A Competitive Advantage for Your Business

Every year, technology invented at PNNL is making its way to commercial markets, radically—and positively—changing our everyday lives. Harmless, holographic millimeter waves used to detect hidden contraband under clothing was licensed and is now used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to screen thousands upon thousands of people passing through airports. We commercialized a catalyst-based technology that converts something as common as a plant-based compound into propylene glycol—a product used in everything from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to heating fluids and food flavorings. And, we developed and commercialized a stable, safe, and economically viable electrolyte for vanadium redox flow batteries that now store large amounts of wind and solar renewable energy and provide greater stability to the energy grid.

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These are just a few among many examples of PNNL inventions that have moved into the marketplace. Currently, we have nearly 200 technologies that are available for commercialization across research fields, such as bio-based fuels and products, building efficiency, chemistry, electric grid, information technology, manufacturing, vehicle technology, and many more.

For decades, small and large businesses have tapped into our technology and expertise—much of it already developed through multiyear government investments. Making our broad array of intellectual property available to industry is part of our mission as a taxpayer-funded laboratory operated for the Department of Energy. It’s our job to stay on top of—and sometimes even invent—the “next big thing” as we tackle the most challenging problems in science, energy, the environment, and national security. By partnering with PNNL, businesses gain valuable insights into emerging and new technological developments for competitive advantage. You can learn more about collaboration opportunities in the “Your Technology & Innovation Partner” brochure  and be sure to subscribe to learn when new innovations become available. For personalized help, contact our experts.

Fast Facts

• 800+ technologies licensed since the 1970s
• 64 patents granted in fiscal year (FY) 2017; a total of 2,600 U.S. and foreign patents since 1965
• 216 inventions in FY 2017
• 187 companies were established based on PNNL technologies over the years, helping to diversify the U.S. economy