TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FLEXIBLE, SERPENTINE CIRCUITS

OpportunityLawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to license an innovative neurotechnology to further develop and commercialize.BackgroundMany types of devices are available in smaller, sleeker shapes, which require their internal electronics to flex, bend, and stretch as they do. The ability for circuits to stretch and bend allows them to fit into spaces where rigid printed circuit boards cannot. Flexible circuits also offer the advantage of being thinner and lighter, and examples of these can currently be found in implantable devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, and cochlear implants.There has been a steady increase in patent filings since 2013 with regard to “smart clothing” (clothing that monitors the wearer’s physical condition, providing biometric data such as pulse rate,

temperature, muscle strength, heart rhythm and physical movement). Industrial facilities are looking to adopt smart clothing as a way to improve workers’ efficiency, and both professional and casual athletes are looking for tools to monitor and record their workouts and progress. Additionally, developers are seeking better ways to incorporate electronics into clothing to help monitor the daily activities of many kinds of potential users- from young children to the elderly- for both health and safety information.DescriptionIL11169: SERPENTINE AND CORDUROY CIRCUITS TO ENHANCE THE STRETCHABILITY OF A STRETCHABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE (US Patents 7,265,298 and 7,871,661)IL11206: STRETCHABLE POLYMER-BASED ELECTRONIC DEVICE (US Patent 7,337,012)This invention has a central longitudinal axis and is a stretchable polymer body in a longitudinal direction. Within the polymer is a circuit line extending in the longitudinal direction with an offset component that is at an angle to the longitudinal direction, forming a serpentine shaped circuit, allowing the device to stretch while maintaining the integrity of the circuit.Current wearable technology challenges include design, easy accessibility, advanced sensors (with functions such as low power, ease of use, robustness, and integration with existing systems), user-friendly interfaces, lightweight devices, data security concerns, and high cost.The LLNL lightweight stretchable design allows for close contact with the wearer or its environment, leading to a more consistent signal. The stretchable circuit can conform to both external (i.e., legs, neck, arms) and internal (i.e., neural, spinal, cochlear) body surfaces. The robust, biocompatible, stretchable polymer body composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) can be made in batch processes and provides a low-cost device that is ready for long-term implantation or wearing without the need for additional packaging steps.Potential Applications This innovation could find use in the rapidly-expanding wearable electronics segment, as the integrity of the circuit would not be compromised when it follows the curvature and movement of the human body. Wearables can be used for worker identification based on biometric scanners, ensuring only the authorized worker has access to valuable information. Additionally, unobtrusive wearables, such as smart gloves and hats, could be used to monitor the level of harmful chemicals in a hazardous workspace.There are also numerous other potential applications for stretchable circuits, including: shaped acoustic sensors and transmitters;  biological, chemical, temperature, and radiation sensors; sensors and stimulators for interfacing with human body and inanimate objects; epiretinal, subretinal, and cortical artificial vision implants, cochlear implants, neurological implants, spinal cord implants and other neural interface implants; implantable and transdermal drug delivery devices; monitoring devices; implantable ribbon cables and electrode array for DBS, spinal cord reattachment, nerve regeneration, drug delivery; and muscle stimulation & relaxation.Development StatusLLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information.Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources  for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.Note:  THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT.  Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's FLEXIBLE, SERPENTINE CIRCUITS technology should provide a written statement of interest, which includes the following:1.            Company Name and address.2.            The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.3.            A description of corporate expertise and facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryInnovation and Partnerships OfficeP.O. Box 808, L-795Livermore, CA  94551-0808Attention:  FBO 395-18Please provide your written statement within thirty (30) days from the date this announcement is published to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's FLEXIBLE, SERPENTINE CIRCUITS technology.Contact Information: Connie L Pitcock, Administration, Phone 925-422-1072, Fax 925-423-8988, Email pitcock1@llnl.gov Office Address :7000 East AvenueL-795 Livermore CA 94550 Location: Industrial Partnerships & Commercialization Set Aside: N/A