Radical innovation detection in the solar energy domain based on patent analysis

Introduction: Detecting radical innovations in the solar energy domain could offer innovation references and support the promotion of solar energy. However, relevant studies in the solar energy domain are lacking, and the related methods need to be improved.Methods: In this paper, a new framework to...

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Main Authors: Sida Feng, Fang Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Energy Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2022.1056564/full
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author Sida Feng
Fang Han
author_facet Sida Feng
Fang Han
author_sort Sida Feng
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Detecting radical innovations in the solar energy domain could offer innovation references and support the promotion of solar energy. However, relevant studies in the solar energy domain are lacking, and the related methods need to be improved.Methods: In this paper, a new framework to identify radical innovations in the solar energy domain is proposed by combining a technological convergence study and scientific relation analysis, and the link prediction method is utilized to detect potential radical innovations in this domain.Results: 1) The distributions of both the technological classes and scientific categories are uneven in the solar energy domain. The top 15 technological classes account for nearly 75.46% of all classifications. Fifteen scientific categories are cited by all the patents, and applied physics, multidisciplinary material science, energy and fuels play important roles in this domain. 2) The relationships among technological classes have evolved over time and have mainly focused on neighbouring disciplines. 3) A total of 130 patents containing new convergence relationships and/or closely related to science are identified as radical innovations. Radical innovative topics are related to the subdomains of solar photovoltaic (solar PV), heat storage, heat exchangers, and solar collectors. 4) Five potential radical innovative topics are identified. Automatic plants for producing electric energy, solar energy ecology houses, and so on are considered to have great potential in the future.Discussion: The results are consistent with the authoritative report and previous studies, which verify the viability of our methods. And the findings have important implications for scientists, policy-makers, and investors in this domain.
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spelling doaj.art-1924ea5f20ef470bb36d0de12ab3e9352023-01-06T15:12:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Energy Research2296-598X2023-01-011010.3389/fenrg.2022.10565641056564Radical innovation detection in the solar energy domain based on patent analysisSida Feng0Fang Han1Economics and Management School, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, ChinaNational Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaIntroduction: Detecting radical innovations in the solar energy domain could offer innovation references and support the promotion of solar energy. However, relevant studies in the solar energy domain are lacking, and the related methods need to be improved.Methods: In this paper, a new framework to identify radical innovations in the solar energy domain is proposed by combining a technological convergence study and scientific relation analysis, and the link prediction method is utilized to detect potential radical innovations in this domain.Results: 1) The distributions of both the technological classes and scientific categories are uneven in the solar energy domain. The top 15 technological classes account for nearly 75.46% of all classifications. Fifteen scientific categories are cited by all the patents, and applied physics, multidisciplinary material science, energy and fuels play important roles in this domain. 2) The relationships among technological classes have evolved over time and have mainly focused on neighbouring disciplines. 3) A total of 130 patents containing new convergence relationships and/or closely related to science are identified as radical innovations. Radical innovative topics are related to the subdomains of solar photovoltaic (solar PV), heat storage, heat exchangers, and solar collectors. 4) Five potential radical innovative topics are identified. Automatic plants for producing electric energy, solar energy ecology houses, and so on are considered to have great potential in the future.Discussion: The results are consistent with the authoritative report and previous studies, which verify the viability of our methods. And the findings have important implications for scientists, policy-makers, and investors in this domain.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2022.1056564/fullsolar energytechnology convergencescientific citationlink predictionradical innovation
spellingShingle Sida Feng
Fang Han
Radical innovation detection in the solar energy domain based on patent analysis
Frontiers in Energy Research
solar energy
technology convergence
scientific citation
link prediction
radical innovation
title Radical innovation detection in the solar energy domain based on patent analysis
title_full Radical innovation detection in the solar energy domain based on patent analysis
title_fullStr Radical innovation detection in the solar energy domain based on patent analysis
title_full_unstemmed Radical innovation detection in the solar energy domain based on patent analysis
title_short Radical innovation detection in the solar energy domain based on patent analysis
title_sort radical innovation detection in the solar energy domain based on patent analysis
topic solar energy
technology convergence
scientific citation
link prediction
radical innovation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2022.1056564/full
work_keys_str_mv AT sidafeng radicalinnovationdetectioninthesolarenergydomainbasedonpatentanalysis
AT fanghan radicalinnovationdetectioninthesolarenergydomainbasedonpatentanalysis