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.

Moderator: Susana Sánchez Barrio, European Patent Academy

Guest: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information, EPO (retired)

Emerging technologies are constantly reshaping our daily technospace and taking it to the next level. From the old bulky TV sets to the modern flatscreen displays, Nigel Clarke has witnessed many of these level upgrades firsthand! Join him to learn more about technological trends, how the information disclosed in patents can help you steer your invention onto the right track and why working at the EPO can be such a rewarding journey.

Dive into patents: epo.org/searching

Moderator: Abderrahim Moumen, director in patent examination, EPO

Guest: Günter Hein, Chairman of the Executive Board, Munich Aerospace

The Galileo satellite navigation system already provides world-leading accuracy and is only at the Initial Operational Capability stage, with 22 active satellites in orbit. In the years ahead, the system will be improved so that it can offer a full range of services. Gunter Hein, co-inventor of the radio signals, gives us a glimpse at the future and discusses the role of Galileo in ensuring autonomy for Europe.

Moderator: Nigel Clarke, expert in patent information, EPO

Guest: Orla Feeney, patent examiner, EPO

Scientists’ understanding of the properties and behaviour of light has hugely benefited our everyday lives. Meet Orla Feeny to learn how optics can help keep your finances safe, support you while driving and of course provide extraordinary views of a clear night sky!

Moderator: James Nurton, IP journalist

Guests: Helen Lee, CEO Diagnostics for the real world, European Inventor Award 2021 jury chair; Wolfgang Heckl, Director General Deutsches Museum

The European Inventor Award celebrates creativity and honours those who are developing solutions to pressing global issues. In this episode, we speak to two jury members who provide unique insight into the selection process and discuss their unenviable task: choosing winners in a field of ingenious inventions.

Inventoraward.org