01-31921. National Energy Technology Laboratory; Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive Patent License

AGENCY:

Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given of an intent to grant to Woodward Industrial Controls of Fort Collins, Colorado, an exclusive license to practice the inventions described in U.S. patent applications titled, “Real-Time Combustion Controls and Diagnostics Sensors” and “Flashback Detection Sensor for Lean Premix Fuel Nozzles.” The inventions are owned by the United States of America, as represented by the Department of Energy (DOE). The proposed license will be exclusive, subject to a license and other rights retained by the U.S. Government, and other terms and conditions to be negotiated.

DOE intends to grant the license, upon a final determination in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(c), unless within 15 days of publication of this Notice the Technology Transfer Manager, Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 880, Morgantown, WV 26507-0880, receives in writing any of the following, together with the supporting documents:

(i) A statement from any person setting forth reasons why it would not be in the best interest of the United States to grant the proposed license; or

(ii) An application for a nonexclusive license to the invention, in which applicant states that it already has brought the invention to practical application or is likely to bring the invention to practical application expeditiously.

DATES:

Written comments or nonexclusive license applications are to be received at the address listed below no later than fifteen (15) days after the date of this published Notice.

ADDRESSES:

Technology Transfer Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 880, Morgantown, WV 26507-0880.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Diane Newlon, Technology Transfer Manager, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, P.O. Box 880, Morgantown, WV 26507-0880; Telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

35 U.S.C. 209(c) provides the Department with authority to grant exclusive or partially exclusive licenses in Department-owned inventions, where a determination can be made, among other things, that the desired practical application of the invention has not been achieved, or is not likely expeditiously to be achieved, under a nonexclusive license. The statute and implementing regulations (37 CFR part 404) require that the necessary determinations be made after public notice and opportunity for filing written objections.

Woodward Industrial Controls of Fort Collins, Colorado, has applied for an exclusive license to practice the inventions and has a plan for commercialization of the inventions.

The proposed license will be exclusive, subject to a license and other rights retained by the U.S. Government, and subject to a negotiated royalty. The Department will review all timely written responses to this notice, and will grant the license if, after expiration of the 15-day notice period, and after consideration of written responses to this notice, a determination is made, in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(c), that the license grant is in the public interest.

Issued: December 18, 2001.

Rita A. Bajura,

Director, National Energy Technology Laboratory.