Physical Sciences: We cover research areas across chemistry, physics, materials science and environmental science
Broad technology expertise
Our work in the sector is complemented by our experience from long-term support work for clients whose research interests broadly span different physical science services and technologies, and overlaps with aspects of our work in the life science and industrial biotechnology sectors. In addition to our broad and extensive physical sciences experience, our team includes members with career backgrounds in the speciality chemicals industry, wind energy and academic research in materials science.
Markets and applications
We have supported technologies from around the world which span applications in industrial catalysis, synthetic chemistry, chemical processing, plastics, semiconductors, photonics, sensors and robotics, among others. In particular, cleantech is a growing field of focus for IP Pragmatics. We have supported cleantech innovations in renewable energy, batteries, green chemistry and sustainable land and water use including remediation.
Hands-on support
By bringing together our commercial acumen, market intelligence, industrial networks and investigations of the patent landscape surrounding new technologies, we can tailor our advice to shape the next steps that a company or university should take to identify, develop, value and exploit their technologies.
Industry Sector Lead:
Scott McKellar
Senior Consultant
+44 (0) 131 524 8140
scott.mckellar@ip-pragmatics.com
Recent Projects
- Market overview and potential licensee identification for a novel electron gun technology for mm-wave applications.
- Market research and business plan consultancy in support of a novel biofilm-promoting polymer technology platform.
- Partnering support for vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) capable of operating at up to 110°C with high wavelength stability and low threshold current.
- Market research and patentability assessment for novel ambipolar wide-bandgap (WBG) gallium oxide transistors.
- Partnering and marketing support for a novel fault detection, identification and prediction approach for autonomous vehicle controllers.
- Patent landscape for supercapacitor materials and aluminium as an active material.
Recent Projects
- Patent review and strategic technology assessment for a university’s entire graphene portfolio.
- Primary market research and business options analysis for a plastics sustainability research centre.
- Patentability assessment for novel carbon cathodes for rechargeable aqueous aluminum batteries.
- Patentability and market assessment for performance-enhancing dopants for organic photovoltaics.
- Conducting a full IP audit for the School of Environmental Sciences of a UK Russell Group university to identify likely commercialisation opportunities, and potential routes to increase the external impact of their research.
Recent Projects
- Valuation of a photovoltaic manufacturing technology taking into account factors such as: patents and know how, the extent and variability of the thin-film photovoltaic device sector, competitor technologies and companies, as well as previous investments in the technology.
- A valuation of the income streams that could arise from a new biomass source for bioenergy.
- Market research and partner identification for a new method to produce omega 3 oils from algae.
- Wide-reaching evaluation of the potential product lines from biorefining of grass materials.
- IP audit and valuation of a novel gas-to-liquid fuel technology for the petrochemical industry.
- Patent landscaping and market assessment for some novel batteries based on quinone or hydroquinone derivatives.
- IP audit of research programme to screen marine microorganisms for new biosurfactants.
Project Outcomes
- Developed a business plan for a spin-out company to exploit a stacked Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) unit capable of increased power output and waste clean-up rates, in an improved, lower cost and more flexible configuration. We evaluated different commercialisation options and applications, and helped to find a CEO to lead the venture.
- Assessed possible business options for a university-based plastics technology and sustainability research centre which is coming to the end of its public grant funding . Based on market insights and extensive interviews with companies which produce, use and recycle plastic packaging, we recommended the optimum business model and the necessary short-long term logistical, technical and commercial considerations and actions.
- Identified and engaged with potential partners for a company developing coincident microphone array technology to improve standalone microphones. This led to direct licensing discussions between our client and a potential licensee, an electronics company based in the US.
- IP landscape and market assessment for a bioremediation technology for highly toxic waste produced during extraction of oil from oil sands in Canada, leading to searches for potential partners for the technology and setting up meetings at an industry conference.
