Strategic management of patents on electrochemical conversion fuel cells and batteries in Latin America as a mechanism for moving towards energy sustainability

Abstract

Electrochemical conversion batteries (ECBs), especially fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), are the focus of attention of the scientific community due to their potential contribution to the decarbonization of the economy. In this context, the objective is to analyze patent publication flows on LIBs in Latin America (LATAM) by proposing a technology adoption matrix, a Patents friendly to sustainable technologies (PFST) indicator, and the use of technology s-curves. Data collection and analysis were carried out using the PatSeer knowledge base, Gephi, VantagePoint, and Loglet Lab software. The results show the leadership of Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina, with high dependence on the United States, Japan, and Germany. The PFST indicates that 79.3% of the published patents address climate change mitigation. In general, there is a low rate of publication of ECB patents in LATAM, marked by a technological lag in the evolution of key technologies. Patents on fuel cells are more published than those related to LIB. Under this scenario, it is unlikely that LATAM will achieve the necessary competitiveness to produce complex technologies in this field. In this regard, it follows that to reverse the position of traditional exporters of low value-added commodities, these countries should formulate strategies that allow the development of the innovation ecosystem, promoting open and applied innovation mechanisms, subsidized adoption, greater integration of universities and, at the same time, strengthening technological integration with countries that currently lead the transfer and others with great potential such as China and South Korea.