That’s not to say Canon is resting on its laurels. For
nearly 30 years, it has ranked among the top five of all U.S.
patent holders, according to U.S. Department of Commerce
data. Indeed, it is continuously fostering new innovations,
developed in-house as well as through mergers and
acquisitions or joint research, that can fuel its growth. For
instance, it partnered with Kyoto University to develop and
test photoacoustic mammography, which focuses light
on breast tissue to spot potential tumors. The approach
utilizes Canon’s optical technology and image-processing
know-how for the early detection of breast cancer via a
simple, painless exam that doesn’t involve potentially
harmful X-rays. Another example is Canon’s acquisition in
2014 of Molecular Imprints (now Canon Nanotechnologies)
to develop next-generation semiconductor lithography
systems that will achieve process geometries of 15 and
even 12 nanometers using a new technology called imprint
lithography. This is expected to result in chips that not only
have a greater memory capacity, but will also cost less.
The acquisition will begin to pay off with the launch of a
lithography product, possibly in 2015.