If you are under the impression that the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC) is only useful for fundamental physics experiments and doesn’t have any capacity for real-world applications, think again!

Today’s guest, Matt Garrett, is the Director of Technology Transfer and Private Partnerships at SLAC (one of 17 Department of Energy National Laboratories). In today’s episode, Matt explains how SLAC’s linear particle accelerator contributes to science and the enormous potential for societal impact that lies in the lessons that have been learned through its development. 

We also discuss the programs at SLAC that are focused on developing entrepreneurial capabilities, Matt’s mission to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the technology transfer community, the importance of place-based innovation, and more!  

In This Episode:

[00:53] Introducing Matt Garrett, the Director of Technology Transfer and Private Partnerships at SLAC National Accelerator Lab. 

[02:53] Matt’s first foray in the technology transfer space. and how his career evolved from there.

[06:27] The driving force behind the founding of the 17 Department of Energy National Laboratories. 

[08:00] Some of SLAC’s most notable achievements, and the value that SLAC brings to the greater scientific community and the world at large. 

[12:55] Matt describes the unique way in which the Department of Energy National Labs operates.  

[14:08] What Matt’s role at SLAC entails, and an overview of how SLAC is structured. 

[19:42] SLAC’s entrepreneurship-focused initiatives.   

[23:11] Work that is being done at the laboratory that SLAC developed in collaboration with Toyota. 

[26:11] How SLAC’s linear particle accelerator technology is being redesigned and used in different forms.

[28:19] Awareness that Matt is bringing to the scientific community about the benefits of technology transfer.

[31:21] Examples of how SLAC’s developments can be used to benefit society. 

[32:19] Matt’s thoughts on the value of technology transfer organizations, and the organizations that he has been involved with.  

[36:01] Value that is being created by the Bay Area Laboratory Innovation Networking Center, which SLAC co-founded. 

[38:49] Matt’s three wishes for the future of SLAC.

Find Matt:

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