Laboratory researchers who received patents or sold licensing rights in 2002 were honored recently at the Laboratory's fifth annual Laboratory Patent and Licensing Awards ceremony. Awards were given to employees in both Distinguished Patent and Distinguished Licensing categories along with the distribution of $548,000 to Laboratory innovators as 2002 license income.
The recipients of the 2002 Distinguished Patent Award went to Basil Swanson and former Los Alamos staff member Xuedong Song of the Bioscience (B) Division for their patent of the Triggered Optical Biosensor. Song and Swanson's invention involves a biosensor technology that can be used for the detection of protein toxins, viruses, antibodies and other biomolecules. Such sensor technology remains essential in defending against terrorist attacks. In addition, the sensor technology offers opportunities in medical diagnostics, such as in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases.
The Distinguished Patent Award recognizes inventors whose invention exemplifies a significant technical advancement, an adaptability to public use, or an innovation of noteworthy value to the Laboratory mission.
This year's Distinguished Licensing Award recipient is Benjamin Warner of the Actinide, Catalysis and Separation Chemistry (C-SIC). Warner's chemistry work in the fields of radiation dosimeter and timing technology, electrochromic window technology, and micro x-ray fluorescence for drug discovery has led to numerous commercialization opportunities for the Laboratory. Warner has 11 patent disclosures and five pending patent applications, the majority of which were submitted in the past two years. He is an active participant in the licensing process and is noted for his ability to develop relationships with potential licensees while moving technologies down the commercialization path.
The Distinguished Licensing Award recognizes a Laboratory innovator who has had a positive impact on the Los Alamos Licensing Program. The individual demonstrates, by example, outstanding success in transferring Los Alamos-developed technologies to the public and private sectors and is recognized for her/his role in confirming the benefits of technology commercialization activities.
In addition to the funds distributed to individual innovators, represented Laboratory divisions also will receive $664,000 in license income.
The Laboratory's guidelines for protecting intellectual property are available in a new brochure, Intellectual Property: A Laboratory Asset. The brochure can be downloaded or viewed at www.lanl.gov/partnerships online.
-- Todd Hanson