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Typically, I read with only casual interest the section in Lubrication Engineering dealing with new product announcements. As a researcher, I tend to work very far from the immediate (real) world of product development, marketing and sales. A few years ago, however, my perspective began to change. Along with a colleague, I was awarded a patent for a new high temperature solid lubricant. I got a patent number and a handshake from the boss. Then I decided to invest some effort to transfer this government funded research "product" to market. I've had enough experience in solving industrial tribology problems during my career to know that developing a sellable product isn't easy. Nonetheless, how hard could it be? New products are brought...