Iowa State inventors recognized by NAI for tackling real-world issues

AMES, Iowa - Two Iowa State University innovators - with a combined 141 patents to their credit - have been selected by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for its 2024 Class of Fellows. The NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors.

The academy announced today that Matt Darr, the John Deere Endowed Chair in Ag Innovation and professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering; and Eric Cochran, the Mary Jane Skogen Hagenson and Randy L. Hagenson Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering, join a class of individuals "tackling real-world issues and creating solutions that propel us into the future."

Digital ag innovation

The new Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab at the Iowa State University Research Park is where Matt Darr and ISU's Digital Ag Innovation team are creating those solutions through the development of new technologies in collaboration with industry partners.

Darr is an author or co-author on 88 patents and licensed technologies - ranging from smart sensors and controls to biomass logistics to machinery electronics - found in approximately 60 different products globally. Darr says the team, which includes faculty, professional staff and graduate students, focuses on technology, data insights and automation that are critical to feeding and fueling the world.

"We know our innovations are impacting tens of millions of acres per year in a positive way," Darr said. "Every one of those products adds value and makes agriculture more productive, efficient and sustainable."

Darr also leads Iowa State's BioCentury Research Farm, which is the first-in-the-nation integrated research and demonstration facility dedicated to biomass production and processing. Since 2009, the BioCentury Research Farm has been the home for innovative and sustainable research and development utilizing some of the most plentiful raw materials available in Iowa: corn, soybeans, crop residues, grasses and algae.

It's where Eric Cochran and colleagues have conducted hundreds of experiments to find the right ingredients, formulations and production processes for a bio-based alternative to a petroleum-based asphalt additive that extends the life of pavements.

Creating market value

Cochran says his pathway to becoming an inventor started with some fortuitous opportunities as well as rejection. It was a project proposal declined by a large tire manufacturer that grew into research on polymers and asphalt additives. The work has led to several patents - Cochran has contributed to 53 patents at Iowa State with dozens more pending - and the creation of SoyLei Innovations, a startup company established by six Iowa State co-founders in 2020.

Commercializing their research has taken years of trial and error and patience. Cochran says working with industry has provided the team with investment as well as insight to develop a product that achieves sustainability goals and offers market value.

"We want to create a product that satisfies renewable and recyclable goals that also provides a real value proposition, such as better performance or saving money, that stands alone in the market," Cochran said. "If you can put all of that into one package, there will be greater acceptance."

Iowa State's innovative DNA

Darr and Cochran say the recognition by NAI for their work as inventors is a reflection of the teamwork and collaboration that happens every day on campus as well as the university's commitment to innovation.

"None of these patents happen in isolation. The context of a problem requires collaboration - it really is mandatory for this inventive work to happen," Cochran said. "The role of the university and Iowa State's research foundation cannot be overlooked. They have been extremely supportive and helpful."

Darr added, "Iowa State has encouraged us to do translational research that connects to our land-grant mission and exemplifies ISU's motto of 'Science with Practice.' I'm fortunate to be surrounded by a team that is committed to service-driven innovation."

Other NAI fellows from Iowa State

Robert C. Brown, 2023, co-director of Iowa State's Bioeconomy Institute, an Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering and the Gary and Donna Hoover Chair in Mechanical Engineering.

Balaji Narasimhan, 2019, an Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering, the Vlasta Klima Balloun Faculty Chair and the director of Iowa State's Nanovaccine Institute.

Guru Rao, 2019, professor emeritus of biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology and a former associate vice president for research.

Costas Soukoulis, 2018, Distinguished Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences Emeritus and a former senior scientist at the Ames National Laboratory.

Max Rothschild, 2017, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Patrick Halbur, 2016, professor and chair of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine.

Surya Mallapragada, 2016, Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering, the Carol Vohs Johnson Chair in Chemical and Biological Engineering and associate vice president for research and a scientist for the Ames National Laboratory.

Iver Anderson, 2015, an adjunct professor of materials science and engineering and a senior metallurgist for the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames National Laboratory.

Jonathan Wickert, 2014, Provost Emeritus, President's Chair in Engineering and professor of mechanical engineering.

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