2019 was the  first pilot year of IMPEL. Five Lab Innovation Teams were selected and assembled from the ranks of the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Lab family.

The IMPEL 2019 program had three objectives:

• Develop a framework for industry mentorship to guide national lab researchers through an idea incubation process, such that their R&D efforts can be identified in impact areas where industry players find a gap.

• Train researchers to communicate value to important non-technical audiences. 

• Launch relationships between industry and national labs on the selected technologies.

The IMPEL 2019 program was designed to benefit both lab teams and mentors.

• The Lab Innovation Teams​ (LITs) were the core beneficiaries of the IMPEL program. They gained deep exposure to industry mentors, insights into market considerations, exposure to technical experts, access to building technologies-focused resource guides

• IMPEL mentors gained a meaningful opportunity for exposure to the DOE and national lab network, as well as an access to LIT ideas. Mentors got to know about other areas/departments within the national labs. 

These five lab innovation teams took their concept from idea to pitch guided by industry mentors, at a final wide-exposure DOE-IMPEL Showcase Event in Washington DC. 

For more information about IMPEL's first year:

• IMPEL 2019 People

• IMPEL 2019 Activities