We are excited to share a new study co-authored by Franz Hennies, offering a novel perspective on how light source facilities contribute to technological innovation.
Using data from 35 facilities worldwide (1996–2023) and comparing the results with top universities like Stanford and MIT, the study shows that publications from light source facilities are cited in patents at comparable rates – around 11-16% over a 15-year period.
Patent citations accumulate gradually, with roughly one-third appearing within 5 years and another third emerging after 10 years or more. This slow but steady accumulation demonstrates the long-term relevance of research from light source facilities to technological development.
The study provides valuable evidence of the strong return on public investment in these facilities and highlights their role as engines of innovation in both fundamental and applied research.
This research underscores the importance of supporting light source infrastructures to continue advancing science and delivering societal and technological benefits globally.
Here is the SRN Link (Vol. 38, Issue 4, 2025):
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08940886.2025.2539057