The FLC recently presented its 2006 national awards honoring individuals and laboratories for exceptional achievements in technology transfer, and Northeast Region laboratories and individuals received five of the awards. The winners—three of which also received 2005 Northeast Regional Awards—were recognized at a ceremony during the national meeting in Minneapolis, and include:

Awards for Excellence in Technology Transfer

• Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst—Liquid Atomizing Nozzle

Joseph Wolfe developed the Liquid Atomizing Nozzle (LAN) as a more environmentally safe method of fire suppression onboard aircraft. Streams of air and liquid combine within a unique mixing chamber and exit the nozzle to form a high-momentum mist with very small droplets. The smaller droplet size increases the surface area of liquid and the high droplet momentum gives greater fire penetration, both providing superior effectiveness against fires. As a result, smaller amounts of water can extinguish a fire more quickly, making it possible to carry water rather than environmentally harmful chemicals like halon, which is traditionally used in aircraft fire extinguishing systems.

• Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport (2005 Northeast Regional winner)—Robust Dimension Reducing Decision Support Tool for Large, Complex Datasets

Dr. Robert Lynch, Jr. produced the Data Extraction & Mining Software Tool (DEMIST), a mathematical, probabilistic classification tool that employs intelligent feature and pattern selection algorithms. DEMIST has applications in areas such as pattern recognition, credit scoring, insurance ratings, job applicant screening, and enterprise-level risk management. This technology not only reduces the number of variables in the decision-making process, it reduces the probability of error in the decision, making the outcome more reliable and consistent with business goals and objectives.

Laboratory Director of the Year Award

• Philip Brandler, U.S. Army RDECOM Natick Soldier Center (NSC)

Brandler received the award in recognition of his advocacy of technology transfer and industry partnerships at NSC. His accomplishments included steady increases in the number of CRADAs and partnerships with such high-profile partners as Boeing, Battelle, and Johns Hopkins University, as well as the NSC being named the Army’s R&D Laboratory of the Year in the Small Development Laboratory category for three years straight.

Representative of the Year Award

• Dr. Lee Greenberg, Army Benét Laboratories (2005 Northeast Regional Coordinator’s Excellence Award winner)

Dr. Greenberg was honored for his dedication to the FLC on both regional and national levels.

He established the technology transfer program at Benét, and was instrumental in the signing of approximately 150 CRADAs with a cumulative value of $70 million. During his tenure on the FLC Executive Board, Dr. Greenberg regularly provided consultations and courses to FLC members and other DOD laboratories.

Outstanding Service Award

• Tim Wittig, GEO-CENTERS, Inc. (2005 Northeast Regional Appreciation Award winner)

Wittig received an award for his many years of exceptional service in educational presentations and innovative suggestions pertaining to technology transfer. An active member of the FLC, he has made numerous presentations at FLC national and regional conferences and is the co-author of Creating a Technology Incubator, a monograph published by the FLC based on his work with a laboratory client creating the first technology incubator on a military post.

The Northeast Region congratulates this year’s winners for their outstanding efforts.