; and (v) the technology transfer and commercialization community. (D) Restriction on membership No employee of the Department shall be appointed as a member of the board of directors. (b) Purpose; activities (1) Purpose The purpose of the Foundation is to channel private sector investments that support efforts to create, develop, and commercialize innovative technologies that address energy challenges by methods that include— (A) fostering collaboration and partnerships with researchers from the Federal Government, State governments, institutions of higher education, federally funded research and development centers, industry, and nonprofit organizations for the research, development, or commercialization of transformative energy technologies; (B) leveraging technologies by supporting new product development that supports regional economic development