Talk innovation: unlocking technology

By European Patent OfficeTechnology

Talk innovation: unlocking technology episodes

September 16 Green biotechnology: growing resilience for tomorrow's food security
How can plant biotechnology help crops withstand drought, flooding and disease, clean polluted soil and even produce medicines?
In this episode, Jeremy Philpott explores the science and IP protection behind plant technologies with Julia Krüger, an EPO patent examiner in biological materials, and Jean-Luc Gal, a patent lawyer. They explore the groundbreaking research behind gene editing, biotechnology’s role in supporting food security and climate resilience, and the patents and plant variety rights that reward inventors.

Host: Jeremy Philpott, communications manager, EPO

Guests:
Julia Krüger, patent examiner; EPO
Jean-Luc Gal, patent lawyer, EPO

More information:
Insight into plant biotechnology
Biotech Patents
Q&A on plant patents

33 min
July 03 Battery circularity: how used EV batteries become future resources
What if millions of used electric vehicle (EV) batteries weren’t waste, but instead a valuable resource?
Drawing on insights from the International Energy Agency and EPO patent data, this episode explores how battery circularity can extend the life of EV batteries, reduce uncertainty around obtaining critical materials like lithium and cobalt, and support a more sustainable energy future. From second-life applications and advanced recycling technologies to policy developments like digital battery passports, discover how innovation is reshaping the lifecycle of batteries.
Host: Marguerite McCaughan Communications Manager, EPO
Guests: Teo Lombardo (International Energy Agency)
More information:
Observatory on Patents and Technology
Technology insight report "Battery circularity - Innovation trends for a future source of critical materials"
EU Battery Passport

16 min
June 23 Out of the Box: how smart lighting saves lives
Could better lighting really be the key to unlocking better health and safety outcomes?

Join two EPO examiners as they explore how advances in LED lighting technologies are transforming everyday life. From adaptive lighting systems that support hospital patient recovery to smart brake lights that communicate with other vehicles to reduce accidents, discover how controlled light is becoming a key tool in both safety and healthcare.

Host: Cristina Lopes Margarido, EPO patent examiner in culinary equipment & food treating devices 
Guest: Ian Morrish, EPO patent examiner in lighting control & electronic circuits

16 min
June 09 Luca Rossettini's mission to clean up space debris
We're surrounded by debris that's invisible to the naked eye. With thousands of inactive satellites orbiting Earth, space is becoming an increasingly critical sustainability frontier.
In this edited recording from the Inspiring Inventors live event series, Italian aerospace engineer Luca Rossettini explores how autonomous technology can reduce space debris and protect satellites in orbit.
During his conversation with EPO patent examiner Edward Cooke, Luca traces his journey from childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut to time spent in Silicon Valley and NASA, and how that path led him to founding D-Orbit Group, a space logistics company nominated for the European Inventor Award 2023.
He breaks down his innovative technology in simple terms and explains its evolution into in-orbit transportation and future space servicing. Along the way, he explores themes related to engineering, entrepreneurship, sustainability and intellectual property.
Host: Edward Cooke, EPO patent examiner
Guest: Luca Rossettini, founder and CEO of D-Orbit Group. Finalist for the European Inventor Award 2023.
More information:
Luca Rossettini’s profile on epo.org
39 min
May 15 Out of the Box: Is sustainable flight finally taking off?
Reducing aircraft fuel consumption isn't just a question of combating rising prices and scarcity, it's also crucial for protecting our environment.

Join two EPO patent examiners as they discuss how breakthroughs in aircraft engines, gas turbines and hydrogen are shaping the future of aviation and space mobility. They also explain the role patents play, enabling new discoveries to build on old ones.

Host: Cristina Lopes Margarido, EPO patent examiner in culinary equipment & food treating devices 
Guests: Stefano Angelucci, EPO patent examiner in compressors, pumps & gas turbines
13 min
April 21AI and energy – a balancing act for sustainability
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work and innovate, but it is also driving a rapid increase in energy demand, raising urgent questions about sustainability and climate impact.
Drawing on insights from European Patent Office experts and patenting trends across AI, semiconductors, renewable energy and smart grids, this episode highlights how inventors are tackling one of today’s defining challenges. Their innovation will determine whether AI becomes a climate liability or a driver of a more sustainable future.
From more efficient AI models and specialised chips to smart grids, energy storage solutions and cooling systems, discover the technologies that could significantly reduce energy use while enabling AI to continue scaling, unlocking even greater potential.

Host: Jeremy Philpott, EPO communication manager

Guests:
Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist
Sandra Zeljkovic, EPO patent examiner in electrical power converters
Nicolas Douarche, EPO patent examiner and team manager in core AI & quantum computing

More information:
EPO Technology Dashboard 2025
EPO's Observatory on Patents and Technology
Sophie Wilson, European Inventor Award finalist 2013
Jaan Leis, Mati Arulepp and Anti Perkson (Skeleton Technologies), European Inventor Award winners 2022
36 min
March 31Owning her story: Professor Dame Carol Robinson on women in STEM
From leaving school at 16 to directing breakthrough research programmes at top universities, Professor Dame Carol Robinson has had a rich and nonlinear STEM career. Listen as she explains how persistence and practical skills helped her field hurdles while tackling imposter syndrome and a career break to raise her children. She also discusses the improvements she's seen for future generations, the importance of mentorship in academia and industry, and the value she sees in owning your story, whatever it may be.

This conversation includes insights from the EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology's new study on the gender gap across Europe's innovation ecosystem.

Host: Victor Arribas Martinez, Stream leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology

Guest: Professor Dame Carol Robinson, Director of the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery at Oxford University, Founder and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board at OMass Therapeutics

More information:
“Advancing women in STEM. A data-driven assessment of the gender gap across Europe’s innovation ecosystem” March 2026 study from the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology
Recording of the event “The future needs her: Advancing women in STEM”
Carol Vivien Robinson: Advancing biochemistry with mass spectrometry (epo.org)
34 min
March 17 Out of the Box: How video streaming fits in your pocket
From mobile streaming to videos only intended to be seen by computers, the technology behind compression algorithms has opened a world of possibilities that goes far beyond entertainment.

Join two EPO patent examiners as they discuss how decades of global collaboration have shaped today's digital technologies, and how new approaches to video coding can improve speed, privacy and efficiency in areas like autonomous driving and smart cities.

Host: Cristina Lopes Margarido, EPO patent examiner in culinary equipment & food treating devices 

Guests: Maryse Stoufs, EPO patent examiner in video coding & compression.
15 min
February 17 Out of the Box: 3D printing in space and safer batteries
Join two EPO examiners as they explore the out-of-this-world to everyday advancements made possible by 3D printing.
From printing tools in outer space to creating smart safety coatings for cell batteries to help protect children, discover the materials science behind these additive and powder technologies. Get insight into what makes these breakthroughs truly “out of the box,” and what it's like to examine inventions at the forefront of innovation.

Host: Cristina Lopes Margarido, EPO patent examiner in culinary equipment & food treating devices 

Guest: Inga Helgadóttir, EPO patent examiner in additive & powder technology
15 min
February 03Quantum in Europe: high stakes for emerging tech
Quantum technologies promise to radically accelerate progress in medicine, climate modelling, materials science, energy systems and beyond. But what stage are these technologies at today?
Get an exciting look into the future of innovation as experts discuss Europe's world-class quantum science and startup scene and what it will take for their breakthroughs to scale. From finding the right talent and patient investors to developing resilient supply chains and strong intellectual property strategies, getting quantum to market can be complex but its potential impact is unprecedented.
Drawing on key highlights from a recent EPO-OECD study on quantum computing, communication and sensing, this episode explores how inventors, policymakers and investors are working together to drive the next quantum revolution.

Host: Marguerite McCaughan, Communications Manager, EPO
Guests:
Pere Arque Castells, Stream leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology
Guy Lalanne, Acting Head of Division - Productivity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Samira Nik, European Innovation Council
Alexandra Paul, Global Public Policy Lead, Pasqal
Pierre Jaeger, Quantum Strategic Partnership Europe & Quantum Leader France, IBM Quantum
Ylan Tran, Investor, Quantonation

More information:
Visit the EPO’s quantum technologies platform: epo.org/quantum
26 min

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“Talk innovation: unlocking technology” is brought to you by the European Patent Office (EPO). Expert presenters and guests – including our patent examiners - provide their perspective on technology trends and highlight ground-breaking inventions. Join us to learn more on the role of patents and the intellectual property (IP) system in supporting society and the economy.