We confirm that a nanotechnology patent filing explosion
continues at a record pace in 2012 as we enter the final trimester
of the year. On July 8, 2012, we reported that the USPTO was on
pace to publish a record number of class 977 nanotechnology patent
applications (over 4,000). This was also noted in past postings and
reflects a solid trend. We checked again today and confirm that the
current projection to end of the year remains at over 4,000
(4,043). The broad variety of technology in the filings is
startling and in places unconventional. For example, US Patent
Publication 2012/0221268 (the last application to publish) relates
to quantum computing and lists Microsoft as assignee. Hydraulic
fracturing is increasingly referred to in this body of patent
literature as there are 16 such publications this year which is
double the number compared to the prior three years combined (e.g.,
Halliburton's US Patent Publication 2012/0220504).
