Objectives of Technology Transfer

What are the commercial benefits of technology transfer?

Technology transfer means that a technology developed for one sector is then used in a totally different area or by a different company or in a different country or for a different objective.

For instance, technologies originally used for tracking satellites, or for coating the bearings in a rocket launcher, can be transferred to commerce and used to improve the way car wheels work, or to increase the productivity of printing presses or the safety of medical equipment.

The European Space Agency, ESA, as one example, has had a program of technology transfer for more than 10 years. They have aimed at providing the commercial and industrial sectors with access to developments in the world of space technology.

To remain focused on ESA, as just one example a of national entity engaged in both major research and strong technology transfer, the spin-offs from the ESA research are targeted at improving daily life and protecting the environment.

(For a greater list of successful technology transfers, follow the 'Success' link on the navigation bar above)

Timber Processing and Space Technology

As a simple example, there can even be a connection between timber processing and space technology. Many opportunities exist to revitalize both the timber processing and manufacturing industry, to make them more efficient and more economical. At the same time these oppurtunities may make forestry and timber processing more sustainable, energy efficient and environmentally acceptable.

New methods and innovation brings added value to wood products, with a marriage between traditional forest products with space age materials and technologies. Carbon fibres developed for space use could be added to wood to make it lighter, stronger and fireproof.

Space technology, via laser applications, are also used for cutting pollution outputs from timber processing factories.

The model, or example here, can be applied to other natural raw materials. Unusual as the connection may seem between forestry and space technology, it is a sound example of technology in one sector being used in a totally different area.

Benefits of Technology Transfer

Technology transfer is an opportunity to:-

• Accelerate industrial progress
• Increase the general turnover and growth of a company
• To expand business, or to create new business
• Technology transfer enhances competitiveness
• Technology transfer actually saves millions of Euros in R&D / RTD
• to SMEs, because the SMEs only pay for the “finished product”.

Technology transfer can save company money in relation to maintenance and operational costs, but the greatest savings relate to the time saved in developing a product or process. From the time of the initial R&D it can a period of 8-12 years before a product enters the market. Technology transfer has the benefit that 90% of the development work has already been completed, so that when an SME acquires new technology, it is a much shorter period before market entry.

Product Development Cycle

Many very clever ideas are developed by many inventors, but the vast majority of those new inventions or products never reach the marketplace because of the complex steps between the Invention and entry to the market.

The diagram to the right shows those steps (for larger institutions), the cycle of product development, which is why the passage of 8-12 years is required.

An SME can acquire technology when the development cycle is more than three-quarters complete. In other words, when all of the development, testing, and licensing has been completed by the large company or a research institute then the SME can acquire the technology, and start earning money from the technology in a much shorter time.

Like many other major institutions in the world, the European Union has recognised the numerous advantages to both the large corporations and the SMEs, regarding technology transfer, which has led to the expansion of the IRC Network.

The IRC Network has been formed to act as a both a database and facilitator of technology transfer, without charging large fees for brokering such transactions.