National labs form alliance to promote tech transfer

By Lynn Yarris, LCYarris@lbl.gov

March 20, 1993

An alliance has been formed between LBL and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Called the National Technology Initiative Partnership (NTIP), this alliance has been established to conduct joint scientific research that will increase the competitiveness of industries in the state of California.

Under the terms of the NTIP, the participating laboratories agree to unite their world-class capabilities and facilities in support of a nationwide interagency effort aimed at stimulating the transfer of federally-funded technology from the public sector to American industry. Initially NTIP's researchers will team with California companies, but eventually they will be available to industry throughout the United States.

Areas of research that the alliance plans to explore will include scientifically tailored semiconductor and superconductor materials; microelectronics and micromechanics; nanostructures and nanofabrication; x-ray lithography; advanced batteries; and energy-efficient building systems. NTIP also calls for the exploration of an accelerated design and production cycle; developing a more highly skilled and productive workforce; and developing more environmentally sensitive manufacturing processes.

The NTIP was formally announced Friday, May 29, at the National Technology Initiative Conference in Pasadena by Secretary of Energy James D. Watkins and NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin.