Talk innovation: unlocking technology

European Patent Office

“Talk innovation: unlocking technology” is brought to you by the European Patent Office (EPO). Expert presenters and guests – including our patent examiners - provide their perspective on technology trends and highlight ground-breaking inventions. Join us to learn more on the role of patents and the intellectual property (IP) system in supporting society and the economy. Opinions expressed by podcast participants are their own and may not reflect the views of the EPO.

  1. Out of the Box: Solar where you least expect it

    JUL 23

    Out of the Box: Solar where you least expect it

    The “Out of the Box” mini-series begins with a look at the fascinating world of inventions in the energy sector. From compact switchgear systems hidden inside wind turbines to solar panels floating on water, this episode explores how unexpected inventions are redefining the way energy is generated. A light-hearted conversation between EPO patent examiners reveals how space-saving, sustainable tech is powering up our future – one invention at a time.    Moderator:   Cristina Lopes Margarido, patent examiner in culinary equipment & food treating devices    Guest:   Miguel Angel Ruiz Ferrer, patent examiner in electrical components & devices

    14 min
  2. Turning over a new leaf for sustainable paper 

    JUL 15

    Turning over a new leaf for sustainable paper 

    In this episode of Talk Innovation, host Ed Cooke sits down with Valentyn Frechka, the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Releaf Paper, in a conversation recorded during a live online event. Valentyn shares his remarkable journey of turning a school project into a business that transforms fallen leaves into raw material for the paper and packaging industry. Along the way, Valentyn offers insights into the challenges of turning an invention into a successful business, adapting to existing industry processes, the role of intellectual property in business strategy and the importance of picking the right team.     Moderator: Ed Cooke, EPO patent examiner  Guest: Valentyn Frechka, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Releaf Paper. Second place winner of the EPO’s Young Inventors Prize 2024

    33 min
  3. From USB to 5G: the power of standards

    JUN 24

    From USB to 5G: the power of standards

    Standards are the invisible protocols that ensure our devices and services work together seamlessly. But how do they relate to patents? And what does this mean for innovation and competition?    Uncover how the interplay between standards and patents shapes technological progress. This discussion dives into how the Unified Patent Court and the Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre aim to streamline patent litigation and enhance legal coherence across Europe.   Finally, we introduce the European Patent Office's new dataset: the Patent Standards Explorer. By linking patent applications to standards documents, it offers a valuable resource for better understanding the innovation journey.   More information:   Standards and the European patent system, May 2025: full study  Patent Standards Explorer dataset  "Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge" event recording    Narrator: Victor Arribas Martinez, Stream Leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology    Guest: Pere Arque Castells, Stream Leader, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology    Featuring insights from speakers at the EPO Observatory’s "Patents, standards and innovation: securing Europe’s competitive edge" event:  Gabriele Mohsler, Vice President Patent Creation Management, Ericsson  Kirti Gupta, Vice President and Chief Economist of Global Technology, Cornerstone Research  Bowman Heiden, Director of the Center for Intellectual Property (CIP), University of Gothenburg  Justus Baron, Director of BRELA and Research Director, Northwestern University Center on Law, Business and Economics  Aleš Zalar, Director, Patent Mediation and Arbitration Centre, Unified Patent Court  Rian Kalden, Presiding judge of the 2nd panel of the Court of Appeal, Unified Patent Court  Alexander Haertel, Cluster Lead Patents, Deutsche Telekom  Sophie Pasquier, Principal Licensing Counsel, Philips

    24 min
  4. Plastics in transition: tackling the waste crisis

    MAY 13

    Plastics in transition: tackling the waste crisis

    Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, polluting not just our environment but also even our bodies. Thankfully, the latest advancements in plastic waste recovery and recycling are paving the way towards a more sustainable future.  Join Marguerite McCaughan as she explores the complexities behind these processes and speaks with experts about cutting-edge solutions and the role EU policies play in promoting recycling.    In this episode Paloma Aldeguer, Chief of Staff at Recycleye, shares insights into how artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionising plastic sorting and recycling. Joana Xavier, Director of Transformation and Sustainability at Valorsul, also discusses the technologies currently employed at Portugal's largest municipal waste processing plant. Pauline Vandoolaeghe, a patent examiner in polymer chemistry, joins the conversation to explain the chemical processes involved in plastic recycling, which include pyrolysis, chemolysis and enzymatic depolymerisation. Together, they provide an insightful look into the future of sustainable plastics.   Narrator: Marguerite McCaughan, Communications manager, EPO  Guests:  Paloma Aldeguer, Chief of Staff, Recycleye  Joana Xavier, Director of Transformation and Sustainability, Valorsul  Pauline Vandoolaeghe, Patent examiner, EPO  Further information: EPO technology platform on plastic waste management and alternative plastics Full report "Plastics in transition - technologies for plastics waste management" Deep Tech Finder

    17 min
  5. What's up? What's down? - Technologies in 2024

    APR 8

    What's up? What's down? - Technologies in 2024

    Curious where the latest technology trends are heading?   The EPO's annual Patent Index offers a comprehensive look into these advancements, tracking  technological growth and patenting activity as well as top applicants and countries in the lead.  Join EPO experts as they guide you through 2024’s key insights and explore some of the top fields like computer technology; electrical machinery, apparatus, energy; and transport.   They also discuss the uptake of the Unitary Patent and how often women inventors were named on patent applications.   Narrator:   Jeremy Philpott, EPO Communication Manager  Guests:  Gilles Requena, EPO Chief Patent Research and Policy Officer   Wiebke Hinrichs, EPO Patent Examiner in Cycles, Frames, Chains & Safety  Marc Nicolas, Business Analyst at the EPO  Yann Ménière, EPO Chief Economist     Further resources:   Patent Index 2024  Studies and reports   Women’s participation in inventive activity (November 2022)  EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology

    20 min
  6. Closing the funding gap to boost Europe’s tech startups

    FEB 11

    Closing the funding gap to boost Europe’s tech startups

    How can European startups bridge the funding gap they face compared to their US counterparts?    A recent study by the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology highlights the important role of tech-savvy investors and provides a comprehensive mapping of investors supporting European innovators.    Discover the unique value that tech-focused investors bring to startups from Adéla Dvořáková, a Tech-to-Market Advisor at the European Innovation Council, and Sara Frykstrand Ångström, Head of Intelligence at Sweden's venture capital fund Industrifonden. Hear them discuss the study’s key findings as they share insights on the importance of a dual financing and IP strategy, the role of smart and patient capital and the need for a balanced pipeline of investors at various stages of a startup’s technological maturity. They also discuss the main challenges European investors face compared to their US counterparts.   Moderator:  Pere Arque Castells, EPO Observatory on Patents and Technology   Guests:  Adéla Dvořáková, Tech –to Market Advisor, European Innovation Council   Sara Frykstrand Ångström, Head of Intelligence, Industrifonden     Further resources:   “Mapping investors” study   Financing innovation programme of the EPO’s Observatory on Patents and Technology   Deep Tech Finder - EPO’s tool helping match startups with investors

    28 min
  7. Rocket science 101: inside space propulsion

    JAN 28

    Rocket science 101: inside space propulsion

    Space technology is evolving at light speed and may even offer solutions to global challenges such as climate change. Join expert guests as they explore the significance of space propulsion for various applications, the rapid transformation of the space sector, the growing number of players in the field and the boom in spacecraft launches over the past decade. The episode provides fascinating insights into propulsion systems, including chemical and electric propulsion, and their applications in different phases of space missions. The panel also touches on innovative concepts like atmosphere-breathing propulsion and tethered propulsion, which may drive future space missions. Moderator: Johannes Schaaf, EPO Chief Economist Unit Guests: Lars Petzold, Research Fellow, European Space Policy Institute Stephan Speidel, Technology Transfer Engineer, HE Space Operations Geert Boedt, EPO Chief Economist Unit Further resources: Patent insight report on propulsion systems for space (May 2024) Space innovation platform Previous podcasts on space:  “From Mars to Morocco: space innovations for Earth challenges” "Houston, we have solutions" "Earth observations for a greener planet" podcast

    32 min
  8. Breaking the silence on noise pollution

    JAN 14

    Breaking the silence on noise pollution

    Inspiring Inventors  Hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart disease…these are just some medical issues that can be caused by loud noise. Friends and business partners Rhona Togher and Eimear O’Carroll are tackling this problem with an advanced acoustic material that can dampen noise in a variety of applications. What began as a school science fair project evolved into a business with a unique product and exceptional potential. In this episode, we explore Rhona’s journey and how friendship became the foundation for a groundbreaking business. We’ll also hear about the vital support they received from local business development organisations and patent attorneys.    Moderator: Edward Cooke, EPO, patent examiner  Inspiring Inventors: Each episode features a former European Inventor Award finalist, delves into the story behind their invention and provides insights on how they took their idea from the lab to the market.

    42 min
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“Talk innovation: unlocking technology” is brought to you by the European Patent Office (EPO). Expert presenters and guests – including our patent examiners - provide their perspective on technology trends and highlight ground-breaking inventions. Join us to learn more on the role of patents and the intellectual property (IP) system in supporting society and the economy. Opinions expressed by podcast participants are their own and may not reflect the views of the EPO.

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