RO Nanocomposite Membrane Patent Landscape 2026
NanoH2O Inc. commands a dominant position among filers, with the field anchored in separation-process chemistry and water treatment. Annual filing volume has eased from its 2018 peak, though the multi-year window remains positive on a cumulative basis.
NanoH2O leads a moderately concentrated field with a wide tier gap
NanoH2O Inc. is the clear market leader, ranking first among all applicants. Diamond Gold Investors LLC, Monash University, and the Regents of the University of California follow at a substantial distance, each holding materially fewer patent records than NanoH2O.
The top five filers account for 38% of the combined total across the hundred largest filers, indicating moderate-to-high concentration. The gap between NanoH2O and the second-ranked filer is wide, signalling that no challenger is close to displacing the leader on volume alone.
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NanoH2O Inc. | 30 | |
| 2 | Diamond Gold Investors LLC | 12 | |
| 3 | Monash University | 10 | |
| 4 | Regents of the University of California | 10 | |
| 5 | Shinshu University | 8 | |
| 6 | Nitto Denko Corporation | 6 | |
| 7 | The Research Foundation for the State University of New York | 5 | |
| 8 | ZNano LLC | 5 | |
| 9 | Hanyang University Industry-University Cooperation Foundation | 4 | |
| 10 | Korea Water Resources Corporation | 4 |
| # | Applicant | Patent records | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Via Separations LLC | 4 | |
| 12 | Zhejiang University of Technology | 3 | |
| 13 | Yale University | 3 | |
| 14 | Robert Leon Burk | 3 | |
| 15 | South Dakota Board of Regents | 3 | |
| 16 | Brett Anderson Holmberg | 3 | |
| 17 | Vontron Technology Co., Ltd. | 3 | |
| 18 | Christopher James Kurth | 3 | |
| 19 | Cornell University | 3 | |
| 20 | LG NanoH2O Inc. | 3 |
NanoH2O’s position, reinforced by LG NanoH2O Inc. appearing separately in the ranking, reflects a corporate lineage that has made thin-film composite nanoparticle membranes a central commercial focus. Academic institutions — Monash University, University of California, Shinshu University — collectively form a substantial second tier, suggesting that fundamental research remains active in parallel with commercial development.
Data for the most recent 18–24 months is subject to publication lag and likely understates actual recent activity; rankings and totals should be read as indicative rather than final for that window. Longer-window growth, applicant concentration, and technology-route coverage are therefore more reliable signals than the latest-year bar alone.
Filing volume peaked in 2018 and has settled; separation processes overwhelmingly dominate the technology mix
The annual trend chart tracks filing activity from 2017 onward, while the technology composition chart breaks down the IPC class distribution across all patent records in scope.
Annual filing trend
Filings peaked at 14 records in 2018, dropped sharply in 2019–2022, then recovered partially to 9 in 2023 before easing again. The 2024–2026 bars reflect publication lag and almost certainly undercount activity filed in those years; the apparent dip should not be read as a structural decline.
↗ Hover for values · click a bar to ask EurekaTechnology composition
B01D (Separation processes including filtration) dominates with 139 patent records, far outweighing the second-largest class C02F (Water and wastewater treatment) at 42 records. All remaining classes — including H01M (Batteries and fuel cells), B05D (Coating processes), and B82Y (Nanotechnology applications) — each contribute single-digit counts, underscoring how tightly the field is defined around membrane separation science.
↗ 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.
Thin-film nano-composite membrane with mesoporous …
The present invention is directed to a filtration membrane comprising a thin polymeric membrane film in which mesoporous silica nanoparticles are embedded. The membrane may be a thin-film nanocomposite membrane useful for reverse osmosis or nanofiltration. The present invention is also directed to a filtration membrane comprising a thin polymeric membrane… (excerpt from the patent abstract)
| # | Patent | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Micro-and nanocomposite support structures for rev… | 150 |
| 2 | Hybrid nanoparticle TFC membranes | 111 |
| 3 | High performance membranes for water reclamation u… | 110 |
| 4 | Hybrid nanoparticle TFC membranes | 49 |
| 5 | Nanoparticle-functionalized membranes, methods of … | 44 |
| 6 | Nanocomposite membranes | 35 |
| 7 | Black Liquor Concentration by a Membrane Comprisin… | 33 |
| 8 | Process of making a polymeric material having a mi… | 32 |
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 investment
The field’s concentration pattern and lifecycle stage have direct implications for entry strategy, collaboration opportunities, and geographic prioritisation.
Field has plateaued near its 2018 peak
Annual filing volume has eased from the 2018 peak and has plateaued, placing the field in a maturity stage. The multi-year window still shows positive growth of 6%, indicating cumulative portfolio expansion, but the rate of new filings is no longer accelerating. For R&D planners, this means core RO nanocomposite membrane IP positions are largely staked; differentiation now requires moving into adjacent sub-classes or novel nanoparticle chemistries.
Lifecycle: MaturitySingle commercial leader, fragmented academic second tier
The top five filers hold 38% of the combined total among the hundred largest filers, with NanoH2O alone accounting for a disproportionate share. Below that tier, more than a dozen universities and small companies each hold fewer than 10 patent records. This structure makes freedom-to-operate analysis critical for any new entrant in core thin-film composite nanoparticle membrane space, while also signalling that collaborative licensing routes are feasible given the distributed academic holdings.
High concentration at topKorea Water Resources Corp anchors the most active co-filing cluster
The most active co-filing relationships involve Korea Water Resources Corp, Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd., and Hanyang University, each pair sharing 4 jointly filed records. This three-way cluster reflects a government-utility-university model common in South Korean water infrastructure projects. Engineers considering joint development should note this coalition as both a potential partner and a competing bloc in desalination-oriented nanocomposite membrane applications.
Tri-party cluster: KoreaUS leads filings; PCT and EPO routes signal global commercial intent
The United States is the dominant filing jurisdiction with 40 patent records, followed by WIPO PCT (20) and Europe via the EPO (18). Canada, China, Israel, and India each have meaningful coverage, suggesting that filers are protecting commercial positions in both developed water-treatment markets and emerging high-growth markets. Japan, despite Nitto Denko’s presence in the applicant ranking, shows only 2 records, which may warrant deeper investigation for freedom-to-operate in that market.
US-led, PCT-extendedGo 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Korea Water Resources Corporation | Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. | 4 |
| Korea Water Resources Corporation | Hanyang University | 4 |
| Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. | Hanyang University | 4 |
Co-filing pairs, ranked by the number of jointly-filed patent families.
NanoH2O dominates membrane material patents; academic filers focus on structural and process variations
The two-tier competitive structure places NanoH2O well ahead of all challengers. Academic institutions collectively match NanoH2O’s volume only when aggregated across several separate entities.
NanoH2O Inc.
NanoH2O holds 30 patent records, nearly triple the next-ranked filer’s count. Its technology emphasis concentrates on B01D 71 (membrane polymer materials), B01D 61 (pressure-driven membrane processes), and B01D 69 (membrane forms and structures), forming a broad and deep position across the entire thin-film composite nanoparticle membrane value chain. No momentum data is available for the recent window, but its cumulative lead is decisive. LG NanoH2O Inc. appears separately in the ranking with 3 additional records, suggesting a continued corporate interest post-acquisition.
30 patent recordsMonash University
Monash University holds 10 patent records, focusing primarily on B01D 69 (membrane forms) and B01D 61 (pressure-driven processes), with a smaller presence in B01D 67 (membrane fabrication). Its profile is research-institution oriented, with emphasis on structural membrane innovation rather than commercial scale-up. No recent-window momentum data is available, but its consistent co-classification across multiple B01D sub-classes indicates broad academic coverage of nanocomposite membrane architecture.
10 patent recordsUnder-served branches worth monitoring for R&D positioning
Several IPC classes adjacent to the dominant B01D core show low patent-record counts relative to their potential technical relevance to nanocomposite membrane development. These are observations of relative sparsity; technical and commercial validation is needed before treating any as a confirmed opportunity.
H01M · Batteries, cells & fuel cells
Only 7 patent records map to H01M, representing 3% of all classified records. Nanocomposite membrane architectures developed for RO water treatment — particularly those using zeolite or MOF fillers — share structural principles with ion-exchange and proton-exchange membranes used in fuel cells and flow batteries. The sparse coverage here suggests that cross-domain transfer of RO nanocomposite expertise into electrochemical energy applications is not yet well-patented. Entry would require expertise bridging polymer matrix chemistry and electrochemical performance, and would need to contend with a separate, well-populated H01M landscape from energy-sector incumbents.
Search this in Eureka →B05D · Coating processes
With only 5 patent records, the coating-process branch (B05D) is notably sparse for a field where thin-film deposition and interfacial polymerisation are core fabrication steps. This gap may reflect the tendency to classify coating innovations under B01D rather than B05D, but it also suggests that precision deposition methods — including atomic layer deposition or roll-to-roll coating of nanoparticle-loaded selective layers — are under-claimed in this space. Researchers with coating-process expertise could find relatively uncontested ground here, provided claims are clearly anchored in membrane manufacturing rather than general coating science.
Search this in Eureka →How leading filers differ across membrane technology sub-routes
Route coverage across the main technology branches in the current evidence set.
| Player | B01D 71 · Separation processes (filtration etc.) | B01D 69 · Separation processes (filtration etc.) | B01D 61 · Separation processes (filtration etc.) | B01D 67 · Separation processes (filtration etc.) | C02F 1 · Water & wastewater treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NanoH2O Inc. | Strong · 31 | Strong · 16 | Strong · 18 | Emerging · 2 | Absent |
| Regents of the University of California | Strong · 9 | Strong · 8 | Absent | Moderate · 3 | Moderate · 3 |
| Shinshu University | Strong · 8 | Strong · 8 | Moderate · 4 | Moderate · 3 | Absent |
| ZNano LLC | Strong · 6 | Strong · 6 | Strong · 5 | Moderate · 3 | Moderate · 3 |
| Monash University | Absent | Strong · 10 | Strong · 9 | Absent | Absent |
| Nitto Denko Corporation | Strong · 6 | Strong · 6 | Absent | Strong · 6 | Absent |
| The Research Foundation for the State University of New York | Strong · 5 | Absent | Strong · 5 | Absent | Strong · 5 |
Frequently asked questions
The current evidence scope contains 62 patent families. This figure covers filings across 15 identified jurisdictions, with the United States being the leading office.
NanoH2O Inc. is the leading filer with 30 patent records, approximately 2.5 times the count of the next-ranked filer, Diamond Gold Investors LLC, which holds 12 records.
The field is assessed at the Maturity stage. Annual filing volume has plateaued near its 2018 peak, though cumulative growth over the multi-year window remains positive at 6%. Core IP positions are largely established.
The United States leads with 40 patent records, followed by WIPO PCT filings (20) and the EPO (18). Canada, China, Israel, and India each show meaningful coverage, reflecting both mature and emerging water-treatment markets.
Yes. The most active co-filing cluster involves Korea Water Resources Corp, Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd., and Hanyang University, with 4 jointly filed records in each pairwise combination, forming a tri-party government-utility-university consortium.
H01M (Batteries, cells and fuel cells) and B05D (Coating processes) each have very low patent record counts — 7 and 5 respectively — relative to their technical proximity to nanocomposite membrane science. These represent under-served adjacent branches, though entry viability depends on technical and freedom-to-operate assessments beyond this landscape.
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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.
Nothing on this page constitutes an exhaustive prior-art, novelty, freedom-to-operate, or validity search, nor does it constitute legal, financial, investment, or professional advice, and it should not be relied upon as such. Any patent, commercial, or strategic decision should be verified independently and reviewed with qualified patent, legal, and domain professionals. Patsnap makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose of the information presented.