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Technology Licensing Opportunity - This is not a procurement. Low-Cost Method for Seasonal Algae Storage Storing Concentrations of Microalgae-Derived Biomass Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (IN... Technology Licensing Opportunity - This is not a procurement. Low-Cost Method for Seasonal Algae Storage Storing Concentrations of Microalgae-Derived Biomass 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 the Seasonal Algae Storage technology. Background: Many valuable products, such as energy-dense fuels, can be synthesized from microalgae-derived biomass. However, microalgae are extremely sensitive and susceptible to degradation after harvesting. This generally creates a narrow window of opportunity to process the harvested microalgae into marketable products. This challenge is further complicated by seasonal variability in microalgae production rates due to changes in temperature, sunlight, etc. Peak microalgae production commonly occurs during summer months. Microalgae produced in the summer that is in excess of processing capacity must be stored for later use. A number of microalgae storage options have been explored, but each presents serious problems. Drying preserves most of the biomass but is an energy intensive options that significant increases the cost of the end product. Ensilage of microalgae avoids the high energy cost of drying, but the biomass degrades under storage conditions, resulting in significantly reduced product yields. Description: Researchers at INL have developed methods for storing concentrations of microalgae-derived biomass with much lower dry matter loss than under preciously explored ensilage techniques. This method has also demonstrated production of significant volumes of bio-succinic acid and hydrogen, which would enhance the value of the stored algae and can result in secondary revenue streams for producers. This minimal dry matter loss, combined with the co-product formation, helps offset storage costs and enables economically viable, short- or long-term storage (1-6 months) of microalgae for later processing. Applications: Interested industries may include microalgae biomass production and storage and bio-succinic acid production. Advantages: Benefits derived from this technology include significantly less costs, decreased microalgae loss, organic avid production, and useful gas production. Impact: The cost savings from this technology are significant (65% compared to drying costs). The microalgae loss has been demonstrated at 5-15% after 30 days of storage compared to typical wet storage losses of 8-37%. Development: Initial experiments have been performed, further tests are ongoing. IP Status: US Patent Application No. 15/495,625, “Methods of Preserving a Microalgae Biomass,” BEA Docket No. BA-914. 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 Ryan Bills at ryan.bills@inl.gov.