UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Chao-Yang Wang, William E. Diefenderfer Chair of Mechanical Engineering, professor of chemical engineering and professor of materials science and engineering at Penn State, has been named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). 

NAI fellows are distinguished individuals who have created or facilitated outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on the quality of life, economic development and welfare of society. The fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors. 

“I am so impressed by the caliber of this year’s class of NAI fellows, all of whom are highly regarded in their respective fields,” said NAI President Paul R. Sanberg. “The breadth and scope of their discovery is truly staggering. I’m excited not only to see their work continue, but also to see their knowledge influence a new era of science, technology and innovation worldwide.”

A testament to his research contributions, Wang’s work in batteries and fuel cells is reflected in his 21 United States patents, along with his 25 pending patent applications. In the past decade, he has discovered a novel self-heating cell structure for lithium ion batteries that can enable fast charging for technologies reliant on these batteries, particularly electric vehicles. 

In addition, his research has led to the creation of an all-climate electric vehicle battery that can be charged quickly in cold environments, which has the potential to spur their wider adoption. It also has been announced that this technology will be used exclusively within the electric vehicles serving the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. 

“Given Chao-Yang’s impressive impact in battery technology, this is a much-deserved recognition of his work,” Karen Thole, distinguished professor and mechanical engineering department head, said.

Wang will receive the award on April 10, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona, at the NAI annual meeting.