Technology Transfer

Discovering Inventions

Ideas are essential. The Technology Transfer Center in the Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships (OEIP) works to identify potentially valuable inventions that derive from research discoveries.

At the core of OEIP are our project teams that shepherd an invention from discovery to commercialization. Upon discovering an invention, a project manager will be appointed to assist in every aspect of development, advancement and marketing from disclosure to commercialization.

In the last fiscal year, invention disclosures increased by more than 60 percent from the previous year. Innovation is growing at the University along with the quality of disclosures being filed.

Developing Intellectual Property

After identifying valuable commodities, the Technology Transfer Center assists inventors in the management of all intellectual property (IP) developed at the University of Delaware. This technology transfer process has been simplified, making it more transparent and user friendly for the University community.

OEIP provides advice and counsel to UD faculty, staff and graduate students regarding the disclosure of innovations, patents, copyrights, trademarks, contracts and other research-related agreements. The Technology Transfer Center can also provide guidance to undergraduate students with the patent procurement process.

The Center is continually upgrading not only the University's IP portfolio but also the effectiveness of the technology transfer process through new high quality patents and the abandonment of those with little value.

Ultimately, OEIP strives for a simple and transparent technology transfer process that is valued, understood and utilized by faculty, staff and students who contribute to the University's reputation as a center of innovation and entrepreneurship. In turn, UD's knowledge-based assets would be a benefit to not only the University but also the state and region.

Marketing Intellectual Property

Creating Hi-Tech Businesses

Beyond protecting intellectual property, the Technology Transfer Center assists with the licensing, commercialization and growth of new enterprises and partnerships resulting from UDŐs inventions and innovations.

Many faculty, staff and students have not thought extensively about intellectual property, freedom to operate, route to market, operation capital, cash flow management and other issues, which are in the licensing and commercialization process.

The Technology Transfer Center provides guidance to inventors, as they become entrepreneurs, creating their own businesses. This is part of extracting value from what is now an IP asset and turning it into a hi-tech partnership or new business entity.