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Lithium and sodium-ion technologies are more closely linked than assumed

A recent study published in Nature Energy found that switching to a new battery technology does not automatically open the door to new market players due to established companies' structural advantages. The researchers analyzed over 15,000 patents and found significant knowledge transfer between lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Energy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 23, 2026

Study: New class of catalysts could dramatically change playing field in nickel catalysis

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have developed a new method for synthesizing thermally stable Ni(I) compounds that opens new avenues for building complex molecules. The new catalysts exhibit rapid ligand substitution, exceptional performance in key reactions, and chemo-selectivity.

New technology could quash QR code phishing attacks

Researchers have developed a new form of QR code that can protect users from phishing attacks by signaling whether a link is safe or not. The SDMQR codes provide an added layer of security without interfering with existing functionality, allowing companies to replace traditional barcodes with more sophisticated QR codes.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalIEEE Security & Privacy·DateFeb 11, 2025

New research helps eliminate dead zones in desalination technology and beyond

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique to eliminate fluid flow dead zones in electrodes used for battery-based seawater desalination. The tapered flow channel design improves fluid flow by two to three times, making it more efficient than current reverse osmosis methods.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalElectrochimica Acta·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 15, 2025

More academic freedom leads to more innovation

A recent study by an international team has established a link between academic freedom and innovative output for the first time. The researchers found that countries with higher levels of academic freedom tend to have more patent applications and citations, indicating a positive correlation between academic freedom and innovation. Con...

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 21, 2024

New study pinpoints startups’ vulnerabilities to innovation imitation

A new study published in the Strategic Management Journal suggests that startups are more vulnerable to innovation imitation due to knowledge spillovers and university endorsements. The study found that startups' patents receive fewer citations than established companies', despite accounting for a higher percentage of total patents.

SourceStrategic Management Society·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2024

Startups spark more innovations in emerging industries than established companies do

New research from Texas McCombs found that startups have an outsized number of future citations, sparking more innovation in emerging industries like photovoltaic cells. Startups' inventions are more likely to be cited by universities and companies due to resource disparities, academic citations, and prior lawsuits.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalStrategic Management Journal·TypeObservational study·DateJan 30, 2024

New specimen collection system enhances assisted reproductive technologies

A new specimen collection system has been developed to enhance assisted reproductive technologies by providing a simple one-step method for selecting high-quality sperm for ICSI. The system, known as NovaSort, uses a barrier mesh to isolate mobile sperm without damaging their DNA.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalOpen Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2023

Accounting transparency effort tied to decreased funding for innovation

Researchers found that regulations aimed at improving financial reporting requirements may have led to decreases in corporate spending on innovation, capital improvements, and mergers and acquisitions. Companies were reluctant to report uncertainty regarding their tax burden in public-facing financial statements, leading to a decline i...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalContemporary Accounting Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 18, 2023

NIH spent $950M for basic or applied research leading to patents providing market exclusivity for drugs approved 2010-19

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) invested approximately $164 billion in project funding prior to first drug approval, with only 0.59% ($0.95/$164 billion) associated with patents providing market exclusivity. This research highlights the limited public interest protections for NIH-funded research on new drugs approved between 20...

SourceBentley University·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateJul 26, 2023

Digging through patents to make mining greener

Researchers from Kyushu University analyzed global patent applications to identify R&D strategies for sustainable mining technologies. The study found that the Paris Agreement and raw metal price trends influence CCMT development, with varying degrees of impact by country.

SourceKyushu University·JournalResources Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 24, 2022

Research paves the way for stronger alloys

Scientists have discovered how microscopic crystals grow and change shape in molten metals as they cool, leading to a better understanding of the tensile strength of alloys. The research, published in Acta Materialia, used high-speed synchrotron X-ray tomography to study the changing crystal structures in molten alloys.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalActa Materialia·TypeObservational study·DateJun 1, 2022

When AI is the inventor – who gets the patent?

Academics argue AI systems like DABUS need new IP laws as existing ones are inadequate to deal with cases where machines are named sole inventors. The authors recommend introducing a new 'AI-IP' form of law that would be specifically tailored to AI-generated inventiveness, addressing ownership and novelty issues.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalNature·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMay 30, 2022

Innovation flows across regions and sectors in complex ways, study shows

A new study analyzes knowledge transfers across 853 US counties in five manufacturing industries, revealing the importance of local environment, university research, and industry structure for innovation. The findings provide insights into inter- and intra-regional flows, as well as the role of external factors in knowledge output.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalSpatial Economic Analysis·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2022