Forum for Science, Industry and Business

In a Chilly Investment Climate, Canadian Universities Find Alternative Sources of Revenue

The survey also showed a 20 percent increase in industry support for university research, with companies committing $795 million towards innovative research projects.

The results were part of the annual AUTM Canadian Licensing Activity Survey: FY2010, which shares quantitative information about licensing activities at Canadian universities, hospitals and research institutions.

“Overall, the FY2010 data suggest that Canadian technology transfer offices continue to see the effects of the economic recession play out in a variety of ways," says AUTM President Robin L. Rasor, CLP, RTTP. "The overall number of invention disclosures from respondents decreased by nearly 10 percent. Licenses executed – a key indicator of future financial return – declined by more than 27 percent. However, a modest 1.7 percent decrease in overall licensing income was more than offset by a surge of nearly 50 percent in 'other income' – suggestive of offices’ efforts, in a chilly investment climate, to find alternative sources of revenue," adds Rasor.

"One positive metric in this year’s survey was industry funding for research, which increased substantially, by almost 20 percent, to $795 million," says Barbara H. Eccles, LL.M.,RTTP, AUTM Vice President for Canada. "Given the lag between research funding and commercial return, it will be interesting to see if this uptick in funding contributes to an increase in technology transfer activities," adds Eccles.

Members of the press may contact Jodi Talley at +1-847-559-0846 or jtalley@autm.net at AUTM headquarters to set up an interview and to request a complimentary copy of the survey report.

| Newswise Science News
Further information:
http://www.autm.net

Im Focus: ScanCut project completed: laser cutting enables more intricate plug connector designs

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT have come up with a striking new addition to contact stamping technologies in the ERDF research project ScanCut. In collaboration with industry partners from North Rhine-Westphalia, the Aachen-based team of researchers developed a hybrid manufacturing process for the laser cutting of thin-walled metal strips. This new process makes it possible to fabricate even the tiniest details of contact parts in an eco-friendly, high-precision and efficient manner.

Plug connectors are tiny and, at first glance, unremarkable – yet modern vehicles would be unable to function without them. Several thousand plug connectors...

Im Focus: New Strategy Against Osteoporosis

An international research team has found a new approach that may be able to reduce bone loss in osteoporosis and maintain bone health.

Osteoporosis is the most common age-related bone disease which affects hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide. It is estimated that one in three women...

Im Focus: AI & single-cell genomics

New software predicts cell fate

Traditional single-cell sequencing methods help to reveal insights about cellular differences and functions - but they do this with static snapshots only...

Im Focus: TU Graz Researchers synthesize nanoparticles tailored for special applications

“Core-shell” clusters pave the way for new efficient nanomaterials that make catalysts, magnetic and laser sensors or measuring devices for detecting electromagnetic radiation more efficient.

Whether in innovative high-tech materials, more powerful computer chips, pharmaceuticals or in the field of renewable energies, nanoparticles – smallest...

Im Focus: Tailored light inspired by nature

An international research team with Prof. Cornelia Denz from the Institute of Applied Physics at the University of Münster develop for the first time light fields using caustics that do not change during propagation. With the new method, the physicists cleverly exploit light structures that can be seen in rainbows or when light is transmitted through drinking glasses.

Modern applications as high resolution microsopy or micro- or nanoscale material processing require customized laser beams that do not change during...