NASA- Intellectual Properties and Technology Transfer

Goal: The primary goal was to technology transfer Johnson Space Flight Center -Office of Technology Transfer intellectual properties to the commercial marketplace and develop value propositions.

Results: Researched and commercialized NASA's Johnston Space Flight Center Office of Technology Transfer IRAD's, under a university contract with Texas A&M, as a Graduate Research Associate while attending the University of Houston.

Example: Incorporating a robotic arm mounted on a motorized wheel chair and digital camera on the paraplegic’s head would replicate eye and arm movement.  The comprehensive technology and market assessment proposal presented to JSFC patent attorney for further review identified extensive research of potential companies domestically. JSFC independent research and development (IRAD) intellectual property and technology transfer was utilizing robotic arm technology which bears similarity to that of the Canadian design for the NASA Space Shuttle arm with a company in the United States which developed motorized wheel chairs.

Measurements: The intellectual property was to ensure commercialization of the technology to companies that were well suited for technology transfer.  The process was similar to Louisiana State University's Louisiana Emerging Technology Center process starting with:

• Invention,
• Disclosure,
• Market Analysis,
• Intellectual Property,
• Identify Potential New Startup Business Venture,
• Patent Sought,
• License, and near term commercialization.