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of intense oil and gas exploration, and brings it to the commer- cial marketplace. The instruments, licensed to Quad Geomet- rics by the University of California, San Diego, show changes in density under the seaß oor so drilling companies can see whatÕs happening underground as the oil and gas are pumped out. Changes in gravity measurements help extraction compa- nies understand and maintain the balance between remaining oil and gas, empty space and the water used to backÞ ll the voids created by the pumping activity. Information on how much product remains in a reservoir is potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars to these companies. Quad GeometricsÕ instruments can give a clear picture of the underground/underwater topography showing how much or how little viable product is sitting below the sea. As companies attempt to squeeze out the maximum from each well, such technologies can measure the reservoir to see if itÕs cost effective to continue pumping or time to stop. Prof. Steven Constable directs the Marine Electromagnetism (EM) Laboratory at Scripps and established the Seaß oor Elec- tromagnetic Methods Consortium (http://marineemlab.ucsd. edu/semc.html), which has attracted the support of leading oil and gas companies and specialized geophysical services providers that beneÞ t from the laboratoryÕs world-class ex- pertise and access to cutting-edge instruments developed over decades by the EM Lab. Future Partnerships Continuing the support for aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to start new companies using Scripps technology lies with Hans de Salas-Del Valle. He describes his role as one of support for innovation internally and for the industries that would beneÞ t from Scripps technology. ÒI want to make it as easy as possible [for them] to work with us.Ó With three successful spin-off companies to its credit, de Salas-Del Valle claims it is ÒÉa testament to the robust and valuable technologies at Scripps.Ó He plans to replicate those success stories. ÒAt the end of day, our mandate is to bring our technolo- gies into the market for the public beneÞ t. Whether a medical treatment from the sea, or a tool to make it safer and more efÞ cient to bring resources out of the marine environment,Ó de Salas-Del Valle will work to continue the shift in culture toward partnerships between Scripps and industry entrepre- neurs. Scripps buoy. (Photo credit Scripps Oceanographic Institute) ?Universities are all about discovery and asking questions, but the commercial world, my world, is all about solutions and  nd- ing answers. Making the connection between the science and the public is a huge challenge and a necessity in this world.? Jim Dufour, Founder of MRV Systems www.seadiscovery.com Marine Technology Reporter 35MTR #8 (34-49).indd 35MTR #8 (34-49).indd 3511/5/2013 9:26:52 AM11/5/2013 9:26:52 AM