U.S. to share solar technology with Libya?

The U.S. and the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya today signed a bilateral science and technology cooperation agreement at the U.S. Department of State, with Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky signing on behalf of the U.S., and Ahmed S. Fituri, Secretary of Americas Affairs at the General People’s Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, signing on behalf of Libya.

This is the first official bilateral agreement signed between the countries since they re-established relations in 2004. While these types of agreements are inked often with various countries in the world, this one also includes sharing technology on solar – one of the key areas that I watch.

Dobriansky said in a statement that the deal "aims to enhance various operations geared towards combating avian flu, harnessing the benefits of solar power and applying nanotechnology in ways that enrich lives."

What that means exactly I am still trying to determine, and I wait anxiously for the Department of State to get back to me to answer my questions. How this will impact semiconductor industry companies that participate in the solar and nanotechnology markets is my biggest question.

According to the Department of State, the agreement “provides a mechanism through which the United States and Libya can broaden cooperation in all scientific and technology fields, and move forward in areas of on-going collaboration such as public health, water resources, and space and upper atmospheric science. It is designed to support government-to-government exchanges, scientific partnerships between private, academic, and non-governmental entities, and the establishment of science-based industries and promotion of jobs.”

It sounds good on the surface, and it begs the question as to where these jobs may be based. Will they be U.S. government jobs, or will the jobs be based in Libya. Will this open up more funding for government-sponsored solar research in the U.S.? How will this impact a company like Applied Materials? Will it give them a new market opportunity?

A key part of the agreement establishes a framework to facilitate exchange of scientific results and provides protection for intellectual property rights, and is expected to help establish a regional dialogue on science issues such as the protection of the environment and the management of shared resources.

While the agreement is meant to be an important step in recognizing Libya’s historic renunciation of weapons of mass destruction and positive re-engagement with the international community, the impact to U.S.-based solar and nanotechnology efforts is still unclear.

What do you think?

–Ann Steffora Mutschler, Senior Editor