Tech Design

Source: Linoma Software

Technology Transfer is the movement of new technology from its creator (researcher) to a new user

The first requirement for an organization to transfer a technology is to establish legal ownership of that technology through intellectual property law. There are four generally recognized forms of intellectual property in industrialized nations: patents trademarks copyrights trade secrets

Do you use a cordless drill or shrub trimmer? How about a Dustbuster®? Did you know that the technology that made these products possible came from NASA's Apollo program? Astronauts needed a way to drill down beneath the moon's surface, as much as 10 feet, to collect core samples. Like everything else that went to the moon, this drill had to be small, lightweight and battery-powered. To develop the drill, NASA chose a company that has since become well known for its cordless products: Black and Decker. Black and Decker now sells approximately 400 million dollars worth of cordless, rechargeable products per year.

In the 1970's, NASA needed a smoke and fire detector for Skylab, America's first space station. Honeywell, Inc. developed the unit for NASA. Smoke detectors are now required by law to be placed in all new homes. They are credited with saving countless lives.

Many families are buying water filters for their homes. One model is the HOME Guardian filter made by Western Water International (WWI) of Forestville, Maryland. This filter uses technology developed by WWI, combined with NASA technology. During the Apollo program, NASA developed a system to sterilize the astronauts' drinking water. This method included the use of ions (an atom or group of atoms carrying a positive or negative electrical charge) as part of the water filtering system.

Today we take world-wide TV coverage for granted. Over 30 years ago, though, people in the United States and Europe were very excited about a little satellite called Telstar I (at left). It was launched by NASA on July 10, Later that same day, live television pictures originating in the USA were relayed via Telstar and received in France. Beginning in the late 1950's, NASA pioneered the technology that made TV satellite broadcasts an every-day part of our lives. NASA satellites relayed the first international coverage of the Olympic Games. The 1964 games were broadcast from Tokyo to the US and Europe via Relay I and Syncom 3.

What is Intellectual Property? Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the mind: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names, images, and designs used in commerce.

space exploration Partnerships with businesses economy

But the benefits of technology transfer are not limited to NASA. Technology transfer also: Helps U.S. businesses be successful Improves quality of life and public health Increases U.S. economic development

Copyright disputes Lawsuits Theft