This document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by agencies of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government, the Federal Laboratory Consortium, the University of California nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process disclosed, or represents that is use would not infringe privately owned rights. FOREWORD The Nation's Federal laboratories are proving increasingly effective in contributing to our economy through technology transfer -- a term that covers a wide variety of cooperative relationships. Laboratory technologies, expertise, and mission program interests have formed the basis for many commercial innovations, some of which are described in this report. Our message is simple: Despite the fact that the most businesslike aspects of industry-laboratory cooperation became possible only in late 1986, the potential is already evident from prior successes and new initiatives. From the spin-off of small high technology companies into local incubator facilities, to long-term joint research and development with large companies, many federal laboratories and agencies are demonstrating their commitment, the workability of their cooperative mechanisms, and the wealth of commercially attractive opportunities. This document is a collection of examples from 31 laboratories representing 7 government agencies; it should be viewed as indicative of the full potential for industry-laboratory cooperation to contribute to our nation's economic strength. Although not addressed in this report, Federal laboratory technology transfer involves cooperation with and assistance to other important sectors of our society, such as state and local governments, universities and colleges, as well as cross-agency efforts of the Federal government. This report was compiled and produced by the Federal Laboratory Consortium, a legislatively-chartered organization of Federal laboratories and their agencies. The Consortium works to improve and promote technology transfer by assisting businesses and others to identify the "right" federal laboratory contacts in their fields of interest, and by assisting development of the laboratories' infrastructure for cooperation. Eugen Stank Dr. Eugene Stark Chairman, Federal Laboratory Consortium EASY ACCESS TO THE FEDERAL LABORATORIES THROUGH THE FLC You may gain access to the Federal laboratories directly through their designated technology transfer offices or through the Consortium's network. In either case the network provides a direct link to the Federal laboratories. In addition to the individual laboratory representatives, the Consortium has six Regional Coordinators and a referral clearinghouse within the Administrator's office to assist you. These contacts are listed below. A comprehensive "Directory of Federal Laboratory & Technology Resources A Guide to Services, |