are active faculty, scientists and administrators who have demonstrated remarkable innovation producing technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society. They also have growing success in patents, licensing and commercialization, while educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.

“Recognition from NAI is a tremendous accomplishment, and we are extremely proud of these UofL innovators,” said Jon Klein, interim executive vice president for research and innovation. “The research-backed technologies they are developing have the potential to diagnose, treat and cure disease and improve the way we live and work. I look forward to seeing them continue to develop these innovations into practical solutions to real world problems.”

The four inventors selected from UofL, the only ones from Kentucky, are:Ěý

• Thad Druffel, and the . Druffel’s work focuses on solar power, including via his startup, Ěýwhich is commercializing a technology meant to make solar power more accessible.Ěý
• Nobuyuki Matoba, . Matoba’s work focuses on tackling devastating diseases, inflammatory bowel disease and cancer, through new vaccines, immunotherapeutics and treatments that leverage protein engineering and plant-based biotechnology.ĚýFor his work, Matoba was named UofL’s 2023 Innovator of the Year.Ěý
• Thomas Roussel, Speed School. Roussel focuses on microfabricated/COTS sensor technologies and custom instrumentation, all in support of the development of analytical techniques for environmental studies, orthopedic and rehabilitation platforms, as well as biomedical diagnostic applications.Ěý
• Jagannadh Satyavolu, Speed School and the Conn Center. Satyavolu has a way to leverage spent bourbon stillage to make greener energy solutions and other products, including through his startup, BioProducts LLC.Ěý

UofL and its provide robust support for inventors working to develop and commercialize the technologies emerging from their research, including intellectual property protection, entrepreneurial coaching and product development grants and training. The goal is to translate academic research into products that can save and improve lives.Ěý

In the past fiscal year, UofL was awarded 38 new patents, secured 11 licenses, launched three new startups and brought in a total of $1.4 million in innovation income, including patent royalties and licensing. Over its 25-year history of commercializing research, UofL has been awarded more than 350 U.S. patents, formed nearly 50 startups still in operation and has created countless new products and services positively impacting people here and beyond. For those successes, UofL ranks among the for patents awarded.Ěý

“This year’s class of Senior Members is truly a testament to…what happens when the academic space encourages and celebrates invention and commercialization,” said Paul R. Sanberg, President of NAI. “We are proud to welcome these outstanding academic inventors to the Academy and look forward to supporting and celebrating them as they continue in their innovation journeys.”

UofL researchers can begin their inventor journey , and industry interested in licensing UofL IP can find a full listing of available technologies . Ěý

The startup, BioProducts LLC, took the top spot at the competition, backed by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and others.

The goal was to find innovative solutions for using distilling byproducts. According to the competition website, about 10 gallons of byproduct are generated for every gallon of bourbon produced.

BioProducts is built around UofL-patented technology that gives those distillery byproducts new life, for example, as a low-calorie sugar substitute and as specialized activated carbon suitable for a number of high-performance applications, particularly lithium ion batteries.Ěý

For the pitch competition, BioProducts teamed with Louisville-based C&I Engineering Inc. to present how the integrated technology could be applied at different types and sizes of distilleries. And, said UofL’s Jagannadh Satyavolu, who helped invent the technology and later founded the company, how this process could create activated carbon that’s more cost-effective and sustainable.

“Using this technology — invented in Kentucky and for one of Kentucky’s signature industries — we can take this otherwise waste material and turn it into a game-changer,” he said. “This could help make distilling more sustainable, reduce pollution and much more.”

The technology was invented by Satyavolu atĚýUofL’s Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research in collaboration with Michael Nantz and his team in the UofL chemistry department.

BioProducts holds an exclusive license through , which handles intellectual property resulting from university research and helps forge partnerships with companiesĚýfor commercialization.Ěý

“We feel we are the right team at the right time to solve this challenge,” said Cliff Speedy, C&I Engineering’s executive director of projects.

Because they won the pitch competition, the BioProducts team received an engraved bourbon barrel lid and will now present to 500-some distillery professionals at the James B. Beam Institute Industry Conference in March 2022.

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