UV Oxidation Device - Pathfinder

The work to be undertaken
We will need to instruct the patent attorney, Nick Braddon of Barker Brettell, who has quoted £3,200 plus VAT (£3,990 inclusive of VAT) to file the patent at the UK patent office. The work will require us (i.e. Charlie Morgan of the NOC Enterprise Team, Dr. Sebastian Steigenberger, Kevin Saw, Dr. Socratis Loucaides and Professor Matt Mowlem) providing instructions to Nick Braddon which typically involves a face-to-face meeting (c. 3 hours), a review of Nick's draft (2 hours each) and finalising the draft (3 hours each) and then Nick filing the patent at the UK patent office.

How will it inform our understanding?
The patent filing, discussions with our preferred partner(s) and/or subsequent independent market research will provide us with timely information to evaluate the commercial opportunities for the in situ UV oxidation device. The discussions and/or market research will also inform our technology development plans for this device.

How it will help shape the development and execution of our proposed Follow-on project?
The patent filing, discussions with our preferred partner(s) and/or subsequent independent market research will help us secure the best possible license deals across the environmental sensor and/or other end-user markets. As the lab-on-chip technologies are now reaching mature levels, the market research will also validate our current strategy to license to Seabird Scientific, Xylem or Chelsea Technologies Group and/or it could open new doors within different market sectors.

The in situ UV oxidation device will deliver the benefits as outlined above meaning the NOC in situ microfluidic chemical sensors will become even more 'fit for purpose' increasing their adoption. In terms of the societal impact, the sensors will help scientists collect in situ data with a higher spatial and temporal resolution over longer periods via a variety of platforms including fixed buoys, gliders and autonomous underwater vehicles and this will lead to a greater understanding of the biogeochemical processes which play a crucial role in climate change studies. We also anticipate other end-users (as outlined above) to benefit from the device's capabilities although we would like to research this with an independent market study. The economic impact should be seen through the prism of adding value to our licensee(s) product portfolio and generating increased revenue for the UK Treasury via corporation tax of our UK licensee partners and/or inward investment by our international partners. By improving the product port-folio of these companies, it may also contribute to the creation of jobs within these companies, the creation of a manufacturing spin-out company and/or to the continued investment into NOC's world leading sensor development programme. Royalty income would also be generated for NERC/NOC which can be re-invested into scientific research. We will be able to produce estimated license income return models after discussions with potential licensees and/or receipt of the independent market research report.