For Release: August 7, 1995

Bob Lessels/June Malone
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, AL 35812
(205) 544-0034

RELEASE NO. 95-47N

NORTH CAROLINA, NASA SIGN AGREEMENT TO SHARE TECHNOLOGIES

A memorandum of understanding between the state of North Carolina and NASA was signed at 2 p.m. today at the state capitol building by North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Director Porter Bridwell. The memorandum of understanding facilitates the transfer of Federal technologies to North Carolina businesses, educational institutions and individuals.

Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, the Marshall Center in Huntsville, Ala., will work with the Industrial Extension Service at North Carolina State University to promote the transfer of aerospace technologies and innovations developed by the NASA/contractor team to schools, businesses and individuals whom the technology may benefit. Through the accord, the research facilities of the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., and Stennis Space Center, Miss., are also available. Sammy A. Nabors, a NASA engineer and representative of Marshall's Technology Transfer Office, will be the principal contact for NASA technical assistance in North Carolina.

With the increasing trend toward use of advanced technologies by industry, NASA's

technological assets could significantly benefit North Carolina business and industry, said Governor Hunt. Combining NASA know-how with North Carolina's superior industrial extension capabilities will help the state's businesses and industries be more competitive and improve the economy of the state.

"This is the kind of partnership that symbolizes the new way we're doing things at NASA to benefit the American people," said Goldin. "Through the Marshall Space Flight Center, North Carolina firms will have direct access to vast treasure house of technological expertise available within the 752-member Federal Laboratory Consortium. It's a wonderful opportunity for NASA to share its technology and an even better opportunity for business and industry to create products and jobs that can help strengthen North Carolina's economy well into the next century."

A survey conducted earlier this year showed the economic benefit of NASA technology transfer to the state to be more than $12 million between January 1993 and December 1994. This is based on NASA technology transfer having saved or created more than 200 jobs and the creation of 10 new products.

Of the firms with which NASA has worked, more than two-thirds said the assistance helped resolve the problem for which they sought NASA assistance and advice. All said they would seek NASA assistance again to resolve future problems.

Under the terms of the partnership, NASA -- through the Marshall Space Flight Center -- will sponsor workshops and symposia throughout North Carolina, now the seventh state with which the Marshall Center has established a technology transfer accord. Representatives of the space agency will visit businesses and industries to discuss problems and, when possible, recommend solutions. To solve problems, NASA engineers and scientists may recommend appropriate available technologies or they may help to design solutions specific to the problem. Additionally, there are potential opportunities for more in-depth joint technology development efforts through separate agreements between NASA and individual firms.

While the transfer of technologies has included many major industries, universities and private individuals, studies show that those benefiting most have been small businesses with $1 million to $5 million in annual sales, 50 or fewer employees, and which have been in business 10 years or less -- essentially firms which have not yet reached the level of having their own research and development branches, but are looking to improve or expand their product line.

"The memoranda of understanding between Marshall and states in the Southeastern United States are bridges over which flow Federal technologies to reach those who have paid for their development -- the taxpayer," said Bridwell. "America is a leading player in the global marketplace. Developing and using state-of-the-art, leading-edge technologies greatly strengthens our nation's position as a world economic leader. Our technology transfer efforts have benefited businesses, schools and individuals in 37 states."

North Carolina educators may benefit through various NASA programs aimed at helping them to stay informed of the latest developments in science, engineering and mathematics. NASA's Spacelink system provides educators in all fields with a means of accessing current information, lesson plans, and instructional materials.

Technical assistance to individuals is provided on a case-by-case basis.

For information on the NASA Technology Transfer Program, contact Tom Stephenson at the Industrial Extension Service at North Carolina State University (919-515-3891) or call the Marshall Center Technology Transfer Office at 1-800-USA-NASA