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Aerosolar: Advancing Perovskite Solar Technology with Strategic Intellectual Property Protection
Introduction
The protection of intellectual property (IP), particularly through patents, is key to enabling breakthrough technologies to reach the market and scale while rewarding their originators. Aerosolar Limited, a spin-out from Queen Mary University of London, is at the forefront of perovskite solar technology, offering a revolutionary approach to enhancing the efficiency of solar cells. We explore the role of J A Kemp in protecting Aerosolar’s innovations and how intellectual property has played a crucial part in their journey towards commercialisation.
Pioneering Perovskite Technology
Aerosolar emerged from research conducted at Queen Mary University of London, where scientists have been studying a group of materials known as perovskites. Traditional solar cells rely on silicon, a material that has reached the limits of its efficiency improvements. Perovskites, however, offer a transformative advantage – they can be applied as a layer on top of silicon, boosting energy output by 75% to 100% compared to silicon alone.
Despite their potential, perovskites present a significant challenge: they are notoriously difficult to manufacture at scale. Production lines must be fine-tuned to exact specifications, making large-scale deployment complex and costly. Aerosolar’s breakthrough technology addresses this issue by enabling production lines to operate with less precision, allowing for quicker and more efficient manufacturing. The company’s proprietary equipment then refines the perovskite layers, ensuring they achieve the required quality without the need for perfectly controlled manufacturing conditions.
Scaling for Global Impact
The demand for renewable energy is growing rapidly, but scaling perovskite technology globally presents hurdles. One key challenge is the dominance of Chinese solar panel manufacturers, which have benefited from extensive government subsidies. While US tariffs have helped protect US manufacturers, Europe and the UK face similar competition and require comparable measures to ensure a balanced playing field.
A second, and equally crucial, challenge is intellectual property protection. Investors looking to support high-tech ventures need confidence that a company has a defensible competitive advantage. Patents provide this assurance, forming a critical ‘moat’ that safeguards unique technologies from being replicated by competitors.
J A Kemp’s Role in Securing Intellectual Property
J A Kemp has been instrumental in helping Aerosolar secure robust intellectual property protection. John Leeming, a partner at J A Kemp, explains:
“We regularly engage with academics at Queen Mary and other universities, working closely with technology transfer offices such as Queen Mary Innovation. Our role is to identify what aspects of their research are patentable, assess their commercial applications, and ensure the strongest possible IP protection. This often involves drafting and prosecuting patents while engaging with patent offices to demonstrate the novelty and inventiveness of the technology.”
A critical aspect of this process is ensuring that research remains confidential until patents are secured. Early publication can jeopardize the ability to obtain patent protection, making it essential for researchers to consult IP specialists before disclosing their findings. J A Kemp advises inventors on the best strategies to navigate this process, ensuring that innovations remain commercially viable.
The Importance of IP in Renewable Energy Commercialisation
Intellectual property is a key driver of investment in renewable energy technologies. Investors seek confidence that a company’s technological advantage is protected, allowing them to fund the transition from laboratory research to commercial application.
Dave Page, Executive Chair of Aerosolar, underscores this point:
“Patents are fundamental. When you’re building a technology-based business, the ability to claim defensible IP protection is critical for securing investment. Without it, fundraising becomes significantly more challenging.”
By partnering with J A Kemp, Aerosolar has built a strong patent portfolio that safeguards its innovations, ensuring it remains competitive in the evolving solar energy landscape.
Conclusion
Aerosolar’s success highlights the crucial role of intellectual property in bringing cutting-edge renewable energy technologies to market. With J A Kemp’s expertise in patent protection, Aerosolar has secured the competitive edge needed to scale its revolutionary perovskite technology and contribute to the global shift toward sustainable energy solutions. As the demand for clean energy grows, robust IP strategies will continue to be essential for companies looking to drive innovation and investment in the sector.