Abstract: Patents are the most powerful method of protecting your inventions, and as a result they are crucially important to scientists and engineers here at Argonne. In today's innovation-intensive marketplace, with increasing emphasis in the U.S. Department of Energy on technology transfer to startups and industry, it is important that inventors understand patents, how they work, how they are obtained, and what they can and cannot protect against, as well as what is required to file for one. They can be easily completed alongside your regular publications and increase the impact of that work. This panel discussion is specifically tailored to teach postdocs and staff about the patenting process at Argonne, the resources we have at the Lab, and the pros and cons of pursuing a patent for your inventions.