Perovskite PV Testing Patent Landscape 2026
The perovskite PV testing patent space is concentrated among a small cluster of academic and corporate filers, with Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) and City University of Hong Kong jointly holding the top two positions. The field is still expanding on a multi-year basis, though annual volume has eased from its 2023 peak and the most recent filing years remain understated by publication lag.
A concentrated field led by CATL’s Hong Kong arm and a tight academic cluster
Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) Limited holds the top position among ranked filers, followed closely by City University of Hong Kong and Imperial College Innovations Ltd. The top five filers account for more than half of the hundred largest filers’ combined total, signalling a highly concentrated competitive structure for a still-nascent technology area.
A clear two-tier gap separates the top three applicants from the remainder of the field. The leader’s count is roughly equal to the second-ranked filer, suggesting a tight contest at the top rather than a single dominant incumbent. Filers ranked fourth and below hold materially smaller positions, and several appear with only one or two patent records each.
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) Limited | 11 | |
| 2 | City University of Hong Kong | 10 | |
| 3 | Imperial College Innovations Ltd | 7 | |
| 4 | Nanyang Technological University | 5 | |
| 5 | Nanofilm Technologies International Ltd | 5 | |
| 6 | Swansea University | 4 | |
| 7 | Shandong University | 3 | |
| 8 | Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd. | 2 | |
| 9 | Huaneng Qinghai Power Generation Co., Ltd. | 2 | |
| 10 | Huaneng Renewables Corporation Limited | 2 |
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute | 2 | |
| 12 | Indian Institute of Technology Bombay | 2 | |
| 13 | Solaires Entreprises Inc | 2 | |
| 14 | Shenzhen Hiking PV Technology Co., Ltd. | 1 | |
| 15 | Kunshan GCL Optoelectronic Material Co., Ltd. | 1 | |
| 16 | Shanghai Jiao Tong University | 1 | |
| 17 | Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) Limited | 1 | |
| 18 | Kunshan MIS Information Consulting Co., Ltd. | 1 | |
| 19 | South China University of Technology | 1 | |
| 20 | Purdue Research Foundation | 1 |
The co-presence of a major battery manufacturer, elite research universities, and specialist materials firms at the top of the ranking reflects the cross-disciplinary nature of perovskite PV testing — spanning electrochemistry, photovoltaics, and organic semiconductor characterisation. Incumbents’ positions are all marked as new entrants in the momentum data, confirming the field formed rapidly and no filer yet holds a legacy portfolio.
Filing counts for 2024, 2025, and 2026 are understated due to standard patent publication lag of 18–24 months; the apparent recent softening does not reflect actual inventive activity in those years. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
A 2023 filing surge and a dominant organic-semiconductor technology branch
Two charts frame the field’s dynamics: a filing timeline that shows explosive recent growth from a near-zero base, and a technology composition breakdown that reveals H10K organic-semiconductor classification as the overwhelming primary branch.
Annual filing trend
Filings were effectively zero through 2019, then grew steadily from 2020 before surging sharply in 2023. The three-year recent window sits well above the prior three-year window, consistent with the Growth lifecycle stage. The 2024–2026 bars should be read as floors rather than totals given publication lag; the field has not actually contracted.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
H10K (organic semiconductors) dominates the technology mix by a wide margin, reflecting the perovskite absorber layer’s classification home. Secondary branches — H02S (photovoltaic power generation), C09D (coatings and inks), H01G (capacitors), and H01L (semiconductor devices) — each hold a small share, indicating that characterisation methods spanning device physics, materials deposition, and electrical measurement remain relatively sparse compared to core device architecture filings.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaHighly cited patent families surfaced by the query
Citation-heavy patent families returned by the query. Use this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents.
Perovskite solar cell and its preparation
A perovskite solar cell includes an electron transport layer between an anode and a cathode, wherein the electron transport layer comprises of first and second portions of tin oxide (SnO<sub>x</sub>). A method for preparing the perovskite solar cell includes depositing an electron transport layer having first and second portions of tin oxide… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Perovskite solar cell | 7 |
| 2 | Perovskite solar cell and fabrication method thereof | 5 |
| 3 | Perovskite solar cell and fabrication method thereof | 4 |
| 4 | Organic-inorganic perovskite solar cell with direc… | 3 |
| 5 | Perovskite solar cell and manufacturing method | 3 |
| 6 | Perovskite solar cell with interface layer | 2 |
| 7 | 一种适用于钙钛矿太阳能电池的EL检测设备及检测方法 | 2 |
| 8 | Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells and Fabrication th… | 1 |
Ranked by total forward citations. Citation counts favour older and broadly cited patent families, and broad or adjacent patents may appear when they match the search scope. Treat this section as citation context, not as a curated list of the most topic-specific patents. Some patent titles may be shown in their original, non-English language where an accurate translation could not be guaranteed.
What the patent structure means for R&D strategy
The combination of rapid growth, high concentration among new entrants, and thin coverage of adjacent measurement and materials branches creates specific strategic implications for teams deciding where to invest.
Growth stage — rapid expansion from a 2023 peak, publication lag masks true recent pace
The lifecycle is classified as Growth, with recent three-year filings well above the prior three-year window and a reported growth rate consistent with a field that formed almost entirely after 2019. Annual volume peaked in 2023 and has eased since, but the most recent years are further understated by publication lag. Teams entering now are competing against filers who themselves only established positions within the last few years.
Growth lifecycleTop five filers dominate the hundred-filer leaderboard; no entrenched legacy holder
The top five applicants account for 53% of the hundred largest filers’ combined patent records, a high concentration ratio for a field of this size. Critically, all top momentum filers are flagged as new entrants, meaning no single organisation has had time to build a deep, multi-generational portfolio that would be difficult to design around. This lowers the barrier to establishing a differentiated position relative to a mature, incumbent-dominated space.
High concentrationCity University of Hong Kong–Imperial College Innovations is the dominant co-filing pair
The most active collaboration in the dataset links City University of Hong Kong and Imperial College Innovations Ltd, who co-filed 7 times. Nanofilm Technologies and Nanyang Technological University form a second active pair with 5 co-filings. Nanofilm also appears in smaller collaborations with Schlich Ltd, as does Nanyang Tech University. These pairings suggest that academic-industry partnerships, particularly spanning Asia-Pacific and UK institutions, are the primary vehicle for IP generation in this field.
Academic-industry pairsUS leads patent protection; China and Europe are secondary but meaningful destinations
The United States is the leading jurisdiction for patent filings, followed by China and the EPO (Europe) at equal second. India, WIPO PCT, Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan all appear as protection destinations, indicating that leading filers are pursuing broad international coverage rather than concentrating protection in a single market. Singapore also appears, consistent with the presence of Singapore-based Nanofilm Technologies among the top applicants.
US-led, broad coverageGo beyond the landscape: Eureka’s TRIZ Solution agent breaks down an R&D problem and returns patented concept solutions, each with a technical approach and cited patent & literature evidence.
| Applicant | Collaborator | Co-filings |
|---|---|---|
| City University of Hong Kong | Imperial College Innovations Ltd | 7 |
| Nanofilm Technologies International Ltd | Nanyang Technological University | 5 |
| Nanofilm Technologies International Ltd | Schlich Ltd | 1 |
| Nanyang Technological University | Schlich Ltd | 1 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
CATL Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong lead; all top filers are new entrants
The two top-ranked applicants differ in organisational type — one is the Hong Kong arm of a major battery manufacturer, the other a research university — but both concentrate their filings almost entirely in H10K organic semiconductor classifications and both entered the field recently.
Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) Limited
The top-ranked applicant holds 11 patent records and concentrates its portfolio almost entirely in H10K organic semiconductor subclasses — specifically H10K30 (perovskite and organic PV device architecture) and H10K71 (fabrication and processing methods) — with additional coverage in H10K85. Its momentum is flagged as a new entrant, confirming the position was built entirely within the recent filing window. Its presence signals that CATL group views perovskite PV characterisation as strategically adjacent to its core energy storage business.
patent records: 11City University of Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong holds 10 patent records — the closest challenger — and shares the same H10K30 and H10K85 focus as the leader, with additional coverage in H01G capacitor-related classifications. It is also the more active co-filer, partnering with Imperial College Innovations Ltd on 7 joint filings, making it the hub of the most productive academic collaboration in the dataset. Momentum is also flagged as a new entrant, consistent with rapid portfolio build-up.
patent records: 10| Applicant | Recent (3 yrs) | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| City University of Hong Kong | 9 | ▲ new entrant |
| Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) | 9 | ▲ new entrant |
| Imperial College Innovations Ltd | 7 | ▲ new entrant |
| Nanofilm Technologies International Ltd | 5 | ▲ new entrant |
| Nanyang Technological University | 5 | ▲ new entrant |
| Swansea University | 3 | ▲ new entrant |
| Shandong University | 2 | ▲ new entrant |
| Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) Limited | 1 | ▲ new entrant |
Under-served branches in materials characterisation and nanotechnology
Several IPC branches adjacent to the dominant H10K core hold very few patent records relative to their technical relevance to perovskite PV testing. These represent observations of relative sparsity; whether they constitute viable entry points depends on an organisation’s existing capabilities.
G01N · Material analysis and testing
G01N covers direct material analysis and testing methods — the most literally aligned IPC branch to the topic of perovskite PV testing — yet holds only 3 patent records and a 4% share of the corpus. The technical value is plausible: standardised test protocols for perovskite absorber stability, defect density measurement, and accelerated ageing are increasingly demanded by module qualification bodies. An entry path exists for instrument makers, standards organisations, or test-house operators who can codify measurement procedures as patentable apparatus or method claims.
Search this in Eureka →B82Y · Nanotechnology applications
B82Y nanotechnology classifications hold 3 patent records and a 4% share, despite the known relevance of nanostructured charge-transport layers and quantum-dot perovskite variants to cell performance testing. Indian Institute of Technology Bombay is currently the only filer with a clear B82Y focus in this dataset. The sparse coverage suggests that nano-scale characterisation techniques — such as atomic force microscopy protocols tailored for perovskite grain boundaries — remain largely unpublished or unprotected as discrete inventions, leaving room for specialist nanometrology or materials-testing firms.
Search this in Eureka →How leading applicants differ by technology route
Route coverage across the main technology branches in the current evidence set.
| Player | H10K 30 · Organic semiconductors (OLED etc.) | H10K 85 · Organic semiconductors (OLED etc.) | H10K 71 · Organic semiconductors (OLED etc.) | H02S 50 · Photovoltaic / solar power generation | C09D 11 · Coatings, paints & inks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) | Strong · 10 | Strong · 7 | Strong · 9 | Absent | Absent |
| City University of Hong Kong | Strong · 10 | Strong · 10 | Emerging · 2 | Absent | Absent |
| Imperial College Innovations Ltd | Strong · 7 | Strong · 7 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Swansea University | Strong · 4 | Strong · 3 | Strong · 3 | Absent | Strong · 4 |
| Nanyang Technological University | Strong · 5 | Strong · 4 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Nanofilm Technologies International Ltd | Strong · 5 | Strong · 4 | Absent | Absent | Absent |
| Shandong University | Strong · 3 | Strong · 2 | Strong · 3 | Absent | Absent |
Frequently asked questions
The analysis covers 55 patent families in scope. This is a small but rapidly formed corpus: effectively no filings existed before 2020, and the bulk of the portfolio was built within the last five years.
Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) Limited leads the applicant ranking with 11 patent records, followed by City University of Hong Kong with 10. Both are flagged as new entrants, meaning their positions were established entirely within the recent filing window.
The field is in a Growth lifecycle stage. Recent three-year filings are well above the prior three-year window. Annual volume peaked in 2023 and has eased since, but 2024–2026 counts are understated by patent publication lag and should not be read as a true contraction.
H10K (organic semiconductors, which includes perovskite PV device architecture and fabrication) is the dominant classification by a wide margin. Secondary branches such as H02S (photovoltaic power generation), C09D (coatings), H01G (capacitors), and H01L (semiconductor devices) each hold a much smaller share.
The United States leads with 21 patent records, followed by China and the EPO (Europe) at 9 each. India, WIPO PCT, Australia, Spain, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Austria, and Singapore also appear as protection destinations, reflecting broad international filing strategies among the top applicants.
Yes. The most active co-filing pair is City University of Hong Kong and Imperial College Innovations Ltd, with 7 joint filings. Nanofilm Technologies and Nanyang Technological University form a second active pair with 5 co-filings. Academic-industry and cross-border academic partnerships are the dominant collaboration model in this field.
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Disclaimer. This page is generated from Patsnap Eureka data drawn from a limited snapshot of global patent and scientific-literature records, and is provided for general information and reference only.
Patent data carries inherent limitations: recent filings (typically the most recent 18–24 months) are under-counted due to standard publication lag; counts may be reported at either a patent-family or a patent-record basis and are not always directly comparable; classification, applicant-name, and citation data may contain errors, duplicates, or omissions; and the underlying search query defines and constrains the scope shown. As a result, the analysis may be incomplete or inaccurate and may not reflect the full technology landscape.
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