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Five Laboratory inventions receive technology maturation funds

The first five awardees in the program are:

Tony Burrell of the Chemistry ( C ) Division, for the development of electrochromic auto-darkening car mirrors.

Jacek Dziewinski of the Risk Reduction and Environmental Stewardship (RRES) Division, for the removal of nitrate pollutants from water.

George Havrilla and Ben Warner of C Division, for the development of micro x-ray fluorescence-based instruments for drug discovery.

Lakshman Prasad and Alexei Skourikhine of the Nonproliferation and International Security (NIS) Division, for the development of image recognition software for advanced vehicle navigation systems.

Louis Rosocha of the Physics (P) Division, for the development of plasma processing of pollutants in exhaust streams.

The Technology Maturation Fund supports technologies perceived to have high, but unproven, commercial potential. The intent is to move promising technologies to proof-of-concept or prototype stage so companies will license them, or investors will fund a startup to commercialize them. Funds come from a combination of licensing/royalty revenues and monies earmarked for this purpose under Appendix M of the Laboratory's prime contract.

Laboratory researchers submit competitive proposals on a monthly basis to receive awards in the range of $10,000 to $50,000 to achieve specific milestones oriented toward commercialization of their technology. Although modest in size, the awards are expected to have a relatively large impact on the Laboratory's commercialization efforts, according to Mike Connolly of the Industrial Business Development (IBD) Division.

"We target inventions in which a small investment is expected to create significant returns in terms of licensing revenue and regional/national economic impact," said Connolly. "The program [is] similarly to a venture capital fund, except we invest in our own technologies rather than startup companies. This is a relatively unique concept -- similar programs exist at only a handful of other universities and research institutions nationwide."

The fund accepted its first contingent of proposals in December. All 15 proposals were reviewed and applicants were provided detailed feedback. Seven were selected for interviews with the selection panel and five were selected for funding. Proposals for new projects will continue to be accepted on a monthly basis, said Connolly.

The New Mexico business community is applauding the program. "[Los Alamos'] Technology Maturation Fund is an extremely innovative approach to matching the vast technology assets within New Mexico to real marketplace needs," said Randy Burge, director of the Office of Science and Technology in the state Economic Development Department. "This could provide a critical missing element in facilitating technology startups in this state. Government sponsors of research at the Laboratory usually do not provide funding for technology maturation and the resulting technologies have often been too early stage to attract venture investors."

The Technology Maturation Fund is one of many innovative programs developed by the Laboratory to support its goals of technology commercialization and regional economic development. The Industrial Business Development (IBD) Division serves as the conduit for Laboratory collaborations with private industry. In this capacity, IBD promotes the commercialization of Laboratory technologies for the benefit of the nation and its citizens. Specific functions within IBD include technology licensing, cooperative research and development agreements and special assistance for Laboratory employees interested in starting a business based on their Lab inventions.

The new program differs from the Technology Commercialization and Maturation Program, which provided regional high-tech, for-profit companies with an opportunity to vie for subcontracts that help recipients further the development and commercialization of their companies' best technologies.

For more information about IBD services, including details on the Technology Maturation Fund, go to the IBD Web site at http://www.lanl.gov/partnerships online.

-- Todd Hanson

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