Professor Ni-bin Chang has been named a Fellow of 2018 National Academy of Inventors, a high professional distinction accorded to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.
More than 140 individuals from 125 research universities and governmental and nonprofit research institutes worldwide were inducted this year. To date, there are over 1,000 NAI Fellows who have generated more than 11,000 licensed technologies and companies, created more than 1.4 million jobs, and generated over $190 billion in revenue.
Included among this year’s NAI Fellows are more than 25 presidents and senior leaders of research universities and nonprofit research institutes, five recipients of the U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation and U.S. National Medal of Science, and three Nobel Laureates, among other awards and distinctions.
Chang was recognized for his contributions to the field of nutrient monitoring, removal and possible recovery in aquatic environment. He holds nine U.S. patents related to green sorption media for removing nutrients from different urban low impact development facilities, agricultural crop fields and wastewater treatment plants.
All of his patents have been licensed to a new company, Environmental Conservation Solutions Inc. through the Office of Research and Commercialization at UCF, attracting $20 million industrial investment. These green sorption media products have been marketed and distributed in North America and part of the Europe through the ECS vendors’ network. He worked with colleagues in the Stormwater Management Academy to develop over 70 innovative test beds and field applications that can be used to remove nutrients with potential recovery in Florida.
“Congratulations to the 148 new members of the NAI Fellows program,” said Linda Hosler, Deputy Program Manager at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). “I had the honor of serving on the Fellows Selection Committee, and I am confident that this new class of Fellows will play a vital role in furthering the NAI’s mission and shining a light on the indispensable scientific and economic contributions of the world’s inventors.”
On Apr. 11, 2019, the 2018 NAI Fellows will be inducted as part of the Eighth NAI Annual Meeting in Houston, TX. Andrew Hirshfeld, USPTO Commissioner for Patents, will deliver the keynote address for the induction ceremony. In honor of their outstanding accomplishments, Fellows will receive a special trophy, medal and rosette pin.
“The National Academy of Inventors has elected an exceptional group of diverse inventors who have made an incredible impact on the innovation sphere on a global scale,” said Hirshfeld. “It was my distinct privilege to serve on the NAI Fellows Selection Committee and I look forward to celebrating with the NAI and the newly elected Fellows in April at the Space Center Houston.”
Those elected to the rank of NAI Fellow undergo a rigorous nomination and selection process. Once nominated by their peers, the 2018 class of NAI Fellows was evaluated by the 18 members of the 2018 Selection Committee, which encompassed NAI Fellows; U.S. National Medal recipients; AAAS-Lemelson Invention Ambassadors; senior officials from the USPTO, AUTM and the Smithsonian Lemelson Center; National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductees and board members; and members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.
- Published by the National Academy of Inventors
- Dec. 10, 2019