“Iowa State University Chemistry Department Issued 20 Patents in 2018”
Chemistry Department at Iowa State University Leads in Patent Issuance
In the 2018 fiscal year, faculty members in the Department of Chemistry at Iowa State University were issued 20 patents, accounting for half of the total patents issued within the university during that period. This high number of patents is a testament to the department’s strong research tradition and the practical application of chemistry.
Patents: A Reflection of Research Excellence
William Jenks, professor and chair of chemistry, explains that the high number of patents issued is not merely a coincidence but a reflection of the department’s commitment to both basic and applied research. Patents, he says, are the result of years of fruitful research and hard work. Even after the research is complete, it may take several years for a full patent to be issued.
Patents: Solving Real-World Problems
For Robbyn Anand, assistant professor of chemistry, patents are a natural outcome of her efforts to use fundamental research to solve real-world problems. Anand’s research, which has applications in the medical field, involves using a voltage to separate and capture individual cancer cells for analysis. This could potentially improve the ability to give an accurate prognosis or develop better treatment methods. She is also working on developing a wearable hemodialysis machine to provide a healthier and more convenient way for patients with kidney disease to remove waste from their blood.
Patents: A Collaborative Effort
Anand, who joined Iowa State in 2015, already has one provisional patent, one patent application in review, and is working on another provisional patent application. She credits the support provided by ISURF, the university’s research foundation, for her success in the patent process. Company interest often starts early in the research to patent process, with companies collaborating or contributing to the funding of research. In some cases, companies may even pay a fee to own the intellectual property involved.
Patents: A Testament to Long-Term Research
George Kraus, University Professor and professor of chemistry, has received 24 patents over 42 years of research at Iowa State. He continues to work on research that may result in patents. One such research effort, in collaboration with Aaron Sadow, professor of chemistry, is evaluating furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) for use as a more sustainable alternative to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common component in plastic bottles.
The high number of patents issued to the Department of Chemistry at Iowa State University is a testament to the department’s commitment to research excellence and the practical application of chemistry. As the department continues to push the boundaries of research, more patents are expected to be issued, further cementing the department’s reputation as a leader in the field.
Published: September 4, 2018