Original Date: 03/08/1999
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Effective communication is an essential part of achieving success in technology transfer and in sustaining and developing a business base. The Applied Research Laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University (ARL Penn State) communicates with the users and sponsors of its programs and resources by employing low cost, but highly effective methods. Most public relations and publication costs are compensated through overhead funds. As a result, the ARL Penn State is motivated to develop inexpensive, effective outreach methods. However, the laboratory does receive some publication and outreach funding from the Navy’s Manufacturing Technology (MANTECH) Program in support of MANTECH transfer projects.

The ARL Penn State’s website (http://arl.psu.edu) is the most extensive source for up-to-date information. Virtually everything going on at the laboratory is covered on the website, and many of the publications and papers that the ARL Penn State produces can be accessed here. In addition, the ARL Penn State’s personnel attend numerous forums, symposia, and workshops. This face-to-face interaction with potential clients and sponsors typically leads to the development of funded projects or new relationships for the laboratory. Another valuable, low cost approach used by the laboratory is to publish articles in its clients’ and sponsors’ newsletters, publications, and websites as well as in professional and technical publications.

In addition, the ARL Penn State produces many informative publications on its programs, capabilities, and resources which are distributed to a closely managed and carefully updated mailing list. Although the ARL Penn State employs low cost methods for production, publication, and distribution, the quality is excellent. The annual report of the Institute for Manufacturing and Sustainment Technologies (iMAST) is an attractive, full color, spiral-bound publication that costs only $400 to produce. The laboratory uses low cost, high quality trifolds to provide updates and publicity information on its individual technologies, programs, projects, resources, and capabilities. Another excellent publication is the iMAST newsletter which is paid for by the program sponsor at a production cost of only $2,000.

The ARL Penn State capitalizes on various cost-effective methods to get the word out. The laboratory minimizes publication and outreach costs, while achieving maximum impact. This approach is a key factor contributing to the ARL Penn State’s effectiveness and success.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.