US senator Martin Heinrich is seeking to create a “front door” to technologies developed at US research institutions through the creation of microlabs.
The idea forms the basis of his proposed bill, the Microlab Technology Commercialisation Act of 2014. If successful, the bill would see the creation of off-campus microlabs as a way of providing access to university equipment, facilities, and personnel to corporations, startups, governments, and local communities which circumnavigates current barriers to effective tech transfer.
The suggestion comes after the publication of a report by Brookings Institution, which stated: “Microlabs would help overcome both the problem that most labs are located outside of major metropolitan areas, and the fact that most lab research occurs ‘behind the fence’ of main campuses. These microlabs could take the form of additional joint research institutes or new facilities that allow access to lab expertise for untapped regional economic clusters.”
In support of the bill, Heinrich said: “If we are going to realise the true potential of technology transfer, our national labs must be able to collaborate effectively with business, entrepreneurs, investors and research universities. Obviously, we can’t tear down the lab fences and security precautions that have historically limited these interactions, but we can and should create spaces in the communities where our labs reside that facilitate collaboration and commercialisation. My legislation will help to build a ‘front door,’ literally and figuratively, where the community can interact directly with the scientists and engineers who are our laboratory’s greatest assets. This will eliminate many of the barriers that have historically limited commercial technology transfer and incentivise the private sector jobs that result from successful commercialisation projects.”
