The National Academy of Inventors named Leonid B. Glebov, Shin-Tson Wu and M.J. Soileau as charter fellows for 2012. All three have turned discoveries in the lab into inventions that have helped the development of things from lasers to iPhones.<\/p>\n
They were selected because they\u00a0 \u201chave demonstrated a highly prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society,\u201d according to the national organization.<\/p>\n
Included in the NAI charter class of 98 are eight Nobel laureates, two Fellows of the Royal Society, 12 presidents of research universities and non-profit research institutes, 50 members of the National Academies (National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine), 11 inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, three recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, four recipients of the National Medal of Science, and 29 AAAS Fellows, among other major awards and distinctions.<\/p>\n
Together, the new Fellows hold more than 3,200 U.S. patents.<\/p>\n
\u201cUCF is honored to have members of its faculty honored as NAI Charter Fellows,\u201d said Soileau, UCF\u2019s vice president for research and commercialization. \u201cDr. Glebov is an inventor of a new type of glass that is revolutionizing how components for lasers are made and is the foundation of one of UCF\u2019S most successful spinoff companies, OptiGrate.\u00a0Dr. Wu is a true pioneer in the field of liquid crystal display technology, something that impacts our lives when we look at our watches, watch TV, or turn on our iPhones.\u201d<\/p>\n
Soileau also has played a role in developing technology that protects devices from laser damage. Soileau served as founding director of CREOL, UCF\u2019s College of Optics and Photonics that is known throughout the world for its excellence. He laid much of the groundwork for the optics program at UCF. That program includes the nation\u2019s first full-fledged college devoted to optics and two additional research centers \u2013 the Florida Photonics Center of Excellence and the Townes Laser Institute.<\/p>\n
As vice president for research and commercialization, Soileau oversees UCF\u2019s Technology Transfer Office, the university\u2019s business-incubation efforts, and participation in company partnerships through the Florida High Tech Corridor. Associate vice president Tom O\u2019Neal leads those three particular efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy role is that of the privilege of heading the division of UCF where great things happen,\u201d Soileau said.<\/p>\n
Wu said UCF\u2019s environment makes all the difference for his success.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is truly an unmerited blessing to me,\u201d Wu said. \u201cAnd I want to thank UCF for giving me a stage to be able to perform this work.\u201d<\/p>\n
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