Teen scientists transforming projects into business products

Our budding teenage scientists are translating their bright ideas into more and more projects with the potential to become successful businesses.

The number of patents pending from entrants to last January’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition has jumped to eight out of 16 applications made to the patents office. It had enquiries relating to more than 30 projects ahead of the event.

“We are certainly seeing a trend for more of a product, innovation or invention-led project from the applications we get. Prior to this, on average we would have seen approximately 12 patent applications and traditionally one or two of these are accepted,” said patents office examiner of patents Dr Fergal Brady.