Silesian University of Technology | The success of the Silesian University of Technology in the ranking of the European Patent Office

Start - Aktualności - The success of the Silesian University of Technology in the ranking of the European Patent Office – EPO Patent Index 2020

Author: Jadwiga Witek Published At: 26.03.2021 Updated At: 28.03.2021

The Silesian University of Technology has taken a very high, fourth place among all Polish entities that submitted patents to the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2020. It is worth mentioning that among technical universities this is the leading position, and among all higher education institutions in Poland – SUT took 3rd place. These data were published by the European Patent Office.

The number of patent applications to the European Patent Office (EPO) fell by 0.7% in 2020, but in Poland, there was an increase of 4.3% comparing to 2019. The EPO received 180,250 applications and the analysis showed that the highest number of applications was recorded in areas such as thermal processes and apparatus, medical technologies, pharmaceutical products and transport.

A significant role in the field of patent applications in Poland was played by universities, including the Silesian University of Technology. The university was ranked 4th on a national scale, 3rd among all Polish universities and 1st as a technical university. These results prove the strong position of science, which emphasises innovative research and activities for the society and economy.

— It is with great satisfaction that we have received the information published by the European Patent Office, which shows a very high position of the Silesian University of Technology as the fourth entity in the country in terms of the number of patent applications, as well as an overall increase in the number of patent applications submitted from Poland. This proves that despite the pandemic, our scientists have continued their research with ongoing determination and strengthened our international position. As a research university, the Silesian University of Technology is committed to scientific excellence and the broadly understood use of the results of its activities. Patent applications have also confirmed practical achievements important from the point of view of social and economic development

Professor Marek Pawełczyk, Vice Rector for Science and Development of the Silesian University of Technology

Transfer of developed scientific and technological solutions from the level of intellectual property rights to the implementation stage carried out in cooperation with the socio-economic environment is conducted by the Centre for Incubation and Technology Transfer (CITT) at the Silesian University of Technology. Applications are handled by the SUT Patent Attorneys, who are responsible for preparing complete documentation of domestic and foreign applications.

Among the SUT patent applications to EPO 2020, there is an underground storage facility for compressed air, which enables the storage of high-pressure air and heat recovered in the compression process in the space of a former mine shaft; a protective shield against droplet virus infection for repeated use in treatment rooms and operating theatres, as well as a solution eliminating the need to administer large doses of oral antibiotics to which bacteria are increasingly resistant.

Conducting scientific and research activities, reacting to the current situation and undertaking cooperation with the socio-economic environment are the tasks performed by the Silesian University of Technology. Despite the challenges related to COVID-19, the University’s scientists undertake intensive work aimed at preventing the spread of the pandemic and its effects. Active involvement in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus has resulted in many solutions to improve the activities of medical personnel, as well as to improve the quality of life and health. The developed results include decontamination gates appreciated in the finals of the international competition "Healing Solution for Tourism Challenge", ozone generators, a robot assisting in hospitals, a prototype of a ventilator with telemetry function, an automatic resuscitator, a screening system for measuring patients' temperature, as well as the following systems: supporting COVID-19 diagnosis, conducting surveys of cognitive disorders in persons with suspected COVID-19, and the use of artificial intelligence in diagnosis.
The innovative solutions of the Silesian University of Technology are also recognized internationally - in 2020, seven technological solutions of the University were awarded at the INTARG 2020 International Fair of Inventions and Innovations. Among the presented projects there was a modular measuring system, µDOSE system that allows determining the date of production of archaeological objects, a nanotechnology solution, which can be used to produce electricity through its own activity.

The success of the Silesian University of Technology is the result of a consistent policy of supporting the development of science, research and education, implemented under the programme " Excellence Initiative - Research University". Due to a coherent system of support and research funding, scientists benefit from pro-quality programmes, and students develop their competences and knowledge through modern education within the so-called PBL projects (Project Based Learning).
The Silesian University of Technology conducts also extensive cooperation with other research centres in the region, the country and the world. An example of such cooperation is the Joint Doctoral School or the co-establishment of the European University under the EURECA-PRO project, co-financed by European funds.