PAATI Program Archive
   The Carbon Dioxide Patent Assessment, Acquisition and Transfer Initiative (PAATI) was formed in May 2000 to establish a portfolio of CO₂-related patents for UNC-CH and NCSU by seeking donations from corporations. The initiative represents the first known proactive effort by academia to seek partnerships with industry, including donations, to utilize intellectual property related to an area of core research expertise. The effort already has attracted interest in the industry. Eastman Chemical Co. has indicated that it plans to donate intellectual property for supercritical fluid extraction. The donation has a preliminary valuation exceeding $2,000,000. 

    UNC-CH and NC State have agreed to launch this effort with an investment of time, effort and  $371,600 over two years to support an Initiative Director, students and maintenance fees for patents. No NSF funding is used to support this effort.

    Funding has come from private foundations supporting UNC-CH College of Arts and Sciences and Kenan-Flagler Business School, as well as N.C. State’s William R. Kenan Jr. Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science.  The technology transfer offices at both universities have contributed cash and in-kind contributions. Dr. Gina Stewart directs the new initiative.  Support includes a graduate student in Information and Library Science, a law student with patent specialty, and two MBA students from the Kenan-Flagler Business School.  See Table III.1 for details.

    In the next year, PAATI will utilize the engineering, chemistry, law, business, and information science expertise at both universities to identify desirable patents, to develop business proposals, and to formulate commercialization plans for donated technology, which may be bundled with home-grown patents for licensing.  The Initiative will raise the profile of technology transfer in scientific and business communities by training students to turn previously idle technologies into viable businesses through the university-based donation and licensing avenues.  PAATI aims to secure 2-4 technology packages in the coming year. In the fall, PAATI will partner with the TEC program at NCSU to develop additional business plans.