Report Overview

This Boliven LandscapeTM report presents an analysis of patenting trends in nanotechnology in the 5 years to end-May 2011. The report is based on a semi-automated and expert-validated analysis of nanotechnology patents, as identified by the EPO & conducted on Boliven systems, a literature review of past patent studies and interviews with nanotechnology and industry experts.

The report comprises brief commentary and key analytics including top ranking organizations by number of patents filed, top ranking industry application (IPC) areas, and patent application trends over time. To provide examples of specific influential nanotechnology developments, an illustrative selection of top cited US patents is provided.

Note: The complete patent dataset on which this report is based is accessible for purchase on request and, after purchase, may be downloaded as an excel file for your own offline analysis. Additionally, CambridgeIP will be pleased to assist you understand activity and corporate IP strategies in particular focus areas of nanotechnology. Request a more detailed report from us.

Related research from CambridgeIP: Click here to read CambridgeIP’s most recent conference presentation ’Nanomaterials trends: Evidence from Science Literature’. The presentation was given by Quentin Tannock (Chairman, CambridgeIP) at the Nanomaterials 2011 conference in London, UK.

Use this Report to:

• Familiarize yourself with patents in the nanotechnology space overall
• Understand global trends over the last 5 years, top players and inventors internationally
• Identify key current and emerging applications of nanotechnology around the world

Introduction

Our patent-based analysis confirms that nanotechnology sees global development and application, with strong growth in R&D in Asian countries - especially China - over the past five years.  There are indications that the nanotechnology space is maturing commercially, with an increased number of major corporate players observed in the patent literature and with some players shifting focus from basic research to the development of specific nano-enabled products and devices. 

Our nanotechnology patent trends and market research indicates:

• Complexity of nanotechnology deployments, indicated by a particularly high level of inter-relation between patents in the field.  Few nanotechnology solutions are ‘stand alone’ propositions, most rely on other technologies for their production and deployment.
• Global development and application of nanotechnologies applicable to multiple market sectors, with a particularly strong showing from China and Asia more broadly in the past 5 years
• Continued high levels of public development and support, compared to other sectors

In this Boliven Landscape we present key data and analyses highlighting:

• Possible indications of the presence of blocking patents and patent thickets in nanotechnology
• High patent forward citation rates, indicating the breadth and quality of early nanotechnology patent filings
• The rising strength of Asian countries and China in particular in the nanotechnology space, which is accompanied by acquisitions of non-China based companies and technologies by Chinese companies
• Key industry application sectors, including for example electronics and materials sectors

Overall, nanotechnology patent application rates rise as public and private investments into nanotechnology R&D increase over time.  This general rise in global nanotechnology patent applications masks a slow-down in patenting rates in some nanotechnology sub-sectors.  CambridgeIP’s prior research identifies the slow-down starting in the period 2002 - 2004 in some nanotechnology sub-spaces, and identifies some of the likely drivers of the slow-down.  Contact us for more information.

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About the CambridgeIP Research Team

CambridgeIP, the thought leaders behind the patent datasets contained in this report, have used patent data analytics to inform the innovation policy and strategy decision-making of both public and private organizations around the world. CambridgeIP's database-driven analysis and foresight on emerging technology patterns and hotspots has assisted both young and mature technology companies identify suitable partners and develop investment strategies. To learn more about CambridgeIP's research, please visit CambridgeIP's Knowledge Center at www.cambridgeip.com