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TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Heat Pipe Reactor Wick and Fill Platform
Contact and place of performance
Kathleen McDonald
Los Alamos, NM 87545
USA
This technology platform from Los Alamos National Laboratory enables more reliable high-temperature heat pipe reactors by improving the way critical wick structures are manufactured and how heat pipe arrays are filled, sealed, and checked for quality. A stronger wick gives the system the capillary action needed to move liquid metal through the pipe under demanding thermal conditions, while the fill platform helps pre...
View moreThe fill process is designed to load, seal, and inspect heat pipe arrays under controlled atmosphere conditions, often using vacuum or inert gas environments. That workflow can be automated with precision metering, controlled handling, and laser welding, which helps improve repeatability and reduce contamination risk. Quality control can be built into both the wick and fill steps through inspection of the porous structure, leak testing, fill verification, and process monitoring, all of which support more consistent reactor-scale production.
Technical Description
The wick fabrication methods focus on producing a porous annular structure with the strength and capillary performance required for high-temperature heat pipe reactors. In one approach, mesh layers are wrapped around an etchable mandrel, compressed inside a sheath, and diffusion bonded so the layers fuse into a stable structure. After bonding, the mandrel and sheath are removed chemically, leaving a porous tube that functions as the wick. Related versions use hydroforming or modular splicing to support curved, variable or larger-format wick geometries that are difficult to make with conventional methods.
A second technical element is the fill, seal and inspection platform for heat pipe arrays. The Heat Pipe Reactor Wick and Fill Platform is intended to meter alkali-metal working fluid into multiple heat pipes under vacuum or inert conditions, then seal the assemblies with controlled welding or bonding steps. Built-in inspection can confirm seal integrity, working-fluid fill quality and process repeatability. The combination of automated handling and quality control makes the technology more suitable for scale-up, especially where contamination control and consistent output are essential.
Advantages
Market Applications
In addition to patent licensing, Los Alamos may loan a full-scale prototype, modular alkali metal heat-pipe fill system hardware allowing the fill and seal of individual or large arrays of alkali metal heat pipes.
US Patent Nos. 12,007,171-B1 and US 11,633,806-B1
LA-UR-26-24496
TRL 7
LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential
Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.
LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact [email protected].
Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.
https://www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/feynman-center/partner-with-us/licensing-technology
m.lanl.gov/tech-search
Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a technology licensing opportunity for the Heat Pipe Reactor Wick and Fill Platform, a system designed to improve the reliability and manufacturability of high-temperature heat pipe reactors. Managed by Triad National Security, LLC, the DOE contractor for the laboratory, this technology addresses the production of critical wick structures and the automated filling, sealing, and quality inspection of heat pipe arrays. The platform is intended for organizations operating in nuclear, space, defense, and high-heat industrial environments where durable thermal hardware and passive thermal management are required. This special notice, identified by solicitation number S-133680, has a response deadline of December 4, 2026.
The technology consists of two primary technical elements: advanced wick fabrication and a specialized fill platform. Wick fabrication involves wrapping mesh layers around an etchable mandrel, which are then compressed and diffusion-bonded to create a strong, porous annular structure. The fill, seal, and inspection platform automates the loading of alkali-metal working fluid into heat pipe arrays under vacuum or inert gas conditions, utilizing laser welding and precision metering to reduce contamination risks. These processes support the production of complex wick geometries and help ensure consistent quality control for reactor-scale manufacturing. In addition to licensing US Patent Nos. 12,007,171-B1 and 11,633,806-B1, the laboratory may provide a full-scale prototype modular alkali metal heat-pipe fill system for use by licensees.
This opportunity is classified under NAICS 333415 for Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing and PSC 4540 for Waste Disposal Equipment. There is no set-aside designated for this notice. Performance and licensing activities are centered in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The point of contact for this technology, which has reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7, is Kathleen McDonald.
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