UToledo Among Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Patents in 2024

UToledo Among Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Patents in 2024

The University of Toledo is among the top patent-producing universities in the country.

The National Academy of Inventors annually publishes a list of universities granted the highest numbers of utility patents, also referred to as "patents for invention," based on calendar-year data provided by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

UToledo is credited with 14 utility patents in 2024.

These include a device that simulates partial gravity conditions for use in biomedical research; a procedure to measure the function of a protein important to the immune system; and a new architecture design for the thin-film solar cells in which researchers specialize at UToledo's Wright Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization.

"UToledo is recognized among the country's top-tier research universities, and our patents speak to the real-world impact of the advancements that our students and faculty are making in science, engineering and medicine," said Stephen Snider, associate vice president of UToledo's Technology Transfer Office, which works with inventors to protect, market and license novel technologies. "We're pleased to be recognized for the third straight year among the top patent-producing universities in the United States."

Utility patents are the most common type of patent issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Granted for new or improved products and processes, they prohibit other individuals or companies from making, using or selling an invention for up to 20 years from the date of application.

The National Academy of Inventors has published a list of the top worldwide universities granted utility patents since 2013 and a list of top national universities granted utility patents since 2023. UToledo has appeared on the national list each year with 11 utility patents in 2022 and 14 in 2023.

UToledo has been granted three patents so far in 2025.