Annual report 10/11 - Dstl

TechnologytransferDstl generates a wide variety of technologies andknow-how as a result of its defence research.Exploiting the value of this research within the widereconomy generates maximum value for defence andthe UK as a whole.profile:Reflecting successPloughshare Innovations Ltd wasestablished in 2005 to exploit Dstl’sIntellectual Property (IP) in nondefencemarkets. Through licensing,spin-out and joint venture deals, thecompany has led the commercialisationof a range of technologies from liquidrepellent coatings through to acousticreflectors.Since its formation, Ploughsharehas licensed 75 new technologies toindustry and launched five new spinoutcompanies. Ploughshare’s workwith Dstl’s Intellectual Property Grouphas also helped Dstl to make costeffective use of its IP portfolio.2010 has been a year of change forPloughshare with the introductionof a new organisational structure,redefinition of its core technologytransfer processes and the injection offresh skills and expertise to the team interms of marketing and sales.All of these factors have contributedto Ploughshare’s best year yet withrevenue exceeding all previous yearsand the company as a whole making aretained profit of £0.5 million.Recent highlights have included workon a variety of projects such as thedevelopment of lateral flow devices andreactive dyes. This continued successwill, over the coming months, allowPloughshare to expand its fundingfor proof-of-concept research in Dstland enable technologies to be furtherdeveloped prior to commercialisation.In addition to its work with Dstl,Ploughshare has collaborated with theAtomic Weapons Establishment andcentral MOD to exploit their portfoliosof technologies. This has resultedin a number of successful licensingagreements in areas as diverse as watertreatment and radiation detection.To deliver continued success in thelong term, Dstl must continue tohighlight new technologies and identifyfuture exploitation opportunities. Duringthe past year, 49 new patents havebeen added to Dstl’s portfolio. A total of17 Dstl inventors and team memberswere awarded £76,000 under theDstl-Ploughshare Rewards to Inventorsscheme. This takes the sum paid toDstl scientists and engineers in the pastfive years to more than £330,000.Working underwater, particularly at depth, isdifficult and dangerous. Operations must beconducted quickly and accurately – especiallyin the event of a crisis – to ensure safety andto keep costs down. Accordingly, equipmentand other assets used on the sea bed mustbe easy to locate.In the past, simple but inefficient cornerreflectors have been used to improve thevisibility of equipment. Transponders attachedto equipment have also been used to emitan underwater noise but these require powerand have associated maintenance needs.In response to military requirements, Dstlstaff developed and patented an efficientpassive reflector, drawing on their significantmaterials, acoustic, and modelling knowledge.This product is more efficient and reliablethan a corner reflector without the power ormaintenance requirements of a transponder.Being passive, the technology does not emitconfusing signals to mammalian marine life.The IP has been subsequently licensed toSub-sea Asset Location Technologies Ltd(SALT) – a company set up by Ploughsharein 2008 to generate private investment indeveloping the technology for commercialand defence use.In the past 12 months, SALT has completedcommercialisation activities – creating aproduct that not only fulfils its technicalpotential but also makes its manufacture,shipping and deployment a viable proposition.Now selling in the commercial sector, theproduct is generating considerable interestacross the world.22