“Purdue University Achieves Record with 192 US Patents in 2022, Ranking Fifth Internationally”

Purdue University Researchers Secure 192 US Patents in 2022

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University researchers have once again demonstrated their innovative prowess, securing 192 patents in 2022 for their groundbreaking inventions that are set to transform lives globally.

From a system that processes agricultural field images for remote phenotype measurements to a 3D printer capable of printing structures as small as 100 nanometers, and a process that produces butylene, propylene, and ethylene from natural gas liquids in shale gas, the patented inventions are a testament to Purdue’s commitment to protecting intellectual property and advancing technological innovation.

In 2022, the Purdue Research Foundation received an impressive 192 patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), placing it fifth internationally. This achievement follows Purdue’s No. 6 ranking in both 2020 and 2021, when it received 175 and 169 patents, respectively.

Purdue’s Patent Success

The patent count includes multiple campuses in the same system as one, such as the University of California system, with 10 campuses, and the University of Texas system, with eight campuses. In terms of single American university campuses, the top 5 are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue University, Stanford University, Harvard University, and California Institute of Technology.

The information was published in a report from the National Academy of Inventors.

“In achieving our highest annual ranking of U.S. patents so far, Purdue, along with MIT, stand out as single American campuses without medical schools that count among the most active in inventions,” said Purdue President Mung Chiang. “Boilermaker inventors are colleagues and students who translate their knowledge creation through a foundation for direct impact to society. Half of the equation in the recently launched Purdue Innovates is to provide the best support for them to disclose inventions, apply for and receive patents, and license and deploy these patented inventions.” 

Technology Commercialization at Purdue

The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization manages the technology transfer process to vet, protect and license innovations developed by university researchers, including filing patent applications. Its technology portfolio covers innovations in subject areas including agriculture, biotechnology, chemistry and chemical analysis, computer technology, engineering, food and nutrition, green technology, micro- and nanotechnologies, and more.

Brian Edelman, president of Purdue Research Foundation said, “Purdue Research Foundation provides resources to support faculty, staff and student researchers across all academic disciplines and campuses who want to commercialize their inventions. These commercialization resources bring this leading-edge and most modern work to the public, where it can strengthen quality of life and economic and workforce development.”

Notable Patents of 2022

Among the 2022 patents were:

“Augmented reality platform for collaborative classrooms” by Karthik Ramani, the Donald W. Feddersen Distinguished Professor in Mechanical Engineering and professor of electrical and computer engineering, College of Engineering.
“Collagen compositions and methods of use” by Sherry L. Harbin, professor, College of Engineering and College of Veterinary Medicine.
“Furniture and methods of storage” by Tong Jin “TJ” Kim, professor, College of Liberal Arts.
“Immune receptor conferring broad spectrum fungal resistance in sorghum,” Tesfaye D. Mengiste, professor, College of Agriculture.
“Methods of analyzing crude oil” by Graham Cooks, the Henry B. Hass Distinguished Professor of Analytical Chemistry, College of Science. 
“Modified glucagon molecules” by Elizabeth M. Topp, professor, College of Engineering and College of Pharmacy.
“Multichannel pulsed valve inlet system and method” by Hilkka I. Kenttämaa, the Frank Brown Distinguished Professor of Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, College of Science.
“Multipurpose solar drying tray assemblies and methods therefor” by Klein Ileleji, associate professor, College of Agriculture and College of Engineering.
“Multirotor aerial vehicle with automatically rotatable arms” by Xiumin Diao, associate professor, Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
“Muscle progenitor cells enhance innervation” by Stacey Halum, adjunct associate professor, College of Health and Human Sciences.
“Proactive customer care in a communication system” by Sonia Fahmy, professor, College of Science.
“System and method for using a solar cell in wireless communication” by Walter Daniel Leon-Salas, associate professor, Purdue Polytechnic Institute. 

Purdue’s Impact on Innovation

Since 2001, the Office of Technology Commercialization has received 6,306 invention disclosures from university researchers, applied for 9,759 patents from U.S. and international organizations, received 2,871 patents from U.S. and international organizations, executed 2,359 licenses for businesses to commercialize Purdue innovations, and helped create 288 startups based on Purdue innovations.

From 2006-22, OTC has received more than $84 million in net revenue from licensing activity.

About Purdue University: Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free.

About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization: The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university’s academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property.

Writer/Media contact: Steve Martin, sgmartin@prf.org