I spend half of my life reading science fiction, but this article is maybe still too positive for me. Some Wharton researchers seem to have found a way to search data in order to highlight possible crossover application of current technologies.

"To overcome those problems (the team has) developed a patented process that will help companies analyze databases of information about technologies and suggest new markets where they might be commercialized."

"We have a serendipity generator. Serendipity happens every now and then, but this process reiterates the connection. The fundamental problem is that technologists know nothing about markets, and markets know nothing about the technologies."
"For example, the initial developers of Kevlar weren't thinking about a market for protecting people against tornadoes; it wasn't their job to develop products for storm protection. Only rarely are companies large enough to have the resources and knowledge to explore new crossover markets with technologies they develop in-house. One such company is DuPont, which developed Kevlar in 1965 and extended its use to several new areas--including bulletproof vests--and to a new residential storm shelter it unveiled in March 2003. "
"The Wharton team's new process aims to meet this challenge by using a methodology that "combines computer research techniques with human research techniques," MacMillan says. Kimbrough likens the new process to the methodology Google uses. Although Google's search engine is automated, it exploits information that thousands of individuals (at no cost to Google) painstakingly collected and loaded onto their Web sites. Kimbrough explains that Google's page-ranking algorithm "exploits tons of work (done by) people who put Java links on their Web sites; it exploits their manual labor."

"There is a lot of information in texts (on technology) about what stuff can be used for," Kimbrough notes. "A document is like a bit of DNA. There are discernible patterns that can be very subtle." Unlike traditional products, the Wharton team's new process searches through documents and makes connections between highly technical descriptions of properties--often familiar only to narrow "silos" of technologies--and broader terms that could suggest market applications to those who work in other areas."

If the team is not only into their dreams the technology could help many Fortune 100 companies capitalizing on intellectual properties. The Internet has just begun to change the game how to find innovation. Some IP exchanges are up and running, but still different naming conventions and the closeness of the market hinder fast innovation.

"The team is now preparing to convert the prototype methodology into a full-fledged commercial process. Anyone who has an entrepreneurial drive will love it."

I'll be watching....