A -- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT -- OPTICAL MEASURING DEVICE

Notice Date

June 22, 2001

Contracting Office

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550

ZIP Code

94550

Solicitation Number

01-011

Response Due

August 1, 2001

Point of Contact

Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization (925)423-3139

Description

PART: U.S. GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENTS SUBPART: SERVICES CLASSCOD: A -- Research and Development OFFADD: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550 SUBJECT: A -- LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SEEKS INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS FOR COMMERCIALIZATION AND FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF A RUGGED, SMALL, INEXPENSIVE, HIGH ACCURACY (0.1-5mm) OPTICAL MEASURING DEVICE (OPTI-TAPE) FOR DISTANCES RANGING FROM ZERO (0) TO ONE HUNDRED (100) METERS (WITH RETROREFLECTOR). (OPTI-TAPE) SOL CBD DUE: 08/01/01 POC: Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization (925) 422-6416 DESC: The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is operated by the University of California under Contract No. W-7405-ENG-48 with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). LLNL is seeking collaborators in the commercialization and further development of a simple optical distance measurement device that can measure distances to both very high accuracy and very high precision over distances ranging from centimeters to one hundred (100) meters. The resolution in the measurement direction is of approximately one tenth of a millimeter (0.1mm), and the resolution transverse to the measurement direction is approximately one millimeter (1 mm). The data collection speed of such measurements is 1-100 points/second. The device can potentially make such measurements with sub-millimeter scale accuracies, using very inexpensive components. The potential market for such a highly accurate, low cost, distance measurement device has not been evaluated. Potential applications would include replacement of simple metal or fiberglass tape measures for home use. Typical markets would include replacements for sonic measurement devices, linear optical encoders, telecommunications optical time domain reflectometers (OTDRs), collision avoidance sensors for aircraft and cars, cave surveying, distance measurements associated with seismographic and geological measurements, and many other applications where inexpensive, accurate distance measurement needs to be performed. Furthermore, with relatively simple modification to this device, velocities can also be measured, simultaneously with distance, allowing a potential market for police radar gun replacement. The LLNL optical distance-measuring device consists of a frequency modulated signal source, such as a light-emitting diode, laser diode, or other broadband or narrow band light source. The flexibility in the choice of signal sources enables significant reductions in cost for the development of inexpensive, small, rugged, highly accurate distance and/or distance-velocity measurement devices. Successful collaborators will have an established history of manufacturing and marketing distance measurement devices in volume. Additionally, the collaborator will have demonstrated a consistent record of research and development, experience, and expertise in optical, photonic, and/or interferometric measuring technologies and applications. A successful collaboration would include a corporate commitment for resources and funding to this project. While it is likely that successful collaborators would be for profit, successful collaborations may also include state, federal, or local governmental agencies, or universities. Mechanisms for collaborations may include licensing, work for others, or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs). To be successfully considered, any non-licensing collaboration must include a significant funds-in component to LLNL for the development of pre-production prototypes. This technology is LLNL patent pending. To ensure consideration, interested parties must respond in writing to LLNL by August 1, 2001 and provide the following information: the name and address of your organization; the name, address, telephone number, and fax number of a point of contact; the business, product, and financial history of your organization; a description of your organization's expertise and facilities in the areas of optical, photonic and/or interferometric measuring technologies; the organizational history of research and development funding; and, the resources your organization could commit to this project. Statements of interest should be sent to: Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization Office Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551 Attention: CBD01-011 OPTI-TAPE THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. LINKDESC: <A HREF="">Click here</A> to go to LLNL's Technology Transfer website.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010626/ASOL004.HTM (W-173 SN50P7W0)