Implementation of the open laboratory policy at the US Army Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory

During the past few years, the US Army Electronics Technology and Devices Laboratory (ETDL) initiated implementation of the Technology Transfer Act of 1986 by establishing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and cooperative research and development agreements (CRDAs) with industry, academia, and other government agencies. The author highlights the development of an MOU in the area of microelectronics and millimeter-wave research. The CRDA process and those agreements which have been or will soon be put into effect are also discussed. It is concluded that the MOUs and CRDAs present to all parties involved a new and innovative positive method of operation. Participants are able to leverage their work force, facilities, and financial resources by working together as a team in order to solve common technological problems which they heretofore could not hope to solve individually