Laboratory scientists received a 2006 Federal Laboratory Consortium Award and two of the FLC’s 2006 Mid-Continent Technology Transfer Awards, given for outstanding achievement in the technology transfer arena.
Harry Martz and Michael Hamada, both of Statistical Sciences (CCS-6), received the national FLC Award for PowerFactoRE. Principal investigators and technologies for the FLC’s Mid-Continent awards include Torsten Staab of Applied Engineering and Technology (AET-5) for Hands Off Sampler Gun, and David Reagor of the Superconductivity Technology Center (MPA-STC) for Underground Radio.
“The winners are all exceptional examples of the talent, the quality of research, and diversification at our Mid-Continent laboratories, said FLC Regional Coordinator Patrick Rodriguez. “Although member laboratories represent practically every agency, the labs all have something in common – they are driven to find solutions that benefit everyone in every facet of life.”
National award winning technology PowerFactoRE, created in conjunction with Procter & Gamble, is a toolkit of proven reliability engineering methods, statistical and analytical tools, simulation software, customized procedures, and training to help manufacturing line managers understand reliability losses, and prevent problems before they occur. Using PowerFactoRE, P&G has transformed manufacturing efficiencies on its assembly lines producing consumer products ranging from diapers to detergents, and has reduced operating failures in more than 200 plants worldwide. Since implementing the system globally, P&G has increased plant productivity up to 44 percent; cut controllable costs by as much as 33 percent; improved equipment reliability between 30 percent and 40 percent; reduced line changeover time from hours to minutes; and achieved 60 percent to 70 percent faster new-product start-ups.
The Hands Off Sampler Gun, developed in response to growing terrorist threats, won a Mid-Continent Technology Transfer Award for Outstanding Technology Development. The portable, rugged, and inexpensive device enables first responders to rapidly collect samples by integrating different technologies such as GPS, pocket PC, sensors, etc. A universal, sample-media adaptor eliminates the possibility of contamination from a human hand while manual record keeping also is eliminated. The Hands-Off Sampler Gun has a large market in forensic biology and crime scene investigation and may even be used for testing athletes for performance-enhancing drugs.
Underground Radio™, also a Mid-Continent winner in the Outstanding Technology Development category, provides through-the-earth communication (two-way voice and text) for first responders, rescue and security teams, underground miners, and the public in critical emergency situations around the world. It uses very low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic radiation and digital audio compression technology to carry voice and text data. The VLF signals also can transmit tracking and location data for radio users in the case that they are unable to respond. Underground Radio can be used to alert individuals of conditions during blasts, fires or collapses, or to locate trapped miners. The technology provides convenient, portable underground communication and a data link to robotic machines.
The Federal Laboratory Consortium is a nationwide network of federal laboratories that strives to link laboratory-developed technologies and expertise with the private sector. More than 700 major federal laboratories and centers and their parent departments and agencies are FLC members. The Mid-Continent region of the FLC includes fourteen states and more than 100 laboratories.
For more information, go to www.federallabs.org online.
