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| Blue Water Technology Program |
The Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) is collaborating with the Naval Sea Systems Command, Carderock Division laboratory (NAVSEA-Carderock), a 3,000-person research organization, to take existing Navy-developed technology and apply it to the needs of the offshore and maritime industry. HARC has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NAVSEA-Carderock. These agreements provide a business and intellectual property framework that allows technology transfer/demonstration between the Navy and industry to proceed quickly and efficiently.
To effectively transfer/demonstrate the technology, and industry-led consortium, the Blue Water Technology Program, has been formed. The goal is to speed technology migration from the laboratory to the offshore energy and maritime industry. Activities of the Program will take place in three stages:
- The Program reviews NAVSEA-Carderock technology and identify technologies and intellectual properties that match the needs of the offshore and maritime industry.
- HARC and NAVSEA-Carderock work with Program Sponsors in designing a technology transfer/demonstration plan, mapping industry needs with NAVSEA-Carderock technologies and capabilities.
- Finally, Program Sponsors enter into agreements around individual technologies. Prototyping and demonstrating may utilize the combined staffs and facilities of HARC, NAVSEA-Carderock, sponsor companies as well as selected universities. Additional agreements may be developed that define the relationships between the parties and govern intellectual property rights.
Letters of endorsement for the Blue Water Technology Program have been obtained from the following organizations:
- Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) - representing over 3,000 oil and natural gas producers in 36 states.
- National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) - representing all segments of the offshore energy industry.
- Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) - representing all sectors of the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.
Blue Water Technology Program
The program is a multi-year, multi-sponsor program that performs technology transfer/demonstration projects to identify technologies that have been developed by the Navy having potential applications in the offshore and maritime industry. Areas of Navy expertise that have immediate potential fro technology transfer to industry are:
- high pressure seals/valves for use in harsh environments (temperature, pressure, corrosiveness)
- materials science for development of advanced structural systems
- acoustic signature removal - applications in 3D seismic data acquisition and processing
- hydro-mechanical testing and modeling for ocean platforms, risers, and other systems exposed to strong surface and sub-surface ocean currents
- design/development of advanced power sources: turbines, generators, motors, fuel cells
- wireless communications/sensors - monitoring subsea facilities and remote operations
The Program's core activity involves identifying technologies and performing the necessary activities to effectively transfer, demonstrate and commercialize the technologies. Core activities encompass the following:
- Reviewing NAVSEA-Carderock technologies
- Mapping of industry needs
- Assessing technology/demonstration transfer plans
- Facilitating effective technology transfer/demonstration of identified technologies.
While the core program identifies potential technologies for transfer/demonstration to the industry, sponsors decide whether to participate in supplemental program on a voluntary basis. Thus, sponsors only support program in which they have a specific business interest.
Organization
The Program is guided by sponsor input. Each year, the Strategic Plan is reviewed and an Operating Plan is developed to guide the Program. The Advisory Board, which reviews progress and provides advice regarding activities and future directions, endorses the Plan at the beginning of each calendar year. HARC acts as program manager and maintains responsibility of all matters relating to the operation of the Program.
For information about sponsorship, please read the Sponsorship Information.
Case Histories
 Coating Systems for Aluminum Underwater Hull Surfaces (112 KB)
Hull Maintenance and Inspection (101 KB)
Submarine Outboard Equipment Grease (14 KB)
Water Separators Evaluation (11 KB)
Weldable Marine Grade Aluminum Allows (1.56 MB)
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| Page Updated/Reviewed: 01/02/2008 11:16 AM |
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