Opportunity discovery by assessing the gap between science and technology case study of secondary batteries

In this paper, we perform a case study of secondary batteries research and technology to develop a method of detecting gaps between science and technology via a combination of citation- and expert-based approaches. Scientific research tended to be basic, whereas patents focused on applied technology developed from the basic research. Of five science research fronts and five areas of technology, three scientific groups, Li(Mn,Co,Ni)O-, Li-Sn-and olivine-based batteries, corresponded to the largest set of patents relating to Li. These three academic outcomes are so recently published that these can be the candidates for industrial opportunities. Other than Li, the largest set of academic papers relating to the electrolytes correlated semantically to the third largest set of patents. Although patents aimed physically such as covering the electrolytes more strictly, scientific researches aimed to polymerize the electrolytes used for secondary batteries. There also exists an opportunity for polymer electrolytes to solve the problems relating to electrolytes. Our results offer an intellectual basis for detecting possible opportunities for commercialization.