Ke Sun, Ph.D.

Patent Agent

Ke Sun, Ph.D., is a registered patent agent with expertise in electrical engineering, nanotechnology, advanced computing, and chemistry.

Ke’s experience includes semiconductor devices and processing, nanomaterials and microfabrication, energy conversion and storage, electrochemistry, biosensors, machine learning algorithms, quantum technologies, wireless communications technologies and protocols, and more.

Ke works extensively with early-stage companies on U.S. and international patent filing and portfolio development. His background in electrical engineering and chemistry is unique, and he combines this knowledge with a deep interest in machine learning and AI. Ke’s clients value his ability to understand complex inventions, communicate efficiently with scientists and inventors, and focus on comprehensive patent protection strategies.

His fluency in Mandarin is an asset to companies filing patents in China and Taiwan, and to Chinese and Taiwanese companies filing inbound patents in the United States.

Prior to joining Henry Patent Law Firm in 2019, Ke worked for a major international law firm where he filed patents for a global manufacturer of microchips, technology and equipment for major technology companies. He also worked with a wireless communication company on patents related to wireless communication networks and protocols.

Before entering the field of patent law, Ke was a post-doctoral fellow of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division at California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he pioneered the development of stable and efficient artificial photosynthetic systems that convert and store solar energy in the form of chemical bonds based on semiconductor photoelectrochemistry. His postdoc work has been highlighted by Nature Energy, MIT Technology Review, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ke received his Ph.D. from the University of California-San Diego, where he investigated the synthesis and characterization of nanowire arrays and explored their application in biosensors, energy harvesting and conversion devices. He has presented at international conferences, universities and private companies. He holds two U.S. patents and has authored several highly-cited, peer-reviewed journal publications.

Representative Matters

Patent Portfolio Development for a Quantum Computing Company

Worked with a quantum computing company from its earliest days to build a patent portfolio that was the basis for over $100 million in successful investment from multiple high profile venture capital firms. The team’s extensive background in quantum computing helped the company obtain more than 100 patents in the U.S. and in foreign markets, and the portfolio ultimately proved to be a primary asset that facilitated the company’s ability to raise additional capital through an IPO. Notably, several of these patents survived challenges filed by competitors in the U.S. and Europe.

Direct Air Carbon Capture Technology Patent Portfolio Development

Worked with a venture-backed technology company to grow and develop their international patent portfolio for tech related to direct air carbon capture. They sought HPLF’s technical experience related to carbon capture technologies and expertise in developing valuable patent portfolios for high tech startups. Our team helped the company file foundational patent applications, leading to multiple new U.S. patents being issued within one year. 

Observability Software Patent Portfolio Development

Worked with an emerging software company to launch a patent program and develop an international patent portfolio. After successfully securing investment from venture capital firms, the company had an initiative to fortify its intellectual property protection. The team at HPLF drafted the company’s first patent applications and developed an international IP portfolio, which now includes several new patents.