# NASA patents into business ideas with OpenAI and Slack: n8n workflow

> Started by a clock, and works across Google Sheets and Slack. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/nasa-patents-into-business-ideas-with-openai-and-slack (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Chat assistants](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Chat+assistants#library)

# NASA patents into business ideas with OpenAI and Slack

Started by a clock, and works across Google Sheets and Slack. It hands the judgement calls to OpenAI. 11 steps, 1 branch, 1 loop or waits: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: OpenAI

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fnasa-patents-into-business-ideas-with-openai-and-slack)

**11 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**1** Loop or waits

**2** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 1 Model 1 Logic 5 Service 4

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **Weekly Schedule** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Edit Settings** Set *Logic*
- 3 **Get NASA Patents** Nasa *Service*
- 4 **Filter Empty Abstracts** If *Logic*
- 5 **Loop Patents** Split In Batches *Logic*
- 6 **Translate Abstract** Deep L *Service*
- 7 **Aggregate Loop Results** Code *Logic*
- 8 **Generate Business Ideas** Open Ai *Model*
- 9 **Send Weekly Report** Slack *Service*
- 10 **Save to Google Sheets** Google Sheets *Service*
- 11 **Format Item Message** Code *Logic*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** A clock
- **Steps:** 11, with 1 branch, 1 loop or waits
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Google Sheets, Slack
- **Model:** OpenAI

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Sheets and Slack accounts, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on a clock.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 11 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 11 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fnasa-patents-into-business-ideas-with-openai-and-slack)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Sheets#library)[Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Slack#library)

## Workflows like it

Also chat assistants, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**AAVE portfolio professional AI agent | Telegram + Email + GPT-4o** 11 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/aave-portfolio-professional-ai-agent-telegram-email-gpt-4o)
- [**AI project feedback triage + human review + team routing** 11 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-project-feedback-triage-human-review-team-routing)
- [**Analyze Amazon product reviews with Google Sheets** 11 steps · calls a model · Apify, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/analyze-amazon-product-reviews-with-google-sheets)
- [**Answer hotel guest messages with OpenAI and Slack** 11 steps · calls a model · Google Sheets, Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/answer-hotel-guest-messages-with-openai-and-slack)
- [**Auto-reply to TikTok Comments with Claude and Google Sheets** 11 steps · calls a model · Google Sheets, Pinecone](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/auto-reply-to-tiktok-comments-with-claude-and-google-sheets)
- [**Automate employee recognition with Slack and Sheets** 11 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-employee-recognition-with-slack-and-sheets)