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Approaches to Enhance ONR Technology 

 Transfer in Ocean Science and Technology 



To achieve satisfactory levels of technology transfer, four approaches should 

 be considered: (1) contact, two-way communication, and interactive participa- 

 tion between the developer and the potential user of the technology; (2) a new 

 organizational mechanism for technology transfer; (3) incentives for implement- 

 ing technology transfer, in both the developer community and the user conmiu- 

 nity; and (4) metrics for evaluating the success of the effort. Discussion of these 

 options, while not meant to be exhaustive, is included to provide suggestions for 

 enhancing technology transfer efforts at ONR. 



CONTACT, COMMUNICATION, AND PARTICIPATION 

 WITH THE USER COMMUNITY 



ONR has historically relied on informal procedures to transfer technology to 

 academic and commercial markets. This has normally been accomplished by 

 participation of ONR-supported scientists in professional meetings and forums. 

 Given the diffuse nature of the ocean science and engineering conmiunity, this 

 process, although effective at a small scale, is not necessarily efficient. ONR 

 could considerably strengthen this vehicle for technology transfer by sponsoring 

 special sessions on alternative uses of technology at future professional meetings. 

 ONR might also sponsor special forums where technology transfer opportunities 

 are identified and described in detail. These forums could be held in conjunction 

 with ocean technology meetings (e.g.. Offshore Technology Conference, meet- 

 ings sponsored by the Marine Technology Society and/or Institute of Electrical 



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