Bob Goozner's Solar Review

Publication Day

    On Thursday, the USPTO issued 7,671 publications.

    Of the 7,671 publications,

    51 contained the word "photovoltaic";

    45 contained the phrase "solar cell";

   7 contained the term "biodiesel";

   9 contained the word "geothermal"; and

22 contained the phrase "wind turbine".

The featured publication for today is from Achyut Kumar Dutta, who developed a hybrid photovoltaic device that includes nanostructures embedded in a matrix. See U.S. Publication 20090165844.

                                            WSJ and Toyota's Patents

    A couple of days ago the Wall Street Journal published a small article about how Toyoda has accumulated about 2,000 patents and patent applications surrounding their hybrid technology used in cars like the Prius. The article noted that this is tending to prevent other companies from using this technology and, for example, Ford had to license some of Toyota's patents. In all, the article seemed to be a little bit negative about patents.

    However, the article forgot to stress that Toyota was first with a hybrid vehicle that made sense. Toyoda put a great deal of time and effort and took a great risk to bring out the Prius. So why shouldn't Toyota be rewarded?

    I worked up an analysis of Toyota's number of patents over the last ten years in the chart below. I think it is very clear that the increased level of effort in pursuing their patents has paid off for them.

Robert E. Goozner - July 2, 2009

Patent Day

    The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues patents once a week, on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the USPTO issued 3,780 patents.

    Of the 3,780 patents issued,

27 contained the word "photovoltaic";

   11 contained the phrase "solar cell";

   3 contained the term "biodiesel";

4 contained the word "geothermal"; and

5 contained the term "wind turbine".

An interesting patent for today is by Richard M. Swanson et al. of Sunpower, who developed a solar cell in which harmful polarization is prevented. See U.S. Patent 7,554,031.

Robert E. Goozner - June 30, 2009

BICYCLES IN MUNICH - MAY 2009
Munich Bicycles

TRAILS END IN MUNICH - MAY 2009
Munich Beer

BICYCLES IN BERLIN- MAY 2008
Berlin Bicycles

TRAILS END IN BERLIN - MAY 2008

Patent Attorney Office River-Vu

Patent Lawyer View

My law firm, Young & Thompson, moved into nice new offices at the northern edge of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Somehow I was given a prestigious (but not corner) office with a view of the Potomac river.

Although you can barely see it, the Alexandria boathouse is at the end of Madison street, and one can see the rowing team practice in the late afternoon.

AACHEN GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

The Goozner Solar Review arises from my long standing interest in all forms of alternative energy. This not only includes solar energy, but all kinds of energy that are non-carbon based. Above, you see me in front of the geothermal project at the University of Aachen (Germany). The geothermal energy is obtained by sinking a shaft about 1km straight into the ground, and exploiting the temperature gradient between the abyss and the surface. This shaft will supply most of the energy used by the University.

LINKS

Solar Decathlon	Department of Energy	Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy	National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
United States Patent And Trademark Office	Gooznews	Young & Thompsom