Houston Daily

The University of Houston System has been ranked No. 62 in the United States and No. 3 in Texas on the National Academy of Inventors’ (NAI) 2024 Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents List. The ranking reflects an increase in innovation at the institution, with 34 utility patents granted to UH System inventors in 2024, up from 27 patents awarded the previous year.

The annual NAI list highlights higher education institutions for their success in obtaining utility patents, which grant exclusive commercial rights to inventors for new technologies.

Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president of energy and innovation at the University of Houston, said, “Our researchers are among the best in the world, developing technology that will change the well-being of our society for the better.” He added, “At UH, we strive to be at the forefront of creating new technologies that improve everyday life, boost Houston’s status as a beacon for innovation and tackle complex societal problems.”

Recent innovations from UH System researchers include wearable sensors designed by an engineering team to study eye movement and assess brain disorders; a new X-ray imaging technology that provides clearer images using 3D modeling; and an artificial intelligence tool developed to help predict and control pandemic spread.

UH faculty have also secured major research grants. Professor Mim Rahimi from UH’s Cullen College of Engineering introduced two innovations this summer aimed at improving carbon capture methods. Assistant professor Tarsis Ferreira at the UH College of Optometry received a $2.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for work on treating corneal scarring. In June, UH researchers were awarded nearly $1.2 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop artificial intelligence tools for disaster response.

Paul R. Sanberg, president of NAI, commented on the significance of such achievements: “In the ever-evolving innovation landscape, it is imperative that the U.S. is remaining competitive and at the forefront of today’s emerging research and technologies.”

NAI has published these rankings since 2013 using data from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office based on calendar years. The organization includes universities and research institutes globally with more than 4,000 inventor members across over 250 institutions.

Sanberg further noted: “Ensuring the security of intellectual property through patenting is a crucial component to this and allows those innovations to be effectively moved to market where they can create valuable society and economic impact.” He continued: “The Top 100 U.S. list celebrates U.S. universities and their inventive staff and faculty for their dedication in ensuring their innovations and IP are protected.”