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The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced on Dec. 4 the recipients of the 2024 Trademarks for Humanity and Patents for Humanity awards. These two competitions highlight innovators and brand owners using intellectual property to address environmental and climate change challenges. The winners were recognized at a ceremony held Dec 4 in Washington, D.C.
ZeroAvia, which makes hydrogen-powered electric propulsion engines and operates at the Hollister Airport, was one of eight companies nationwide to receive a Patents for Humanity award. Founded in 2018, the company was honored for patenting and building a technology that could “drastically reduce environmental harm and lower costs compared to traditional aviation powertrains.” according to its website.
Gabe DeVault, head of system architecture at ZeroAvia, told BenitoLink that after five years of intense research and development, “it is great to get recognition directly from the patent office.” He added that the company has had 30 patents recognized.
According to a patent office press release, this year is the first year of the Trademarks for Humanity award, and the fifth year Patents for Humanity prizes have been given out. Both awards highlight businesses that have found unique and creative ways to reach underserved markets. “Their stories show that humanitarian engagement is compatible with business interests and strong intellectual property protections, and that companies can effectively contribute to global good while maintaining commercial markets,” the press release states.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo praised the award recipients.
“At the Department of Commerce, we are committed to supporting the groundbreaking work of the inventors and companies who are creating solutions to climate change and the global energy challenges of the future,” Raimondo said. “Today’s award recipients are a testament to the strength of American ingenuity and our ability to solve even the most challenging problems our country faces.”
In a statement, ZeroAvia said it has created technologies that solve nuts-and-bolts problems faced by green-aircraft builders.
“Patents include an invention that enables more efficient cooling of fuel cells without increasing drag—a longstanding challenge to their practical use to power aircraft—and an invention of novel coatings which enable high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells that promise much higher power density,” the company said. “ZeroAvia is advancing technologies that can produce, store and use clean hydrogen efficiently, with the potential to reduce aviation greenhouse gas emissions by more than 90%.”
The company has tested a prototype of its first powertrain, the ZA600, and its zero-emission engine is being considered for certification by regulators. The propulsion technology was recognized by Time magazine as one of the best inventions in 2024.
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