The overarching goal of the Nicholls State University project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy is to establish a collaborative process with local industry for the purpose of sharing Navy-developed technology. The goal is to educate private sector businesses by increasing their awareness of the vast technology resources available developed with taxpayer funding. NAVSEA-Carderock and the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC.edu) are teaming with Nicholls State University to catalog NAVSEA-Carderock unclassified technologies, rating the level of readiness, and establishing a web based catalog. In particular, the catalog contains technology descriptions including testing summaries and overviews of related presentations.

Fields of interest include hydrogen extraction from seawater (production), methane hydrate processing (production), carbon sequestration (production related), extremely high pressure valves and seals (storage), sensors and monitoring systems (storage and/or safety), and advanced power sources such as fuel cells for marine application.

Through this program, local industries have access to advanced technologies that previously have been only available to the Navy and its contracted partners. This pilot project is designed to serve marine industries in Houma-Thibodaux area and surrounding vicinities. Our partner in this endeavor, Houston Advanced Research Center, serves the Texas region through its Bluewater Consortium. Thanks to this pilot, it is hoped to determine the best ways to make these tech cluster available to industrial businesses.

These technologies will be available to the public via web sites, electronic and printed bulletins, and newsletter inserts. Program advisors envision work shops, presentations at association meetings, and digital online streaming video to disseminate technology explanations.