Can physicists apply their own research?

[nst.john]

If I was a physicist and did research on superconductors can I apply it and make a product or a prototype on my own?

 

[ZapperZ]

If I was a physicist and did research on superconductors can I apply it and make a product or a prototype on my own?

If you have the resources, the knowledge, and if your employer considers that as part of your job.

Zz.

 

[carlgrace]

Typically if you do research on superconductors you would be an employee of a large institution or company. If you work at a company (like IBM for example) it would be very difficult to make a product on your own. If you work for an institution (like a national lab) you may be able to, and you would be able to keep some amount of the profits, depending on the agreement you have with the Technology Transfer office.

 

[Andy Resnick]

If I was a physicist and did research on superconductors can I apply it and make a product or a prototype on my own?

It depends- in a university environment, there is usually an 'office of technology transfer' that is supposed to help with that- filing patents, obtaining venture capital, licensing agreements, etc. Often, you will retain some ownership of the patent and resulting licensing agreement(s).

By contrast, in a commercial environment, your employer typically retains all ownership rights.