The University of Texas at Austin will honor two faculty members whose inventions have changed the world.
Event: The first University of Texas at Austin Inventor of the Year Awards, honoring professors John Goodenough and Adam Heller. Their inventions in energy and healthcare have had societal and economic impact throughout the world.
When: 5:30-7 p.m., Dec. 6
Where: Ballroom, AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave., Austin, Texas, 78705
John Goodenough, Virginia H. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering. He invented and developed the lithium-ion battery, the rechargeable power supply for electronics including cellular and smart phones, music players, tablets and electric and hybrid vehicles. Goodenough received at least five U.S. patents from 1999-2003.
Adam Heller, Ernest Cockrell Sr. Chair Emeritus in Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering. Cockrell School of Engineering. He invented and developed a painless method for people with diabetes to measure their blood glucose levels. The device has made it easier for millions of people to manage the disease. Heller received at least 79 U.S. patents from 1991-2001.
The Inventor of the Year Awards are organized by the university's Office of Technology Commercialization.
Also, 48 faculty members who received U.S. patents from Sept. 1, 2010-Aug. 31, 2011 (the university's fiscal year) will be recognized.
