Emory University Law School recently partnered with NNSA to develop a commercialization plan for a metal chloride production technology invented by Y-12. Photo by Carmen K. Sisson (iStock)
By Jeff Roberts and Mary Beth Roberts – Partnerships enable the Y-12 mission by pooling resources and expertise. A recent partnership with Emory University, supported through the NNSA Technology Innovation Partnership Program (TIPP), provided Y-12 with a jump start to bring a new technology to market.
Technology Innovation Partnership Program
TIPP is an NNSA-led effort conducted through Emory University Law School to help commercialize key laboratory technologies while providing students with access to real-world technologies for their careers in intellectual property, or IP. Through the program, Y-12 received a capstone project focusing on a metal chloride production technology that provides a safe production process at a rapid pace.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Emory University through TIPP,” said Daniel Riddick, Y-12 Technology Transfer program manager. “This technology has great potential both within the NSE [Nuclear Security Enterprise] and the power generation industry, and we’re excited to begin the commercialization process.”
The patented technology developed by Y-12 employees Justin Holland and John Freiderich eliminates a multistep synthesis process, which allows for rapid production rates without contaminating the end product. The technology could be used to produce the specialized feeds used in molten salt nuclear reactors.
Capstone Commercialization Project
The capstone project was specifically designed for a group of Emory Law students to learn about this new Y-12 technology and develop a complete commercialization plan. Dr. Nicole Morris, professor of practice at Emory University Law School, leads the capstone class.
“This has been a great experience for our students,” said Morris, who is also faculty director of the Emory IP and Innovation Clinic. “The opportunity to provide them with hands-on experience with real-world technologies is something that will be greatly beneficial for their future careers.”
A team of three students—Addison Huang, Anthony Lin, and Rachel Liu—was assigned to this technology. The students researched specific advantages of the technology and potential commercial partners. They evaluated current industry and market conditions, competitive products, regulations, and the patent itself.
“The team and I have had such a great experience researching the commercial landscape of the nuclear power industry and being able to work firsthand with a site dedicated to cutting-edge technology,” Liu said. “Throughout the process, Justin Holland, principal investigator, and Daniel Riddick were kind and communicative, and we are so pleased that our findings could provide insight for the technology’s future commercialization.”
The Final Product
The Emory Law students wrapped up the capstone project and recently presented Y-12 with the commercialization plan.
The team’s findings centered on valuation, potential partner outreach, and further research into potential partnerships. For their valuation, the students determined the average materials processing patent was valued at about $558,000. They found that licenses/partnerships are more common than single-use sales of singular patents.
“Energy and environmental energy patents are typically licensed for roughly 6% to 7% of the patent revenue, which is a high amount for patents generally,” Liu said.
The commercialization plan noted that most of the potential partner companies are not currently interested in a production-level partnership; however, targeting companies closer geographically and further along in their development cycle could prove fruitful.
“We’re extremely happy with the results of this collaboration,” Riddick said. “Jump-starting this commercialization plan will help us drive the technology forward into various appropriate markets.”