Guerrilla Technology Transfer

Abstract

While it is necessary to have a set of rational rules and mechanisms to facilitate technology transfer from the federal laboratories to the commercial sector, these are not sufficient to achieve the full potential of the technologies that have been created. A broad look at the history of technology development shows that most technology flow was not the result of a rational, planned process; rather, it was the result of the “irrational” and unplanned movement of researchers and engineers, often against the wishes of their home institutions. We will explore the conditions which facilitate this very common but somewhat unfashionable mode of transfer.