Mark primarily is involved in drafting and prosecuting patent applications. He has extensive experience in providing freedom to operate advice. He also represents clients in hearings before the European Patent Office.

Work highlights

Some of Mark’s most prominent cases include:

• GB2477744B – Aluminium-copper alloy for casting
• EP3204532B1 – pH neutral deruster composition
• EP2882815B1 – Surface coatings
• EP3650560B1 – Oxidation-resistant heat-resistant alloy and preparing method
• GB2559633B – Flexible translucent to transparent fireproof composite material
• EP2371711B1 – Rotor blade and helicopter carrying said blade
• EP2087346B1 – A method of measuring cetane values for middle distillate fuels

Technical specialism

Mark has a background in chemistry and is experienced in metallurgy, composite materials, and polymer chemistry, with a particular focus on adhesives and functional coatings. He has a dedicated interest in medical devices, such as ostomy devices, stents, and catheters.  He also advises several of our cleantech clients. Mark is a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Mark’s Clients

Typically, he works with SMEs and family-owned businesses. He particularly enjoys working with companies that have not had much prior experience with IP, so that he can work closely with them to develop an IP strategy that best fits their needs.

Education & Training

Mark holds an MChem with industrial experience and a PhD in chemistry, both awarded by the University of Manchester. He has co-authored several scientific papers, including:

Mark A. Connell, Paul J. Bowyer, P. Adam Bone, Adrian L. Davis, Alistair G. Swanson, Mathias Nilsson, Gareth A. Morris. Improving the accuracy of pulsed field gradient NMR diffusion experiments: Correction for gradient non-uniformity. Journal of Magnetic Resonance 2009, 198 (1) , 121-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmr.2009.01.025

Connell, M. A., Davis, A. L., Kenwright, A. M., & Morris, G. A. (2004). NMR measurements of diffusion in concentrated samples: Avoiding problems with radiation damping. Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, 378(6), 1568-1573. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-003-2387-y

 Swan, I., Reid, M., Howe, P. W. A., Connell, M. A., Nilsson, M., Moore, M. A., & Morris, G. A. (2015). Sample convection in liquid-state NMR: why it is always with us, and what we can do about it. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE, 252, 120-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmr.2014.12.006

 Nilsson, M., Connell, M. A., Davis, A. L., & Morris, G. A. (2006). Biexponential fitting of diffusion-ordered NMR data: Practicalities and limitations. Analytical Chemistry, 78(9), 3040-3045. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac060034a  

Personal Interests

Mark enjoys keeping fit and runs or cycles to and from the office most days. He also enjoys cooking, eating out and listening to live music. Mark has recently taken up playing the piano, although regular distractions from his two young children has hindered his progress.