for the patented inventions. In addition to licensing, the laboratory may provide a loan of a full-scale prototype modular alkali metal heat-pipe fill system to facilitate the filling and sealing of individual pipes or large arrays. Responses for this special notice, identified as solicitation number S-133680, are due by December 4, 2026. The place of performance is Los Alamos, New Mexico, and the point of contact for the notice is Kathleen McDonald.
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