First Annual Patent Medallion Luncheon Honors Eight ECE Inventors

The College of Engineering and Tech Launch Arizona recognized 20 inventors who have received patents for their research in the last year at the first annual Patent Medallion Luncheon. Eight of the recipients were members of the ECE Department.

Associate professor Ali Bilgin earned a medallion for a patent in Tissue Characterization with Volume Correction. 

Department Head and professor Tamal Bose, professor Hao Xin, associate professor Michael Marefat, and doctoral student Min Liang earned medallions for a patent in Cognitive HF Radio With Tuned Compact Antenna. 

Associate professor Wolfgang Fink and research assistant professor Mark Tarbell earned medallions for Handheld Ophthalmic Examination Devices. 

Regents Professor Marwan Krunz earned a medallion for a patent in Preamble Waveforms to Support Wireless Networks and Fast Beam Sweeping in 5G Millimeter Wave. 

Betsy Cantwell, senior vice president for research and innovation at the University of Arizona, said it takes courage to pursue entrepreneurship and go beyond what is traditionally expected of faculty members.

“[You are] adding to the plate that one of the things you want to do with your research is to have a different kind of impact,” she said. “That is a flavor of courage we are looking to support. … Thank you all for being courageous, whether you know it or not.”

With 82 invention disclosures, 95 patents filed and 25 patents issued in FY 2021, the College of Engineering is a leader at the University of Arizona in invention disclosures and patents. In its 2021 Annual Report, Tech Launch Arizona noted that the college was a standout in number of Asset Development awards and amount of total funding received to help advance early-stage inventions.