Philip D. Rufe joined EMU in 1990 as a professor in the School of Engineering Technologies. In 2003, he also became patent agent for the University’s Center for Product Research and Development, and last year, its first-ever technology transfer coordinator. He also is adviser to the student chapter of the Society for Manufacturing Engineers. He has bachelor degrees from Millersville University and University of Michigan-Dearborn and a master’s in manufacturing technology from EMU.

Q: Why was your position created, and what do you want to achieve?

A: Eastern Michigan University belongs to the Multi-University Technological and Expertise Assets Management for Enterprise Development project, or U-TEAMED as it is called. It is a collaboration of Michigan Technological University, EMU, Central Michigan University and Oakland University to advance the technology transfer and research missions of the partner schools. The program leverages the experience and infrastructure of Michigan Technological University in applied research and technology transfer to support the remaining partners, whose research programs and related technology transfer and industrial collaboration-infrastructures are still developing.
The project was initiated in September 2004 with partial funding from a MTTC (the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor) grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

To facilitate invention disclosures and develop further research at the partner schools, a two-year technology transfer position at each of the schools is being funded by the U-TEAMED project. My technology transfer coordinator position, which is a full-time release from teaching responsibilities, began May 1, 2007, and will end April 30, 2009. Extending the position beyond then will need to be considered.

Q: What are your goals?

A: My goals are to educate the EMU community with regard to technology transfer opportunities, stimulate innovation and create an innovate culture on campus. More specifically, I want EMU to realize its potential in terms of invention disclosures, patents, licenses, royalty income, economic development and the beneficial impact on the community and general public.

Q: Why has technology transfer become an important issue to EMU?

A: I can’t say for certain, but I believe technology transfer has always been an important issue. I don’t believe the University has had the resources to make it happen. The U-TEAMED partnership and the resources it provides is allowing us to definitively pursue technology transfer.

Q: How does the technology transfer process work?

A: This is the general process. First, the inventor (faculty, students or employees) completes an invention disclosure form and submits any publication and/or presentation made or to be made. Second, EMU’s Office of Research Development will decide if the disclosure will be forwarded to U-TEAMED for additional assessment. Third, U-TEAMED (Michi-gan Tech) will assess the technology’s commercial viability.
If favorable, the Univer-sity will proceed with a patent application. Once the technology is protected by a patent, it can then be licensed to a commercial enterprise. A license will generate royalty income for both the University and the inventor(s). The royalty share to the inventor(s) is defined in the University’s technology transfer policy, which was approved by the EMU Board of Regents this past year.

Q: You’ve been teaching at EMU since 1990. How do you balance teaching responsibilities with your research agenda?

A: Balancing teaching and research is not easy. My strategy for balancing them involves performing research related to my teaching interests and assignments. Also, I take my experiences while working with clients on sponsored research and find applications in the undergraduate and graduate courses I teach. Integrating teaching and research, where possible, has a positive impact on clients, students, myself and the University.