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Engineered Composite Sciences
FS-FPL-4706
Cooperation at the Forest Products Laboratory
We invite you to visit our laboratory, talk with our
staff, and become familiar with what we have to offer. We welcome the opportunity
to discuss
any proposal you are considering. Each potential project will be judged
independently on its own merit. Because we are a publicly funded government
research institution, all suitable projects must relate to the missions
of the USDA Forest Products Laboratory.
Technology can be developed at the Forest Products Laboratory on a proprietary
basis, under the provisions of the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986
(PL 99-502). Federal laboratories are permitted to (1) enter into cooperative
research and development agreements with industry and (2) define terms for
dealing with patents achieved during the cooperative research.
Proprietary information supplied by the cooperator can be treated confidentially.
Additionally, information developed under the agreement can be kept confidential
for an agreed-upon period of time. Cooperative research and development
agreements are of two types: (1) those with other organizations, public
and private foundations, nonprofit organizations or other persons and (2)
those with consortia, usually for purposes of economic development in a
particular region, state, or locality.
Under these existing technology transfer authorities, we can provide for
a variety of arrangements:
- Accept, retain, and use funds, services, and property from cooperators
and use cooperators' personnel.
- Provide personnel, services, and property (but not funds) to cooperators.
- Grant, waive, or agree to grant in advance patent licenses or options.
- Permit employees to participate in efforts to commercialize inventions
they have made.
The groundwork is in place for maintaining long-term competitiveness
and success of wood-based composites through emphasis on product quality
and uniformity, new product development, and product differentiation through
proprietary use of emerging technologies. This strategy, combined with
the vast renewable forest resources available in the United States, will
help to insure the long-term prosperity of the wood industry.
The Forest Products Laboratory can help provide basic and applied information
on wood and wood-based composites. Industry can then develop new products,
based on that information. New product development is a key ingredient
for competitiveness. Entire markets have been threatened by developments
in competing industries. Good examples of these are the inroads that concrete,
metal, masonry, and plastic-clad products have made in both residential
and nonresidential construction markets. A continued awareness of new
product opportunities is essential to the long-term growth and overall
health of the wood industry. By working together, both the Forest Products Laboratory and cooperators
will benefit in several ways:
- Access to expertise-Cooperators can consult with our scientific
and technical staff and draw on their experience in both basic and
applied research. Additional assistance is available through our
long-standing relationship with a number of universities.
- Efficiency of combined resources-Cooperative research generates
synergism and cost effectiveness.
- Opportunity to explore new areas-Sharing staff, equipment,
and costs can put advanced-concept projects within the
realm of possibility.
- New perspectives-- Cooperators provide a new perspective
on current research problems and Forest Service operations.
Interaction with cooperators sharpens our focus on current problems faced
by
wood users and on areas where research is needed.
- Ability to implement new technologies--Applying results
is the goal of our research. Working with industry, government,
and university groups allows us to share our knowledge
with those who may benefit from it the most. Joint studies allow us to
contribute
to the development of new technologies that can improve
the competitive position of the forest products industry in the United
States.
For further information on cooperative research
and development possibilities related to composite technologies please
contact:
Jerrold Winandy, Project
Leader
USDA, Forest Service
Forest Products Laboratory
1 Gifford Pinchot Drive
Madison, WI 53705-2398
tel: 608-231-9316
fax: 608-231-9582
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