For NASA Ames Research Center, partnerships were developed to advance algal technologies and research.  Algae have many potential uses for NASA, including a potential feedstock for biofuels and bioplastics, wastewater treatment, and oxygen generation with sequestration of carbon dioxide.   One partnership was executed with an industry partner to investigate a novel photobioreactor technology for algal growth.  Another partnership was developed to advance an algal monitoring technology for process control; this relationship has been critical to testing the technology in working algal ponds to assess performance and scale-up hurdles that need to be addressed.  The technology was evaluated against current state-of-the-art technology and industry partners were solicited to determine the potential value of this technology. 

Oil/Water Separator

A market assessment was prepared to determine if a new oil/water separation technology could be commercialized.   The technology, a combination of gravity coalescing technology and biological degradation, was protected with a provisional patent while the market assessment was conducted.  The technology was two to three times more effective than conventional oil/water separators and was especially effective at removing coalesced droplets of oil.  As such, the technology provided its strongest value proposition to facilities with soapy wastewater streams containing oils and greases.  Numerous industrial sectors were identified as potential customers, including government and heavy manufacturing facilities.  The product required compliance-driven positioning in a regulated market to be successful.  Proposed pricing, investment requirements, and the return on investment were estimated as part of the market assessment to help the inventors evaluate if their technology was worthy of investment.     

Heavy-Duty Truck Control Technologies

The feasibility of adopting emission control technologies for heavy-duty trucks working in and around a California port was assessed.  Vehicle retrofits, both conventional devices and state-of-the-art technologies, as well as changing truck movements within neighboring cities were evaluated.  After performing an extensive street survey to determine actual truck behaviors, each candidate control technology was assessed for its ability to reduce the emissions impact on the neighboring Port community and the investment required.   After determining each technology's cost-effectiveness, recommendations were made to the Port and to the community to implement a combination of control techniques, including replacement of older diesel trucks with newer, cleaner models, measures to reduce truck idling, and traffic barriers to change truck movement through neighborhood streets. 

Organic Cleaner

The effectiveness of a new organic cleaner was evaluated.  This technology was the first of its kind and was demonstrated under a DOD contract.  The effort identified specific advantages this organic cleaner had versus its competition, including reduced wastewater generation and toxicity to its users.    These advantages were monetized, creating a powerful value proposition for the firm.   While its effectiveness to clean all types of soil was not as effective as conventional inorganic cleaners, the cleaner could be targeted effectively for applications not involving heavy soiling.  After completion of the demonstration, sales of the organic cleaner skyrocketed.  Today, the organic cleaner is sold in most hardware stores for applications not involving heavy soiling.