Lehigh's Five Professors Honored as Top Innovators by National Academy of Inventors
Lehigh's Five Professors Honored as Top Innovators by National Academy of Inventors
Lehigh's Five Professors Honored as Top Innovators by National Academy of Inventors
Five professors from Lehigh University have been named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for 2026. This recognition highlights their contributions to technology and innovation through patents and commercial partnerships. The group includes inventors from engineering, chemistry, and applied sciences, showcasing the university's broad research impact.
The 2026 NAI class is the largest yet, with 230 inventors from 82 global institutions holding over 2,000 U.S. patents. Among them, Lehigh's faculty stand out for their entrepreneurial and technical achievements.
Hannah Dailey, an associate professor, co-founded OrthoXel, a company specialising in orthopaedic devices. Her patented inventions focus on improving bone fracture repairs. Mayuresh Kothare, a chemical engineering professor, helped launch Omnilife, a startup producing low-cost oxygen concentrators.
Martin Harmer, an emeritus professor, worked with the Army Research Laboratory to create a copper-based superalloy. This material remains stable under extreme heat, offering potential for high-performance applications. Carlos Romero, a mechanical engineering professor, patented a 'thermal battery' system that stores both electricity and heat, boosting energy efficiency in power plants.
Kai Landskron, a chemistry professor, also earned the NAI Senior Member title, reflecting the cross-disciplinary nature of modern invention. The P.C. Rossin College of Engineering at Lehigh fosters such innovation, with faculty contributions spanning engineering, science, and commercial ventures.
The NAI's 15th Annual Conference in Los Angeles will honour these new Senior Members. The event brings together industry leaders and policymakers to highlight breakthroughs in technology and research.
The recognition places Lehigh's professors among a global group of leading inventors. Their work in patents, startups, and research partnerships continues to advance technology and industry. The NAI programme underscores the role of academic innovation in shaping real-world solutions.
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