Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer

Y-12 Develops Ready-on-the-Go Shelter for Disaster Relief, Military, and More
The Rapid Deployment Shelter System (RDSS), an ingenious, portable disaster shelter, is a textbook model of a successful licensing partnership and transfer from the Y-12 National Security Complex. Adaptive Methods of Chattanooga, Tennessee, licensed the technology that Y-12 developed at the request of the U.S. Army. Adaptive Methods began a small manufacturing operation with plans to produce the systems and employ more than 100 engineers and production personnel over the next 4 years. The Enterprise Center, Inc. (TEC), the third partner in the venture, is a private, not-for-profit Chattanooga corporation that promotes collaboration, accountability and communications for a variety of local technology-related growth initiatives. Its mission is to support and capitalize on new research and technologies, and work closely with local entities in the quest to develop a knowledge-based economy. TEC connected Y-12 and Adaptive Methods, and facilitated the licensing agreement. The RDSS partnership takes advantage of the resources available in the Tennessee Valley Corridor (TVC) as it moves technology created by the government to the marketplace and increases the manufacturing sector in the TVC.

ORNL, Volkswagen Team for Scholars Program
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will be one of the beneficiaries of a $5.28-million philanthropic commitment announced recently by Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations, LLC. The five-year Partners in Education program is designed to serve as a catalyst for educational enrichment in Tennessee. At ORNL, the funding will create a Volkswagen Scholars Program that will be administered through Oak Ridge Associated Universities. "The Volkswagen Scholars Program at ORNL will give students access to some of the finest scientific facilities, equipment, and staff mentors in the world," said ORNL Director Thom Mason. "It will boost these students' career potential and strengthen the automotive industry workforce. We are very pleased to be one of the leaders in this exciting initiative."