Technology Transfer (TT), is the process of transferring the technological know-how on new product inventions and or process technologies developed by ITI staff via R&D in the areas of Food, Herbal, Material and Biotechnology to industries or entrepreneurs (MSMEs or SMEs) for potential commercialization that would benefit the economic development of the country.
Technology transfer is closely related to knowledge transfer with hands-on experience either on in laboratory scale or pilot scale, utilizing the pilot plant facilities of the institute. Product technology transfer could be either on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis depending on the requirement of the client. The ITI technology bank is rich with more than 500 product technologies that have been developed, which are ready to transfer or have been already transferred to interested industries on non-exclusive basis.
In fulfillment of what is mandated by the Act, ITI has taken the initiative to promote inventions that would develop industry and facilitate the protection of Intellectual Property (IP) generated at ITI. Consequently, the protection of inventions and other creative works of the members of the staff and other officials who are working with and for ITI has been growing. In the institute, the employees, undergraduate/postgraduate trainees and external collaborators are engaged in R & D activities, which has a considerable potential for the development of the national industries, thereby contributing to the development of the economy of the country. Many of the research and development activities in the institute result in the creation of IP, which can be commercially exploited. Such IP may or may not be protected through the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO), depending on their commercial and social benefit to the country and the Institute.
Commercialized Technologies
Modified Coir Pith for Gas and Oil Absorption
Modified coir pith has been developed based on coir pith used to clean-up oil spills in water bodies.
Conductive graphite from local graphite
Highly conducting graphite was prepared from local graphite as a value addition to local graphite. Sri Lankan vein graphite found to be more conducting than the commercial conductive graphite.
The technology transfer: to graphite industry in 2023
Graphite oxide production from vein graphite as a value addition
Graphene and graphene oxides are highly valuable materials (>1000 times graphite) which can be produced from Sri Lankan vein graphite as a value addition to graphite. A novel composition was invented to prepare highly oxidized Graphene oxide (GO) on mass scale.
Technology Transfer: The methodology was transferred to the Industry in 2020
Patents: ITI holds 02 Sri Lankan Patents
Graphene production from vein graphite as a value addition
Graphene is known as a wonder material which is attracted in multidisciplinary application. It is possible to prepare graphene from local graphite and the value addition is more than 1000 times to graphite. A novel method and apparatus were invented to produce Graphene on mass scale form high quality Sri Lankan vein graphite for the first time in Sri Lanka.
Project output/outcomes
Technologies Transfer: The methodology was transferred to the industry in 2020. The technology of novel apparatus to produce graphene was transferred in 2023.
Patents: ITI holds 02 Sri Lankan Patents
Awards: A Gold medal for Sahasak nimayum awards 2022 was received for the innovative method and apparatus to prepare graphene on mass scale.
Dr. Sumudu N. Warnakulasuriya
Director – Covering
Science & Technology Business Centre
The ITI has diverse equipment and machineries for pilot production of food and herbal based products. The same facility can be hired by SMEs, Entrepreneur’s etc. for carrying out manufacturing and for introducing new/existing products on a trial basis. The services provided by the TMLD such as technology incubation, contract manufacturing and hiring of equipment are an added advantage to the SMIs and new entrepreneurs.
Those who get ITI technologies may be given technology incubation facility under one umbrella for a period (based on ITI procedures) until the entrepreneur gets fully equipped facility by himself. During the incubation period ITI will provide manufacturing facility, testing facility, packaging, storage, e-marketing facility and all logistic facilities including the supervision by ITI experts at the cost of the incubate.
Entrepreneurs, start-up industries or any other industrialists’/individuals who are targeting for product diversification and scope expansion can use ITI machineries such as extraction plant, mixing plants, filling machines etc. to obtain small scale manufacturing done at our facility on payment basis, based on ITI procedures until fully established.
Entrepreneurs face risks when carrying out businesses and hence, proper mentoring is required until they get established or possess a market share for their product. in the market. Therefore, TMLD can provide the required skills by mentoring them to achieve this.
A successful business requires an efficient supply chain management system. The TMLD provides consultancy in procurement of raw materials, chemicals, packing materials, label design, accounting and human resource practices required for startup industries.