G21 NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
Classification Context
- Section:
- PHYSICS
- Class:
- NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
Description
Class G21 encompasses nuclear physics research and practical nuclear engineering applications. It covers nuclear reactions, fission and fusion processes, reactor design and operation, radiation protection, nuclear fuel handling, and waste management technologies. This classification includes both fundamental scientific investigations into nuclear phenomena and industrial implementations such as power generation, propulsion systems, and medical/industrial radiation applications. Adjacent classes address related topics like general radiation physics (G21H) or specific particle physics experiments, which may be classified elsewhere within the G section.
Filing statistics
IPC G21 recorded 80,641 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 8 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 7,271 in 2013 to 7,547 in 2023 (+4%), peaking at 8,029 applications in 2021. The most active applicants in class G21 are CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION (2,364 applications), CGN POWER COMPANY (1,899 applications) and CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY (1,870 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
8 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- G21B FUSION REACTORS
- G21C NUCLEAR REACTORS
- G21D NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
- G21F PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
- G21G CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS; RADIOACTIVE SOURCES
- G21H OBTAINING ENERGY FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES; APPLICATIONS OF RADIATION FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; UTILISING COSMIC RADIATION
- G21J NUCLEAR EXPLOSIVES; APPLICATIONS THEREOF
- G21K HANDLING OF PARTICLES OR IONISING RADIATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; IRRADIATION DEVICES; GAMMA RAY OR X-RAY MICROSCOPES
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CHINA GENERAL NUCLEAR POWER CORPORATION 2,364
- CGN POWER COMPANY 1,899
- CHINA NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING COMPANY 1,870
- NUCLEAR POWER INSTITUTE OF CHINA 1,517
- KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE KR 1,367
- WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION US 1,295
- KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER COMPANY KR 1,196
- CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 1,044
- CHINA INSTITUTE OF ATOMIC ENERGY 1,011
- HITACHI-GE NUCLEAR ENERGY 955