Thursday, Apr 17, 2025 • Katherine Egan Bennett : contact

The University of Texas at Arlington, with 23 patents granted in 2024, helped propel The University of Texas System to No. 3 in the National Academy of Inventors’ prestigious top 100 ranking of U.S. universities awarded utility patents.

The UT System’s 14 institutions are collectively ranked as a single entity in the National Academy of Inventors’ (NAI) annual report. UT Arlington’s 23 patents is a 15% jump from the previous year.

“We proudly acknowledge the vital contributions that our talented faculty, students and staff have made in transforming groundbreaking university research into everyday innovations,” said Kate C. Miller, vice president for research and innovation at UTA. “They shape the cars we drive, the infrastructure we rely on, the smartphones that connect us and the medical innovations that keep us healthy.”

Related: UTA inventors recognized worldwide for innovations

Only the University of California system and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology earned more U.S. patents in 2024 than the UT System.

“Historically, university pioneers have been the driving force behind nearly every groundbreaking technological innovation and industry transformation, setting the stage for commercial success,” Dr. Miller said. “At UTA, we work hard to create a culture where visionaries, innovators and leaders can propel progress across all sectors."

The NAI’s Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents List is one of three annual rankings the organization publishes. Based on information from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the list offers a comprehensive view of intellectual property within the university ecosystem. In the NAI’s Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents List, the UT System ranks No. 6.

“In the ever-evolving innovation landscape, it is imperative that the U.S. is remaining competitive and at the forefront of today’s emerging research and technologies,” said NAI President Paul R. Sanberg. “Ensuring the security of intellectual property through patenting is a crucial component to this and allows those innovations to be effectively moved to market, where they can create valuable societal and economic impact. The Top 100 U.S. list celebrates U.S. universities and their inventive staff and faculty for their dedication in ensuring their innovations and IP are protected.”

Related: Four UTA faculty named NAI senior members

Since 2013, the NAI has published the Top 100 Worldwide Universities list. In 2023, it introduced the Top 100 U.S. Universities list to provide a more focused view of the innovation landscape and highlight the contributions of domestic academic institutions. Collectively, the universities on the 2024 Top 100 U.S. list hold more 6,700 patents.

“Global competition in science and technology is intense,” said U.S. National Science Foundation Director Sethuraman Panchanathan. “To continue to keep our nation secure, we must invest in accelerating breakthrough technologies, transitioning these technologies to the market, and preparing Americans for better-quality, higher-wage jobs.”