An Exploration of Environmental Technology Transition from the Laboratory to the Field

Environmental policy, social factors, individual behavior, and environmental technologies are key factors in improving the current condition of the environment. The Department of Defense (DoD) is not immune to these aspects, as its actions have and will continue to impact the environment in which they conduct operations. The objective of this research is to analyze the environmental technology aspect of improving environmental conditions. Of particular interest, what barriers and bridges are encountered when an Air Force laboratory transitions environmental technologies to an end-user: operational field organization or major weapon system. The research employs a case study methodology to analyze five environmental technology transition efforts within the Air Force. Several key findings identify barriers and bridges specific to the transition of environmental technologies. They include: oversight of environmental protection agencies, the difficulty in clearly defining the end-user, and the need to demonstrate environmental technologies to potential end-users. Further analysis of the case studies indicate that many of the barriers and bridges encountered in the transition of environmental technologies are also encountered in the transition of general technologies. In addition, the researcher provides recommendations for change, and offers future opportunities for research in the area of environmental technology transition