Modified Alumina for Smaller Electrical Isolators

1. REQUEST # 67563
Modified Alumina for Smaller Electrical Isolators
RESPONSE DUE DATE: November 18, 2011
MANAGER: David Feitler, Ph.D.
SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK
EMAIL: PhD@ninesigma.com PHONE: +1-216-283-3901
Opportunity
Licensing, product acquisition, contract research, proof of
(click buttons above)
concept leading to scale up to manufacturing, joint development
agreement
Timeline
Phase 1 – Proof of concept by May 2012
Phase 2 – Joint development of product(s) to be started by July
2012
Financials
Funding of up to $100,000 may be made available to qualified
proposals
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION At the same time insulators are a commodity item
NineSigma, on Global Supplier of Electrical subject to market expectations and the use of
Subsytems invites proposals for improved, low- exotic materials to meet performance demands is
cost electrical isolators. blocked by the need to keep costs low. Thus
preferred approaches to size reduction are to
The successful technology will provide an explore gains possible from modified aluminas,
alumina based isolator material (ceramics) where chemical and physical modifications can
having : be considered.
 Relative Permittivity from 8-12
 Temperature stability up to 1200⁰C As a baseline, alumina has a dielectric strength
of just under 17 kV/mm. An improvement factor
 High Tension Strength (2000N)
of 5 is needed.
 High Dielectric Strength (80-160kV/mm)
 Good manufacturing reliability POSSIBLE APPROACHES
BACKGROUND Possible approaches might include, but are not
limited to:
The global drive for efficiency is reducing the size
of many electrical systems while maintaining or  Doping of Alumina
increasing the power density of the system. For
 Porosity reduction
some components, such as insulators, the
 Grain Structure Optimization
reduced dimensions are limited by the physical
properties of materials used in the components.  Laminated structures
 Optimization of state-of-the-art ceramics
Alumina based ceramics are often used as an manufacturing processes
electrical isolator. As the amount of material is
reduced the electrical isolation capability is
reduced as well the strength of the component.
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com
RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2011 NineSigma, Inc

2. NineSigma Request # 67563 Modified Alumina for Smaller Electrical Isolators Page 2
ANTICIPATED PROJECT PHASES OR PROJECT PLAN
Phase 1 – Bench demonstration of strength and In addition to essential proposal content
dielectric properties. Determination of intellectual described above, some items that will be make
property status and licensing/production options your proposal more compelling are:
Phase 2 –Third party pilot manufacturing, testing  Intellectual property status and freedom
to practice
CRITERIA FOR MOVING FROM PHASE 1 TO PHASE 2  Business relationship sought
Available samples meet above stated
requirements:
 Relative Permittivity from 8-12 NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE
 Temperature stability up to 1200 ⁰C By submitting a Response you represent that the
Response does not and will not be deemed to contain
 High Tension Strength (2000N) any confidential information of any kind whatsoever.
 High Dielectric Strength (80-160kV/mm)
 Good manufacturing reliability Your Response should be an executive summary (about
3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the
technical approach and provide information on
technology performance, background, and description of
APPROPRIATE RESPONDERS TO THIS REQUEST the responding team and their related experience.
Responses from companies (small to large),
By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that
academic researchers, other research institutes, NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right
consultants, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, or and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of
inventors are welcome. For Example: the Responses received for this announcement.
NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only
specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's
You represent a manufacturer of advanced
client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine
thermal insulation materials that have high all award amounts.
strength and unexpectedly high electrical
resistance that is not proven for electrical
applications RESPONSE EVALUATION
NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the
Or following criteria:
 Overall scientific and technical merit of the
You are an academic researcher with specific proposed approach
knowledge of alumina or other ceramic  Approach to proof of concept or performance
formulations or manufacturing methods  Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the
applicable to this problem technology novel or protectable)
 Economic potential of concept
 Respondent’s capabilities and related experience
Or  Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates
You represent a company possessing a ready The client will contact respondents with highly
solution. responsive proposals for next steps.
RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST
The proposal template provides both an easy
means of responding to this request and a
framework for best presenting your response to
NineSigma’s client. It also contains information
about how NineSigma presents responses to our
client. Responding to each bullet point in the
Request for Proposal Description on page one
wherever possible is essential. For more
complete guidance on writing a good proposal
please follow the link to our Guide to Writing
Non-Confidential Proposals.
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium www.ninesigma.com