U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division
Technology Assessment and Forecast (TAF) Branch

U.S. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES-
UTILITY PATENT GRANTS,
CALENDAR YEARS 1969-2000

- this report has been prepared with support from the National Science Foundation -


BREAKOUT BY TECHNOLOGY CLASS -
PATENTS DISTRIBUTED BY CALENDAR YEAR OF PATENT APPLICATION

NUMBER OF UTILITY PATENTS ASSIGNED ANNUALLY
TO U.S. COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES RANKED IN THE
TOP 100 BY R&D EXPENDITURES IN FY 1999

- Explanation of Data -

Rank Ordered Listing of Technology Classes Receiving 1 or More Utility Patents During the Period

This Table Displays Patent Counts By Technology Class
For Patents Granted To The Following Top 100 R&D University:

CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

( count of patent grants, as distributed by calendar year of patent application )
( technology class is determined by the primary patent classification - see 'Explanation of Data' )
 
Class Class Title PRE_1980 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Total
520 Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers (includes Classes 520-528) 30 2 2 0 1 1 3 2 0 2 5 0 2 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 1 0 61
435 Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology 2 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 2 1 0 4 1 3 11 11 8 7 3 2 0 60
250 Radiant Energy 11 0 0 1 0 3 1 0 2 2 0 2 1 3 2 1 4 4 7 10 1 0 55
532 Organic Compounds (includes Classes 532-570) 2 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 0 2 2 1 2 4 7 3 3 1 1 36
257 Active Solid-State Devices (e.g., Transistors, Solid-State Diodes) 3 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 3 3 3 0 3 5 0 2 3 3 2 2 0 34
359 Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements 4 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 2 0 0 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 2 2 0 32
073 Measuring and Testing 12 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 3 4 2 3 0 0 30
429 Chemistry: Electrical Current Producing Apparatus, Product, and Process 3 1 2 1 5 1 1 1 3 0 0 2 1 0 2 0 2 1 1 3 0 0 30
372 Coherent Light Generators 3 1 1 1 0 1 3 0 1 2 0 1 1 2 2 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 22
424 Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions (includes Class 514) 3 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 4 3 2 0 0 22
356 Optics: Measuring and Testing 5 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 2 0 0 19
365 Static Information Storage and Retrieval 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 4 1 2 0 2 1 4 0 0 19
363 Electric Power Conversion Systems 5 1 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 17
324 Electricity: Measuring and Testing 4 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 15
382 Image Analysis 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 5 2 2 2 0 0 15
428 Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles 6 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 15
204 Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 14
436 Chemistry: Analytical and Immunological Testing 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 0 13
502 Catalyst, Solid Sorbent, or Support Therefor: Product or Process of Making 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 2 0 2 1 0 0 13
210 Liquid Purification or Separation 10 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12
422 Chemical Apparatus and Process Disinfecting, Deodorizing, Preserving, or Sterilizing 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 3 0 0 12
136 Batteries: Thermoelectric and Photoelectric 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 11
252 Compositions 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 3 2 1 0 0 0 11
341 Coded Data Generation or Conversion 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 3 0 1 0 11
438 Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 0 11
714 Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 11
148 Metal Treatment 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 2 0 0 0 10
205 Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 2 1 0 10
423 Chemistry of Inorganic Compounds 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 10
708 Arithmetic Processing and Calculating (Electrical Computers) 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 10
375 Pulse or Digital Communications 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 9
385 Optical Waveguides 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 9
427 Coating Processes 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 9
128 Surgery (includes Class 600) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8
370 Multiplex Communications 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8
700 DP: Generic Control Systems or Specific Applications (Data Processing) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 8
712 Processing Architectures and Instruction Processing, e.g., Processors (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 1 0 0 8
219 Electric Heating 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 7
264 Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 7
315 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Systems 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 7
327 Miscellaneous Active Electrical Nonlinear Devices, Circuits, and Systems 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7
342 Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 0 0 7
343 Communications: Radio Wave Antennas 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 7
029 Metal Working 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 6
062 Refrigeration 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
333 Wave Transmission Lines and Networks 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6
348 Television 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 6
417 Pumps 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 6
530 Chemistry: Natural Resins or Derivatives; Peptides or Proteins; Lignins or Reaction Products Thereof 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 1 0 1 0 0 6
095 Gas Separation: Processes 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
117 Single-Crystal, Oriented-Crystal, and Epitaxy Growth Processes; Non-Coating Apparatus Therefor 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 5
361 Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 5
367 Communications, Electrical: Acoustic Wave Systems and Devices 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
377 Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 5
710 Input/Output (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 5
800 Multicellular Living Organisms and Unmodified Parts Thereof and Related Processes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0 5
044 Fuel and Related Compositions 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
118 Coating Apparatus 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4
313 Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
320 Electricity: Battery or Capacitor Charging or Discharging 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
323 Electricity: Power Supply or Regulation Systems 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
330 Amplifiers 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
338 Electrical Resistors 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
360 Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
378 X-Ray or Gamma Ray Systems or Devices 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4
430 Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4
505 Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material, Process 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
702 DP: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing (Data Processing) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 4
706 DP: Artificial Intelligence (Data Processing) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4
060 Power Plants 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
084 Music 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 3
180 Motor Vehicles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 3
216 Etching a Substrate: Processes 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 3
331 Oscillators 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
349 Liquid Crystal Cells, Elements and Systems 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 3
369 Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
425 Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
585 Chemistry of Hydrocarbon Compounds 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 3
709 Multiple Computer or Process Coordinating (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
716 DP: Design and Analysis of Circuit or Semiconductor Mask (Data Processing) 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3
015 Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
033 Geometrical Instruments 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
048 Gas: Heating and Illuminating 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
096 Gas Separation: Apparatus 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
123 Internal-Combustion Engines 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
165 Heat Exchange 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
222 Dispensing (apparatus and process) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
326 Electronic Digital Logic Circuitry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
332 Modulators 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
335 Electricity: Magnetically Operated Switches, Magnets, and Electromagnets 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2
345 Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2
351 Optics: Eye Examining, Vision Testing and Correcting 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
368 Horology: Time Measuring Systems or Devices 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
374 Thermal Measuring and Testing 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
414 Material or Article Handling 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
439 Electrical Connectors 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2
455 Telecommunications 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
034 Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact with Solids 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
052 Static Structures (e.g., Buildings) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
065 Glass Manufacturing 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
074 Machine Element or Mechanism 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
075 Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
081 Tools 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
083 Cutting 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
102 Ammunition and Explosives 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
134 Cleaning and Liquid Contact with Solids 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
137 Fluid Handling 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
141 Fluent Material Handling, with Receiver or Receiver Coacting Means 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
156 Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
166 Wells (shafts or deep borings in the earth, e.g., for oil and gas) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
175 Boring or Penetrating the Earth 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
209 Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
251 Valves and Valve Actuation 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
294 Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
310 Electrical Generator or Motor Structure 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
318 Electricity: Motive Power Systems 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
329 Demodulators 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
340 Communications: Electrical 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
362 Illumination 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
366 Agitating (e.g., of articles and materials) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
373 Industrial Electric Heating Furnaces 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
380 Cryptography 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
396 Photography 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
403 Joints and Connections 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
405 Hydraulic and Earth Engineering 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
411 Expanded, Threaded, Driven, Headed, Tool-Deformed, or Locked-Threaded Fastener 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
415 Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
416 Fluid Reaction Surfaces (i.e., Impellers) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
419 Powder Metallurgy Processes 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
431 Combustion 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
473 Games Using Tangible Projectile 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
501 Compositions: Ceramic 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
504 Plant Protecting and Regulating Compositions 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
508 Solid Anti-Friction Devices, Materials Therefor, Lubricant or Separate Compositions for Moving Solid Surfaces, and Miscellaneous Mineral Oil Compositions 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
606 Surgery (instruments) 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
623 Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, or Aids and Accessories Therefor 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
701 DP: Vehicles, Navigation, and Relative Location (Data Processing) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
705 DP: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination (Data Processing) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
713 Support (Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
ALL ALL CLASSES 212 19 20 16 21 23 23 24 34 48 20 37 27 44 50 40 68 88 79 63 17 1 974



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Last Modified: May 22, 2002