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NASA's Regional Technology Transfer Centers
What are the U.S. RTTC’s? NASA-sponsored Regional Technology Transfer Centers (RTTCs) expedite technology transfer and spur economic development. The program divides the nation into six regions and relies on an effective network within each region to provide direct and timely services to companies and other institutions nationwide. RTTC staff members have extensive business and industry experience. They help companies locate, access, acquire and use technologies and expertise within federal laboratories, state programs and private industry. RTTC Affiliates in all 50 states strengthen the network’s understanding of local and regional needs. What are the benefits to you?
What do the U.S. RTTCs do? We are technology brokers. What are some typical RTTC projects? A start-up company dealing with human factors engineering signed an exclusive license with NASA for software that analyzes ergonomic data. An RTTC helped the company locate the Posture Video Analysis Tool software, which was developed to collect posture data on astronauts during space flight, and assisted in the licensing process. The software performs ergonomic analyses of people in the workplace by enhancing videotape of their working posture Firefighters can avoid the danger of invisible hydrogen and alcohol flames with technology developed by NASA and a small manufacturer. An RTTC helped the manufacturer secure an exclusive license and a NASA Space Act Agreement for joint commercial development of FIRESCAPETM , a near infrared imager that detects invisible flames, visually obscured hydrocarbon flames and other hot spots. Estimates for the compact, lightweight and rugged imager show that it will cost much less than similar products when it reaches the firehouse. Through its reliance on RTTC expertise, a university spinoff company signed an exclusive license for commercialization of a computer hardware and software records and reference system. Developed with NASA funds, the system will help doctors keep paperless records, prevent dangerous drug interactions and confirm diagnoses'. The company signed the license with a computer consulting firm only after an RTTC helped identify and evaluate potential partners. Under the agreement, the firm paid $4 million for the right to market the system to hospitals and health-care institutions worldwide. A small company is expanding its business thanks to NASA technology and new funding opportunities, both identified by an RTTC. The RTTC helped the company negotiate an exclusive license with NASA to use an ion exchange polymer for water purification applications. Several funding opportunities and manufacturing partners, introduced to the company by the RTTC, will help the company bring several new products to market within a year. What services do the U.S. RTTCs provide?
The RTTC network offers comprehensive, customized help to companies in their region. Each center matches companies’ technology-related needs to solutions drawn from a nationwide pool of resources. These include: Many of our services are provided free of charge, while others are provided at a reasonable cost based on services delivered.
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