Research Staff Profile -- Nick DeCristofaro

Campus Welcomes New CVIP Director

UMass Amherst Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property Director Nick DeCristofaro brings to campus years of patent process experience and an infectious enthusiasm for technology commercialization. A PhD graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, DeCristofaro has 55 patents and 30 publications to his credit. He claims that, “for me it was always thrilling to see a new technology work, but even better to see it commercialized.”
During his 30 year career as a materials scientist and business leader with Allied Signal and Honeywell Intl., he’s had first hand experience navigating the sometimes turbulent waters of the patent application process. “The CVIP staff has been through the patent and licensing process,” he says, “and we’re here to help inventors get through it with a strong patent and a licensing strategy that maximizes the university’s IP value.”

To researchers experienced in the peer review process of academic publishing, patenting may seem unfamiliar, even intimidating. “A primary goal of CVIP,” says DeCristofaro, “is to make the unfamiliar less intimidating.” He’s quick to point out that the process isn’t formulaic; each technology and market is unique. CVIP works cooperatively with the inventors to craft a strong patent application, which necessarily includes the iterative process of application rejection, revision and resubmission. “Inventors should embrace the rejection process,” he explains, “because rejections (and subsequent revisions) actually help build stronger patents that are more resistant to challenges.”

Once a patent is secured CVIP continues working with the inventors to implement a successful licensing strategy. DeCristofaro emphasizes that this commercialization process is a collaborative effort between the inventor(s) and CVIP, which also draws on the resources of university external liaison and relations offices. “We engage in a dialogue, using our technology licensing experience and market awareness to help inventors answer essential questions that will determine the type of license to pursue or whether to spin-off a new venture.”

“This university will always be in the business of generating knowledge,” he concludes, quoting NSM Dean George Langford. “As we look to the future, it is also our responsibility to convert that knowledge into products and services of value to society.”

Biography

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HITACHI METALS Aug. 2003 to present

Director of Technology: Metglas Inc.

Responsible for the merger of technologies between two independent business units producing advanced materials and electronic devices.

Conducted best practice analyses of materials and device manufacturing technologies.
Established technology transfer plan designed to streamline new plant startup activities, reducing startup expenses by 50%.
Coordinated Intellectual Property strategies and practices. Outsourced all IP services, reducing legal expenses by 40%.

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY Sept. 2003 to present

Adjunct Professor: Materials Science and Engineering

Assists staff in the supervision of graduate student research programs, research project management, and in the preparation of proposals for funding.

HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL (formerly AlliedSignal Inc.) 1975 to 2003

Technical Director : Power Management and Advanced Magnetics Jan. 1995 to Aug. 2003 Led new product development, technology licensing and Intellectual Property management activities at rapidly growing, $50 million/year, global business.

Established and managed successful product development programs with major US corporations, government laboratories and universities.
- New product launches included magnets for medical imaging systems, electronic devices for telecom, high-energy physics components, high-efficiency motors and generators, catalytic converter assemblies and heat exchanger components.
- Increased new product sales from $2 million to $20 million/year (from 10% to 40% of sales).
- Improved SBE gross margin from 35% to 60%.
- Created new product pipeline valued at over $100 million/year by 2008.
Negotiated worldwide licenses and managed technology transfer in electrical distribution products, energy management, electronic article surveillance and electronic devices, netting over $100 million in licensing revenues between 1995 and 2003.
Managed Intellectual Property portfolio of 250 U.S. cases, including;
- All U.S. and foreign filings, office actions and litigation,
- Two technology donations valued at over $20 million.

March 1991 to December 1994
General Manager : High Performance Metals Business Venture

Led New Business Venture with P/L responsibility for the commercialization of advanced alloys. Responsibilities included strategic planning, manufacturing operations, applications development, and marketing and sales.

Developed training program to utilize existing AlliedSignal Aerospace field sales resources to address major U.S. and European aerospace and automotive companies.
Won Title III Program (Defense Production Act), USAF-PRAM Program (Productivity, Reliability, Availability and Maintainability), and Advanced Technology Program (DoC) for advanced materials applications, manufacturing and market development.
Led divestiture efforts, including $10 million sale of assets and intellectual property.

June 1987 to March 1991
Director, Metals and Ceramics Research : Corporate Technology

Managed technical staff of 50 in two locations, with $13 million budget. Programs included government and corporate funded research in structural, magnetic and electronic materials.

Launched three new products that have since matured into $75 million in annual sales.
Prepared business plan and organized business team to commercialize advanced aluminum alloy technology (High Performance Metals).

January 1976 to June 1987
Staff Scientist, Group Manager & Director, Special Metals

Organized and managed technology efforts and profit center for the production and sale of rapidly solidified metals.

Designed, built and commissioned manufacturing facility for continuously cast metals.
Represented AlliedSignal before the International Trade Commission and the United States and European Patent Offices regarding patent defense and litigation.
Directed program with McKinsey and Co., establishing an overall business strategy.

EDUCATION

Ph. D. in Materials Science and Engineering ,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge , MA

S.M. and B.S. in Metallurgy ,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge , MA

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

54 U.S. patents addressing applications, processing and chemistries of advanced materials
Publications include original research and invited reviews.
Invited lecturer at Columbia , Penn, MIT, UCLA, University College ( Cardiff ), Oxford , Tohoku.
New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology - peer review panel for Rutgers University Fiber Optic Materials Research Program.
School District of the Chathams (NJ) - Board of Education (1989-98).
New Jersey Research and Development Council - Board of Directors (1987-94).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Vice Chairman, Educational Council (1977-90).