Invention: The creation of something entirely new by designing or producing it for the first time. Inventions often lead to technological breakthroughs by introducing novel ideas or tools.
Patent: A legal protection granted by a government that gives the inventor exclusive rights to their invention for a limited period. Patents encourage innovation and provide inventors with an incentive to share their ideas without fear of them being copied.
Research and Development (R&D): The process of investigating, designing, and creating new products or technologies through systematic study and experimentation. R&D plays a crucial role in driving technological breakthroughs.