ADOP2T: Accelerated Diffusion of Pollution Prevention Technologies. A model for technology diffusion developed by the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC). Click on the link to view a general process flow diagram describing how this model could be applied to a given sector.

Awareness Knowledge: Information that an innovation exists.

Change Agent: Individuals involved with assisting industry with pollution prevention, environmental compliance and manufacturing assistance. This may include technical assistance providers from university programs, state pollution prevention agencies, NIST manufacturing extension agents, consultants, vendors, etc.

Complexity: Perceptions regarding how difficult an innovation is to understand and use.

How-To Knowledge: Information necessary to use an innovation properly.

Observability: The degree to which an innovation can be experimented with on a limited basis.

Pollution Prevention (P2) Benefits: The prevention of regulated and non-regulated waste being generated as well as alternative materials that are less polluting, the minimizing of the volume of raw materials used or consumed in the process, including water. Also includes reducing energy and labor inputs.

Principles Knowledge: Information dealing with the functioning principles underlying how an innovation works.

Stakeholder: An entity that may benefit from assistance from change agents to implement technologies that prevent pollution.

Technology Development: The process of creating technological solutions to problems that currently do not have satisfactory solutions. The technical aspects must be developed to a point such that the technology is simple, compatible and rugged enough to be used in real-world applications. Additionally, the technical advantages (economics, materials efficiency, etc.) must be well established. These activities are performed predominantly by researchers and entrepreneurs.

Technology Diffusion: The process of facilitating change or implementation of technologies/solutions that are commercially available, but have not yet achieved widespread market penetration. Clients need technology education assistance to create technology awareness and promote understanding of technical aspects. Uncertainty issues associated with how to implement the technology must be resolved. This is often accomplished through demonstrations and pilot trials. These activities are usually performed by sales people, technical assistance providers and consultants.

Technology Transfer: The process of getting new technologies/solutions to be readily available on the open market. The technology must have moved beyond the laboratory testing and demonstration phases. It needs to be marketed to private sector entities willing to commercialize the technology. These activities are typically performed by lawyers and business specialists such as venture capitalists.