Sandia touts $140 billion economic impact across community
It’s known for big-brained science, but Sandia National Laboratories’ innovative technologies have made their way into the nation’s commercial and public marketplaces, too, and have had a significant impact on the local community, according to new data.
On Tuesday, the lab reported it has had an economic impact of $140 billion since 2000. The figure is based on two recent studies conducted by TechLink, a federally funded technology transfer center at Montana State University.
The study also showed the lab was responsible for $72.2 billion in new product sales, $22.5 billion in new product sales to the government, $14.1 billion in new tax revenue and the creation of 607,246 jobs in the U.S.
Sandia, established in 1949 and administered by the Department of Energy, grew out of efforts to develop the first atomic bombs. Today, a major part of the lab’s role is keeping the U.S. nuclear stockpile safe and secure. But Sandia’s research has produced many other technological innovations.
David Gibson, Sandia’s chief operating officer, said although the lab is the brains behind much of its technology, it doesn’t commercialize or produce any of it.
“Instead, we rely on partnerships to bring it to market,” Gibson said. “In many cases, it is small businesses who then take the next step to build on what we started.”
Two paths for businesses to partner with Sandia are through the labs’ Cooperative Research and Development Agreements and patent licensing agreements. Those agreements, which provided the economic impact data for the studies, are two ways Sandia helps move technology into private industry and commercial markets.
For example, Sandia last year celebrated a partnership with
Albuquerque-based startup Advanced hCMOS Systems to develop the world’s fastest burst-mode X-ray camera, used to capture the events faster than a billionth of a second. The partnership commercializes the ultrafast imaging technology invented at the lab while helping local companies grow, thereby strengthening the local economy, lab officials say.
One of Sandia’s longtime partnerships is with Goodyear. Thirty years ago, the tiremaker sought the lab’s expertise to improve tire performance and manufacturing methods. The partnership, which continues, has produced a visually distinctive all-weather tire and is also developing a quieter tire.
Sandia is also working with Public Service Company of New Mexico to help PNM develop a more resilient, clean electric grid.
Mary Monson, Sandia’s senior manager of business development, said in terms of its public impact, the lab is the top performer among other prominent laboratories.
“Sandia’s contribution of $140 billion over 20 years makes it a leader among Department of Energy laboratories,” Monson said.
The Albuquerque Mayor’s Office also weighed in on the positive economic effect of Sandia.
“Sandia is an important part of our city’s landscape, helping support our world-class science and technology ecosystem,” mayoral spokesperson Ava Montoya said, “and also helping families succeed both through employment opportunities and the work they do in our communities.”