PNNL leader recognized by FLC for technology commercialization efforts

RICHLAND, Wash. – Mike Kluse, director of the Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, has been named 2012 Laboratory Director of the Year by the Federal Laboratory Consortium, or FLC.

The annual award honors directors of federal laboratories who have made significant contributions that support technology transfer both inside and outside their organizations. Kluse has served as laboratory director since 2007. Between 2007 and 2011, PNNL:

• Filed 1,216 invention disclosures.
• Received 217 U.S. patents and dozens of foreign patents.
• Issued 147 new licenses.
• Earned 16 R&D 100 awards.
• Earned 12 FLC Awards for Excellence in Technology Transfer.

Under Kluse's leadership, PNNL has been involved in the formation of Innovate Washington, a nonprofit organization that aims to accelerate technological innovation in Washington state by bringing together universities, national labs, entrepreneurs and others involved in technology transfer. Kluse is also a frequent public advocate for the strategic alignment of research with technology transfer and strongly supported the streamlining of PNNL's technology transfer operations.

"We have a great team of commercialization leaders and researchers here at PNNL," Kluse said. "It's their hard work and commitment to producing results every day that makes recognition like this possible."

"Mike is a very deserving recipient of this award, and PNNL is fortunate to have such a strong advocate of technology commercialization as its leader," said Cheryl Cejka, PNNL's technology commercialization director. "With his support, we're consistently improving the way we approach commercialization at PNNL, and elevating our performance and our impact at the state and national levels. We're seeing excellent results on many fronts, and his leadership is significant in enabling our success."