Louisiana Tech University Honors Outstanding Faculty Inventors

Several faculty members from Louisiana Tech University have received recognition for recent inventions, patents and licenses as well as their overall contributions to the institution’s commercialization efforts, including members of the Trenchless Technology Center.

Louisiana Tech’s Intellectual Property Committee honored these faculty members whose inventions have been granted patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or those that have had their technologies licensed to an outside company for commercialization.

“I continue to be impressed by how dedicated these faculty members are to their research and the quality of their inventions,” said Dr. Rich Kordal, director of Louisiana Tech’s Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization (OIPC).

“The spirit of cooperation and innovation here at Louisiana Tech has led us to a disclosure rate that is higher than the national average.”

Among those honored was Dr. Erez Allouche, associate professor of civil engineering and research director of Tech’s Trenchless Technology Center, and Dr. Ray Sterling, professor emeritus of civil engineering, were also recognized for their work in advancing the commercialization of trenchless technology.

Certificates of Commemoration were presented to first-time inventors as well as faculty that have reported inventions and submitted patent applications to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

According to the OIPC’s latest annual report, Louisiana Tech averages about 25 to 30 Reports of Invention (ROIs) annually.

The inventions generated by Louisiana Tech’s faculty continue to capture the attention of entrepreneurs, established companies and other potential partners and collaborators from around the nation.