The unprecedented increase in nuclear fusion innovation has continued for another year, according to the latest patent data reported by Appleyard Lees.
Image Credit: Appleyard Lees
However, nuclear is a tale of two technologies – with fission showing the lowest number of patent filings for more than 60 years.
The fourth annual edition of the Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report from the leading intellectual property firm reveals that the number of nuclear fusion patent filings in 2022 (167) exceeded that in 2021 (165) – the latter being an almost 50% increase on the previous high.
Total funding in the sector, according to the Fusion Industry Association, has reached more than USD7.1 bn, with at least USD900 m in the past year.
However, Appleyard Lees’ Partner, Adam Tindall said: “It is too early to say whether this is now the new ‘steady state’ level for fusion patents, or the early stages of a sustained boom that will lead to real-world, widespread commercial application of a mature technology.”
Main Topics and Territories for Nuclear Fusion Innovation
Recent patent applications in nuclear fusion have focused on less well-trodden routes to fusion, namely plasma generation – including particle beam techniques – and in electrical discharge technologies.
However, the interest in developing new magnet technologies continues, with UK company Tokamak Energy investing in a new business division for its magnet technology and continuing to be a top patent filer in the sector. Fellow top innovators for fusion technology now include the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
Territory-wise, the growth of nuclear fusion technology start-up companies in the US is now driving the increase in patent filings more than the previous acceleration led by Asian countries. No single organisation in the US dominates current fusion innovation but – for now – a variety of smaller companies.
Matthew Bennett, Associate at Appleyard Lees, added: “As the sector matures, there will likely be consolidation around dominant organisations, with the winners of the innovation race benefiting from strong positions in the market, or at least from a healthy exit.”
“The fusion sector is expanding rapidly and, even though the investment pot is generous, it will quickly be swallowed up by US companies which can show investors they have the necessary IP protections in place for commercialising their technology.”
Nuclear Fission – A Focus on Safety
Patent filings for nuclear fission technology have reached a 10-year low – more than 60% fewer than in 2013 and the least recorded since 1963.
However, Asian countries remain top patent filers in the technology, driven mainly by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. and Hitachi GE Nuclear Energy and focusing on safety-related applications in emergency cooling, monitoring and testing and pressure suppression systems.
The Inside Green Innovation: Progress Report – Fourth Edition’s focus on nuclear energy was chosen because of its prominence in the global green innovation conversation, as referenced in the OECD’s and United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Green Innovation Database, a global innovation catalogue that connects needs for solving environmental or climate change problems with sustainable solutions.