From: yee@atlas.arc.nasa.gov (Peter Yee)
Subject: Goldin calls for improved technology transfer to industry [Release 93-9] (Forwarded)
Apparently-To: sci-space-news@ames.arc.nasa.gov
Followup-To: sci.space
Originator: yee@atlas.arc.nasa.gov
Reply-To: yee@atlas.arc.nasa.gov (Peter Yee)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 23:24:18 GMT

Bill Livingstone
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                January 8, 1993
(Phone:  202/358-1898)


RELEASE:  93-009

GOLDIN CALLS FOR IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO INDUSTRY

     While NASA enjoys a good reputation for transferring 
technology to industry, major improvements must be made in 
the way technology is transferred, according to a report 
released today by NASA Administrator Daniel S. Goldin.

     "NASA has the reputation of being the leader in 
technology transfer, but this position has eroded," Goldin 
said.  "Our successes are modest compared to the amount of 
technology we generate."

     "Our attitude that the transfer of our valuable 
technology will 'just happen' is no longer acceptable.  It 
must be proactively sought and given the highest priority," 
Goldin said.

     The report -- Special Initiatives Team on Technology 
Transfer -- was chartered last May, with Dr. Jeremiah 
Creedon, Director of Flight Systems at NASA Langley Research 
Center, Hampton, Va., as Chairman.  Other participants from 
NASA include Dr. Kathy Abbot, Leonard Ault, Carol Ginty, 
George Mosakowski, Dr. Syed Shariq and Dr. William Spuck.

Major Findings and Recommendations

     The report contains a series of findings and 
recommendations for changing NASA's culture to facilitate 
technology transfer, including:

     *  No comprehensive written document exists that 
explains the formal processes for technology transfer;

     *  Processes for technology transfer within NASA are too 
slow to meet industryUs needs;

     *  Technology is not sufficiently developed to reduce 
technical risk to industry  due to the costs and mission 
objectives;

     *  Employees, managers and contractors all too often do 
not believe technology transfer is part of their job;

     *  There is little or no infrastructure support to help 
researchers transfer technology;

     *  Technology can and should be transferred at every 
stage, instead of waiting until a project is completed.

     The report's 10 recommendations include a category of 
implementation and measurement of performance of technology 
transfer and eight recommendations for changing NASA's 
culture to facilitate technology transfer.

Technology Transfer Benefits Aeronautics

     The report finds that where technology transfer was the 
primary mission activity -- such as aeronautics, the Small 
Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program and the Centers 
for Commercial Development of Space -- NASA's overall efforts 
are relatively good.

     For instance, a strong relationship exists between NASA 
and the aeronautics industry.  Many vital technologies 
developed by NASA have been transferred to the aeronautics 
industry, including such items as supercritical wings, 
winglets, glass cockpits and many others.  Still, a recent 
Gallup poll concluded that the aeronautics industry felt 
there was room for improvement.

     In addition, researchers often viewed technology 
transfer as writing a report on the research results after it 
was completed.  This is representative of a common view that 
technology transfer occurs at the end of the development 
process.

     Researchers often encounter roadblocks when attempting 
to transfer technology, including the time-consuming 
processes of filing patents and software distribution through 
official channels.

     Finally, no systematic measurements or statistics are 
kept on the activities or effectiveness of primary targeted 
technology transfer.  The team identifies six metrics which 
could be used to measure the effectiveness of the technology 
transfer process.  These include the number of citations, 
acknowledged users and spin-off companies, the revenue from 
patent licenses, and the length of time from development to 
its transfer for use by a targeted customer.

     The report found that the technology utilization offices 
are minimally staffed and cannot provide greater support for 
secondary and non-targeted technology transfer functions.

Advanced Concepts and Technology Office Established

     NASA's Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology was 
created last November to better meet the needs of industry, 
academia and NASA communities.  One of the new office's major 
functions is to transfer technology into the commercial 
sector at a faster pace than in the past.  

     "We will seek the input of the technology user community 
to figure out the best mechanisms to transfer technology, 
whether it's technical papers, NASA-generated software, 
regional tech transfer centers, cooperative research 
agreements or working in our labs and other facilities," 
Goldin said.


- end -


EDITOR'S NOTE:  The report Special Initiatives Team on 
Technology Transfer is available to media by calling the NASA 
Headquarters Newsroom on 202/358-1600.
Newsgroups: sci.space.news