April 23, 2004
Interschool Lab, 7th Floor Schapiro CEPSR

Dr. Peter S. Fiske (CEO RAPT Industries, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) presented a short course on commercializing new technology. Taking a technology from the lab bench to full commercialization is one of the most exciting and daunting challenges that a scientist or engineer will ever face. However the largest obstacles to successful technology commercialization are often not technical in nature, but relate to the market opportunity, timing, personal connections and luck - issues that are not part of the standard science curriculum! In this lecture Dr. Fiske discussed some of the basic issues that scientists and engineers need to consider as they think about technology commercialization. While multiple pathways can lead to eventual success, each one has its associated risks and rewards - and involves personal as well as professional decisions. This short course attempted to provide a better understanding of the realistic issues involved with technology commercialization.