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2026 National Patent Application Drafting Competition (Results)

The NPADC is a team competition for law students to develop skills in drafting patent applications, focusing on U.S. patent law. Teams receive a hypothetical invention statement, conduct prior art searches, draft specifications and claims, and present their work to judges, including patent examiners and practitioners. For 2025, the invention was an extra-uterine system for supporting premature fetuses, indicating the complexity of tasks involved

There is no publicly available timetable for the 2027 National Patent Application Drafting Competition (NPADC) from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as of the latest available information. The USPTO typically releases detailed schedules for the NPADC closer to the competition year, often in the fall of the preceding year (e.g., October or November 2025 for the 2026 competition).

 

Thomas Jefferson was the leader in founding the United States Patent Office. Jefferson was a strong supporter of the patent system and believed that it was essential for promoting innovation and progress in the United States. As the first Secretary of State Jefferson was responsible for implementing the country’s patent system.

Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution reads as follows:

“The Congress shall have Power To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.”

In 1790, Jefferson drafted the first Patent Act, which established the procedures for applying for and granting patents. The act also created the United States Patent Office as a government agency to oversee the patent system. Jefferson appointed the first Patent Board, which was responsible for reviewing patent applications and making recommendations to the Secretary of State.

Jefferson was deeply involved in the early development of the Patent Office and was instrumental in shaping its policies and procedures. He believed that the patent system should be accessible to all inventors, regardless of their social or economic status, and he worked to streamline the patent application process to make it more efficient and user-friendly.

In recognition of his contributions to the development of the patent system, Jefferson is often referred to as the “Father of American Innovation.”

This clause grants Congress the authority to establish a system of patents and copyrights to protect the intellectual property of inventors and authors. The purpose of this system is to encourage innovation and creativity by providing inventors and authors with a temporary monopoly on their creations, allowing them to profit from their work and invest in future projects. The clause also emphasizes the importance of promoting the progress of science and the useful arts, reflecting the belief of the founders that the development of new technologies and inventions was essential for the growth and prosperity of the United States.

Over the years, the Patent Office has played a crucial role in the development of the United States as a technological leader, granting patents for inventions ranging from the telephone and the light bulb to the airplane and the computer. Today, the Patent Office is part of the United States Department of Commerce and is responsible for examining patent applications and issuing patents to inventors and companies.

Welcome to the 2025 National Patent Application Drafting Competition!

2024 National Patent Application Drafting Competition

Game Day Food

Standards Iowa | Standards North Carolina

 

TRANSFORMING FANS' GAME DAY DINING EXPERIENCES: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AND UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

Nourriture d’été

 

Aramark | Compass Group | Sodexo

Standards Michigan: Food | Kitchen | Farm Agriculture

Americans eat too much:

Border Collie Optimization

Border Collie Optimization

University Institute of Technology, Burdwan, India
CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, India
Sukanta Mahavidyalaya, Jalpaiguri, India
FEECS, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic

 

Abstract:  In recent times, several metaheuristic algorithms have been proposed for solving real world optimization problems. In this paper, a new metaheuristic algorithm, called the Border Collie Optimization is introduced. The algorithm is developed by mimicking the sheep herding styles of Border Collie dogs. The Border Collie’s unique herding style from the front as well as from the sides is adopted successfully in this paper. In this algorithm, the entire population is divided into two parts viz., dogs and sheep. This is done to equally focus on both exploration and exploitation of the search space. The Border Collie utilizes a predatory move called eyeing.

This technique of the dogs is utilized to prevent the algorithm from getting stuck into local optima. A sensitivity analysis of the proposed algorithm has been carried out using the Sobol’s sensitivity indices with the Sobol g-function for tuning of parameters. The proposed algorithm is applied on thirty-five benchmark functions. The proposed algorithm provides very competitive results, when compared with seven state-of-the-art algorithms like Ant Colony optimization, Differential algorithm, Genetic algorithm, Grey-wolf optimizer, Harris Hawk optimization, Particle Swarm optimization and Whale optimization algorithm. The performance of the proposed algorithm is analytically and visually tested by different methods to judge its supremacy. Finally, the statistical significance of the proposed algorithm is established by comparing it with other algorithms by employing Kruskal-Wallis test and Friedman test.

CLICK HERE to order the complete article (Free public access)

 

 

Family Names

BSI Group: The Role of Standards in Shaping Careers and a Fairer Future

Growth for tech innovation in Bristol as Future Space expands

“Immoderate Greatness: Why Civilizations Fail, and Apologies to the Grandchildren” | William Ophuls

…”Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams…”
Michigan State University: Great Lakes Lighthouses

Gallery: Great Lakes

The Great Lakes contain enough fresh water to cover the land area of the entire United States under 3 meters of water.

We collect 15 video presentations about Great Lake water safety and sustainability prepared by the 8 Great Lake border state colleges and universities and their national and international partners in Canada.

Tour Around Lake Superior

 

In a state whose land mass was formed by glaciers, has there been climate change in its 10,000 – 15,000 year past? Did the glaciers melt because of sport utility vehicles made in Detroit? We refer you to the Academy of Projectors described in Book Three of Jonathan Swift’s 1726 satire on academia in “Gulliver’s Travels”

Open water swimming: No sharks or jellyfish

 

Water 100

When the wicked problems of peace and economic inequality cannot be solved, political leaders, and the battalions of servile administrative muckety-mucks who report to them, resort to fear-mongering about an imagined problem to be solved centuries hence assuming every other nation agrees on remedies of its anthropogenic origin.  We would not draw attention to it were it not that large tranches of the global academic community are in on the grift costing hundreds of billions in square-footage for research and teaching hopelessness to our children and hatred of climate change deniers.

Before the internet is scrubbed of information contrary to climate change mania, we recommend a few titles:

“Gulliver’s Travels” Jonathan Swift | Start at Chapter 5, PDF page 235

The Mad, Mad, Mad World of Climatism: Mankind and Climate Change Mania

Climate Change Craziness Exposed: Twenty-One Climate Change Denials of Environmentalists

Climate Psychosis

Gallery: Other Ways of Knowing Climate Change

 

The Student Version of an English Breakfast

Statement of Financial Position 2024: Net assets: £745,070

…’UAL is Europe’s largest specialist university for art, design, fashion, communication, and performing arts. It ranks 2nd globally in Art and Design (QS World University Rankings 2023).  Formed in 2004 from historic colleges dating back to the 19th century, UAL is a collegiate federation of six renowned institutions:

  • Camberwell College of Arts
  • Central Saint Martins (famous for alumni like Alexander McQueen and Stella McCartney)
  • Chelsea College of Arts
  • London College of Communication
  • London College of Fashion
  • Wimbledon College of Arts

With over 18,000 students from more than 130 countries, UAL offers pre-degree to postgraduate courses, fostering innovation through professional practitioners as tutors. Its graduates dominate creative industries, including Turner Prize winners and British Designer of the Year recipients. Campuses span London, immersing students in the world’s creative capital…’

Latest Recipes

Related:

Health and Safety Executive

Universities Safety and Health Association

Bangers and Mash


Sunset Moment, Kaiwen Yi, 2025 MA Illustration, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL

Sunset Moment, Kaiwen Yi, 2025 MA Illustration, | Camberwell College of Arts, UAL

Barbering & Cosmetology Academies

‘The Barber of Seville’ by Luis Alvarez Catalá

Codes, standards and licensing for barbering schools and cosmetology academies are governed by local regulations; or local adaptations of national standards-setting organizations.  

Northern Michigan University | Marquette County

Building Codes

  1. Minimum Floor Space
    • Schools must provide adequate space for instruction and practice. For example, California requires a minimum of 3,000 square feet for cosmetology schools (which often include barbering), with at least 2,000 square feet dedicated to working, practice, and classroom areas. Additional space (e.g., 30 square feet per student beyond the first 50) may be required as enrollment increases.
    • Rooms for practical work must be sized appropriately, such as at least 14 feet wide for one row of barber chairs or 20 feet for two rows (California standard).
  2. Ceiling Height
    • Practice and classroom areas often require a minimum ceiling height, such as 9 feet, to ensure proper ventilation and comfort (e.g., California Building Code).
  3. Floor Finish
    • Floors in areas like restrooms or workspaces must be made of nonabsorbent materials (e.g., tile) to facilitate cleaning and maintain hygiene.
  4. Separation from Other Uses
    • Barbering schools must be distinct entities, not combined with residential spaces or unrelated businesses (e.g., Nevada’s NAC 643.500).
  5. Compliance with Local Building and Zoning Codes
    • Facilities must adhere to local ordinances for construction, occupancy, and zoning, ensuring the building is structurally sound and legally permitted for educational use (e.g., Virginia’s 18VAC41-20-270).
  6. Accessibility
    • Buildings must comply with accessibility standards (e.g., ADA in the U.S.), providing ramps, wide doorways, and accessible restrooms.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Bloodborne Pathogen Safety Standards


Safety

  1. Fire Safety
    • Compliance with the State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (e.g., New York’s 19 NYCRR Parts 600-1250) or equivalent, including fire exits, extinguishers, and alarms.
    • Emergency exits must be clearly marked and unobstructed.
  2. Electrical Safety
    • All electrical equipment (e.g., clippers, dryers) must be regularly inspected (e.g., PAT testing in some regions) to prevent shocks or fires.
  3. Ventilation and Temperature Control
    • Adequate ventilation systems are required to maintain air quality and a safe working temperature, protecting students and instructors from fumes or overheating.
  4. First Aid and Emergency Preparedness
    • A stocked first aid kit must be available, and schools should have protocols for handling accidents or emergencies.
  5. Equipment Safety
    • Tools and workstations (e.g., chairs, sinks) must be maintained in good condition to prevent injuries. Hazardous tools like razor-edged implements for callus removal are often prohibited (e.g., California regulations).
  6. Occupational Safety
    • Compliance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) or state equivalents, such as Virginia’s Department of Labor and Industry standards, to protect against workplace hazards like chemical exposure or repetitive strain.


Hygiene

  1. Sanitation of Facilities
    • Schools must be kept clean and sanitary at all times, including floors, walls, furniture, and workstations (e.g., Virginia’s 18VAC41-20-270).
  2. Disinfection of Tools
    • Each student or instructor must have a wet disinfection unit at their station for sterilizing reusable tools (e.g., combs, shears) after each use. Disinfectants must be EPA-registered and bactericidal, virucidal, and fungicidal.
    • Single-use items (e.g., razor blades) must be discarded after each client in a labeled sharps container.
  3. Hand Hygiene
    • Practitioners must wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before services (e.g., Texas Rule 83.102).
  4. Client Protection
    • Sanitary neck strips or towels must be used to prevent capes from contacting clients’ skin directly (e.g., California regulations).
    • Services cannot be performed on inflamed, broken, or infected skin, and practitioners with such conditions on their hands must wear gloves.
  5. Product Safety
    • Cosmetic products containing FDA-banned hazardous substances are prohibited, and all products must be used per manufacturer instructions (e.g., Virginia’s 18VAC41-20-270).
  6. Waste Management
    • Proper disposal of soiled items (e.g., hair clippings) and hazardous waste (e.g., blades) is required, often daily or after each client.
  7. Health Department Compliance
    • Schools must follow state health department guidelines and report inspection results (e.g., Virginia requires reporting to the Board of Barbers and Cosmetology).
  8. Self-Inspection
    • Annual self-inspections must be documented and retained for review (e.g., Virginia mandates keeping records for five years).


Discussion

  • State-Specific Variations: Always consult your state’s barbering or cosmetology board for exact requirements. For instance, Texas (TDLR) emphasizes signage and licensing display, while California focuses on detailed sterilization methods.
  • Inspections: Schools are subject to regular inspections by state boards or health departments to ensure compliance.

Cosmetology (as time allows)

 

Gallery: Graduation Commencement Speeches

“It is at leaving the college and entering the world that the education of youth begins…

It is less uniform than that of childhood but more dependent on chance, and doubtless more important.

The youth is then attacked by a greater number of sensations: all that surrounds him strikes him,

and strikes him forcibly.”

—  Claude-Adrien Helvétius (A Treatise on Man)

 

Constructor University (formerly, Jacobs University Bremen Germany) Graduation Band: “Freebird”

Intercollegiate Studies Institute | What Makes the West Strong (Sir Roger Scruton)

Jerry Seinfeld @ Duke University 2026

 

“It’s hard to think without a future.” | C.P. Snow (The Masters, 1951)

Pros and Cons of Owning A Dog During College

Getting a dog during college can be an exciting thought for many students who are leaving home and are experiencing their first taste of true freedom; However, many young adults fail to consider the responsibilities and obligations that come with owning a dog while in school.

Apart from the necessity as companions for students with disabilities; consider the following:

Pros:

They can lead to decreased stress.

Dogs have the incredible ability to make you feel more relaxed and less stressed. A study actually found that when people took care of dogs for just three months, they showed significant drops in blood pressure and reactivity to stress. There’s no better feeling than coming home after a long day to your furry best friend who’s thrilled to see you.

They help motivate you to exercise.

Daily exercise is an essential part of a dog’s well-being and absolutely cannot be neglected. However, this requirement becomes mutually beneficial because it also ensures that you’re getting outside daily, intaking sunlight, and getting your own exercise. Even if you’re having a rough day and don’t feel like doing much, your dog will make sure that you go outside and get moving.

They make great companions if you live alone.

Dogs can be fantastic companions for students who choose to live alone. Living by yourself can be lonely. Your pet can serve as a companion to keep you occupied, as well as a solid guard dog when needed (or you can at least let them think they are).

Cons:

They require a time and patience.

If you’re thinking about getting a dog in college, be prepared to commit tons of time and attention to them. Training sessions will be vitally important in ensuring that your dog is potty-trained, can behave on a leash, and can be trusted around other dogs. You’ll also have to make time for vet appointments, play time, and letting them out on a consistent basis.

They can be expensive.

Dogs can be extremely expensive. Between vet bills, food, toys, and general dog supplies, the costs can quickly add up. Assessing your financial situation beforehand and determining whether or not now is the right time for you to get a dog, is absolutely essential.

They can cut into your social life; although can expand your social life with a starting point for common conversation with other dog lovers.

Like it or not, having a dog will cut into your social time with your friends. Staying out until 4 am on the weekends or being away from your house for 12 hours at a time is no longer feasible when your pet is waiting for you at home. Plan to make arrangements to fit your dog’s needs, which may mean missing out on social activities from time to time.

 

Readings

University of Michigan: Animals on Campus

North Central Michigan College

20 Pet Friendly Colleges

Standards Michigan: Animals

“Nipper” RCA Victor

Viticulture and Enology

Milan Cathedral Vector Illustration eps 8 file format

The Degree Course in Viticulture and Enology has the main objective of training oenological technicians with adequate skills to establish and manage wineries, enhancing both the agricultural product and the wine derived from it. This objective is pursued by providing, first, adequate basic scientific and cultural knowledge, based on mathematical, physical, chemical and biological sciences and, subsequently, professionalizing skills in the wine sector, aimed at developing operational skills of an agro-technological and managerial nature as well as framing the production activity from a historical, geographical, economic and environmental point of view….[Click image]

Grappoli d'uva

The University of Milan: A Multidisciplinary Campus

 

Castagne e cucina: ricette a base di castagne conservate


Un mondo fatto bene

 

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