SSTI Digest

The Technology Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce is accepting nominations for the National Medal of Technology program. The Medal, established by Congress in 1980 as part of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act, is presented annually by the President as the highest honor for technological achievement. While its primary purpose is to recognize the contributions people have made to strengthening America's economy and improving the standard of living, the Medal highlights the creation of new or significantly improved products, processes or services. Nominations for the 2002 Medal are being accepted in such areas as product and process innovation, technology transfer, advanced manufacturing technology, technology management, human resources development and environmental technology. All nominations should meet the following criteria:

58 Inventions Also Offered by Health, Navy In today's online edition of the Federal Register, the Technology Administration of the Department of Commerce issued the final rule for changes regarding licensing government-owned inventions. SSTI has republished the new rule for our readers at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/062901t2.htm

Additionally, during the past ten days, the Department of Health & Human Services and the Department of the Navy have published 20 and 38 inventions, respectively, that are available for brief or exclusive licensing. SSTI has collected the announcements on the following web page for review: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/062901t.htm

With the establishment of a $1 million trust fund to serve as seed money, the new Oklahoma Institute of Technology intends to position the state as a national leader in information technology, engineering, and biotechnology. Governor Frank Keating signed Senate Bill 694 into law June 8, creating the public-private collaboration. Tulsa World news reports indicate supporters of the institute anticipate raising a $100 million endowment for the project and securing additional state support.

Several objectives are laid out in the legislation for the institute to pursue, including: 

Editor’s Note: Results of the 2000 Census indicate that the U.S. population is aging. The median age, at 35.3 years, is the highest ever, and those 62 years and older total almost 10 percent more than they did in 1990. In every state except West Virginia, the census shows an increase of at least 20 percent in the 35 to 54 age group. Twenty-seven states saw a more than 30 percent increase in that age cohort.  This aging of the populace is affecting some areas more than others. For example, greater Cleveland–an area comprised of seven counties–saw 45- to 54-year-olds increase by about 40 percent between 1990 and 2000 while 25- to 34-year-olds decreased by 19 percent. Pennsylvania, second only to Florida in its population of senior citizens, also grew older during the last decade. The state’s median age increased by three years, and the number of children, age 4 and younger, dropped by almost 9 percent. 

SSTI has prepared a 50-state table presenting the 1990 and 2000 figures and percent change for selected age cohorts: 25-34, 35-54, and 55 & over. The table can be accessed on-line at: http://www.ssti.org/Digest/Tables/061501t2.htm

Indiana  The Indiana legislature approved a $50 million appropriation over the next biennium for Indiana's 21st Century Research and Technology Fund. The program supports the development and commercialization of advanced technology. Created in 1999 (see related 9/10/99 Digest story), the fund received $50 million in the 2000-2001 biennium.  Maryland 

Cliff Numark is leaving his position as president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance to join a Los Angeles-based private consulting practice.  Governor Don Siegelman has named Norm Davis as the director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Mr. Davis had been serving as the State Banking Superintendent. Jim Hayes, director of the Alabama Development Office, has announced his resignation.  Jim Pickens will be the permanent director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. Mr. Pickens has served as interim director since February 2.  Return to the top of this page 

Cliff Numark is leaving his position as president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Technology Alliance to join a Los Angeles-based private consulting practice.

Governor Don Siegelman has named Norm Davis as the director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Mr. Davis had been serving as the State Banking Superintendent. Jim Hayes, director of the Alabama Development Office, has announced his resignation.

Jim Pickens will be the permanent director of the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. Mr. Pickens has served as interim director since February 2.

More than $800 million for science, engineering, research, and commercialization activities Each year a few state legislatures are more active than others on issues affecting efforts to grow tech-based economies. With $385 million for research infrastructure, $45 million committed to commercialization and seed financing, nearly $150 million for university and life science research, more than $300 million for college scholarships, authorization to create university commercialization centers, a series of tax credits, and $20 million for a biotech park, the recently concluded 77th legislative session in Texas was one of the busiest and most aggressive proponents nationally for technology-based economic development (TBED).

Collaborative partnerships between universities and industry, a long-standing element of many states’ tech-based economic development strategies, are not without significant issues that threaten to hamper their effectiveness and limit the promises of research, according to Working Together, Creating Knowledge: The University-Industry Research Collaboration Initiative. In addition to identifying the issues, the paper, based on a two-year study by the Business-Higher Education Forum, also presents different courses of action to overcome the challenges. The report examines issues such as intellectual property, confidentiality, indirect costs, conflicts of interest, and background rights. Ownership of intellectual property, particularly when federal funding is involved, was cited as the most problematic area. The report outlines recommendations and best practices for developing and maintaining successful partnerships, including: