Rhode Island Patent of the Month – August 2025
A new manufacturing process is set to transform ordinary fabrics into smart, active textiles. Nautilus Defense has secured U.S. Patent No. 12398493 for its innovative ‘Functional braided composite yarn’. This technology embeds electronic functions directly into the thread itself. The invention creates a single, durable yarn by braiding delicate components like conductive wires with high-strength structural fibers.
A New Thread for Technology
Integrating electronics into textiles has always been a challenge. Delicate wires often break under the strain of manufacturing and daily wear. Nautilus Defense solves this problem with a novel method. The company winds functional and structural fibers together under tension onto a single bobbin before the braiding process begins.
Built for Durability and Function
This pre-winding technique ensures that the strong structural fibers take the mechanical load, protecting the fragile conductive wires within. This protection makes the yarn robust enough for weaving or sewing into any textile. A key feature allows users to solder components directly to the yarn without first stripping away insulation, simplifying assembly.
The Future of Active Textiles
The potential applications are extensive. This yarn can be used to create flexible antennas, heating elements, or distributed sensor networks within clothing or composite materials. The technology opens new possibilities for wearable tech, military gear, and aerospace components, turning passive surfaces into active electronic systems.
Learn More:
Are you developing new or improved products, or thinking of applying for a patent? Did you know your research work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please check out our free online eligibility test.
Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of R&D Tax specialists if you would like to learn more about R&D Tax Credit opportunities.
Who We Are:
Swanson Reed is one of the largest Specialist R&D Tax Credit advisory firm in the United States. With offices nationwide, we are one of the only firms globally to exclusively provide R&D Tax Credit consulting services to our clients. We have been exclusively providing R&D Tax Credit claim preparation and audit compliance solutions for over 30 years.
Swanson Reed’s Rhode Island office provides R&D tax credit consulting and advisory services to Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, and East Providence.
Swanson Reed hosts daily free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs. For more information please click here or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.
Are you eligible?
Why choose us?
Pass an Audit?
What is the R&D Tax Credit?
The Research & Experimentation Tax Credit (or R&D Tax Credit), is a general business tax credit under Internal Revenue Code section 41 for companies that incur research and development (R&D) costs in the United States. The credits are a tax incentive for performing qualified research in the United States, resulting in a credit to a tax return. For the first three years of R&D claims, 6% of the total qualified research expenses (QRE) form the gross credit. In the 4th year of claims and beyond, a base amount is calculated, and an adjusted expense line is multiplied times 14%. Click here to learn more.
Never miss a deadline again
Stay up to date on IRS processes
Discover R&D in your industry
R&D Tax Credit Preparation Services
Swanson Reed is one of the only companies in the United States to exclusively focus on R&D tax credit preparation. Swanson Reed provides state and federal R&D tax credit preparation and audit services to all 50 states.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please call or email our CEO, Damian Smyth on (800) 986-4725.
Feel free to book a quick teleconference with one of our national R&D tax credit specialists at a time that is convenient for you.
R&D Tax Credit Audit Advisory Services
creditARMOR is a sophisticated R&D tax credit insurance and AI-driven risk management platform. It mitigates audit exposure by covering defense expenses, including CPA, tax attorney, and specialist consultant fees—delivering robust, compliant support for R&D credit claims. Click here for more information about R&D tax credit management and implementation.
Our Fees
Swanson Reed offers R&D tax credit preparation and audit services at our hourly rates of between $195 – $395 per hour. We are also able offer fixed fees and success fees in special circumstances. Learn more at https://www.swansonreed.com/about-us/research-tax-credit-consulting/our-fees/
Choose your state
