Lehigh's Trailblazing Professors Earn Top Inventor Honors for 2026

Five professors from Lehigh University have been named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for 2026. This year's cohort is the largest yet, with 230 inventors from 82 institutions worldwide recognised for their groundbreaking work. Together, the honoured professors hold over 2,000 U.S. patents, demonstrating the real-world impact of their research.

Indeed, the group includes Mayuresh Kothare, a chemical and biomolecular engineering professor who co-founded Omnilife, a startup producing low-cost oxygen concentrators. His patented work also covers 'controller-on-chip' systems and microfluidic reactors. Two other professors have turned their inventions into businesses: Ganapathi K. Thansigai launched Omniply, specialising in biodegradable polymers, while Yujun Deng created MicroEsim, a company focused on microfluidic simulation software.

Hannah Dailey, an associate professor of engineering, co-founded OrthoXel, which develops orthopaedic devices. Her patented solutions improve bone fracture repair. Carlos Romero, a mechanical engineering professor, invented a 'thermal battery' that stores both electricity and heat, boosting energy efficiency in power plants. Martin Harmer, a materials science professor emeritus, worked with the Army Research Laboratory to develop a copper-based superalloy that remains stable under extreme temperatures.

Kai Landskron, a chemistry professor, also earned the NAI Senior Member title, highlighting the diverse fields driving modern innovation. The achievements of these inventors will be celebrated at the NAI's 15th Annual Conference in Los Angeles, where their work will be presented to industry leaders and policymakers.

Indeed, the patents held by these researchers represent more than academic success—they point to industries reshaped and lives improved through applied science. Their recognition as NAI Senior Members underscores the growing role of university-led innovation in solving real-world challenges. The 2026 class sets a new benchmark for the scale and influence of inventive work in higher education.