Technology Readiness Levels – What are they and why are they important?

Originally developed by NASA in the 1970s, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework provides a scale for the maturity of a technology ranging from an initial idea to a commercially available product. It’s since been adapted by the European Union to provide TRL scales that apply to all fields of research, not just space technology.

Why state a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) in your technology summaries

By allocating a standardised and internationally recognised TRL to a technology, researchers and businesses discussing collaboration or licensing of a technology can be on the same page from the start. The TRL gives an immediate overview of where a technology is currently at, and the level of future work required in order to bring the technology to market.

Some companies may be interested in technologies that are at a specific stage of development. For example, some may be more interested in early stage technologies, as their involvement early on means they have the ability to progress a technology in a direction that fits with their business. Posting early stage technologies to IN-PART also lets you field feedback from industry on how to develop the technology in line with industry needs.

Other companies may prefer to not be involved until the later stages, perhaps because of the research facilities or funding that is available to them. Therefore, by including a TRL in a technology summary, it is possible to filter out interactions by companies which may immediately dismiss a technology once they have established its maturity, saving your team time and effort.

For the same reason, it is also important to remain engaged with the principal investigator and be aware of any developments that occur with the technology so that the summary, including the TRL can be updated when necessary, even if this is just outlining what the proposed next steps are, rather than a specific change in the TRL. An updated summary allows companies to see that the project is still active and progressing, and allows them to reach out and show their interest when the time is right. Additionally, by remaining engaged with the PI, you will maintain better knowledge of the technology and an idea of time frames for when the next stage should be reached which may also be of interest to companies once conversations have begun.

The framework

The TRL scale is summarised in the image below. It runs from 1 to 9, with nine being the most mature phase. The terminology is interchangeable, but the basic concept at each stage is the same (take a look in the footnotes of the article for some examples of alternative terminology).

A technology’s TRL is determined via a Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA), during which a systematic and evidence-based process evaluates where within the TRL framework the technology sits. A technology progresses up the levels as it is tested and demonstrates its capabilities in increasingly complex scenarios. During this process, the type of technology and the field in which it sits is also considered, as the route to market is not the same for all technologies. 

The Summary

The adaption of the system has proven to be controversial by some, with its critics arguing that clarity is lost if it is not specifically adapted for each research field; the process and path to market followed in medical research is different to that followed by projects in nanotechnology, or digital technologies, for example. So while some technologies may not adhere to this framework as closely as others; we advocate for including an overview of all non-confidential information that is available for any technology within their summary, including the TRL, as well as publishing technologies from your portfolio from all levels of the scale.

Written by Leah Daley. Edited by Daniel Judd.

Copyrights reserved unless otherwise agreed – IN-PART Publishing Ltd., 2023: ‘Technology Readiness Level – What is it and why is it important?’

Who are IN-PART?

IN-PART develops digital solutions, curated by in-house STEM experts, that simplify the initial connection between decision-makers in academia and industry. Our goal is to help drive impact from research by matching innovation and expertise on a level playing field globally.

Connect, a digital partnering platform for university-industry collaboration.

An online matchmaking platform used by 250+ universities and research institutes to connect with industry teams in 6,000+ companies to commercialise academic innovations and expertise that are available and seeking collaboration. 

Join our network and create a free account.

In-line image source: Dimitrios,www.adobe.stock.com/388134757