Including a patent in a PhD thesis is absolutely possible and, when done correctly, it strengthens the originality and practical impact of your work. The key is to integrate the patent as a research outcome, not just attach it as a legal document. Below is the academically accepted way to do it, written in an article style as you prefer.
A patent should first be introduced conceptually in the Introduction chapter. Here, you briefly state that part of the research has resulted in a patent and explain why patent protection was necessary. This establishes novelty early and signals to examiners that the work has both academic and practical value. You should clearly link the patented invention to your core research problem and objectives, without turning the introduction into a legal explanation.
In the Literature Review, the patent is not discussed as a standalone achievement but as part of the research gap. You review existing technologies, methods, or systems and show their limitations. At the end of this chapter, you explain how your invention addresses these gaps. You may cite related patents alongside journal papers to demonstrate awareness of prior art, which is academically appreciated in engineering and applied sciences.
The Methodology or System Design chapter is where the patent becomes technically meaningful. Instead of copying the patent claims, you describe the scientific and technical principles behind the invention. You explain how the idea was conceived, designed, modeled, implemented, and validated. This section must be written like research, not like a patent specification. Examiners are interested in how and why the solution works, not in claim language.
If your thesis is paper-based, one full chapter can be dedicated to the Patent-Based Research Work. This chapter should clearly mention the patent title, application or grant number, filing authority, year, and your role as an inventor. You then present the invention in an academic format, including problem definition, architecture or framework, experimental setup, performance analysis, and comparison with existing methods. The patent should feel like a natural extension of your research papers.
In the Results and Discussion, the patented work should be evaluated just like any other research output. You include experimental results, simulations, case studies, or prototype validation that demonstrate the effectiveness of the invention. You then discuss how these results differ from or improve upon existing solutions. This is critical, because examiners judge PhD-level contribution based on evidence, not legal protection.
The Integrated Discussion chapter is where you explicitly connect the patent with your published papers. You explain how the patent represents applied innovation derived from your theoretical or experimental findings. This chapter should clearly state the original contribution of the patent to the field and how it enhances the overall contribution of the thesis.
In the Conclusion, the patent is highlighted as one of the major outcomes of the research. You briefly summarize its significance, real-world applicability, and potential for commercialization or societal impact. This reinforces the value of your work beyond academia.
Finally, the Appendix is the appropriate place to include formal patent documents. You may attach the published patent application, grant certificate, or first page of the patent, depending on university rules. The full legal text is usually not placed in the main chapters. Always follow your university’s formatting and confidentiality guidelines, especially if the patent is still under examination.
One important academic caution is that you should never copy patent claim text verbatim into the thesis body. Claims are legal language, while a thesis demands scientific explanation. Rewriting is essential to avoid self-plagiarism and to meet academic expectations.
When presented this way, a patent is not just “included” in the thesis; it becomes evidence of originality, innovation, and impact, which examiners value highly—especially in engineering, technology, and applied science PhDs.