Technology Transfer at NASA with Kris Romig

On this episode of Tech Transfer IP, Lisa has the pleasure of speaking with Kris Romig. Kris is the Technology Transfer Officer for the Exploration Technology Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Kris and his team are responsible for curating the intellectual property developed at Johnson Space Center from disclosing new innovations through the patent process and eventual licensing of those inventions. Additionally, Kris guides his team to enhance cross-talk between NASA innovators while improving technology development collaborations through knowledge exchange. He also provides strategic leadership for the Exploration Technology Office to integrate the Johnson Space Center’s advanced technology development activities, technology transfer, and strategic partnerships.

Kris shares his journey to Tech Transfer and how he ended up at NASA Johnson Space Center. He also discusses the Johnson Space Center and the types of research that take place there. Kris speaks about how his office is structured and how inventions are disclosed to his office, how they decide what to file a patent application on and why they only file in the U.S.

Listen as Kris talks about Public Domain NASA Technologies, a carefully selected portfolio of patents and pending patents released into the public domain. They also have a catalog of software that is made available to the public for free download.

Kris discusses ATLAS, how many invention disclosures, patent filings, and software release requests his office has had over the last year as well as what he believes is most important in managing innovations to have the greatest opportunity for success. Kris talks about two projects they are working on, T2U and T2X, which he explains in detail.

Kris shares some of Johnson Space Center’s biggest success stories regarding successful technologies and what he believes two of their biggest challenges are. Kris says that if he had three wishes for his office, they would be to have a well-informed and motivated inventor community, the resources to help inventors mature their inventions, and more time in the day to get more done.

In This Episode:

• [03:27] Welcome to the show, Kris!
• [03:46] Kris shares his journey to Tech Transfer and how he ended up at NASA Johnson Space Center.
• [06:58] Kris discusses the Johnson Space Center and the types of research that take place there.
• [08:45] Kris speaks about how his office is structured.
• [10:56] Can you tell us a bit about how inventions are disclosed to your office and what you decide to file a patent application on?
• [13:47] Kris shares that when they file patent applications, they only file in the U.S. and why that is.
• [14:57] Kris talks about the Public Domain NASA Technologies, a carefully selected portfolio of patents and pending patents released into the public domain.
• [18:00] NASA has an entire catalog of software made available to the public to download for free. 
• [19:51] Kris discusses ATLAS, a one-stop-shop for companies to apply for NASA Technologies licenses.
• [21:43] Kris speaks about how many invention disclosures, patent filings, software release requests, and the like his office has had in the last year.
• [23:38] What do you think is most important in managing innovations to have the greatest opportunity for success?
• [25:48] Kris shares some examples of the relationships with corporate or other partners at NASA.
• [28:17] Kris’s office works with nonprofits from time to time, but they don’t really work with philanthropic organizations.
• [29:35] Kris talks about two initiatives they are pushing this year, T2U and T2X.
• [32:24] Kris discusses Startup NASA, what it is, and how it works.
• [33:33] Kris shares some of Johnson Space Center’s biggest success stories regarding successful technologies.
• [35:52] The inflatable habitat technology is one that Kris is excited about.
• [38:00] What would you say are two of your office’s biggest challenges?
• [40:27] Kris shares any programs they have that encourage women inventors and entrepreneurs.
• [41:45] Kris discusses their office involvement with organizations like AUTM and what value he thinks they bring.
• [43:13] If Kris could have three wishes for his office, they would be a well-informed and motivated inventor community, having the resources to help inventors mature their inventions and more time in the day.
• [45:20] Thank you so much for being on the show!

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