The 37th America’s Cup 2024 sporting competition being held in Barcelona is not only the highest-level sailing event at an international level, but is also linked to innovation and technology.
This event is acting as a catalyst for innovation, as evidenced by the constant technological development of each part of the AC75 boats. Each team protects its technological advances in industrial property: patents, designs, trademarks and trade names.
Although foiling may seem like a recent revolution in water sports, it has been at the heart of America’s Cup racing for over 10 years. Foils were first used in the 2012 races by Emirates Team New Zealand (the Kiwis). Investment in R&D has enabled the racing boats to evolve to such an extent that they have become “flying” boats, with larger foils to promote greater lift and faster flight; boats made of lighter materials and electronics, hydraulics, hardware and software systems have been substantially updated.
| WO2017083947A1: Sail boat propulsion and stabilisation system and device | WO2023020918A1: Manufacture of fibre-reinforced composite hydrofoils and aerofoils and elongate foil |
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- US2024/0271943A1: ASSISTED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS;
- US2023/0406462A1: ELECTRONIC SAIL SHAPE SENSOR NETWORK AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME FOR SINGLE AND MULTI-SAIL CONFIGURATIONS
The 37th America’s Cup is also the driving force behind the transformation to the blue economy, making this a strategic sector for generating innovative projects that guarantee growth that respects sustainable resources and preserves maritime heritage.
We are facing the maritime industrial revolution of the 21st century, which will lead to the greatest transformation in maritime history: ports, the naval industry, artificial intelligence, transport, communications systems, energy sources, materials, etc. are changing “the way” and “how” the different entities related to the sea will carry out their function in the near future.
The future of the maritime industry and global trade represents one of the greatest transformations of this century. In recent years, blue technology has been generating patents exponentially and all areas of knowledge are involved in it. It is therefore a business opportunity for all technological fields.
Offshore wind energy
Floating structures for offshore energy
Innovation and patentability go hand in hand and the high number of patents in blue technology is evidence of the change and transformation of the maritime sector. Innovation in the fields related to renewable energy and decarbonization, inter alia, has experienced explosive growth.
Autonomous navigation vessels, 100% electric, which we will possibly see in a few years sailing through maritime corridors for transport, are the result of research and development protected by patents. Or combined propulsion vessels with sails such as, for example, WO2016142567A1 or WO2020193835A1, owned by Spanish applicants.
All technological sectors are participating in the shift towards blue technology, with high R&D investments also by public administrations, public-private partnerships and local business clusters.
This maritime transformation is an opportunity for business generation, in which all areas of knowledge are involved, and investment in R&D, in one way or another, is the driving force behind this transformation
Some examples of blue technology patents:
US2024/0280081A1: ENERGYMASTER A FLOATING HYBRID TIDAL/WAVE/WIND HARVESTING SYSTEM
WO2023/107339A1: APARATUS AND METHOD FOR GREEN HYDROGEN PRODUCTION USING SUBMERGED DESALINATION SYSTEM
WO2024/163547A1: MARINE HYDROKINETIC ENERGY HARVESTER WITH MULTIPLE VIVACE OSCILATORS IN SYNERGY
| US20240301856A1: Kelp-Inspired Marine Energy Converter | |
| A kelp-inspired marine energy converter (MEC) device having a plurality of strips of flexible electroactive materials connected to a power conditioning module and anchored to a structure (such as the ocean floor) is described. The movement of the strips caused by water motion or current action (i.e., water motion) converted by the electroactive material to electrical energy. |  |
Article by: Sònia Girona.
