Benjamin Neumann, Director, Innovative Technology Transfer Partnerships Division, Office of Aerospace Technology

In July, technology transfer at NASA took on a new director. And with a new director comes a new direction. Benjamin Neumann previously served as Manager for Communications and Outreach for the Aerospace Technology Enterprise at HQ. In this position, he led the development of NASA’s Aeronautics Blueprint, a vision for the second century of aviation. Now he is developing a new blueprint for technology transfer.

Newly renamed the Innovative Technology Transfer Partnerships Division (ITTP), technology transfer is focusing on spin-in as well as spin-out. "The goal of ITTP is to form partnerships with industry and academia to develop new technology that supports Enterprise programs," explained Mr. Neumann. "We also will commercialize and transfer NASA technology to U.S. industry and enhance NASA technology and commercial objectives."Industry and academia serve as valuable resources for NASA. Often their technologies can be adapted to address space mission needs, allowing NASA to achieve its goals faster and more efficiently. At the same time, space program technologies can play an important role in the U.S. economy.

the tech transfer process:
Step 2: Technology Assessment

After you submit your innovation through the New Technology Report (NTR)-see the Summer 2003 issue of Goddard Tech Transfer News for more about NTR submission-it is entered into Goddard’s technology inventory and considered for assessment.

What is a technology assessment?
A technology assessment is a detailed, in-depth examination of the potential success for transfer of a NASA innovation into a non-NASA application, known as spin-out. Perhaps an optics technology can be applied to medical imaging. Or a data processing system to urban planning. Or a mechanical innovation to home appliances or cars. The assessor conducts research to evaluate these options carefully and objectively. Also evaluated are the opportunities to spin-back the technology, applying the commercial product to NASA’s mission.

Assessments also are used to evaluate the transfer of a non-NASA technology for the space program, known as a spin-in. Future issues of Goddard Tech Transfer News will explore the technology spin-in process.

Do all Goddard innovations receive an assessment?
Unfortunately, the cost of detailed information gathering prohibits the assessment of every technology. Therefore, every innovation is screened according to preliminary criteria, including (1) Can the intellectual property be protected (i.e., patent or copyright) or have the details been publicly disclosed? (2) Is the innovation revolutionary? (3) Are there obvious applications for it? (4) What is the stage of development? According to the results of these and other criteria, the innovation may be selected for assessment.

Do I participate in the assessment?
Yes! We depend on inventors to provide us with valuable information that starts us in the assessment process. We will interview you about the key information on your NTR:

• What are your technology’s unique advantages and shortcomings?
• Do you foresee any non-NASA applications for it?
• Do you know of any other near- or long-term NASA applications?
• What issues might need to be addressed before it could be used in these applications?

Including complete information on your NTR will help.

What other information is gathered?
Your information is supplemented by the expertise of Office staff as well as research into the literature and interviews with technical experts, university professors and researchers, industry analysts and consultants, potential licensees and end users, and others. These resources provide data and feedback on the characteristics of the potential market(s) where the technology might be used, the technologies already available, patentability issues, and more. Office staff analyze this information to determine the assessment outcome.

What are the possible outcomes from the assessment?
The innovation might be recommended for patenting and the next step of the technology transfer process (Seeking a Partner/Licensee). The assessment also might show that it should be promoted by publishing articles in NASA Tech Briefs and other relevant journals. Also, during this process, your innovation will be considered for several prestigious awards. If a technology is still in the "idea phase," the Office might wait for further development or look into ways to provide additional project funding.

Spin-back and/or spin-in options as well as potential partners for joint R&D might be identified. In some cases, the assessment might recommend not pursuing further transfer efforts.

Next issue - Step 3: Seeking a Partner/Licensee

The local television station NBC4 hosted the Digital Edge Expo in Washington, D.C. September 13-14, and representatives from throughout Goddard attended to stimulate awareness in the commercial consumer regarding the necessity and benefits of using technology.

As members of Goddard's Public Affairs Office, Innovative Partnerships Program Office, and Space Science and Earth Science Directorates showed off the latest and greatest in NASA's digital technology, they facilitated dialogue and networking with professionals, students, and general consumers. "By educating the public on digital technology and helping them to recognize NASA as a leading player in digital R&D, we hope to make the public aware of the value of NASA not only in its space-related goals but also on Earth," said Nona Cheeks, Chief of the Innovative Partnerships Program Office.