A Climate of Positive Change

USPTO honors global energy innovators with first
Trademarks for Humanity awards, Patents for Humanity winners

PHOTO BY MICHAEL CONNOR/USPTO

If you think intellectual property (IP) “only” protects the rights of inventors and innovators, consider its prominent role in addressing environmental and climate change challenges.

That mission was celebrated recently when the USPTO announced the recipients of the 2024 Trademarks for Humanity and Patents for Humanity awards.

The four winners in the inaugural Trademarks for Humanity competition and eight Patents for Humanity awardees provide dramatic proof that humanitarian engagement is compatible with business interests and strong intellectual property protections, and that companies can effectively contribute to the global good while maintaining commercial markets.

The competitions highlight innovators and brand owners who find unique and creative ways to focus on sustainability and other environmentally friendly solutions.

Winners were recognized at a ceremony on December 3 in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

“Both the Trademarks for Humanity and Patents for Humanity competitions celebrate the pivotal role that intellectual property plays in meeting some of society’s greatest challenges,” said Kathi Vidal, under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the USPTO.

Trademarks for Humanity: Environment award recipients

Olaunu (San Clemente, California) provides stormwater water resources and coastal zone management consulting services to improve water quality in the ocean and waterways, also improving water resources and access to clean water while protecting the natural environment. Trademark: OLAUNU®

Genmoji (San Juan, Puerto Rico) develops, manufactures, and installs renewable energy and artificial wind energy recycling technologies and AI Software focused on sustainability, efficiency, and significant drops in greenhouse emissions for communities that face ongoing challenges with traditional energy infrastructure—particularly after major natural disasters. Trademark: GENMOJI®

World Centric (Rohnert Park, California) offers over 400 plant-based compostable products, including cutlery, plates, bowls, cups, trays, to-go containers, and lawn bags, designed to reduce environmental impact. The company donates 25 percent of its profits to grassroots initiatives that empower communities and drive sustainable change. Trademark: World Centric®

ENERGFACADE by mark owner YKK AP America Inc. (Atlanta) has expanded its commitment to environmental sustainability in its external-facing products and its internal manufacturing processes. It provides energy-efficient aluminum building materials, including doors, windows, entrances, storefronts, sun shades, and curtainwalls. Trademark: ENERGFACADE®

Patents for Humanity:
Green Energy award recipients
(by technology category)

Hydropower: Emrgy (Atlanta) developed a hydrokinetic technology through innovative hardware and software systems that enable distributed renewable power generation, transforming non-powered water conveyance infrastructure into clean energy sources.

Hydrokinetic Energy Corp. (Key West, Florida) developed hydrokinetic turbines for use in renewable sources with flowing water, including ocean, tidal, and river currents using a unique Flow Acceleration Technology.

Natel Energy (Alameda, California) developed FishSafe Restoration Hydro Turbines (RHT)— high-performance hydro-turbine runners that enable fish to pass through a turbine safely, preserving biodiversity while generating reliable, renewable energy.

Solar: SpecMat (Warren, Ohio) developed a technology called the Room Temperature Wet Chemistry Growth (RTWCG) process, which allows for solar cell production to be streamlined. It increases throughput by 40 percent, eliminates hot processes, uses less electricity, and delivers higher efficiency over traditional technologies.

Wind: Wind Harvest International, Inc. (Davis, California) developed new, utility-scale wind turbines to use in mid-level wind resources that are too turbulent for traditional horizontal axis wind turbines, including the understories of the windiest wind farms around the world and in other places the large turbines cannot go.

Hydrogen: ZeroAvia, Inc. (Hollister, California) developed scalable hydrogen and electric propulsion technologies to drastically reduce environmental harm and lower costs compared to traditional aviation powertrains.

Biofuels: University of South Florida: T2CE Biofuels (Tampa) developed a way to convert everyday waste material—such as household garbage, solid waste, agricultural waste, and sewage—into diesel, marine, and aviation fuel.

Other: Pirl (Rockville, Maryland) developed a next-generation EV charger that is comprised of easily accessible and removal internal parts to reduce the cost of maintenance while increasing uptime and generating less e-waste.