IBM Looks to Bring Scientific Research onto the Blockchain in Latest Patent Filing

A new patent application filed by IBM reveals that the company is looking to use blockchain technology to create an immutable repository of scientific research and analysis.

Renowned IT giant IBM has filed a new patent application indicating its interest in using blockchain technology to support scientific research and reporting.

With this patent filing (originally submitted in December), which surfaced last week, IBM is continuing to pursue the use of blockchain technology for non-commercial purposes (as opposed to cryptocurrencies).

The application, titled “Blockchain for Open Scientific Research” aims to create a central, tamper-proof repository of scientific research and analysis, which can mature over time as new developments emerge. Such an implementation, while common in software development, is new in the area of scientific research.

"The blockchain system can form a blockchain representing a research project, wherein the blockchain comprises a first block of research data and a second block of analysis data representing a log of an analysis performed on the research data. Summary blocks and correction blocks can also be added to the blockchain representing the post analysis of the research results."

Addressing the lack of similar platforms, the filing states:

“Currently, there are limited platforms that allow for sharing information about scientific research and showing transparent data collection and analysis steps...Platforms that do exist, lack the requisite controls and mechanisms to allow for trustworthy data, as there are few options for ensuring that data will be resistant to modification.”

With this new filing, IBM maintains second place, behind the Chinese company Alibaba, in holding the highest number of blockchain patents - almost 90. To date, in addition to having developed its own blockchain platform, IBM has also partnered with big names such as Walmart and Maersk, and is providing them support for logistics and supply chain management using blockchain technology.

New uses of blockchain technology are also being explored in medical and health-related fields, and such developments bode well for the technology that powers Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies.