Revealed: EPO Inventor Award 2024 winners

The European Patent Office (EPO) recently announced the winners of the 2024 Inventor Award, showcasing innovative breakthroughs across various industries. This year’s awards highlight exceptional contributions to science and technology, emphasizing the importance of patents and innovation in driving progress.

In our blog post, we introduce the winners and their groundbreaking inventions in each category, which are: Lifetime Achievement, Industry, Research, Non-EPO Countries, SMEs, Young Inventors Prize.

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Lifetime Achievement
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Dame Carol Vivien Robinson from the UK received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her transformative work in mass spectrometry. Her research has significantly advanced the field of biochemistry by improving our understanding of proteins in their natural environment. 

Robinson's pioneering methods, particularly her development of 'native mass spectrometry', allow researchers to study proteins in their natural state, providing deeper insights into their functions and interactions. This breakthrough has been instrumental in drug discovery and the development of personalized medicine, demonstrating the profound impact of innovation in health and science.

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Industry category winners
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Fiorenzo Dioni from Italy and Richard Oberle from Germany were recognized in the Industry category for their revolutionary advances in aluminum casting technology from the Idra Group. Their innovation, the Giga Press, is the world's largest high-pressure aluminum die-casting machine. 

This technology significantly reduces carbon emissions in automotive manufacturing by streamlining the production process, replacing many small castings with just a few large ones. This makes vehicle production not only more efficient but also more environmentally friendly. The Giga Press enables the production of larger, one-piece castings, reducing the need for welding and assembly, thereby improving the overall quality and durability of vehicles.

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Research category winner
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Cordelia Schmid from Germany was honored in the Research category for her significant contributions to AI and machine learning. Schmid's research has advanced the field of computer vision, making it possible for AI systems to perform tasks that require visual understanding, such as autonomous driving and medical image analysis. 

Her work enables advanced machine perception, allowing AI to interpret complex visual data like human vision. This innovation has far-reaching implications for various applications, from improving human-computer interactions to enhancing technologies in everyday use. 

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Non-EPO countries winner
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Masato Sagawa from Japan won in the Non-EPO Countries category for developing the world’s strongest permanent magnets. His creation of neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnets has revolutionized numerous industries, including computing, medical technology, and green energy. 

These magnets are crucial for reducing the size of electronic devices and enhancing the efficiency of various high-tech applications. Sagawa's invention has enabled advancements in many fields, from the miniaturization of electronic devices to the development of more efficient wind turbines and electric vehicles.

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SMEs category winner
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Olga Malinkiewicz from Poland received the award in the SMEs category for her development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly perovskite solar cells. This innovation makes solar energy more accessible and affordable, contributing significantly to sustainable energy solutions. Additionally, Malinkiewicz won the Popular Prize, voted by the public, highlighting the widespread recognition and impact of her work.

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Young Inventors Prize
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The Young Inventors Prize was awarded to Rochelle Niemeijer from the Netherlands for her portable AI-driven chemistry kit, called Nostics, which quickly identifies bacteria that cause infections. This invention is particularly valuable in medical diagnostics, enabling faster and more accurate treatment decisions. Niemeijer's work is an example of how young innovators can contribute to significant advances in healthcare.

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We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 EPO Inventor Award. Their innovative achievements are a clear demonstration of the power of creativity, dedication, and the importance of intellectual property. We look forward to seeing how their pioneering work will continue to shape our world and the global patent landscape.

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