NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at improving the transfer of federally developed technology to the private sector. This collaboration seeks to accelerate the commercialization of NASA's innovations, which are crucial for ambitious missions such as lunar exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life.
Clayton Turner, associate administrator of NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, emphasized the agency's commitment to creating new technologies daily. The partnership with USPTO aims to streamline the process of making these inventions accessible to the public, thereby boosting the economy.
The two agencies will conduct a comprehensive study on technology transfer best practices across universities and federal laboratories. This initiative is expected to enhance learning opportunities within the technology transfer community.
Dan Lockney, executive for NASA's Technology Transfer program, expressed enthusiasm about sharing insights gained from discussions with tech transfer experts. The findings will be published at the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer's national meeting in spring 2024.
Parikha Solanki, senior advisor at USPTO, highlighted the potential impact of their study on fostering ongoing dialogue and knowledge sharing among tech transfer practitioners, ultimately benefiting the public.