Module 1: Overview of Technology Transfer (2002)

Technology transfer is a process for conceiving and implementing a new application for an existing technology. It is typically a complex process involving a wide range of participants in multiple inter-dependent activities. This module describes the major element of this process as one unified process, involving two initiating forces (supply push or demand pull), three critical events (idea, prototype, product), four activities, and five stakeholder groups.

Module 2: Supply Push Technology Transfer (2002)

Supply Push technology transfer begins with an idea for a new product, typically demonstrated as feasible in the form of a prototype. This module describes a process for seeking out innovative new products or technologies, developed by inventors or research organizations. It then explains how to verify the marketplace's need for this new product or technology through a series of technical, market and consumer evaluations. Finally, it described how to act as an intermediary between inventors, researchers and manufacturers.

Module 3: Demand Pull Technology Transfer (2002)

Demand Pull technology transfer begins by identifying a functional limitation in an existing product resulting from a limitation in a technological capability, identifying technology solutions, and brokering the transfer of those solutions to the market. This module explains how to identify such needs and validate the market's receptivity to a solution. It then explains how to disseminate the technology requirements to developers, and how to screen potential solutions. Finally, it described how to broker the transfer from technology developers to product manufacturers.

Module 4: Primary Market Research (2002)

Primary market data is gathered directly from the product customer, to identify business opportunities for existing technologies in a new market [supply push] and unmet market needs that require the discovery of technology solutions to address these needs [demand pull]. Methods used to gather primary market data include interviews, surveys, focus groups, observational methods and product testing. Product benchmarking, planning and differentiation all require establishing and ranking customer requirements. Primary market research also validates and complements design choices derived from ergonomic and universal design considerations.

Module 5: Secondary Market Research (2002)

Secondary market date is gathered from sources such as articles from industry or professional journals as well as from the newspaper. It also consists of database information from outside sources, such as mailing lists to companies for a particular industry, conference papers and presentations, reference books, catalogs, magazines and the Internet. Secondary research permits a breadth and depth of analysis not feasible through primary research. This module explains the process and identifies leading sources of information relevant to technology transfer in the assistive technology industry.

Module 6: Intellectual Property (2007)

Intellectual Property issues are central to technology transfer, yet are often not well understood. Clarifying ownership rights at the beginning of a transfer expedites later negotiations, and avoids inadvertently creating barriers in the process. This presentation provides an introduction to the patenting process, and describes other forms of intellectual property such as trademarks, trade secrets and copyrights. Qualified legal counsel should be consulted early in the process.

Module 7: Commercialization Partnerships (2002)

This module described partnerships that will aid in the commercialization of a new technology or invention. These include licensing a technology to a manufacturer, working with a Federal Laboratory through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), or receiving Federal funding through the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. It also explains the roles of private investment groups, although their roles are limited in smaller markets with lower or slower potential returns.

Module 8: Project Tracking and Evaluation (2002)

This module presents a rationale and method for measuring or tracking the performance of projects and programs, and discusses it in the context of program evaluation. The audience is professionals involved in planning, managing or evaluating roles in their organizations, or engaged in research and development activities. This includes technology and product developers, academic researchers and government resource providers.

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