Final answer:
A technology transfer office's primary role is to manage the transfer of technology from research institutions to industry, handle patents, and promote local business growth and employment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main function of a technology transfer office (TTO) is to facilitate the transfer of technology and innovations from the research environment, often within a university or a government agency, such as NASA, to the marketplace or industry for commercialization. By doing so, they ensure that new inventions and scientific advances benefit the broader public and economy. TTOs often manage the patents and intellectual property (IP) rights for the inventions, work to attract outside investment to local businesses, and can help create employment in the service industry through these transfers. Additionally, they may be involved in the formal encoding of local monitoring and managing resource extraction, ensuring that there's a payment received for successfully maintaining local resources.