National Academy of Inventors honors Eastern Michigan University professor Vijay Mannari among its latest class of exceptional nationwide Innovators

Vijay Mannari in coatings lab with student

YPSILANTI – Vijay Mannari, a distinguished professor of polymers and coatings at Eastern Michigan University, is among seven exceptional American innovators inducted this summer into the National Academy of Inventors in recognition of his innovations in the field of UV-curing materials and systems.

Mannari, director of the Coatings Research Institute in the EMU College of Engineering and Technology, was nominated by Rad Tech, a non-profit trade association dedicated to the advancement of the radiation cure (ultraviolet and electron beam (UV+EB) coatings technology.

The nomination and selection provides another exclamation point in a career marked by innovation and scholarship in the development of advanced and sustainable UV curable materials and systems.

“I feel very honored to be inducted into the NAI and joining the ranks with the prestigious nationwide innovators,” Mannari said. “It is indeed a proud moment, as this recognition puts my research group and EMU on the national map of innovators in the advanced UV-cure material space.”

Recent innovations from Mannari’s research group include a UV-LED light curable bio-based nail-gel (2018), along with design and demonstration of advanced dual-curable material for 3D-printing applications (2020). Each of those developments received the University Emerging Technology Awards by RadTech, in a nation-wide competition.

Mannari’s long list of inventions includes six patents that have been issued to Eastern Michigan University.

“Dr. Mannari’s contributions in UV-initiated crosslinking systems using photo-acid/photo-base have not only expanded cure chemistries, but have opened up possibilities for high-performance and corrosion resistant coatings,” the academy said in its statement recognizing Mannari.

Mannari is among seven honorees cited by the academy this summer for their achievements, and the lone academic inductee.

Mannari joined the Polymers and Coatings Program at Eastern in 2002, and has established a rigorous research program, primarily focusing on environmentally friendly polymeric materials for development of advanced coatings. His work has included developing high-performance coatings for the U.S. Military.

In 2013, he was awarded the 2012 Ronald W. Collins Distinguished Faculty Award - Research II, one of Eastern’s highest academic honors. He is also a recipient of the Michigan Green Chemistry Governor’s Award, in 2012.

The National Academy of Inventors® is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with more than 4,000 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 250 institutions worldwide. The NAI publishes the multidisciplinary journal Technology and Innovation, Journal of the National Academy of Inventors.

The Coatings Research Institute at Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1985. The facility is widely recognized as a leading academic-based institute dedicated to the development of relevant scientific knowledge for understanding and expanding the science and technology of polymers, coatings, paints, inks, adhesives and related nano-based materials.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

August 19, 2020

Written by:
Geoff Larcom

Media Contact:
Geoff Larcom
glarcom@emich.edu
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