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TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Acoustic Measurement Infrastructure (AMI) Intrinsic clock measurement infrastructure for process control, diagnostics, and prognostics. Opportunity: Idaho National Lab... TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Acoustic Measurement Infrastructure (AMI) Intrinsic clock measurement infrastructure for process control, diagnostics, and prognostics. Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize AMI. Overview: The Acoustic Measurement Infrastructure (AMI) accommodates sensor design and signal processing tools for telemetry systems that use acoustic-based sensors, such as thermoacoustics and vibro-acoustics. Although melting furnaces and nuclear reactors are a hostile environment for sensing and electrical communications, these harsh industrial environments are amenable to acoustic telemetry. A number of Idaho National Laboratory programs are developing acoustic-based sensors to take advantage of the acoustic transmission properties in manufacturing processes. The installation of the acoustic/vibration receivers represents the first step in developing an acoustic communication infrastructure. This acoustic infrastructure will provide an excellent opportunity to develop diagnostic and predictive capabilities for industrial operations. Description: AMI relies on data transmitted wirelessly from inside to outside the industrial process. It provides the unique ability to perform nonintrusive in-process measurements of process response during operation. This wireless transmission refers to the transmission of sound via fluids (gasses and liquids), mechanical structures, pipes, and conduits. The acoustic signals are received by acoustic/vibrational receivers located in areas that are more hospitable such as on the exterior of pressure vessels, on vessel piping, near the process equipment. The transmission of signals allows users to access raw data, process the data, and extract information from the signal while the process is still in progress inside the production system. Active sensors, such as TAC and vibro-acoustic, are configured to measure temperature, axial extension, fission gases, microstructure, and pressure fluctuations. With the vibrational baseline and active monitoring of the process, it will be possible to effectively control a process and predict process upsets/faults. Once in place, the acoustic telemetry infrastructure would also enable operators to transmit/receive control signals, perform diagnostic/prognostic health monitoring, and execute predictive maintenance. Benefits: Provides the unique ability to perform non-intrusive in-process measurements of material response during irradiation. Allows access to raw data, ability to process the data and extract information from the signal while the process is still in progress. Could prevent component failures in processes. Enables plant opperators to transmit/receive control signals, perform diagnostics/prognostic health monitoring, and execute predictive maintenance. Applications: Any continuous or batch manufacturing application, including: Extrusion Ceramic Plastic Food Pharmaceutical Metal drawing Glass drawing Electric utilities Nuclear Melting Smelting Casting Foundries Development Status: TRL 6, this technology has been demonstrated. IP Status: Patent Application No. 15/815,422, “Acoustic Measurement Infrastructure Method and System for Process Monitoring, Diagnostics, and Prognostics,” BEA Docket No. BA-893. INL is seeking to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available. Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.