Inventors Honored at Patent Medallion Luncheon

The College of Engineering and Tech Launch Arizona recognized 17 engineering faculty for 24 inventions at the second annual Patent Medallion Luncheon. ECE professor Hao Xin and alum Min Liang were both honored for two patents. Xin and Liang's patents are for Hollow Light Weight Lens Structure, and Automotive Radar Using 3D Printed Luneburg Lens, the latter of which was also developed with ECE professor Siyang Cao. ECE associate professor Wolfgang Fink's patent is for Vehicular Tip or Rollover Protection Mechanisms and Traverse Optimization and Multi-Purpose Tracking. 

At the luncheon, Doug Hockstad, assistant vice president of Tech Launch Arizona, thanked the inventors for their part in bringing the university to its second year as No. 28 in the world among universities granted U.S. utility patents. The position marks an 11-point jump from its 2021 position and a 38-point jump from the year prior.

“The College of Engineering’s engagement with TLA and its commitment to creating impact from research and innovation is a model for the university,” Hockstad said. “That commitment, combined with the college’s current expansion, bodes incredibly well for the future, and we’re excited to grow our involvement and help shepherd many more impactful inventions from these top-performing investigators to create a better world.”