Acceleration and extension of opportunity recognition for nanotechnologies and other emerging technologies

Commercialization and transfer of technology from laboratories in academe, government, and industry has only met a fraction of its potential. Many suggest that the processes used are currently more of an art than a science. Here we provide a plausible normative model that is used for idea generation and opportunity recognition developed for and used at Sandia National Laboratories.The resultant `research value-added' process integrates technology description, the dual process model of innovation and a product introduction model.The model and process are presented as is the application of the model to technology developments from a research laboratory that are either potentially disruptive or sustaining.The generalizability of research value-added process to both disruptive and sustaining technologies is key to the success of the model and process. Consequently, it is of value in considering alternative uses for existing products, such as simulation software, or applications or research findings that are disruptive and or emerging technologies, such as nanotechnologies.