Virginia Tech has been named one of the country’s top universities for invention patents.

The National Academy of Inventors ranked Virginia Tech No. 59 for granted utility patents on its 2025 Top 100 U.S. Universities List, released Thursday, March 19. Given out annually, the rankings celebrate academic institutions that advance innovation by securing their intellectual property through patents, which allows them to translate ideas into commercial technologies, creating tangible societal and economic impact, according to the release. 

“This ranking highlights Virginia Tech’s leadership in turning research into real-world solutions,” said Dan Sui, senior vice president for research and innovation. “It reflects the strength of our innovation ecosystem and the dedication of our faculty, who are transforming bold ideas into patented, market-ready technologies that positively impact people’s lives.”

The National Academy of Inventors maintains the ranking to highlight the importance of research and innovation taking place within academic institutions. The list is compiled using calendar-year patent data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

“These universities and their inventive faculty are at the forefront of driving national innovation and competitiveness,” said Paul R. Sanberg, president of the National Academy of Inventors. “By moving their ideas to market and protecting their IP [intellectual property] with patents, these institutions are ensuring that the U.S. not only remains competitive on the global stage, but directly shapes the future of innovation.”

Ranked universities will be recognized at the academy’s annual conference in June.

Virginia Tech faculty work closely with Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, a 501(c)(3) affiliated corporation of the Virginia Tech Foundation, to protect inventions and ensure the intellectual property developed is transitioned to market, where it can deliver societal and economic benefit. The collaborative effort also includes LICENSE: Center for Technology Commercialization, part of Virginia Tech Innovation and Partnerships, the Office of Sponsored Programs, and Conflicts of Interest and Commitment program.

Patents earned during 2025 include the following:

Patent title: Sphingosine kinase inhibitor amidoxime prodrugs

Current Virginia Tech faculty member: Webster Santos, professor of chemistry and the Cliff and Agnes Lilly Faculty Fellow

Details: The new drug compounds are designed to influence how cells communicate through an important biological signaling system that helps control the immune response, inflammation, and cell growth. They are designed as “prodrugs,” meaning they are modified forms that become active after entering the body, improving their stability and how well they are absorbed and used by the body. This technology may help create new treatments for a range of diseases linked to abnormal immune or cell signaling, including autoimmune disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and certain lung or fibrotic conditions.

Santos discussed the drug discovery process on an episode of “Curious Conversations.”

Patent title: One-pot process for synthesis of graphene and graphene-derivatives from coal

Current Virginia Tech faculty member: Roop Mahajan, Lewis A. Hester Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Details: This is a single, streamlined process for turning coal into advanced carbon materials such as graphene that could be tuned and used in a variety of high-value applications such as batteries and energy storage devices, electronics, advanced composites, sensors, and environmental cleanup technologies. Because everything occurs in one integrated reaction system, the process is simpler and potentially more scalable than traditional multi-step manufacturing methods.

Mahajan shared insights related to graphene and international collaborations on an episode of “Curious Conversations.”

Patent title: Additive manufacturing of aromatic thermoplastics from photocurable precursor salts

Current Virginia Tech faculty member: Christopher Williams, the L.S. Randolph Professor and the Electro-Mechanical Corporation Senior Faculty Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Details: This new approach to 3D-printing allowed for the production of very strong, heat-resistant plastic parts that are normally difficult to manufacture. This opens up new opportunities for applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics where durable, high-performance materials are required.

Williams shared his insights about evolution and significance of 3D printing on an episode of “Curious Conversations.”

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