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Available for Licensing: Fluorescent Tracer Technology for Hydrofluoric Acid Exposure Detection
Contact and place of performance
Javier Martinez
Idaho Falls, ID 83401
USA
Technology Licensing Opportunity: This technology is available for licensing through Idaho National Laboratory's (INL) Technology Deployment office. INL is not seeking to procure products or services in connection with this technology, and no procurement activity is associated with INL's technology transfer process. Interested parties are invited to contact INL to discuss licensing terms and partnership oppor...
View moreIndustry Need
Current HF safety practice relies on prevention: chemical-resistant PPE, engineered containment, and procedural controls. These measures reduce exposure frequency but do not eliminate the risk of accidental contact, particularly in production environments or during equipment maintenance. No field-deployable method currently exists for workers to confirm the absence of skin or surface contact after an HF-handling task. The standard indicator of exposure is symptom onset, which may occur hours after contact, after significant physiological damage has already occurred. This detection gap represents a structural limitation in current HF safety frameworks across all affected industries.
Differentiation and Advantages
Post-task detection capability: Designed to enable active worker self-survey after HF handling, a capability not provided by current commercial safety approaches.
Chemically inert tracer formulation: Xanthene dye has documented chemical stability in HF environments and is not expected to alter acid reactivity, concentration, or intended function.
Early-window treatment support: Detection prior to symptom onset is intended to expand the effective window for decontamination and calcium gluconate application, both of which are more effective when administered early.
Leak detection in system processes: Secondarily, this product improves leak detection in industrial processes by creating a high visibility and distinct HF appearance that can reduce detection time and differentiate HF from other clear fluids used in the process.
Potential Applications
Industrial HF handling operations in petroleum refining, semiconductor etch, glass manufacturing, and pharmaceutical synthesis.
Worker post-task self-survey using portable UV light sources following HF-handling tasks.
Facility leak and spill detection through UV scanning of work surfaces and equipment exteriors.
Laboratory and small-scale research environments where engineering controls may be less robust.
The Department of Energy, through the Battelle Energy Alliance and Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is offering a fluorescent tracer technology for licensing to support the detection of hydrofluoric acid (HF) exposure. This technology utilizes a UV-fluorescent tracer additive derived from xanthene powder, which is designed to remain chemically inert when added to HF. The additive enables personnel to survey skin, clothing, and surfaces with a UV light source after handling the acid, identifying potential contact before physiological symptoms or tissue damage occur. This detection method is intended to complement existing personal protective equipment and engineering controls in industrial environments such as petroleum refining, semiconductor manufacturing, and pharmaceutical synthesis.
The opportunity is classified under NAICS 325180, Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing, and PSC H268, Equipment and Materials Testing- Chemicals and Chemical Products. While this technology primarily facilitates post-task worker self-surveys to confirm the absence of contact, it also serves as a high-visibility indicator for leak and spill detection by differentiating HF from other clear fluids during UV scanning. No procurement activity is associated with this notice, as the primary objective is technology transfer through licensing agreements or partnership opportunities.
Licensing inquiries are managed by the INL Technology Deployment office, with Javier Martinez serving as the point of contact. The solicitation, identified as BA-1719, has a response deadline of June 30, 2026. This special notice does not include a set-aside, and the associated place of performance is Idaho Falls, Idaho. There are currently no attachments associated with this notice.
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