Technological spin-offs
Unanticipated practical applications and technologies that arise from pure, curiosity-driven scientific research, such as lasers and computer chips from quantum physics.
First Mentioned
9/30/2025, 4:41:29 AM
Last Updated
9/30/2025, 4:46:11 AM
Research Retrieved
9/30/2025, 4:46:11 AM
Summary
Technological spin-offs are new businesses or ventures created from existing organizations, distinct from selling off a division, with the purpose of bringing specific technology, knowledge, or development to market. They are built on validated innovation and play a crucial role in accelerating technology transfer, promoting innovation, and driving science- and technology-based economies. Astrophysicist Alex Filippenko highlighted how pure research, such as in quantum physics, has historically generated significant technological spin-offs. Organizations like NASA have a dedicated program for technology transfer, resulting in numerous commercial products from space research. Furthermore, companies like Zipline exemplify how advancements, such as drone delivery systems originating from R&D, can evolve into large-scale operations with profound societal benefits, aligning with concepts like techno-optimism and contributing to the broader 'Creator Economy' by showcasing technological solutions.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Purpose
To commercialize technology, accelerate technology transfer, promote innovation, enhance science-based entrepreneurship, foster collaboration, and capitalize on R&D developments.
Definition
A new business or venture created from an existing organization, distinct from a sell-off, to commercialize specific technology, knowledge, or development.
Foundation
Validated innovation, research results, or internal developments.
Distinction
Different from a sell-off, where a section is sold to another company for cash or securities.
Originates from
Academic, scientific, or business entities; universities, research centers, companies; pure research.
Examples of Fields Producing Spin-offs
Quantum physics, space research (NASA).
Examples of Spin-off Technologies (NASA)
Memory foam, freeze-dried food, firefighting equipment, emergency 'space blankets', DustBusters, cochlear implants, LZR Racer swimsuits, CMOS image sensors, enriched baby food, weightless weight-lifting equipment, quartz clocks (highly accurate versions), microchips (impetus for development).
Timeline
- The first quartz clock was invented, with NASA later partnering to make highly accurate versions. (Source: Web search results)
1927
- The first hybrid integrated circuit was developed by Texas Instruments. (Source: Web search results)
1958
- The silicon integrated circuit microchip was invented by Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor, with NASA creating a massive impetus for its development. (Source: Web search results)
1959
- NASA presented a black and white report titled 'Technology Utilization Program Report' featuring products spun off from space research. (Source: Web search results)
1973
- NASA began featuring an average of 50 technologies each year in its annual 'Spinoff' publication, connecting NASA resources to private industry. (Source: Web search results)
1976
- As of this year, NASA had published over 2,000 spin-offs in various fields through its 'Spinoff' program. (Source: Web search results)
2016
- Zipline began its operations in Rwanda, utilizing autonomous aircraft for drone delivery of medical supplies, which led to a remarkable 51% reduction in maternal mortality. (Source: Document 3a836bf6-b1b9-4d5c-8c23-21d5e024c576)
Ongoing
- Zipline expanded its drone delivery services into the US, launching an instant delivery service in Dallas with major partners like Walmart and Chipotle. (Source: Document 3a836bf6-b1b9-4d5c-8c23-21d5e024c576)
Ongoing
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaCorporate spin-off
A corporate spin-off, also known as a spin-out, starburst or hive-off, is a type of corporate action where a company "splits off" a section as a separate business or creates a second incarnation, even if the first is still active. It is distinct from a sell-off, where a company sells a section to another company or firm in exchange for cash or securities.
Web Search Results
- From idea to impact: Intellectual Property for SPIN-OFFS - Pons IP
A spin-off is a company created from an academic, scientific, or business entity with the purpose of bringing specific technology, knowledge, or development to market. Unlike conventional ventures, spin-offs are built on the basis of validated innovation, making them especially relevant when accelerating technology transfer processes while also promoting a culture of innovation, enhancing science-based entrepreneurship, and fostering collaboration between universities, businesses, and the [...] In the global innovation ecosystem, where transforming knowledge into high-value solutions is a priority, spin-offs are positioned as a key instrument for driving science- and technology-based economies. These entities, which arise from universities, research centres or companies, play a strategic role by converting research results or internal developments into marketable products and services. Intellectual property (IP) plays a critical role in this context to ensure both the protection and [...] This situation reflects the fact that, despite the urgent need to strengthen science, technology, and innovation (STI), public investment continues to be limited, forcing us to seek alternative mechanisms to fund and sustain research. In this sense, spin-offs represent a strategic way for higher education institutions, especially those that depend heavily on state resources for R&D&I, to capitalise on and market the developments already generated, reinvesting their profits in new scientific
- NASA spin-off technologies
## History of the Spin-off publication [edit] Spinoff is a NASA publication featuring technology made available to the public. Since 1976, NASA has featured an average of 50 technologies each year in the annual publication, and Spinoff maintains a searchable database of these technologies. When products first spun off from space research, NASA presented a black and white report in 1973, titled the "Technology Utilization Program Report". [...] Since 1976, the NASA Technology Transfer Program has connected NASA resources to private industry, referring to the commercial products as spin-offs. Well-known products that NASA claims as spin-offs include memory foam (originally named temper foam), freeze-dried food, firefighting equipment, emergency "space blankets", DustBusters, cochlear implants, LZR Racer swimsuits, and CMOS image sensors. As of 2016, NASA has published over 2,000 other spin-offs in the fields of computer technology, [...] Microchip – The first hybrid integrated circuit was developed by Texas Instruments in 1958, and then the silicon integrated circuit microchip was invented by Robert Noyce at Fairchild Semiconductor in 1959. The impact of NASA was in creating a massive impetus for development in this area. Quartz clocks – The first quartz clock was invented in 1927. However, in the late 1960s, NASA partnered with a company to make a highly accurate quartz clock.
- 10 Out of this World NASA Spinoff Technologies
# 10 Out of this World NASA Spinoff Technologies What is a spinoff? Great question! A NASA spinoff is a technology, originally developed to meet our mission needs that has been transferred to the public and now provides benefits as a commercial product or service. Basically, we create awesome stuff and then share it with the world. Here’s a list of just a few NASA spinoff technologies (in no particular order): 1. Enriched Baby Food [...] Possibly the most widely recognized spinoff, memory foam was invented by our researchers looking for ways to keep its test pilots and astronauts comfortable as they experienced extreme acceleration. Today, memory foam cushions beds, chairs, couches, car and motorcycle seats, shoes and even football helmets. 6. International Search and Rescue System [...] ## 1. Weightless weight-lifting]( Athletes Go for the Gold with NASA Spinoffs NASA technology tends to find its way into the sporting world more often than you’d expect. Fitness is important to the space program because astronauts must undergo the extreme g-forces of getting into space and endure the long-term effects of weightlessness on the human body. The agency’s engineering expertise also means that items like shoes and swimsuits can be improved with NASA know-how.
- NASA Technology Spinoffs: - Improving Life on Earth
National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA Technology Spinoffs: Improving Life on Earth Many science-fiction writers envisioned the 21st century as space-like living on Earth. Although fictitious gizmos such as chrome-embellished molecular transporters, electroplasma gear and magnaspanners never came into being, other innovations such as wireless communications, medical telemetry, memory metal and robots are now a reality, thanks to NASA technology. Many technologies developed for space [...] NASA Technology Spinoffs Spacey Sports Safety Protective equipment is an important part of any sport. NASA technology has increased player performance while protecting players from injuries. Solutions For Hot Situations Next time you are watching a NASCAR race, think about NASA. New protective suits, based on NASA’s spacesuit technology, protect drivers from the racetrack’s extreme heat. Nextel Ceramic Textiles and Composites from 3M offer space-age protection and innovative solutions for hot [...] with both domestic and exotic animals. A complete list of test results is produced in fewer than 15 minutes. Clocks With Rocks To keep missions on time, General Time Corp. developed electrically stimulated quartz crystals. Quartz provides a stable time base, giving clocks an accuracy of one minute a year. By vibrating up to 4,194,304 times a second, the clocks keep millions of people on time around the globe. To Extend Life To There Solar energy, flat-screen televisions, battery-powered tools,
- NASA Space Tech Spinoffs Benefit Earth Medicine, Moon to ...
Spinoffs are part of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and its Technology Transfer program. Tech Transfer is charged with finding broad, innovative applications for NASA-developed technology through partnerships and licensing agreements, ensuring agency investments benefit the nation and the world. To read the latest issue of Spinoff, visit: News Media Contact Jimi Russell NASA Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 james.j.russell@nasa.gov 2024-008 Related News