News
Tullahoma, TN – August 5, 2025 – PhotonStor Corp,
a leader in innovative renewable energy solutions, today announced the receipt of a positive International Preliminary Report on Patentability (IPRP) from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), acting as the International Preliminary Examining Authority (IPEA). The IPRP, dated August 5, 2025, pertains to international patent application PCT/US2024/035449, originally filed by Sol Energia Inc., which merged with PhotonStor Corp prior to its dissolution. This favorable report affirms that all claims (1-28) of the invention meet the criteria for novelty, inventive step (non-obviousness), and industrial applicability under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The patented technology, titled "Thermal Energy Storage Systems and Methods," advances long-duration, high-temperature thermal energy storage using concentrating solar-thermal power. It enables modular, scalable systems that output energy as dispatchable electricity or direct heat for applications in industrial processes, hydrogen production, desalinization, and space/water heating. This innovation supports grid resiliency, reduces CO2 emissions, and complements intermittent renewables like wind and solar photovoltaics, aligning with global net-zero goals. “This positive IPRP is a key validation of our groundbreaking technology," said Wade Burfitt, inventor and CEO of PhotonStor Corp. "It underscores the novelty and potential impact of our systems in addressing rising electricity demands from AI, electric vehicles, and manufacturing, while providing clean, reliable energy storage without the environmental drawbacks of lithium-ion batteries.”
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is an international agreement with over 150 signatory countries that streamlines the process of seeking patent protection across multiple jurisdictions. Rather than filing separate applications in each country, inventors can submit a single international application, which undergoes a unified international phase before entering national phases. The IPEA conducts a preliminary examination and issues the IPRP, providing a non-binding opinion on whether the claims appear to satisfy the key patentability criteria:
- Novelty: The invention must be new and not disclosed in prior art.
- Inventive Step: The invention must involve a non-obvious advance over existing knowledge.
- Industrial Applicability: The invention must be capable of practical use in industry.
While the IPRP is not a granted patent, a positive report like this one strengthens the application's position, often influencing national patent offices to grant protection more efficiently. It reduces uncertainty and costs for applicants during the national phase. PhotonStor Corp plans to pursue national patents in the European Union (Italy, France, Spain, Portugal), Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Chile, Australia, and India. This development builds on PhotonStor's U.S. Patent No. 12,222,137 B2, granted in February 2025, further solidifying the company's intellectual property portfolio.
About PhotonStor Corp
PhotonStor Corp develops concentrating solar thermal energy storage systems to deliver dispatchable clean energy and heat, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing energy security. For more information, visit www.photon-stor.com.
Corp, a pioneer in sustainable energy solutions, today announced the granting of U.S. Patent No. 12,222,137 B2 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Titled "Thermal Energy Storage Systems and Methods," the patent covers groundbreaking technology for concentrating solar thermal energy storage, originally developed under Sol Energia, which merged with PhotonStor Corp before its dissolution. This patented system creates long-duration, high-temperature thermal energy storage powered by concentrating solar-thermal energy. It delivers energy output as electricity or direct heat for industrial processes, space heating, and water heating, with modularity and scalability for applications across grid-scale, industrial, institutional, commercial, and residential sectors. By enabling stand-alone systems or distributed microgrids, the technology provides reliable power and heat for on- or off-grid communities and industries. “Securing this patent marks a significant milestone in our mission to advance dispatchable clean energy, I’d like to congratulate my co-inventors Dr. Dominique Fourgette, and Dr. David Goorskey" said Wade Burfitt, CEO of PhotonStor Corp. "With electricity demand projected to rise 16% in the next five years due to AI data centers, electric vehicles, and manufacturing growth, our system offers a renewable solution that reduces CO2 emissions and grid strain. It's environmentally friendly, non-toxic, fully recyclable, and designed for a 40+ year lifespan, making it a cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries for long-duration storage. “Key benefits of the PhotonStor technology include: