Cuyamaca College
Environmental Technology Program
What is Technology Transfer?
Technology transfer is the process by which knowledge, technology, or information, developed in one organization or in one area or for one purpose, is applied or used in another organization, or area, or for another purpose. For the purposes of this seminar, technology transfer involves moving knowledge, technology, or information from government laboratories to private industry.
For example, successful technology can be transferred from a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) remediation site to private companies at other sites with similar contamination problems for their implementation. The same technology can be transferred to other organizations in DOE, the environmental management consulting industry, and state and local governments for U.S. and international environmental restoration and waste management applications.
In addition, DOE brings technology from the private sector into Federal laboratories for testing and evaluation to identify the best available technology for cleaning up contamination.
Other examples of successful technology transfer efforts include tools for navigating the internet, enzymes needed to crack the genetic code, discovering humankind's earliest ancestors, mechanisms that control automobile airbags, new medical devices, and teaching tools that incorporate new technology in the classroom.
Organizations such as the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) also participate in technology transfer efforts. We will discuss these and other agencies later in this seminar.
The need for accessible reference material related to the Federal laboratory system is essential for any technology transfer program. This seminar will discuss the various methods Federal laboratories use to help interested parties access information.
Encouraged by Congressional mandates, a growing number of companies are tapping into the technology available from Federal laboratories, and reaping rewards such as:
- Reduced R&D costs
- mproved manufacturing processes
- Advanced materials and components
- Use of government facilities and equipment
- New commercial products and services
 |
 Last update 05/12/98 by Cuyamaca Web Team |