D.S.I.R. to promote industry research

Press, 24 September 1983, Page 21

D.S.I.R. to promote industry research

The physics and engineering laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (D.5.1.R.) is to set up a group to promote the application of science and technology in New Zealand. The director of the laboratory, Mr Mike Collins, says .that it has become more important for the laboratory’s researchers to work closely with industry, and the new technology marketing unit was aimed at promoting this. The unit, made up of researchers, industrial liaison officers, and specialists in the fields of graphic arts, promotions, and journalism, seeks to make the resources of the laboratory and D.S.I.R. more readily available to people in industry. The head of the unit, Dr George Stuart, says that there is a lot more interest

among individual scientists now in doing things that they considered more relevant to New Zealand. “At the same time, there is much greater interest • among people outside to compete internationally,

particularly in manufacturing. “Because of the size of most New Zealand companies, it is difficult for them to do the necessary research and development studies. This is where the unit can help.” The D.S.I.R. may be seen as an extension of a company’s technical team and the new unit is one avenue for cementing this, he says. The services provided by the unit include industrial liaison, technical information services, technology transfer of licensing, and the solving of specific problems for industry. The wood-burning stove, the mortar calculator, and earthquake absorbers are recent product examples that the physics.and engineering laboratory has developed and handed over to local industry to make.