Coupled multiphysics simulations facilitate objective filtering of ideas in all stages (concept -> design -> certification -> operation -> refurbishment) of products & system lifecycles. The most promising approaches are then prototyped, tested, and patented.

Furthermore, many new developments are undertaken for specific customers, and in those cases Intellectual Property (IP) is shared, as appropriate, between the customer and CFDRC. Competition-sensitive IP is protected adequately.

CFDRC has developed innovative designs and methods which have culminated in a growing patent portfolio. Over 45 patents have been awarded (or pending), and many are available for licensing and further development. CFDRC patents are listed below in three categories:

Aerospace & Defense Solutions

• Fuel Injectors
  • "Piloted Airblast Lean Direct Fuel Injector"; U.S. Patent #6,272,840B1;
    (Non-exclusive license granted to an aircraft engine company).
  • "Piloted Airblast Lean Fuel Injector with Modified Air Splitter"; U.S. Patent # 6,986,255; (Assignee: Rolls-Royce; Inventors: Clifford Smith and Daniel Nickolaus of CFDRC).
  • "Single-Circuit Fuel Injector for Gas Turbine Combustors"; U.S. Patent #6,543,235; (open for license).
• Propellants and Fuels
  • "High Energy, Low Temperature Gelled Bi-Propellant Formulation"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • "Apparatus & Method for Gelling Liquefied Gasses"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • Jet Fuel "Filtration Apparatus and Method"; Patent Pending (open for license)
• "Constant Volume Rocket Motor"; U.S. Patent #7,631,487 (open for license)
• "Advanced Multipurpose Pseudospark Switch"; U.S. Patent #7,579,578 (open for license)
• "Laser Controlled Flame Stabilization"; U.S. Patent #6,302,682B1;
  (Assignee: Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM; Inventors: Matt Thomas of CFDRC and James Early of LANL).

Biomedical and Life Sciences

• Biomedical Devices
  • "Double Lumen Hemodialysis Catheter"; U.S. Patent #6,409,700B1;
    (Exclusive license granted to a biomedical company).
  • "Spacer for Delivery of Medications from an Inhaler to Children and Breathing Impaired Patients"; U.S. Patent # 7,107,987 B2 (License granted to a biomedical company)
  • "Nasal Flu Vaccination Device"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • "Thrombectomy Catheter"; Patent Pending (open for license)
• Microfluidics
  • "Electrothermally Induced Flow for Mixing and Cleaning in Microsystems"; Patent #7,189,578 (open for license)
  • "Method and Apparatus for Separating Particles by Dielectrophoresis"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • "Mixing and Self-Cleaning Elements for Microfluidic Systems"; U.S. Patent #7,604,394 (open for license)
  • "Electrothermal Flow-Induced Micropump"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • "RNA Chip"; Patent Pending (open for license)
• Synthetic Microvasculature
  • "Synthetic Microvascular Networks "; U.S. Patent #7,725,267 (open for license)
  • "Idealized Synthetic Microvasculature Chip (SMN)"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • "Synthetic Microvascular Networks - Blood Brain Barrier"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • "SMN for Leukocyte Adhesion"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • "SMN for Tumor Drug Delivery"; Patent Pending (open for license)
• Sensor Technologies
  • "Electrostatic Sampler and Method"; Patent #7,428,848 (open for license)
  • "Electrostatic Aerosol concentrator"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • "Plasmonics Sensor"; Patent Pending (open for license)
• "Hybrid Power Strip"; Patent Pending (open for license)

Energy and Materials Technologies

• Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Manufacturing
  • "Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes by Selectively Heating Catalyst"; Patent Pending
  • "Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Chirality"; Patent Pending (open for license)
  • "Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Growth through Catalytic Oxidation"; Patent Pending (open for license)
• Aerosol Jet Deposition for Electronics Manufacturing
  • "Direct WriteTM System"; US Patent # 7,108,894 (Co-invention assigned to Optomec Design Company)
  • "Laser Treatment Process for Maskless Low-Temperature Deposition of Electronic Materials"; Taiwan Patent # I242606 (Co-invention assigned to Optomec Design Company)
  • "Apparatuses, Methods and Precision Spray Processes for Direct Write and Masless Mesoscale Material Deposition"; Patent Pending (Co-invention assigned to Optomec Design Company)
  • "Direct WriteTM System"; Patent Pending (Co-invention assigned to Optomec Design Company)
  • "Laser-Processing for Heat-Sensitive Mesoscale Deposition"; Patent Pending (Co-invention assigned to Optomec Design Company)
  • "Annular Aerosol Jet Deposition Using an Extended Nozzle"; Patent Pending (Co-invention assigned to Optomec Design Company)

CFDRC patented technologies are available under exclusive or non-exclusive licenses to interested organizations. For discussion of your specific interests and needs, please contact us.