May 27, 2025

The Teen Who Coded for Coinbase. Now He's Hacking the Patent System (Adapted from a Techcrunch article that was published on April 10, 2025)

Daniel Bernard Ruskin's journey from teenage coder to legal tech innovator exemplifies a fusion of technical prowess and visionary entrepreneurship. At just 14, Ruskin embarked on his career by contributing to Coinbase's foundational infrastructure, showcasing an early aptitude for complex systems. His tenure at Coinbase, spanning four years, laid the groundwork for his subsequent ventures.

Pursuing higher education, Ruskin attended college followed by law school, during which he initiated several startups. Notably, he founded an election security company, securing a patent for its technology, a process that illuminated the inefficiencies within the patent application system. This realization spurred the inception of Inventex in December 2024, a Salt Lake City-based company aiming to revolutionize patent filings through AI integration.

Inventex employs AI agents, complemented by licensed attorneys, to streamline the patent application process, significantly reducing the time from months to mere days. The platform analyzes technical data, identifies patentable elements, conducts prior art searches, and drafts applications for submission in the U.S. and internationally. This innovative approach attracted substantial investment, with a $2.4 million pre-seed round led by Conviction Capital, Coinbase co-founder Fred Ehrsam, and Cambrian Ventures, valuing Inventex at $10 million.

Ruskin's trajectory reflects a commitment to leveraging technology to enhance legal processes, positioning him as a transformative figure in the intersection of law and innovation.

May 20, 2025

The Quiet Genius Behind the Curtain: Russell Speight VanBlon, North Carolina’s Patent Powerhouse

If you have never heard of Russell Speight VanBlon, do not worry. You are not alone. But in the world of invention, where ideas become intellectual property and engineers quietly reshape the future, VanBlon is a force of nature. He is North Carolina’s most prolific inventor, and chances are you have used a technology touched by his mind. Russ, as he likes to be known, created this impressive portfolio of patents while working for Lenovo.

Russ does not chase headlines. He builds them, brick by brick, patent by patent. With over 500 U.S. utility patents issued in his name, Russ is an innovation engine in human form. While some inventors chase a single breakthrough, Russ operates like a symphony of steady, cross-disciplinary brilliance. His work spans wearable device authentication, situationally suspending wakeup word to enable voice command input, user-focused activated voice recognition, finger touch gesture for joining and unjoining discrete touch objects, automatic modification of augmented reality objects, context aware aggregation of text-based messages, display of rechargeable battery charge notification, user verification using touch and eye tracking, and many others. In short, if it moves over the internet and does not make you want to throw your device out the window, there is a good chance Russ had something to do with it.

What sets Russ apart is his relentless pace. Many inventors plateau after a few great ideas, but not him. Even decades into his career, the patents keep coming. His secret? A rare blend of engineering fluency, market foresight, and just enough curiosity to ask, What if?

In an era obsessed with flashy founders and Silicon Valley disruption, Russell Speight VanBlon reminds us of a more enduring archetype: the quiet innovator who chooses progress over praise. North Carolina might be known for its research parks and barbecue, but thanks to Russ, it also lays quiet claim to one of America’s most prolific minds in the IP game.

May 13, 2025

The Sonic Architect: How Sven Kordon Quietly Shaped the Future of Digital Audio

Sven Kordon, a native of Wunstorf, Germany, stands as a luminary in the realm of digital audio engineering, boasting over two decades of pioneering contributions to the field. His extensive portfolio includes 115 issued patents, underscoring a career marked by innovation and technical excellence.

Kordon's expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of audio technologies, including digital signal processing, audio compression, 3D audio, and the transmission of audio and video over IP networks. His proficiency in programming languages such as C/C++, Python, and MATLAB has been instrumental in developing advanced audio solutions.

One of Kordon's notable achievements is his work on capturing and compressing sound fields using the Ambisonics representation, a full-sphere surround sound format. His contributions have significantly advanced the capture and compression of three-dimensional sound fields, enhancing the realism and immersion of audio experiences, and have been standardized in the well-known MPEG-H 3D Audio standard.

Throughout his career, Kordon has demonstrated a remarkable ability to shepherd projects from initial research through to final implementation and customer engagement. His work has not only pushed the boundaries of audio technology but has also had a tangible impact on the ways in which sound is experienced in various applications, from consumer electronics to professional audio systems.

Kordon's dedication to advancing audio technology continues to influence the industry, reflecting a blend of deep theoretical knowledge, practical implementation skills, and effective communication. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the field, setting a high standard for innovation and excellence in digital audio engineering.

May 6, 2025

The Magnetic Disruptor: How Jian-Ping Wang Is Reinventing the Future Without Rare Earths

In a world increasingly reliant on clean energy and high-performance electronics, magnets are the unsung workhorses behind the curtain. And few understand, or reinvent them like Jian-Ping Wang.

Wang, Ph.D., Distinguished McKnight University Professor and Robert Hartmann Chair at the University of Minnesota, is not your average academic. He’s the rare hybrid: a scientific visionary with the persistence of an entrepreneur and the public-minded pragmatism of an engineer who knows that ideas are only as good as the devices they power.

A native of China and graduate of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wang has spent decades unspooling the mysteries of magnetism. His pioneering research on nanomagnetics, spintronics, and magnetic random-access memory (MRAM) earned him accolades from the IEEE, the Semiconductor Research Corporation, and the Information Storage Industry Consortium. If your smartwatch is smart, there's a decent chance you can thank some of his innovations.

But perhaps his most significant breakthrough wasn’t about speed or scale. It was about sovereignty.

At a time when China controls 92% of the world’s rare earth refining, and is tightening that grip, Wang’s discovery of Iron Nitride magnets, entirely free of rare earth elements, promises to rewrite the global supply chain. His spin-off, Niron Magnetics, is producing these “Clean Earth Magnets” with materials that are not only domestically sourced but widely available. In an era of geopolitical friction, that’s not just disruptive, it’s patriotic.

These magnets, boasting the highest known magnetic flux and extraordinary temperature stability, are already catching the attention of industries from EVs to MRI machines. They're also catching the attention of policymakers looking to escape dependence on foreign-controlled minerals.

Wang is more than a scientist in the lab. He’s a builder. As director of both C-SPIN and SMART, two of the largest U.S. research centers on spintronics, he assembled teams that explored the frontiers of magnetism for national security and next-gen computing. And as a professor, he’s graduated 38 Ph.D. students in Minnesota alone, fostering the next generation of minds who’ll inherit a planet that desperately needs smarter, cleaner tech.

He’s also got a sense of humor and humility. In 2014, the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal named him one of their 'Titans of Technology', not bad for a guy who once coined a new alloy, Minnealloy, like it was just another Tuesday in the lab.

Wang’s rare blend of academic rigor and startup grit is a model of how science can serve the world, without burning it out. In fact, the next time your EV goes farther, your device runs cooler, or your supply chain runs smoother, you might just have a magnet from Minnesota to thank.

And that magnet may not be rare, but the mind behind it most certainly is.

April 29, 2025

Mirsad Hadžikadić is the kind of polymath who treats career boundaries the way most of us treat software update notifications. He ignores them and keeps going. A professor, inventor, and politician, Hadžikadić is perhaps best described as a systems thinker with a Balkan soul and a Silicon Valley imagination.

Born in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, he came to the U.S. in the early '80s with a suitcase full of ambition and a mind wired for data. After earning his PhD in computer science, he made his academic home at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he led the Institute of Complex Systems, a fitting role for a man who sees connections where most see chaos.

His AI and data science work could fill a server farm, with over 50 publications and patents exploring everything from predictive analytics to healthcare algorithms. But Hadžikadić didn’t stop at decoding machines; he also set his sights on upgrading political systems.

In 2018 and again in 2022, he ran for the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina on a platform built less on slogans and more on spreadsheets. His pitch? Logic, ethics, and evidence inform governance. In a world where politics often feels like a legacy system overdue for an update, Hadžikadić is the rare public figure who brings both the firmware and the fire.

Whether in the lab or on the campaign trail, Mirsad Hadžikadić is proof that sometimes the best way to debug society is to start with the source code.

April 22, 2025

Daniel Caris is a visionary engineer and inventor whose pioneering work seeks to solve two of the most pressing global challenges: plastic waste accumulation and the need for sustainable energy. With over 50 years of experience spanning mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and product development, Caris has dedicated his career to innovation, problem-solving, and sustainability.

Caris is the founder of Caris Inc., the company behind the CarisMatic Generator, a patented, shoebox-sized device designed to convert plastic waste into electricity. Unlike conventional recycling, which fails to process the majority of plastic waste, Caris’s technology leverages the thermal potential of discarded plastic, transforming it into an energy source rather than relegating it to landfills. The generator employs a combination of electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical systems, culminating in a bladeless turbine based on Nikola Tesla’s 1913 design. The result is a near-zero-emissions energy solution that not only cleans the environment but also provides a scalable alternative to fossil fuels.

Before founding Caris Inc., Caris built a distinguished career in engineering, serving as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer for a multinational corporation and earning membership in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. His extensive patent portfolio includes innovations in mechanical lifting devices, pool sweep backup valves, and traction indicators. A former NASCAR race car engineer and a consultant in industrial manufacturing, Caris’s expertise spans from prototype development to large-scale production.

Caris holds a degree in mechanical engineering from San Jose State University and has also acquired Technical Education Teaching Credentials through the State of California. His lifelong pursuit of transformative technology continues to redefine the intersection of environmental responsibility and energy independence.

For more on Caris’s groundbreaking work, visit www.carismatictechnology.com.

April 15, 2025

Brian Acton, the co-founder of WhatsApp, isn’t your typical Silicon Valley mogul. He didn’t chase the spotlight or tout flashy pitches. Instead, Acton built something deceptively simple, and profoundly transformative. A veteran of Yahoo, where he spent over a decade writing backend systems most users never saw, Acton came to understand that true user value lies in utility, not gimmicks.

In 2009, alongside Jan Koum, Acton co-founded WhatsApp with a focus on privacy, reliability, and an ad-free experience. At a time when most messaging apps were bloated or buggy, WhatsApp delivered clean, efficient communication across platforms. It quietly exploded. By 2014, WhatsApp had over 400 million users. That year, Facebook acquired the company for $19 billion in one of the largest tech acquisitions ever.

But Acton wasn’t done. Disturbed by Facebook’s pivot toward monetization through ads and data, he made the rare move: he walked away, leaving behind hundreds of millions in unvested stock. In 2018, he funded and launched Signal Foundation, the nonprofit behind the end-to-end encrypted Signal app.

Acton is a principled engineer, a figure who has consistently chosen substance over spectacle. He’s not afraid to challenge Silicon Valley’s business model of surveillance capitalism. His stance is clear: “I sold my users’ privacy,” he once said. “I live with that every day.”

In a tech world bloated with buzzwords, Brian Acton remains an understated icon of digital integrity, a coder who turned quiet conviction into global impact.

April 8, 2025

The Relentless Curiosity of Sreekar Marupaduga: A Modern Da Vinci in the Age of AI

Sreekar Marupaduga stands as a remarkable figure in the modern landscape of innovation, a thinker, inventor, and strategist whose work has quietly but powerfully shaped the future of technology. A veteran of the tech industry and a Senior Member of the IEEE Communications Society, Marupaduga brings both intellectual rigor and imaginative flair to every endeavor he undertakes. He is the #1 Inventor in Dallas, TX.

Currently leading the intellectual property portfolio at a startup, Sreekar operates at the frontier of innovation. His career is a case study in prolific invention: with over 500 granted U.S. patents, he has built a legacy defined not just by quantity but by the quality and foresight of his ideas. From wireless communication systems to the Internet of Things, his contributions span the technological spectrum, advancing how we connect, sense, and build in an increasingly digital world.

What sets Marupaduga apart is a rare blend of deep technical understanding and an intuitive grasp of human-centered innovation. Colleagues describe him as a master of consensus-building and strategic alliances, skills that have helped him lead cross-functional teams and shape product development strategies with clarity and purpose.

Accolades do not drive Sreekar, although he has received many; however, curiosity, precision, and the joy of creation do. His story is one of relentless imagination harnessed by discipline, a quiet architect behind technologies that touch millions, yet known to few.

April 1, 2025

In the labyrinthine corridors of Bank of America, where financial strategies are meticulously crafted, one might not expect to find a figure like Manu Kurian, a man whose inventive prowess rivals that of history's most prolific creators. Since joining the bank in 2006, Kurian has quietly ascended to the ranks of the world's top patent holders. He is ranked in the Top 500 in Utility patents worldwide.

Kurian's journey into the realm of innovation began serendipitously. In 2014, he attended an internal training session on patent filing, a requirement that would become a catalyst for his inventive streak. This session ignited a passion for identifying and solving complex problems within the banking sector, particularly in the domains of mobile data and authentication technologies.

As a Senior Vice President and technology Executive, Kurian's focus has been on enhancing the efficiency and security of data management systems. His innovations have not only streamlined internal processes but have also significantly improved client experiences, embodying the bank's commitment to technological advancement. Kurian's work is characterized by a deep understanding of both the technical and human elements of banking, ensuring that his inventions are as user-friendly as they are groundbreaking.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Kurian remains a humble figure, often attributing his success to the collaborative environment at Bank of America and the support of his colleagues.

In an era where technological innovation is the linchpin of competitive advantage, Manu Kurian exemplifies how dedication, curiosity, and a commitment to problem-solving can lead to extraordinary contributions, not just to one's organization but to the broader tapestry of global technological advancement.

March 25, 2025

Bok Eng Cheah: Malaysia’s Most Prolific Inventor

Bok Eng Cheah, a senior staff engineer at Intel Microelectronics, is Malaysia’s most prolific inventor. Through his groundbreaking contributions, he has shaped the future of semiconductor technology. With a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades at Intel, he has played a pivotal role in advancing platform electrical development for mixed-signal intellectual property (IP) designs, catering to client, 5G networking, and serve

Since joining Intel in 2005, Cheah has driven innovation in ultra-thin package assembly solutions for client and mobile products. His expertise in signal integrity, advanced packaging, and system form-factor solutions has resulted in over 220 issued (133 USPTO) patents and more than 40 technical publications, cementing his status as a leading force in the semiconductor industry.

Cheah’s contributions have been recognized at the highest levels, earning him the Intel Top Inventors Award, an impressive five times. In 2022, the Malaysia Book of Records formally acknowledged his achievements, naming him the Malaysian Inventor with the Most Worldwide Patent Grants. Beyond his technical accomplishments, Cheah is deeply committed to fostering the next generation of innovators. His passion for mentorship has led him to deliver innovation training and talks to over 5,000 professionals and students, ensuring a lasting impact on Malaysia’s technological landscape.

Through relentless ingenuity and dedication, Bok Eng Cheah continues to push the boundaries of semiconductor design, reinforcing Malaysia’s standing in global technology innovation.

March 18, 2025

Jean-Marc Jot: Architect of Immersive Sound

We are thrilled to announce that Jean-Marc Jot is now the Chapter Head of IDiyas for San Jose, California. In 2024, San Jose stood at the forefront of innovation, leading all U.S. cities with 12,011 issued patents, a testament to its unparalleled role in shaping the future of technology. Great innovators do not merely adopt technology; they redefine its very essence. Jean-Marc Jot has spent his career transforming the auditory landscape, pioneering spatial audio technologies seamlessly integrating the digital and physical realms.

His journey began in France, where his research in spatial audio processing and auditory perception at France Telecom and IRCAM laid the foundation for his groundbreaking work. However, during the late 1990s in California, Jot’s influence reshaped virtual and augmented reality, gaming, and entertainment audio. His expertise has driven the advancement of immersive sound formats and spatial computing standards, collaborating with industry leaders such as Magic Leap, Creative Labs, DTS/Xperi, and iZotope.

Jot’s work is fueled by a singular vision: to elevate sound into a fully interactive, multidimensional experience. His contributions to DTS:X, Magic Leap Soundfield Audio, and OpenAL have redefined how audiences engage with film, music, and gaming. His innovations, such as Feedback Delay Networks, Energy Decay Relief, and Spatial Audio Scene Coding, have pervaded audio content creation tools and consumer devices. are the backbone of today’s most immersive digital soundscapes.

As the founder of Virtuel Works, Jot continues to lead the charge in spatial computing and immersive audio standards, ensuring sound innovation remains on par with technological progress. A Fellow of the Audio Engineering Society and holder of over 100 patents, Jot is an engineer and a visionary, crafting sonic narratives that reshape our sensory world.

March 11, 2025

Sergey Gorobets is a systems architect and engineer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. With extensive experience developing complex technologies, he has played a key role in designing some of the world's most advanced and commercially successful products.

His expertise spans firmware, ASIC design, hardware, flash memory physics, and software engineering. He is known for his innovative mindset and disruptive thinking, his ability to identify weaknesses and opportunities, and his expertise in developing novel algorithms, features, and architectures.

Renowned for his adaptability and ingenuity, Sergey thrives in tackling unfamiliar technical challenges and navigating uncertainty with a deep understanding of system-level impacts. His collaborative mindset and ability to influence cross-functional teams have been instrumental in solving intricate problems and driving organizational success.

Gorobets is listed as the 25th most prolific inventor in the UK, holding 167 patents across various fields. His ability to adapt to new challenges and collaborate across disciplines has made him a notable figure in engineering and innovation.

March 4, 2025

H. Jim Fulford: A Legacy in Semiconductor Innovation

H. Jim Fulford is a distinguished electrical engineer whose career has shaped the evolution of semiconductor technology. A graduate of the University of Florida and North Carolina State University, Fulford earned his electrical engineering degree in 1985, laying the foundation for a prolific career in microprocessor and memory development.

He began his professional journey at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), where he played an integral role in the development of microprocessors, including the 8088, 186, 286, 386, 486, K5, K6, and K7, as well as SRAM and EEPAL technologies. Over 17 years at AMD (1985–2002), he contributed to advancements that propelled the computing industry forward. Fulford transitioned to Cypress Semiconductor, continuing his work in SRAM and PSOC development from 2002 to 2006. His tenure at Micron (2007–2019) saw him at the forefront of innovation in low-voltage and high-voltage FETs for FLASH and 3D XPoint memory.

As Director of Technology for TEL Technology Center of America Electron LLC (TTCA) in Florida, Fulford leads the company’s operational startup and strategic technology initiatives. His contributions to the field are underscored by an impressive portfolio of 373 U.S. patents and over 93 technical publications.

Fulford's new technology in advanced semiconductor devices will likely be incorporated in the next few years.

Beyond his professional achievements, Fulford takes immense pride in a unique accomplishment, co-inventing three U.S. patents with his son, Daniel Fulford. Having waited 30 years for this moment, he finds deep fulfillment in witnessing Daniel’s success as an inventor with 21 patents, marking a profound generational legacy in technological innovation.

February 25, 2025

Howard William Lutnick is a visionary leader in the financial industry, best known for his role as Chairman and CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners. Under his leadership, Cantor Fitzgerald transformed from a traditional brokerage into a global powerhouse in financial services, leveraging technology to redefine trading and market infrastructure. His strategic foresight was instrumental in expanding BGC Partners into a premier brokerage across financial and real estate markets. On February 19, 2025, he became the 41st United States Secretary of Commerce.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) operates under the U.S. Department of Commerce as a key agency responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks. This relationship supports innovation, economic growth, and intellectual property protection, aligning with the Department of Commerce’s mission to promote business and technological advancement.

Beyond finance, Lutnick is a prolific inventor, holding an impressive 477 patents (433 utility and 44 design) spanning fintech, electronic trading, and innovative financial instruments. His contributions to automated trading systems and digital transaction technologies have positioned him at the forefront of financial innovation, cementing his influence beyond traditional market structures.

Lutnick's legacy is also marked by profound resilience. Following the tragic loss of 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees in the September 11, 2001 attacks, he spearheaded the firm’s recovery, ensuring financial support for victims' families and rebuilding the company into a stronger entity. His philanthropic initiatives extend far beyond Wall Street, particularly in education and disaster relief.

A graduate of Haverford College, Lutnick has earned a reputation not just as a financial titan but also as a forward-thinking innovator whose patented technologies continue to shape modern markets. His career is a testament to the power of perseverance, technological ingenuity, and strategic reinvention, traits that have made him one of the most influential figures in global finance today.

February 18, 2025

Dipankar Ghosh: Expert Innovator with a dash of global flair.

Dipankar Ghosh is a materials scientist whose career is a great example in blending cutting-edge practical innovation with strategic leadership. At 3M, a globally diversified manufacturing company well known for innovative products, he has spearheaded multiple global cross-functional projects : Smart Grids, 5G, energy storage, electric vehicles, and high-voltage insulation technologies, to name a few.

Whether it’s developing ceramics that make electronics cooler (literally) and faster or composites that power connectivity, Dipankar’s work shapes electrical and electronic industries while keeping corporate balance sheets happy.

With 25 U.S. patents granted, 14 as lead inventor, and 52 international patents, Dipankar isn’t just innovating; he’s building an impressive portfolio. His 21 peer-reviewed research publications showcase a knack for scholarly research in an industrial setting, a trait that’s driven multiple commercialized Horizon 3 products at 3M. His ability to pivot from strategic planning to hands-on IP analysis makes him a versatile researcher with focus on product commercialization.

Dipankar’s global perspective is as impressive as his resume. From collaborating with teams across Germany, China, and South Korea to mentoring budding scientists in the U.S. and India, his outlook is truly global. As a past chair of an NSF consortium and a senior IEEE member, he’s as comfortable on a conference stage as he is in a lab.

Dipankar’s work continues to pave the way for innovation, proving that the intersection of science, strategy, and leadership is where the future is forged.

February 11, 2025

Dippin’ Dots, the self-anointed Ice Cream of the Future, didn’t materialize via time machine, though that would’ve made for an excellent origin story. Instead, it emerged from the curious mind of Curt Jones, a microbiologist with an affinity for both scientific precision and dessert. In 1988, while immersed in the frozen dairy industry, Jones had his eureka moment: What if cryogenic technology, typically reserved for preserving scientific specimens, could revolutionize ice cream? Talk about thinking outside the pint.

Harnessing the power of liquid nitrogen, Jones flash-froze ice cream into tiny beads, transforming not just a dessert but the experience of eating it. These frosty pearls, stored at an arctic -40°F, offered a futuristic twist on an age-old indulgence, delivering joy, texture, and the occasional brain freeze in equal measure.

Dippin’ Dots quickly carved out its niche in theme parks, fairs, and sports stadiums across the United States and 14 other countries. After all, juggling a melting cone on a roller coaster was always a logistical nightmare waiting to happen.

But the story doesn’t freeze there. The Jones family has since launched 40° Below Joe®, which applies the same cryogenic magic to elevate classic food and beverages into novel, bite-sized delights. The name? A nod to the singular temperature where Fahrenheit and Celsius finally agree, proof that even thermometers can find common ground. Using custom equipment and a freezing methodology based on liquid nitrogen at a brisk -320°F, 40 Below captures fun and flavor in frozen coffees.

Curt Jones’s creation is a testament to how innovation can emerge from the most unexpected places, like a laboratory freezer. While Ice Cream of the Future remains delightfully niche, one thing is sure: Jones didn’t just make dessert; he made history, one frozen dot at a time. Because who says science can’t be sweet?

February 4, 2025

Dr. Sandeep Chauhan is a distinguished technology leader with a Ph.D. in Computer Science and over 20 years of transformative experience in IT systems across the banking, payment, and retail sectors. Renowned for his ability to conceptualize and implement cutting-edge solutions, Dr. Chauhan has consistently demonstrated his prowess in leading high-performing technical teams to deliver comprehensive enterprise systems.

His profound expertise in global payment ecosystems spans prominent financial hubs, including the U.S., U.K., and Singapore. With an in-depth understanding of payment infrastructures such as Zelle and ACH (U.S.), BACS and Faster Payments (U.K.), and FAST (Singapore), he has been instrumental in integrating ISO 20022 messaging standards, setting a benchmark in seamless and efficient financial operations.

Dr. Chauhan is at the forefront of implementing innovative solutions for digital wallets, interbank and intrabank transfers, settlement processes, and liability payments, addressing the evolving demands of the financial technology landscape.

Dr. Chauhan’s contributions to technology innovation extend beyond his industry achievements. He is a prolific inventor, holding over 100 issued USPTO patents in areas like machine learning and authentication technologies, and has authored numerous influential papers on autonomic computing. His work not only pushes the boundaries of technological advancement but also lays the groundwork for scalable, robust systems that redefine the future of financial services.

A thought leader and a catalyst for change, Dr. Chauhan’s career reflects a commitment to advancing the financial technology industry through ingenuity, collaboration, and a vision for a digitally empowered world.

January 28, 2025

Dr. Trammell is a professor in the Department of Physics and Optical Science at UNC Charlotte, where she has been a faculty member since 1996.

She earned her Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994 and a B.S. in Physics with Highest Honors from the UNC Chapel Hill in 1989. Her research focuses on biomedical optics, including imaging and spectroscopy for biomedical applications, mid-IR/thermal imaging in medicine, surgical navigation, image-guided surgical interventions, and biopreservation.

In recognition of her innovative patented work, Dr. Trammell placed third in the world-wide competition for the Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (PMU)-National Academy of Inventors International Patent Award on December 12, 2024. Honored at a ceremony in Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, she was recognized for her patent “Methods and compositions for biopreservation.” This groundbreaking method, which uses an amorphous matrix for precise drying and temperature control, is critical for preserving sensitive biological samples. Its applications span the medical and pharmaceutical industries, biotechnologies, research, and agriculture, demonstrating the wide-reaching impact of her work.

Among her honors, she has received the ISBER 2023 Best Paper Award and the Bonnie Cone Fellowship at UNC Charlotte in 2007. She is a member of prominent organizations such as SPIE, the American Astronomical Society, and the International Astronomical Union.

Dr. Trammell’s research has advanced biomedical optics and fostered innovation with practical applications that improve public health and support economic development. Through her teaching and mentorship, she continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators.

January 21, 2025

Dr. Reza Chaji, a visionary in the realm of micro-optoelectronics, has been instrumental in advancing display and sensor technologies. As the CEO and co-founder of VueReal Inc., based in Waterloo, Ontario, he has spearheaded the development of innovative solutions that integrate millions of micro-optoelectronic devices into system substrates, impacting sectors from automotive to healthcare.

Dr. Chaji's academic journey led him to the University of Waterloo, where he earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 2008. His research focused on designing large-area electronic systems for AMOLED displays and biomedical imagers, laying the groundwork for his future entrepreneurial ventures.

Under his leadership, VueReal has introduced the MicroSolid Printing™ platform, a groundbreaking technology that enables the efficient and scalable production of microLED displays. This innovation has positioned VueReal as a key player in the display industry, catering to the growing demand for high-performance displays in automotive, wearable devices, and augmented reality applications.

His work continues to influence the trajectory of display technology, ensuring that the future remains bright, and more pixelated.

January 14, 2025

Esmael Dinan is a prolific inventor whose name has become synonymous with the art of turning ideas into intellectual property gold. Armed with a sharp mind and a knack for creative problem-solving, Dinan has accumulated an impressive portfolio of patents that spans a dizzying array of industries. With expertise in technology, engineering, and even a touch of legal acumen, Dinan has proven to be a true Renaissance innovator.

What sets Dinan apart isn’t just the sheer volume of his patents but the ingenuity behind them. He approaches challenges with the precision of an engineer, the vision of a designer, and, perhaps most intriguingly, the strategy of a patent attorney, because yes, Dinan is also armed with legal expertise. Talk about having all the tools in the toolbox.

Dinan’s work ranges from cutting-edge advancements in telecommunications to innovations in fintech and automobile industries, showcasing his ability to tackle the most complex problems with elegance and efficiency. His prolific output has not only earned him a spot among the top inventors of our time but has also made him a figure of admiration (and maybe a little envy) in the intellectual property world.

Despite his remarkable achievements, Dinan remains refreshingly humble, proving that one can revolutionize industries without taking themselves too seriously. His legacy is a testament to the power of imagination and perseverance, reminding us all that the best ideas are the ones that make us wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

January 7, 2025

Leo Sternbach, inventor of Librium and Valium

Leo H. Sternbach (1908–2005) was a chemist whose tranquil contributions to medicine have calmed millions — quite literally. Born in Abbazia (now Opatija, Croatia), Sternbach earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Krakow in 1931. His early career at Roche in Switzerland took a dramatic turn in 1941 when he relocated to the company's U.S. headquarters to escape the Nazi occupation.

At Roche's New Jersey facility, Sternbach's penchant for chemical exploration led to the serendipitous discovery of benzodiazepines, a new class of tranquilizers. Librium®, introduced in 1960, and its more famous sibling, Valium®, launched in 1963, became household names for alleviating anxiety and sleep disorders. Valium® was the world's most prescribed drug from 1969 to 1982, suggesting that the 1970s were perhaps more relaxed than we give them credit for.

Sternbach's innovations didn't stop there; his work paved the way for other benzodiazepines like Versed®, Klonopin®, and Dalmane®. Holding 241 patents, his contributions significantly bolstered Roche's status in the pharmaceutical industry. Despite his monumental impact, Sternbach remained modest, viewing chemistry as a passion rather than a path to wealth, famously stating, 'I always did just what I wanted to do.'

He maintained an office at Roche until 2004, demonstrating that retirement is optional when you love your work. Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2005, Sternbach's legacy endures, offering a calming influence in an otherwise restless world.