275 1989 HUMAN SYSTEMS DIVISION (AFSC) BRIEFING TO INDUSTRY THE TECHNOLOGY A full range of human-centered technologies were presented. HSD technologies arise in four major thrusts within the Human Systems Division, including crewsystems integration, crew protection, environmental protection, and force readiness (human resources and aerospace medicine). Presentations addressed current and emerging technologies, as well as several of the most promising longterm developmental programs. These technology and program descriptions were offered in order to foster contractor interest and participation, as well as to communicate the commercialization potential for technologies ranging from active noise reduction and hazardous materials identification and management to training system design and hyperbaric medicine. TECHNOLOGY RECIPIENTS The recipients of this information were nearly 250 industry representatives including chief executive and operating officers, vice presidents, executive and administrative staff members, scientists and engineers, program managers and more, representing nationally recognized corporations and local technology firms and consortia. USES AND BENEFITS The Human Systems Division, young in its official capacity as a "product division" of Air Force Systems Command, is the single manager of human-focused science and technology for the Air Force, from applied research and development to systems acquisition. Its primary domain is work in human technologies in a generic or systems-independent manner, such as those in generic training systems and in vital subsystem regimes which address the environment, life and behavioral sciences and health support. Many of those technologies presented are natural candidates for application beyond the federal sector to be accomplished through a tailored commercialization process. Such a commercialization process is now under development. DOD - AF Human Systems Division TECH-LINK 89 Los Alamos National Laboratory sponsored TECH-LINK 89, a two-day technologytransfer conference, in June 1989. The purpose of the conference was to make state economic development managers more aware of the technology that is available from Federal research laboratories and to familiarize state economic development managers and science advisors with the technology transfer process. The conference also provided an opportunity to explore ways in which states can help their industries commercialize some of the technologies developed in Federal laboratories. This commercialization, in turn, will allow American industry to be more competitive in world markets. Representatives of the Department of Energy (DOE), thirty state economic development corporations, nine multiprogram DOE laboratories, and the Federal Laboratory Consortium were among the more than 100 people in attendance. The conference agenda consisted of lectures, panel discussions, and tours. Lecture topics included "How to be Number One," "The Role of the Federal Government in Technology Transfer," and "Multiprogram National Laboratories: Resources, Capabilities, Available Technologies, Contacts." DOE officials who addressed the conference emphasized the Department's commitment to technology transfer, noting that since passage of the Technology Transfer Act in 1986, the DOE has modified patent and licensing procedures to make doing business with Federal laboratories easier for private companies. Such efforts have also established new research partnerships with industry, and spun off more than 140 new companies based on Federal laboratory technology. Workshops, seminars and conferences, such as TECH-LINK 89, play a major role in the technology transfer effort. DOE - Los Alamos National Laboratory STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE RESCUE TECHNOLOGIES As part of an ongoing effort to facilitate the transfer of technologies developed in Federal laboratories to all areas of the private sector, Los Alamos National Laboratory, in conjunction with the Los Alamos County Fire Department, hosted a Structural Collapse Rescue Technologies Workshop in October 1989. The threeday workshop was designed to expose rescue-operations personnel from across the country to the numerous existing and developing technologies that can be utilized in rescue operations after the collapse of large, multi-story, steel reinforced concrete structures (the most difficult type of construction with which rescue personnel have to deal). The workshop served as a forum for exchanging information about current life-saving technologies in disaster situations and for determining the feasibility of transferring technology developed from other areas to rescue operations. Technologies discussed included those that can be used for locating and extracting victims, such as visual imaging equipment, robotic devices, and stabilizing foams, all currently under development at Los Alamos. Also discussed were safety equipment for rescue workers and the constraints placed on such equipment that needs to be, at the very least, rugged, lightweight, compact and low-maintenance. The workshop agenda included speakers, three working groups, panel discussions and demonstrations of search-and-rescue equipment. One demonstration provided by a team of Los Alamos inventors showcased the prototype of a miniature remotely operated victim locator. The more than 100 workshop participants included firefighters, law enforcement officers, search-and-rescue personnel, construction and demolition industry representatives, scientists, engineers, and military and government representatives. Among those representing government agencies were individuals from the Department of Energy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Secret Service and the three military branches. A follow-up report summarizing the findings of the workshop's working groups is scheduled for release in January 1990. DOE - Los Alamos National Laboratory INNOVATIVE CONCEPTS FAIR THE TECHNOLOGY The Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) operates an Innovative Concepts Program (ICP) to provide a bridge between innovators and potential sponsors in energy utilization research and to identify large energy-saving improvements. The ICP serves as an important stimulus for technology development and transfer in specific technology areas. For example, a recent ICP-sponsored workshop covered technologies that reduce energy consumption. An innovation cycle is composed of several activities. First, a focus area is identified. Then, concepts in that focus area are solicited, and a limited number are selected for further investigation. Seed money is provided to the innovators for investigating their concept's technical and economic potential. During the funding cycle, staff from PNL and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) visit each inventor to make suggestions for the most efficient use of the limited funding and to provide encouragement. Finally, the concepts are introduced to potential sponsors at a fair. TECHNOLOGY RECIPIENTS Recipients for the selected concepts vary according to the nature of the concept. For example, a concept for holographic passive solar lighting was selected for the first fair, held in 1985. Since then, the idea has won two awards, received $560,000 in follow-on DOE funding, and resulted in creation of a new business. A concept for high-temperature phase change heat storage has become part of a cost-shared project with the Institute for Gas Technology, and has two interested licensees. As of August 1989, at least $3 million had been invested in follow-on funding for continued development of ICP ideas. The 1989 fair sought innovative concepts and inventions that could reduce energy consumption in existing buildings (and, in some cases, new buildings). Specifically, concepts were requested in the areas of heating, ventilating and air-conditioning approaches and systems; electrical and control systems, building materials; and daylighting. Eight concepts were chosen for further examination through the ICP. One concept improves the operating efficiency of air-conditioning systems on tall buildings by means of aerodynamic disks that accelerate the air flow through the heat exchangers. USES AND BENEFITS The success of the ICP has grown since its initiation in 1983, and the ICP serves as a valuable tool for moving an idea from the inventor's laboratory (or garage) to a commercial market. In the first three ICP cycles, 32 concepts were funded: 12 for building materials, 10 involving industrial processes, and 10 for industrial separation processes. Thirteen of those concepts received more than $3 million in follow-on funding, and 2 of the 13 resulted in the formation of spin-off companies. DOE - Pacific Northwest Laboratory |