Reverse Knowledge Transfer betweenCommercial Markets and DefenseTechnology: The Case of AdvancedMaterials and Gas Turbines

The following paper explores the dynamics of the innovation process for new materials andanalyzes the interplay between military and civil applications in fostering research andtechnological advance in this particular field. Advanced materials R&D has been a focus areafor governments in North America, Europe and Asia, as well as for private corporations inseveral important industries (chemicals, steel and metals, aerospace, automobiles etc.). Theinnovation process for advanced materials is long-term in character, extremely risky andboundary-spanning, building on the effective interplay between basic research, product andprocess engineering, as well as on active involvement of suppliers as well as users, oftenfrom diverse fields.[...]