Information for Researchers
Technology Transfer Office
Researchers – Start Here
The Mines Tech Transfer Office (TTO) helps researchers identify and protect inventions with potential commercial value.
Do you think you have a discovery or invention that could result in a useful product or service? We are here to guide you along the path from your lab to the marketplace.
For inquiries about your invention or to set up a meeting, contact us or fill our our invention short form and we will reach out to you.
If your invention is more fully developed, please fill out the full Invention Disclosure Form. Once our office receives this form, we will reach out to you with the next steps.
Commercialization Pathways
Translating my Invention to Impacts
Funding Opportunities & Programs
Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)
Commercialization Pathways
Mines Technology Transfer Commercialization Pathways
Against the backdrop of the Mines Innovation District, the tech transfer commercialization pathways usher research from the bench to the market. Not every invention will follow this path, from Research & Innovation to Licensing or Startup, but this will give you an idea of the commercialization journey. For more information, contact the Mines Technology Transfer Office (TTO).
Research & Discovery: Mines supports research impact beyond publication and we are working with researchers to identify, develop, and test innovations with high potential for commercial impact and marketability.
Invention Disclosure: Researcher(s) and Mines TTO meet to discuss invention and researcher(s) submit invention disclosure documentation.
Assessment: TTO leads evaluation of the invention, competitive landscape and commercial potential. If the invention has issues with any of these, return to conduct further research to advance technology readiness.
IP Protection: If the invention has commercial potential, a protection strategy is devised, usually including patent and/or copyright. If issues occur with the protection, return to conduct further research to advance technology readiness.
Marketing: A marketing plan is developed to 1) attract commercialization partners who can license, further develop, and commercialize the technology or 2) to begin brand the technology to launch a Mines Startup.
Licensing: License agreements are negotiated for technology use and commercial development. These may begin with research licenses or options agreements to allow for technology evaluation. When key milestones are achieved, commercial lacenses are established between Mines and the company.
Startup: If the Mines researcher(s)/inventor(s) have an entrepreneural interest and there is strong commercial potential, a Startup company can be formed under startup license from Mines. The Mines TTO and the rest of the Mines Entrepreneurship & Innovation Ecosystem can assist the company by providing additional resources, access to mentors, networks, and a variety of funding opportunities.
Translating my Invention to Impact
Do I have an invention?
A patentable invention is a discovery that is novel, non-obvious and useful. It may be a new process or means of manufacturing. It could be a novel device, design, chemical, organism, or composition of matter. Copyrights may be used to protect an algorithm, data set, software, or other works, which may also have commercial value.
If you’re not sure if you have an invention or copyrightable work, fill out the Invention Short Form or contact Mines TTO to set up a confidential meeting where we can talk about the technology readiness and develop a plan.
If you have an invention or have developed software that you believe may be ready, please fill out the Invention Disclosure Form. This confidential form provides official notice of Invention to Mines and begins the process of assessment and protection. Invention disclosures should be filed well before any publication or external information release. Premature public disclosure can nullify or limit intellectual property protections.
Funding Opportunities & Programs toward Commercialization
Technology Readiness Levels
The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is a scale for measuring the commercial stages of a technology. TRL is commonly used in various sectors, including aerospace, defense, energy, and biotech & healthcare to assess the progress of technology development and readiness for deployment. It consists of nine levels, from basic research to fully developed and commercialized technology. The nine levels are:
TRL 1 – Basic Principles Observed: Basic research is conducted to observe and record the fundamental principles that may lead to a new technology. This is where initial concepts are formed.
TRL 2 – Technology Concept Formulated: The technology concept is defined, and theoretical studies or experiments are conducted to explore the feasibility of the idea.
TRL 3 – Experimental Proof of Concept: Initial experimental proof of the technology concept is demonstrated in a laboratory or controlled environment.
TRL 4 – Technology Validated in Lab: The technology is validated in a laboratory setting and experimental results support the concept’s ability to perform as expected under controlled conditions.
TRL 5 – Technology Validated in Relevant Environment: The technology is tested in a relevant non-laboratory environment, simulating real-world conditions to determine how it performs in practical scenarios.
TRL 6 – Technology Demonstrated in Relevant Environment: The technology is demonstrated in a relevant environment or near-commercial setting, proving it works under more realistic, operational conditions.
TRL 7 – System Prototype Demonstrated in Operational Environment: A prototype of the technology is demonstrated in an operational environment, showcasing its potential for full deployment and providing data for large-scale development.
TRL 8 – Actual System Completed and Qualified Through Test and Demonstration: The technology is fully developed, tested, and integrated into a working system. It has been rigorously demonstrated in real-world conditions and is ready for commercialization.
TRL 9 – Actual System Proven in Operational Environment: The technology is fully matured and operational in its final environment. It is commercially available, and its performance is confirmed to meet all necessary standards.
The Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) provides a similar scale for assessing readiness for manufacturing.