Nearly six years after filing, I received in February 2026 the grant of patent BR 102020016252-7 — Doubly Hybrid Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Vertical Takeoff and Landing — from Brazil's National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).

The invention was developed during my scholarship in the AEDES project (Aeronave de Defesa Social — Social Defense Aircraft), led by professors Dino Lincoln and Júlio Resende at IMD-UFRN, in collaboration with researchers from UFRN and IFRN. The system proposes a doubly hybrid architecture for UAVs with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, combining different propulsion sources to extend autonomy and operational versatility.

The application was filed in August 2020. Invention patents in Brazil go through a lengthy technical examination process — and seeing this work formally recognized by INPI, with a 20-year validity, is a satisfaction well worth the wait. I found out on April 1st, when my friend and lead co-inventor Alysson Lucena shared the news with me. I am grateful to him and to all co-inventors and the laboratory team who made this project possible.

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Patent letter BR 102020016252-7, issued by INPI on February 18, 2026.

Certificate issued by UFRN, recognizing the 108th patent granted to the institution.