TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Remotely Operated Ultrasonic Separation (UltraSep) S-133320
Summary
AI-generated · Aug 23, 2025UltraSep is a membrane-free solids dewatering technology that uses a silent standing ultrasonic wave to trap and concentrate micron-sized particles, creating a clarified liquid that exits the top while fast-settling aggregates are removed from the bottom. It offers a small footprint, high water removal (up to 95%), and 99.9% metal removal in the filtrate, with a GUI for full process control including pH adjustment and automatically coordinated startup. The system is designed for steady-state dewatering with minimal maintenance, avoiding the drawbacks of membrane filtration and energy-intensive centrifugation. Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a partner to license and advance UltraSep into a commercial application/product for industrial manufacturing sectors such as food and beverage, production-critical nuclear processes, and potentially pharmaceuticals. The technology is at Technology Readiness Level 5 and protected by US Patent 10428324-B1 (LA-UR-24-22790).
This is a licensing opportunity, not a call for external development services. LANL offers exclusive or non-exclusive licensing options through its tech transfer program, with terms that can fit a company’s product roadmap. Interested parties would license the technology to commercialize UltraSep; discussions and next steps are handled through LANL’s licensing and technology partnerships channels.
No more clogged filters! UltraSep is being developed for industrial manufacturers fed up with choked filters and their sluggish dewatering rates. Los Alamos National Laboratory is creating a membrane-free solution with a much lower footprint than gravity settling. Unlike membrane filtration, our technology provides steady-state dewatering without maintenance disruptions. Remote, automated operation also reduces dose accrual in personnel while freeing them up for other tasks. We are seeking a partner with an interest in furthering the development of the technology into an application/product for industrial manufacturing sectors. The Challenge: Separations exist in all industrial manufacturing sectors and are heavily reliant on well-established technologies such as membrane filtration and energy intensive centrifugation. However, these conventional technologies come with issues that make them impractical or unsatisfactory for many applications including production-critical nuclear processes, beverage production and potentially pharmaceuticals processes. Ultrasonic filtration is a membrane-free technology shown to dewater micron-sized solid precipitates at a steady rate without the maintenance needed by membrane filtration processes. How it Works: UltraSep employs a silent standing wave that continuously traps and concentrates micron-sized particles in solutions. Particles flowing upward into the standing wave are stopped and moved laterally to nearby nodes. This creates vertical regions of clarified liquid that flows up and out the top of the chamber. Particles concentrate at the nodes and form fast-settling aggregates that break free and settle to the bottom of the chamber where they are continuously removed. Key Advantages: Low footprint 99.9% metal removal in filtrate High water removal (up to 95% of bulk water) GUI provides operator complete control of process including pH adjustment Ultrasonics startup with automatic pump coordination is actuated at the GUI by the click of a button Market Applications: Solids dewatering processes Food and beverage Production-critical nuclear processes Pharmaceutical Development Status: Technology Readiness Level 5 US Patent No.: 10428324-B1 LA-UR-24-22790 Access: https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/tech-and-capability-search/rous 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 licensing@lanl.gov. 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 https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/tech-and-capability-search
From Special Notice posted on Jun 20, 2025Notice history
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Special Notice LATEST Posted Jun 20, 2025
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