Henrik Lindström and Giovanni Fili pioneered a new type of solar cell that can even harvest electricity indoors. Their invention enables self-charging devices and highlights the role of technology in combatting climate change. For their work, the Swedish innovators received the European Inventor Award in the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) category in 2021. IP journalist James Nurton moderates this episode.

Read more about Henrik Lindström and Giovanni Fili 

Physicist Karl Leo tells us how his doped OLEDs transformed electronics and could contribute towards a more sustainable future. He also offers inspiring advice to young innovators and provides a fascinating look at his career. Leo won the European Inventor Award in Lifetime achievement in 2021. This episode is moderated by James Nurton. 

Read more about Karl Leo

Moderator: Rachel Free, Partner at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang in London, UK

Guests: Matteo Maccagnan, Partner at Studio Torta S.p.A. in Bologna, Italy and Minna Alarcon, Senior Patent Counsel at Henkel AG in Düsseldorf, Germany

Meeting virtually for an after-work chat in the European Patent Bar, three patent attorneys discuss their experiences of oral proceedings in opposition by videoconference (VICO) at the EPO. A lot has changed in the last year as the EPO’s pilot project has grown, with 2125 oppositions heard via VICO in the first half of 2021. Changes have been made to the technical platforms and legal frameworks to maintain transparency and access to justice despite the pandemic. The EPO’s current user consultation (until 30 September) provokes debate about what has gone well, and would could be the future of oral proceedings by VICO at the EPO.

Have your say!

Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist

Guests: Marjorie Chopinaud and Miguel Angel Ruiz Ferrer, EPO

Nominations are open for the European Inventor Award 2022 and both the public and inventors may want to learn how to submit a proposal for Europe’s foremost innovation prize. In this episode, listeners will go behind the scenes with two EPO patent examiners as they discuss the nomination process, highlight eligibility criteria, and provide insight into the new Young Inventors prize.

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Moderator: Stephanie Weber, Communication Manager, European IP Helpdesk

Guests: Brian Caulfield, Inventor and Professor of Physiotherapy, University College Dublin; Ciaran O’Beirne, Head of Knowledge Transfer, University College Dublin

Stress-induced urinary incontinence affects almost 400 million people worldwide. A novel device to treat this condition through electro-stimulation of muscles was developed by researchers at University College Dublin (UCD) and Bio Medical Research (BMR) in Ireland. Brian and Ciaran explain the technology behind the invention and how the university’s technology transfer office enabled the collaboration, paving the way to market success.

This podcast is one of a series based upon technology transfer case studies published by the EPO in the summer of 2021.

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Moderator: Stephanie Weber, Communication Manager, European IP Helpdesk

Guests: Andreas Martsman, co-founder and VP Marketing & Sales at Oxeon, Caroline Pamp, IP professional, Legal advisor of Oxeon

Following research at the Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), the start-up company Oxeon was founded in 2003 to commercialise an innovative textile production process. The resulting materials have exceptional performance in e.g. sporting, industrial and aerospace applications – even featuring in the robotic helicopter “Ingenuity” recently deployed on Mars. Andreas and Caroline are interviewed by Stephanie about the extraordinary journey for this award-winning company and its materials, requiring a special blend of business planning, IP strategy and creativity.

This podcast is one of a series based upon technology transfer case studies published by the EPO in the summer of 2021.

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Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist

Guest: Sumita Mitra, European Inventor Award 2021 winner, Non-EPO countries

Description: This pioneering inventor was the first to successfully use nanotechnology to create dental fillings. Despite their minute size, nanoparticles create many challenges for scientists. In this episode, Sumita Mitra tells us how she overcame these obstacles to develop a filling used in over 1 billion dental restorations worldwide.

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Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist

Guests: Robert N. Grass and Wendelin Stark, European Inventor Award 2021 winners, Research

By encoding digital data on to DNA strands and encapsulating them within protective glass particles, the inventors developed an error-proof method to store data for millennia. But archival use is just the tip of the iceberg: their robust technique can be used as a fingerprint to label products and ensure that specific indicators - for example, origin or working conditions - are traceable throughout the supply chain.

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Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist

Guest: Per Gisle Djupesland, European Inventor Award 2021 winner

While sitting on an aeroplane, the Norwegian ENT specialist began to think about airflow when he had a game-changing idea. It led to a device that significantly improves nasal drug delivery, a company with a growing global footprint, and a European Inventor Award in the Industry category.

Read more about Per Gisle Djupesland

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information, EPO

Guest: Stéphane Lumineau, patent examiner, EPO

Robots have often been portrayed in science fiction as posing a threat to humans. Today, robots and robotic manipulators are indispensable to industry, and increasingly used in services and domestic settings too. Meet Stéphane Lumineau to learn more about roboethics, the role of artificial intelligence in robot development and the degree to which robots can adopt a human touch.