Partnerships between public universities and private companies – called technology transfers – have the potential to solve some of the world's most difficult problems. The idea is to have researchers at universities do their work, and then the institution will help them obtain a patent. At that point, the product can be sold to a private company for distribution. Think of the iconic Gatorade story at the University of Florida.
Image: Boise State University researcher Juliette Tinker works in the lab where she has developed a vaccine that may protect dairy cows from staph infections. KYLE GREEN IDAHO STATESMAN
