European patent application no EP 2 000 000

The European Patent Office (EPO) has reached a milestone today by publishing its two millionth patent application. The application, filed on 7 June 2007 by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) in Lyngby, describes a microbial fuel cell which can be used to produce electricity from wastewater.
A microbial fuel cell is an electrochemical device that enables the bioconversion of chemical energy from organic matter directly into electrical energy with the help of microorganisms as catalysts. It can produce electricity from wastewater, thus helping to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. At the same time, it contributes to the degradation of the pollutants contained in wastewater.
Although microbial fuel cells are already in use, the patent applied for by DTU's researchers makes a claim to an improved method for its construction.
"The EPO is pleased to see that this symbolic publication number is attributed to a patent application coming from a European university in such a relevant technology," said EPO President Alison Brimelow. "It should be borne in mind, however, that high application figures should generally not be misread as indicating high levels of innovation, but are in the first place a consequence of increased global competition among technology providers."
Applications for European patents are published 18 months after first filing. They are examined by panels of three scientists with expertise in their technical field to ensure they meet the strict requirements of the European Patent Convention in order to be granted. The present application is in examination, and no decision has been taken yet if a patent can be granted.
The EPO received its first application in 1978. The one millionth application was published in 2000.