A commitment to knowledge and technology transfer is in evidence across the entire UCAR and NCAR organization, from informational reports and scientific publications, to the publication of numerical model codes on the World Wide Web, to the distribution of technical instruments through licensing arrangements with industry, to the application of know-how and techniques to problems of industry, government, and the educational community.  

Basic research and science education are critical foundations for the nation's economic competitiveness. UCAR participates in this arena by transferring research results and knowledge into practical applications. 

Successful transfer has occurred through NCAR's Research Applications Laboratory , whose research and development have led to decisions by the Federal Aviation Administration to instrument airports across the country with downburst detection-and-warning systems. The UCAR Foundation and the Office of General Counsel are systematically examining all UCAR programs for other opportunities. 

Technology transfer activities are being developed in ways that will strengthen the basic science and education programs in the universities and NCAR, without interfering with the scientific objectivity of UCAR or the free exchange of ideas, scientific results, data, models, and technologies through the community.

The UCAR Foundation was established in 1986 to provide a mechanism for the commercialization and licensing of UCAR technology.  

Mission

The mission of the UCAR Foundation is to accelerate science in the service of society by commercializing UCAR knowledge and technology, thereby amplifying the benefits of publicly supported science and creating an independent stream of revenue for UCAR.

Strategic Goals

To accomplish its mission, the UCAR Foundation has set four strategic goals:

Goal 1 

Establish new dimensions in the range of UCAR benefits to society by stimulating economically valuable activity through commercial applications of scientific and technical innovations.

Goal 2 

Establish a new and dependable stream of revenue to support UCAR's scientific and technical programs.

Goal 3 

Establish new dimensions in the spectrum of intellectual and financial rewards enjoyed by UCAR scientists and engineers.

Goal 4 

Establish the UCAR Foundation as one of the nation's preeminent public service entrepreneurs engaged in the commercial exploitation of scientific and technical innovation. 

Strategies

The strategic goals of the UCAR Foundation are ambitious and challenging. They will be achieved only if the Foundation successfully executes well-conceived and effective strategies for identifying, developing and marketing UCAR technology. To do so, the Foundation must create mechanisms for working across a wide span of activities in the scientific and business worlds. Its main strategies are:

• Focus on knowledge and technology in which UCAR has unique capabilities and for which the demand is strong and growing.

• Utilize to maximum advantage the differences between opportunities for long-term income from licensing and for exploiting strategic business opportunities with an equity interest in new or independent ventures.

• Seek broad patent protection for UCAR technology and concepts in order to maximize long-term returns.

• Stratify and clarify efforts by pursuing strategic business opportunities with for-profit subsidiaries.

• Further develop the capability to create and implement an effective marketing strategy for each intellectual property, taking particular advantage of the knowledge of the UCAR professional staff.

• Earn and maintain the confidence of UCAR scientist and engineers through prompt and equitable action that always respects their professional motivations.

Are you an employee?

Click HERE to read about internal policies regarding UCAR Technology Transfer.