National Labs, at your service

Journal Article · Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · High Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6494597

Brody, H

While nuclear weapons still constitute much of their work, these labs are increasingly being enlisted to fight civilian battles. During the '70s the enemies were pollution and the energy shortage. The latest crusade: moving lab technology into the private sector to help restore the country's industrial competitiveness. The battle is being waged on several fronts. Patent policies, commonly cited as a major hindrance to commercialization of government technology, are loosening up. The labs now welcome private sponsorship for proprietary product development. A new exchange program lets companies send their technical people to work shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues at national labs, while the government picks up much of the tab. The labs are also being enlisted to apply their resources to aid struggling basic industries, like steel. And, in a curious reversal of conventional practice, small companies in joint-venture arrangements now seek the aid of the big government lab. The partnership pays the lob for use of its staff during regular, hours and hires lab scientists as consultants after hours.

• OSTI ID: 6494597
• Journal Information: High Technol.; (United States), Vol. 5:7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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