The Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) has officially granted two new patents to Universidad Panamericana, a recognition that validates the inventive capacity of its researchers and the institution’s commitment to transferring knowledge to society in order to generate tangible impact.
The patents, which correspond to the projects “Flexible Agricultural Weeder for Short Distances Between Crop Rows” and “Artificial Nursing Bed for Puppy Protection,” demonstrate the potential for industrial application of university research, particularly in strategic sectors such as agriculture and technology applied to animal welfare.
From Field Observation to Mechanical Innovation
The Flexible Agricultural Weeder was developed in response to an urgent need in the Mexican agricultural sector. Its inventors—researchers Eduardo de la Vega Segura, Alfredo Pedroza Díaz, Edgar Jair Marín Calzada, and Miguel Ángel Santiago Martínez—identifieda serious challenge to competitiveness.
“For crops such as spinach, carrots, or onions, domestic producers have opted for high-density cultivation, sowing seeds just 5 to 7 centimeters apart, in order to compete with the volumes produced by countries such as China or the United States,” the researchers explained.
However, this practice posed a major challenge: weeds growing alongside the crops must be removed at a critical time, and conventional machinery, which requires at least 21 centimeters of spacing, cannot operate without damaging the plants.
“For this reason, in our country these crops continue to be weeded—believe it or not—by hand. People spend their workday bent over the rows, using knives or spoons. In keeping with the spirit of Universidad Panamericana, we consider this activity to be inhumane,” they stated emphatically.
In response to this challenge, the team developed a machine whose core consists of a hydraulic system and cutting discs with unique “flexibility.”
“The discs can adjust their position to accommodate different distances between crop rows, moving with precision to remove weeds without damaging the plants,” they explained.
This adaptive capability was key to successfully passing the IMPI’s substantive examination, during which it was argued—and accepted—that, unlike previous patents, this invention was not obvious due to its adaptable cutting system and its ability to regulate depth.
Validation in a real-world scenario was crucial:
“We received feedback on virtually every aspect, from switching from a belt drive to a chain system to optimizing disc speed and cutting depth, and we discovered that it is not necessary to eliminate the weed entirely, but rather to damage it so that it dies,” the team said.
Technology That Thinks and Cares Like a Mother
At the other end of the innovation spectrum is the Artificial Nursing Bed for Puppy Protection, created by Carolina del Valle Soto, Leonardo de Jesús Valdivia Parga, and Luis Alberto Rosa Sierra, researchers from the Guadalajara campus.
This device is much more than an incubator; it is a comprehensive neonatal care system that integrates electronics, sensors, software, and veterinary science.
“This invention was born from the creative collision of minds from completely different worlds,” the inventors explained.
“The real challenge was translating the languages of engineers, veterinarians, and designers into a single machine capable of thinking and caring like a canine mother,” they added.
The system not only controls temperature with a precision of ±0.3 °C—comparable to professional medical equipment—but also automates feeding and hydration and, most innovatively, collects and analyzes data in real time.
“It records vital parameters such as weight, body temperature, and feeding patterns. If the puppy’s weight does not increase as expected, the system can automatically adjust the amount or frequency of feeding, taking action before the puppy is at risk,” they explained.
The technical challenges were significant, ranging from ensuring sensor reliability in the presence of humidity and movement to designing a user interface that is both simple and robust.
“A sealed casing was designed in which cables are protected within invisible channels,” they said regarding efforts to create a durable device.
Although it was originally designed for puppies, the creators envision a broader future:
“The same principles of sensing, control, and automatic response could be applied to other species—from pigs to wildlife rehabilitation—and could even be explored in other sectors,” they stated.
UP’s Innovation Strategy: From the Laboratory to the Market
Through the Corporate Office of Innovation and Technology Transfer, led by Dr. Juan Alberto Gonzales Piñón, Universidad Panamericana promotes a comprehensive model for bringing its innovations to the productive sector.
“The scientific output of our researchers is continuously evaluated in light of industry opportunities to ensure that university science is translated into innovation with real impact,” Dr. Gonzales Piñón stated.
For both inventions, the following specific next steps have been identified:
- Industry ties: Establishing partnerships with manufacturers interested in the prototypes
- Licensing: Designing Business Models with Exclusive or Non-Exclusive Licensing Schemes
- Training: Implementing training programs for manufacturers and distributors
- Scaling: Implementing an industrial validation plan that includes cost and return-on-investment analyses
These mechanisms, which also include technical assistance contracts and joint development agreements, serve as avenues for fostering additional university–industry partnerships.
Innovation with a Purpose
The granting of these two patents reinforces Universidad Panamericana as an institution where in-depth knowledge and creativity come together to deliver innovative solutions to real-world problems, reaffirming its mission to serve as a source of economic and social progress for Mexico.
Learn more about Universidad Panamericana research projects at:
https://www.up.edu.mx/investigacion-noticias/
