Many technologies developed at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
Pasadena, Calif., have skyrocketed on Earth due to strategic business alliances.

Find out how on Friday, Oct. 4, during the grand opening of JPL’s
Commercialization Center. The center will serve as a one-stop shop for U.S.
companies that would like to work with JPL’s Commercial Technology
Program to develop and transfer technologies for public use.

“It will literally be the front door to companies who wish to work with
us but who don’t know quite where to go,” said Merle McKenzie, manager of
the Commercial Technology Program at JPL. “The Commercialization Center
will provide access to information on JPL’s unique capabilities and
technologies, expertise, research and development and services geared toward
business.”

On average, JPL reports nearly 300 innovations per year and roughly 150
new business partnerships.

“JPL is one of the special institutions that make this region different,” said
Jack Kyser, senior vice president and chief economist of the Los Angeles
Economic Development Corporation. “JPL is on the cutting edge of space
exploration and expands our overall knowledge of technology that makes all our
lives better.”

General Eugene Tattini, JPL deputy director, will give the keynote
address. Dr. Erik Antonsson, JPL chief technologist, will moderate a panel on
partnering experiences featuring representatives from companies that have
collaborated with JPL, including Boeing, PhotoBit, E-Views Safety Systems
and Dubbs & Severino. A networking reception will allow participants to learn
more about the ins-and-outs of working with JPL to commercialize a
technology.

The event will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. This event is not open to the
public. Local media that wish to attend must call (818) 354-9382. Valid media
credentials are required. JPL is located at 4800 Oak Grove Dr., off the Oak Grove
Drive exit from the 210 (Foothill) Freeway.

The Commercialization Center will be the gateway to the following
programs and opportunities for businesses:

Licensing JPL technology ? The Caltech Office of Technology Transfer is
responsible for the licensing and transfer of technologies from the California
Institute of Technology and JPL. In 2000, more than 120 patents were issued to
Caltech.

Technology Affiliates ? Any U.S.-owned organization can access JPL’s
special technological expertise and specialized equipment through the Technology
Affiliates Program. This program is structured to provide technology transfer and
customized help for developing new or improved products and manufacturing
processes, where JPL does not compete with U.S. industry.

Technology Cooperation Agreement ? These agreements create dual-use
technology development arrangements with no exchange of funds. JPL and its
partner company leverage each other’s intellectual property and expertise for
NASA goals and commercial use.

Small Business Technology Transfer ? This program provides funding,
on a competitive basis, to small businesses interested in undertaking research
and technology development, on the topics of interest identified by five U.S.
Government agencies.

More information about the Commercialization Center is available at
http://techtransfer.jpl.nasa.gov/index_flash.html . For information
regarding NASA technology commercialization opportunities or to search for
a technology, visit http://technology.nasa.gov/ .

The California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, manages JPL for
NASA.