Inventions and Patents

The University of Bonn generates a steady stream of groundbreaking research results. Patented inventions are important for successfully introducing these innovations to the market. As a member of the University of Bonn, the Transfer Center will help you to identify, evaluate and protect the economic potential of your research and advise you on the details of this process. In principle, the University of Bonn follows the goals and the activities derived from its patent strategy¹.

The innovation2business.nrw offers free workshops and training courses² on the subject of intellectual property (IP).

The perfect introduction to the world of intellectual property and property rights: With the IP e-learning course "IP-Fuehrerschein" (in German)³, PROvendis GmbH, in cooperation with the ITM (State Competence Center in NRW in the field of information, telecommunications and media law at the University of Münster), offers a free and unique nationwide digital training opportunity on all aspects of intellectual property (IP).

Assessment of Inventions

We assess your invention’s level, also in regard to the industrial applicability. Starting with the invention disclosure to us, taking the decision to file a patent and later execute IP licensing deals, we closely work with PROvendis GmbH, the patent servicer for NRW universities. Our IP (Intellectual Property) consultants answer general and personal questions from inventors concerning the Employee Invention Act (Arbeitnehmererfindergesetz), industrial property rights and the economic exploitation of research and development results, such as: Will the invention application be granted; and to what extent?

An invention is a creative achievement that solves a technical problem. It has to satisfy several requirements to be granted a patent. It must be new, that is, not known in the current state of the art, which includes all written and oral publications — even your own. It must be based on an inventive step and go far beyond the prevailing technology known. And it must be applicable in some field of industry.

Scientist and consultant discussing an invention.

Applying for Patents

enaCom will advise you on the patent application process and help you to prepare the invention disclosure. We prepare a strategy for the utilization of each invention. A variety of possibilities exist for the commercialization of university patents, such as licensing agreements, maintaining the patent to raise third party funding, or starting your own business.

There is some information we need before we can prepare your invention disclosure. We use the information to determine the ownership of the invention, to correctly identify the inventors to be put on a patent application, and to assess the scope of patent protection, which in turn affects the opportunities for exploitation. Please complete this questionnaire⁴ and sent it to our IP consultant (contact information below).

Benefits of a Patent

Publications are very important within the academic research community. But think about patenting before submitting a publication as you risk the chances of getting a patent granted. It is therefore very important to talk to us, submit an invention disclosure in order to protect you against this risk. The patent owner is granted the exclusive right to exploit the invention for a maximum period of 20 years. This protects innovative products and processes against imitation by competitors.

Industrial property rights — in particular patents — are therefore essential for the economic success of a technical innovation. They are also often used to raise third party funding. Patents act as a signal that research is being performed in a particular field and that the corresponding know-how exists.

Software

Software increasingly forms the basis for marketable products and services. At the University of Bonn, too, many start-ups are currently emerging in the field of IT-based services. Innovative ideas are just as much in demand here as in all other technical areas. However, when it comes to the question of intellectual property and its protection, a major difference becomes apparent: In contrast to conventional technical inventions, software often cannot be meaningfully protected via patents; here, the focus is rather on copyright. For a quick consultation we need some information in advance. This enables us to check who is entitled to the copyright as well as the exploitation right and who holds further rights to this software. Please fill out this questionnaire⁵ and send it to our IP consultants (contact below).

new patent applications on average per year

patent exploitation deals on average per year

2.5

to 3 years for patent proceedings on average

Technologies at the University of Bonn

Some of the inventions based on the excellent research performed at the University of Bonn are presented here. The patented innovations were selected from a variety of technology areas. All of the technologies were evaluated and are exploited by PROvendis GmbH based on economic and patent criteria.

Battery Technology

Biotechnology

Whether electromobility, smartphones or industrial applications – high-performance, durable and safe energy storage systems are in demand in many fields of application.

Hydrogen free Water2Ammonia - Electrochemical Twin Reactor for direct NH3 Synthesis from water⁶

New approaches in alternative energy sources and food production, fermentation processes, modified enzymes for processing technologies

Chemistry

The opportunities for patenting chemical technologies cover a wide range from innovative high-performance chemicals and analytical methods to new materials.

Diagnostics

Advanced diagnostics are essential for identifying and distinguishing between illnesses. Our biomarkers are used for this purpose.

Energy and Environmental Technology

Energy-efficient, environmentally friendly technologies represent the University’s important contribution to the creation of a sustainable future.

Engineering

Improved product quality, larger production quantities or new materials – University of Bonn offers innovative solutions from all areas of mechanical engineering.

Window for high temperatures - High-pressure and vacuum-proof sapphire glass windows in a metal flange for high temperatures²⁴

Material Technology

Nanotechnology-based materials, efficient testing methods and resource-saving composite materials are some examples of this research.

Pharma

Pharmaceutical research contributes to the creation of a healthy society by identifying, testing and optimizing potential new active ingredients.

Physics, Metrology & Control Engineering

Precise instrumentation is needed for reliable process and product engineering processes in many areas.

Process Engineering

Innovative solutions and technologies are needed to optimize process engineering in a variety of application areas.

Spray freeze-drying - A process for the spray freeze-drying of lipophilic compounds³⁹

Research Materials

Research materials such as antibodies, cell lines, mouse models and vectors help achieve groundbreaking research in a variety of fields.

Textile Technology

Medical Technology

New approaches and innovations are in demand throughout the entire textile production sector. PROvendis offers attractive technologies from the field of textile engineering for licensing, to purchase or for development cooperation.

Oil float - Environmentally friendly method of removing oil from water⁴⁴

PROvendis offers innovative medical technologies and products for licensing, to purchase or for development cooperation. The portfolio includes medical devices and complex medical equipment, implants, prosthetic devices, stents, and catheters.

Contact

Rüdiger Wolf

wolf@verwaltung.uni-bonn.de

+49 228 73-2210

All Contacts ⁴⁶