Applause for the Innovators

Editor's Note

October / November 2011 By: Bob Cochnar Volume 9 Number 5

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We here at Innovation are keenly interested in the commercialization of technologies that start out in government laboratories, probably intended for other purposes. Over the years, hundreds of them—most with an innovative twist here and there—have succeeded in the marketplace in the hands of private companies. That’s what technology transfer is all about.

At the Department of Energy, tech transfer had been given little more than a lick and a promise over the years varying by degree from lab to lab, which might strike some as surprising given the powerful technologies emerging from the labs. A year or so ago, DOE named its first, full-time tech transfer coordinator and it’s clear that Karina Edmonds is on the job. You’ll be interested in the one-on-one interview conducted by Tom Michael, our Washington bureau chief, which begins on page 10.

While we report regularly on innovative technologies, we sometimes neglect the singular element that makes these technologies possible in the first place: the folks who actually develop them. That’s why we’ve devoted much of this issue to profiles of some of these important innovators whose dedication to the pursuit of answers helps to make the world a better place. All too often we pay less than careful attention to that cadre of government scientists, engineers and researchers who are true innovators. But this time around they are rightfully celebrated. The package of profiles begins on page 15.

With this issue, we're introducing a new, regular feature we've called “Ready for Prime Time.” The subtitle explains: “Memo to entrepreneurs and investors: The national energy laboratories have developed—and are developing—interesting and potentially important new technologies ripe for commercialization. Are you ready to take one to the next level?” The descriptions are short but meaty and, we think, written in a way that should interest a non-scientist If you’re an entrepreneur or an investor, you need only call the person listed in the item. The feature begins on page 44.
Seven energy labs participated. We believe there will be more in subsequent issues, especially if one or more of these technologies find their way into the marketplace.

In October of 2003, we published our first issue (although Innovation was then known as TechComm). We began with a circulation hovering around zero. But we must have done something right because the next issue will be our 50th and our circulation is now in excess of 17,000 and climbing. Theme for No. 50, not coincidentally, is “What’s Next?”—potential game changers, disruptive technologies and breakthroughs. We hope you’ll find it to be a good read.