Technology Development & Transfer

Technology transfer effectively morphs scientific discoveries and research tools into commercially viable products. Some of NCAR’s most innovative research and technology solutions are developed by the Research Applications Laboratory (RAL) and made available for public and commercial use—from airport weather-warning systems, to scientific computing and visualization tools, to weather forecasting training materials. A critical part of our “science serving society” mandate, technology transfer leverages innovative research and applies it to solving societal issues.

Highlighted Topics

• Aviation

  Many of NCAR’s technology transfer efforts focus on addressing, in real time, weather issues affecting the aviation industry. Current research emphases include hazards related to winter weather and turbulence, forecasting and prediction, ceiling and visibility, and work related to precipitation physics and the use of data.

• Hydrometeorology

  Water vapor, precipitation, and land-surface hydrology are vital weather and climate components. NCAR’s Research Applications Lab provides tools and enhances understanding of the hydrologic cycle for forecasters and decision makers.

• Joint Numerical Testbed

  NCAR’s Joint Numerical Testbed provides a facility for a national network of collaborators to develop, test, and validate weather prediction systems.

• National Security

  NCAR helps meet U.S. homeland security requirements. Providing technology, models, and testing capabilities not only protects national security but defends against natural disasters and industrial accidents, while enhancing weather-prediction abilities.

• Weather Systems and Assessment

  NCAR scientists, in partnership with their stakeholder communities, research, build, and transfer state-of-the-art information, tools, and systems to support weather-related decisions. Besides a wide variety of initiatives on supporting decisions related to aviation hazards, other NCAR programs focus on such societally important issues as winter road maintenance decisions.