SAM #S-167702

Technology Licensing Opportunity for Sulfonated Polyfluorene Ionomers (SPI) from Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), managed by Triad National Security, LLC for the Department of Energy (DOE), is offering a technology licensing opportunity for Sulfonated Polyfluorene Ionomers (SPI). - Opportunity is for organizations interested in licensing SPI technology for commercial use - SPI is a next-generation electrode material for fuel cells and water electrolyzers - Designed to replace conventional perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers - Target sectors include membrane electrode assembly manufacturing, clean transportation, stationary power generation, hydrogen production, and portable power systems - Technology is at Technology Readiness Level 4 - Licensing available on exclusive or non-exclusive basis - No specific OEMs, vendors, product quantities, or part numbers listed - Requirements: - Ability to enter into a licensing agreement with LANL - Intent to commercialize the technology - Not a solicitation for external development services or product procurement - Place of performance and government facility: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM

Description

Sulfonated polyfluorene ionomers represent a next-generation electrode material designed to replace conventional perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers in fuel cells and water electrolyzers. The chemistry behind these ionomers delivers high proton conductivity, improved water management and reduced interference with catalysts, all within a structurally tunable platform. Organizations developing or manufacturing membrane electrode assemblies can leverage the material's versatility, lower projected production costs and reduced environmental footprint to advance cleaner energy technologies.

The Challenge

Electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and water electrolyzers rely on ionomers at the electrode to conduct protons, manage water and interact effectively with both the membrane and the catalyst. Conventional hydrocarbon-based ionomers struggle in these roles because their phenyl groups tend to adsorb onto catalyst surfaces and suppress activity, while the high ionic concentration needed for adequate proton conductivity reduces hydrophobicity and makes electrode flooding more likely. Perfluorosulfonic acid materials like Nafion perform well but carry higher production costs and greater environmental concerns, creating demand for alternatives that can match or exceed PFSA performance without those drawbacks.

Problems Solved

The sulfonated polyfluorene ionomer architecture addresses each of those limitations through deliberate structural design. The fluorene backbone accommodates two ionic groups per repeating unit, enabling high ionic concentration and strong proton conductivity, while short fluorinated side chains restore the hydrophobicity needed to prevent electrode flooding. The rigid, fused-ring structure of fluorene minimizes phenyl adsorption on catalyst surfaces — preserving catalytic activity that other hydrocarbon ionomers tend to diminish. The material also dissolves readily in common polar organic solvents, which simplifies electrode fabrication and supports scalable manufacturing processes.

Advantages

Delivers high proton conductivity through a tunable polymer structure Improves water management and reduces electrode flooding risk Minimizes unwanted interactions with electrocatalysts to preserve performance Dissolves in common solvents for easier and more scalable electrode fabrication Offers a lower-cost, lower-environmental-impact alternative to PFSA materials Demonstrated applicability across both fuel cell and water electrolyzer platforms

Market Applications

Clean Transportation (hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, fleet power systems) Stationary Power Generation (backup power, grid support, distributed energy) Hydrogen Production (proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers, industrial hydrogen systems) Membrane Electrode Assembly Manufacturing (ionomer supply, electrode component production) Portable Power Systems (auxiliary power units, remote and off-grid energy devices)

Development Status: TRL 4

US Patent pending

LA-UR-26-23292

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 licensing@lanl.gov.

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

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