Turning knowledge into impact, Purdue University researchers rank 4th among U.S. universities — 5th in the world — in U.S. patents received in 2023, with 201 patents.
“We hope that if curious minds come together, then together we might be able to tackle some of the world’s most troubling diseases,” says Herman Sintim, the Richard B. Wetherill Distinguished Professor in Purdue University’s Department of Chemistry. While Sintim is laser-focused on using his research to target serious diseases that have no effective treatments, the ethos of brilliant minds coming together to solve major problems is a constant through line in Purdue’s DNA.
Take Jian Jin’s LeafSpec (or his “magic wand,” as he calls it), a hand-held hyperspectral leaf scanner that can easily diagnose plants for all kinds of different stresses with just a wave of the machine and a five- to eight-second wait. Or Nien-Hwa Wang’s innovative technologies to separate and purify rare earth and battery elements using significantly less power and water and fewer hazardous chemicals while generating near-zero waste.
No matter their area of expertise, Purdue researchers persistently pursue solutions to real-world problems, changing lives every day with innovation and commercialization. A complement to the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents report, published June 4, turns Purdue researchers’ daily pursuit of innovation into measurable success. Purdue received 201 patents from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office during the 2023 calendar year. The University of California system, MIT, the University of Texas system and Stanford also ranked in the top five. Purdue is the only Big Ten university ranked in the top 10.
“Purdue University faculty continue to pursue discovery across many disciplines at the highest level, reflected in our ranking as the fourth American university in U.S. patents received. As a public land-grant institution, we are proud to support inventors and entrepreneurs in translating research to societal impact,” Purdue President Mung Chiang said. “Through programs such as Purdue Innovates, we are able to foster a culture of discovery, license their world-changing technologies to market and protect their intellectual property rights as needed.”
Purdue Innovates is the engine behind world-changing innovation, serving as Purdue’s front door to commercialization. The Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization manages the technology transfer process to vet, protect and license innovations developed by university researchers, including the filing of patent applications. Its technology portfolio covers innovations in subject areas including agriculture, biotechnology, chemistry and chemical analysis, computer technology, engineering, food and nutrition, green technology, micro- and nanotechnologies, and more.
Among the 2023 patents were:
