KNOXVILLE— The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) has ranked No. 81 in the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2022, a list published by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
“The University of Tennessee continues to make a profound and tangible impact across the state and around the world,” said UT System President Randy Boyd. “Each of these patents further positions UTRF as problem-solvers and solution-seekers that create future opportunities for success.”
In celebration of World IP Day on April 26, the National Academy of Inventors released its annual list of the Top 100 Worldwide University U.S. Utility Patent holders. The academy has been releasing the rankings based on calendar year data provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office since 2013.
Kathi Vidal, under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, said, “As we celebrate World IP Day, I am so pleased to see this evidence of the international impact of research and innovation conducted at academic institutions around the globe. On this special day, we at the USPTO pledge to do all we can to maintain a strong intellectual property system here at home and around the world.”
The University of Tennessee Research Foundation helps to move innovations to the marketplace by submitting patents for faculty, staff and students of the UT System campuses and institutes. The UT Research Foundation received 41 patents in 2022.
“We support UT innovators to develop and deploy technology that solves problems and improves lives,” UTRF President Maha Krisnamurthy said. “Innovation is everywhere at UT, and our team is capturing every opportunity.”
UTRF tied for 81st along with University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and the University of New Mexico.
“Throughout its existence, the National Academy of Inventors has sought to quantify with hard data, the vital role research and patented technology developed at academic institutions play in our society,” Paul Sanberg, president of the Academy, said. “Nothing we do more clearly illustrates that point than this annual report. We will continue to seek other ways to reinforce that message.”
In a change from past practice, the Academy has updated the requirements for the Top 100 placement to include all named assignees listed on the patent to provide a more
comprehensive view of the patents held by these universities. Previously only the first named assignee was included in the count. See the full Top 100 Worldwide List here.
University of Tennessee System
The University of Tennessee is a statewide system of higher education with campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin, Memphis and Pulaski; the UT Space Institute in Tullahoma; the UT Institute of Agriculture with a presence in every Tennessee county; and the statewide Institute for Public Service. The UT system manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory through its UT-Battelle partnership; enrolls about 54,000 students statewide; produces about 13,000 new graduates every year; and represents more than 433,000 alumni around the world.
University of Tennessee Research Foundation
The University of Tennessee Research Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that promotes the commercialization of UT intellectual property, encourages an entrepreneurial culture, contributes to state and regional economic development, and promotes research and education to benefit the people of Tennessee and beyond.
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About the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2022
The information provided in this list is based on data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. For this report, a university is defined as an institution that has undergraduate degrees. Patents include only utility patents granted during the 2022 calendar year. All assignees are credited for patents when listed. The number of patents granted does not necessarily indicate the value of a university’s technology, the effectiveness of its research, or whether its patents will be successfully licensed and/or brought to market. This is a dynamic list of worldwide institution patents. Some universities may record patents under different, yet similar names or combine their patents under one foundation or trustee name. If you have questions please contact: info@academyofinventors.org
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About the National Academy of Inventors
The National Academy of Inventors is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 4,000 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 250 institutions worldwide. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate, and mentor innovative students, and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. The NAI has a close partnership with the USPTO that is reflected in their joint mission to expand access to underrepresented individuals and institutions participating in the invention and innovation ecosystem. NAI is one of three honorific organizations, along with the National Medals Foundation and National Inventors Hall of Fame, working closely with the USPTO on many discovery and innovation support initiatives. The NAI publishes the multidisciplinary journal, Technology and Innovation. www.academyofinventors.org
Tags: Featured, Inventions, National Academy of Inventors, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Patents, Technology, UT Research Foundation, UT System