"It is an honor to be recognized by the FLC because this organization represents the best in efforts to help federal laboratories, such as the Ames Laboratory, strengthen ties with industry," said Barton. "These ties are essential if we are to help build Iowa's and our nation's economy.
"This is a well-deserved honor for Tom Barton," said Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy. "He has worked tirelessly in shaping the focus of Ames Laboratory and making sure that Ames Lab is accessible to industry. His efforts have helped make the Laboratory a rich resource for Iowa business and industry, and it has helped generate economic growth for the state."
The FLC is a nationwide network of more than 700 federal laboratories and centers and their parent departments and agencies. The FLC's primary focus is moving federal laboratory research and technology into the mainstream of the U.S. economy. "Because of the competitiveness and prestige of the award, being selected as a recipient is an honor which recognizes both the excellence of your efforts and your facility's technology transfer program," said Ann Rydalch, chair of the FLC, in a congratulatory message to Barton.
Barton has been the director of the Ames Laboratory since 1988. The Laboratory has a workforce of approximately 500 employees, more than half of whom are scientists and engineers. Its estimated budget for 2003 is $29 million. The Laboratory's technology transfer program provides numerous opportunities for companies to collaborate with the Lab, from contract research to licensing of intellectual property. Since 1986, 136 U.S. patents have been issued on technologies resulting from Ames Laboratory research. In addition, Ames Lab research has been the basis for 14 start-up companies. The most recent of these is CombiSep Inc., an Ames, Iowa, company that manufactures the MCE 2000, a sophisticated instrument for separating and measuring a variety of chemical compounds.
In addition to his duties as director of the Ames Laboratory, Barton is also director of Iowa State's Institute for Physical Research and Technology, a position he's held since 1998. He is also a distinguished professor of chemistry in ISU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In 1999, Barton was elected a member of the National Advisors Group for the FLC. This select panel of approximately 15 people provides guidance to the FLC in pursuing its technology-transfer goals and making the organization more effective. The group includes senior agency officials, laboratory administrators and industry leaders.
As part of his award, Barton will take part in the annual FLC Laboratory Director's interactive forum, "Directing the Future," which takes place the morning after the award ceremony.
The Ames Laboratory is operated for the Department of Energy by ISU. The Laboratory conducts research into various areas of national concern, including energy resources, high-speed computer design, environmental cleanup and restoration, and the synthesis and study of new materials.