Dr. Choongho Yu is now a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), a recognition honoring years of research and innovation.
Yu, associate professor and Sallie and Don Davis ’61 Faculty Fellow II in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, was elected to the position for the success he has achieved in securing patents, licensing and commercialization, as well as for producing technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society, according to a statement by the NAI.
He was nominated by Dr. M. Cynthia Hipwell, Oscar S. Wyatt, Jr. '45 Chair II Professor in the department and a fellow of the NAI, who said she is excited to see Yu recognized.
“Making nanotechnologies scalable and manufacturable is an incredibly important contribution, particularly in critical areas such as higher density batteries and thermal supercapacitors,” Hipwell said.
Yu said it is a great honor to receive the recognition for the years he has spent exploring high-impact areas. Among all of his research, Yu said his most notable invention — which has drawn great interest from investors — is the manufacturing of self-assembled 3D porous carbon nanotubes, which have a broad potential for applications, including electrochemical systems for energy storage and conversion.
“The first five to 10 years have been very rough due to lots of unknowns and uncertainties, but I am glad that it pays off,” Yu said. “I thank all my former and current students, post docs and collaborators. It wouldn’t be possible without their contributions.”
Yu and his newly elected peers will be officially inducted during the NAI’s 10th anniversary annual meeting set for June 7-9, 2021.