by Ann Kerksieck
The Mid-Continent Region awards program was established in 1994, and to date over 100 regional awards have been given to 30 laboratories, facilities and partners, including 16 to economic and technology development related groups and entities at the state level.
This year, Regional Coordinator Patrick Rodriguez of the Air Force Research Laboratory elected to add an Overall Achievement Award. Based on past performance in the regional award program, ten laboratories were selected to receive the award at this year's regional meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The Overall Achievement Award offers affirmation of past and present accomplishments in the technology transfer arena. The plaque lists the award name and year won for each laboratory.
The region plans to continue the award in the future. Winners included:
- Air Force Research Laboratory, represented by Lab Representative Alternate Mary Archuleta - 4 past awards
- Ames Laboratory and Lab Representative Deb Covey - 7 awards
- NASA Johnson Space Center and Lab Representative Michelle Brekke - 6 awards
- NNSA Kansas City Plant and Lab Representative Alan Updike - 8 awards
- Los Alamos National Laboratory and Lab Representative Susan Sprake - 14 awards
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Lab Representative Tom Williams - 10 awards
- Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center and Lab Representative Doug Tunison - 2 awards
- Sandia National Laboratories and ORTA and VP David Goldheim -13 awards
- USDA Northern Plains Area, representing Area Director Dr. Wayne Honeycutt - 8 awards
- USDA Southern Plains Area, representing Area Director Dr. Bryan Kaphammer - 3 awards
Regional Awards: Outstanding Technology Development
- Hands Off Sampler Gun, Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Underground Radio, Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Fiber Optics Hydrogen Sensor, DOE, NNSA Kansas City Plant
- Ultra-thin Solid Film Lubricant for GBU-15 Units, DOE, NNSA Kansas City Plant
- Athena Radar-Responsive Tag Sensor, Sandia National Laboratories
Excellence in Technology Transfer
- Bioreactor for 3-D Tissue Culture, Jane I. Fox, NASA Johnson Space Center
- Poultry Probiotic Technology, USDA, ARS Poultry Production & Product Safety Research Unit
- Outstanding Laboratory, DOE, NNSA Kansas City Plant
- Outstanding Laboratory Representative, Dr. Bryan Kaphammer, USDA, Agricultural Research Service
Outstanding Partnerships
- Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center and WellDog, LLC, "Methane Sniffer"
- New Drillstring Radar to Benefit Mining Industry and U.S. Economy, DOE NNSA Kansas City Plant, Stolar Research Corporation, and Russia's Measuring Systems Research Institute
- University Alliance (UA) Program, Sandia National Laboratories
- Sandia Science & Technology Park
