Moments after folding paper airplanes in the recesses of the Black Box Theatre in the Town of Indian Head, Md., a contingent from Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) took a short walk upstairs to officially open up the Energetics Technology Center’s (ETC’s) Technology Transfer, Training and TechFire™ (T4), March 1.
ETC is a tax-exempt nonprofit organization focused on research and development and the TechFire program is funded by the Charles County Economic Development Department and through contracts with the Army Research Lab and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.
“We decided now is the best time to do this. We have been doing a lot of collaborative research and development work with the command, said Energetics Technology Center (ETC) President Bob Kavetsky. “The T4 program will help us figure ways to commercialize the work coming out of the command and tap into the brilliant scientists and engineers here in Charles County. We’re looking to build a real vibrant and technical ecosystem here and I think we can do that with the major technology organization in the county.”
The new T4 space will provide the opportunity for organizations that want to do business with NSWC IHEODTD the opportunity to meet and collaborate in a convenient, easily accessible location. The space will also be used to provide training, conference room capabilities and meeting space to industry and command scientists and engineers.
T4 was created under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement between the command and the (ETC) to enhance the goals of dual-use technology development, technology commercialization, diversification of the local economy, and accelerating the growth of the local industry cluster focused on energetic material, surface warfare, undersea warfare, and EOD technologies. The ETC is leasing the T4 office space through a Navy contract.
“When I came here in 1987 there was a real connection between the Town of Indian Head, the command and the surrounding area,” said NSWC IHEODTD Technical Director Ashley Johnson. “Many things have changed since then, but one of the things still here is that sense of shared ownership to the community. This event is a very big step in reconnecting with that past partnership.”
Prior to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, NSWC IHEODTD and the ETC hosted their second joint Innovation Talk, “Thinking at the Intersection of Art and Science.” The event advertised that art and science are the pillars of a civilized and educated society and taught the audience how this intersection of thought can support their scientific and professional goals by promoting dual-use thinking and invention.
According to Kim Mozingo, the ETC’s TechFire Technology Incubation program manager, the goal of these events is to foster an environment that challenges the attendees to think about how their work can align with the commercial sector.
“Our long-term goal is to have scientists and engineers understand why licensing and commercialization matter and to consider dual-usage when considering their patent,” she said. “These engagements will hopefully help them in thinking in different ways they are used to.”
Following a presentation by Dr. Somnath Sengupta, a former Army Research Laboratory scientist and current president at Powerhouse Consulting, LLC, on how he made the transition from a government employee to running his own successful company, attendees learned to think like an artist. George Mason University faculty members Bill Reeder and Nathan Loda directed the group through several exercises to include the construction and drawing of paper airplanes, to address how different, non-linear forms of thinking can help them better focus their creativity.
Wrapping up the event, NSWC IHEODTD Commanding Officer Scott Kraft noted how this partnership is one that will bear fruit for the command, the community and the commercial sector.
“Very few things in this world are ‘win-wins.’ I think this is one of those very unique situations where everyone who contributes will also ultimately be a benefactor,” he said. “It brings alignment, momentum and transparency: all of which are necessary for growth.”