G01N INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- PHYSICS
- Class:
- MEASURING; TESTING
- Subclass:
- INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Description
G01N encompasses methods and apparatus for determining chemical and physical properties of materials through various analytical techniques. This subclass covers a broad range of measurement and testing technologies, including spectroscopy, chromatography, thermal analysis, microscopy, and electrochemical analysis. Applications span materials characterization, quality control, environmental monitoring, clinical diagnostics, and industrial process control across diverse materials including solids, liquids, gases, and biological samples. Adjacent classes handle more specialized domains such as G01R (electrical/magnetic measurements) and G01M (mechanical property testing), while G01N focuses on compositional and structural analysis rather than dimensional or mechanical measurements.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass G01N recorded 1,640,918 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 83,705 in 2013 to 199,434 in 2023 (+138%). The most active applicants in class G01 are SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) (41,447 applications), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (32,952 applications) and ROBERT BOSCH (16,470 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
G01N ranks 1st of 18 subclasses with filings in G01, with 1,640,918 applications between 2013 and 2023, 34.9% of the class. Annual filings grew 138% from 2013 to 2023, in line with the class as a whole (+138%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G01N | Investigating or Analysing Materials by Determining Their Chemical or Physical Properties | 1,640,918 | 34.9% |
| 2 | G01R, Measuring Electric Variables; Measuring Magnetic Variables | Measuring Electric Variables; Measuring Magnetic Variables | 598,083 | 12.7% |
| 3 | G01B, Measuring Length, Thickness or Similar Linear Dimensions; Measuring Angles; Measuring Areas; Measuring Irregularities of Surfaces or Contours | Measuring Length, Thickness or Similar Linear Dimensions; Measuring Angles; Measuring Areas; Measuring Irregularities of Surfaces or Contours | 395,662 | 8.4% |
| 4 | G01S, Radio Direction-Finding; Radio Navigation; Determining Distance or Velocity by Use of Radio Waves; Locating or Presence-Detecting by Use of the Reflection or Reradiation of Radio Waves; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves | Radio Direction-Finding; Radio Navigation; Determining Distance or Velocity by Use of Radio Waves; Locating or Presence-Detecting by Use of the Reflection or Reradiation of Radio Waves; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves | 358,214 | 7.6% |
| 5 | G01M, Testing Static or Dynamic Balance of Machines or Structures; Testing of Structures or Apparatus, Not Otherwise Provided for | Testing Static or Dynamic Balance of Machines or Structures; Testing of Structures or Apparatus, Not Otherwise Provided for | 339,843 | 7.2% |
| 6 | G01C, Measuring Distances, Levels or Bearings; Surveying; Navigation; Gyroscopic Instruments; Photogrammetry or Videogrammetry | Measuring Distances, Levels or Bearings; Surveying; Navigation; Gyroscopic Instruments; Photogrammetry or Videogrammetry | 271,474 | 5.8% |
| 7 | G01D, Measuring Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Arrangements for Measuring Two or More Variables Not Covered by a Single Other Subclass; Tariff Metering Apparatus; Transferring or Transducing Arrangements Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Measuring or Testing Not Otherwise Provided for | Measuring Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Arrangements for Measuring Two or More Variables Not Covered by a Single Other Subclass; Tariff Metering Apparatus; Transferring or Transducing Arrangements Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Measuring or Testing Not Otherwise Provided for | 207,395 | 4.4% |
| 8 | G01F, Measuring Volume, Volume Flow, Mass Flow, or Liquid Level; Metering by Volume | Measuring Volume, Volume Flow, Mass Flow, or Liquid Level; Metering by Volume | 157,084 | 3.3% |
| 9 | G01L, Measuring Force, Stress, Torque, Work, Mechanical Power, Mechanical Efficiency, or Fluid Pressure | Measuring Force, Stress, Torque, Work, Mechanical Power, Mechanical Efficiency, or Fluid Pressure | 145,069 | 3.1% |
| 10 | G01K, Measuring Temperature; Measuring Quantity of Heat; Thermally-Sensitive Elements Not Otherwise Provided for | Measuring Temperature; Measuring Quantity of Heat; Thermally-Sensitive Elements Not Otherwise Provided for | 118,108 | 2.5% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Additional Content
Glossary
investigating testing or determining material materials solid, or liquid or gaseous medium, e.g. the atmosphere sample samples material separated from a bulk material or an assembly of items for the purpose of investigating its properties
Limiting references
apparatus for enzymology or microbiology measuring or testing processes involving enzymes or microorganisms, other than immunoassay (which is covered by )
Application references
measuring for medical or veterinary diagnosis on the human or animal body, e.g. measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, radiation diagnosis, or acoustic examination of body cavities or body tracts , investigation, e.g. sampling, of foundation soil or ground water in-situ monitoring or diagnostic devices for exhaust-gas treatment apparatus measuring, investigating or testing electric or magnetic properties of materials (see also IPC definition for subgroup ) determining sensitivity, graininess, or density of photographic materials testing component parts of nuclear reactors
Related Keywords
22 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
Navigate with arrow keys, Enter to open
- G01N 1/00 Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N 11/00 Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticity; Analysing materials by determining flow properties
- G01N 13/00 Investigating surface or boundary effects, e.g. wetting power; Investigating diffusion effects; Analysing materials by determining surface, boundary, or diffusion effects
- G01N 15/00 Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume or surface-area of porous materials
- G01N 17/00 Investigating resistance of materials to the weather, to corrosion or to light
- G01N 19/00 Investigating materials by mechanical methods
- G01N 21/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N 22/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more
- G01N 23/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or
- G01N 24/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance or other spin effects
- G01N 25/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of thermal means
- G01N 27/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means
- G01N 29/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
- G01N 3/00 Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
- G01N 30/00 Investigating or analysing materials by separation into components using adsorption, absorption or similar phenomena or using ion-exchange, e.g. chromatography
- G01N 31/00 Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroups; Apparatus specially adapted for such methods
- G01N 33/00 Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups
- G01N 35/00 Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups; Handling materials therefor
- G01N 37/00 Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
- G01N 5/00 Analysing materials by weighing, e.g. weighing small particles separated from a gas or liquid
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G01, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 41,447
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 32,952
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 16,470
- SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 10,052
- SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) 9,573
- ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY 9,529
- GUANGDONG POWER GRID CORPORATION 8,615
- TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY 7,805
- HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES GROUP US 7,796
- QUALCOMM US 7,171