The Energy Department is encouraging industry partners to perform science and research work at national laboratories as part of efforts to address the country’s energy and security demands.The department intends for the laboratories to engage in technology transfers through different agreements that aim to commercialize and apply new technologies to the energy industry, the department said Monday.
Under Cooperative Research and Development Agreements, DOE works to help industry partners share their technical capabilities and resources, access intellectual property and market federally-developed technologies.
Work for Others agreements have businesses pay for facilities, equipment, and personnel for their works at a national laboratory and retain intellectual property and data rights to their research.
Industries conducting either proprietary or non-proprietary studies gain access to certain facilities and equipment that are available only at a laboratory through User Agreements for Designated User Facilities agreements.
DOE also works to provide startup businesses, entrepreneurs and small companies access to patents through initiatives such as the “America’s Next Top Energy Innovator Challenge,†Energy Innovation Portal and other technology transfer programs.
