G21G CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS; RADIOACTIVE SOURCES (applications of radiation in general G21H5/00; handling particles, e.g. neutrons, or electromagnetic radiation not otherwise provided for G21K)
Description
G21G encompasses technologies for artificially converting one chemical element into another, primarily through nuclear reactions, and for producing radioactive sources used in industrial, medical, and research applications. This subclass covers nuclear transmutation processes, particle bombardment methods, reactor-based element conversion, and the manufacture and handling of radioactive materials for practical use. Typical inventions include apparatus for neutron-induced transmutation, production of artificial isotopes, creation of sealed radioactive sources, and devices for element separation post-conversion. Adjacent classes such as G21C (nuclear reactor engineering) and G21F (protection against radiation) address reactor design and radiation safety respectively, whereas G21G focuses specifically on the conversion process itself and source preparation.
4 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- G21G 1/00 Arrangements for converting chemical elements by electromagnetic radiation, corpuscular radiation or particle bombardment, e.g. producing radioactive isotopes (separation of different isotopes of the same element B01D59/00)
- G21G 4/00 Radioactive sources (producing neutrons or other subatomic particles, X- or gamma rays, in fusion reactors G21B, in nuclear reactors G21C, by cosmic radiation G21H7/00, in accelerators H05H; X-ray tubes H01J35/00; gamma masers H01S4/00)
- G21G 5/00 Alleged conversion of chemical elements by chemical reaction
- G21G 7/00 Conversion of chemical elements not provided for in other groups of this subclass
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G21, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION 1,383
- WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION US 1,347
- KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE KR 1,303
- CGN POWER COMPANY 1,156
- CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY 1,149
- KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY KR 1,146
- NUCLEAR POWER INSTITUTE OF CHINA 1,086
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 765
- CEA (COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE) FR 763
- CHINA INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC ENERGY 659