UTA helps power UT System’s No. 4 patent ranking
The University of Texas at Arlington is playing a key role in reinforcing The University of Texas System’s standing as a global leader in innovation. The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) recently announced that the UT System ranked No. 4 on its list of the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents in 2025.
The annual ranking highlights how university-driven research fuels economic growth and translates discoveries into real-world solutions.
“UTA continues to be a dynamic engine for innovation where academic rigor meets industrial application,” said Kate Miller, vice president for research and innovation at UTA. “Our research doesn’t stay confined to the lab—it advances our hospitals, optimizes our transit systems and empowers our communities to solve the most pressing challenges of our time.”
UT System institutions collectively secured 229 patents in 2025, maintaining their position among the top five most innovative academic systems worldwide. The UT System has consistently ranked in the top 10 since 2014.
In fiscal year 2025, UT Arlington researchers were awarded 28 patents, including 16 granted in the United States. The innovations span a wide range of disciplines, underscoring the University’s multidisciplinary approach to research and problem-solving. UT Arlington’s 28 patents is a 12% increase from the previous year.
Among the areas represented:
- Chemistry and chemical analysis: 10 patents
- Life sciences and biomedical engineering: 9
- Aerospace, defense and sensing: 5
- Advanced manufacturing and microsystems: 3
- Transportation and traffic safety: 1
These discoveries reflect UTA’s focus on developing practical solutions with the potential for real-world application and industry impact.
Related: Five UTA faculty named NAI senior members
Several of UTA’s patented technologies address pressing challenges across industries.
- In transportation safety, civil engineering researcher Pengfei (Taylor) Li developed a system designed to reduce pedestrian injuries at intersections. The technology automatically detects pedestrians in crosswalk waiting zones and temporarily halts left-turn signals until it is safe to proceed—eliminating the need for human intervention.
- In aerospace manufacturing, Andrew Makeev advanced a new X-ray CT imaging method that improves the detection of hidden damage in large composite structures. By using a variable zoom acquisition approach, the system provides clearer, high-resolution insight into structural integrity without sacrificing the broader field of view.
- In biomedical engineering, Liping Tang developed a micro- and nanoscale device aimed at improving cartilage repair. The technology identifies damaged tissue, captures detailed images of the injury and signals nearby healthy cells to regenerate lost cartilage—addressing a long-standing challenge in treating joint damage.
UTA’s growing patent portfolio reflects its emphasis on translating research into solutions that can be deployed in industry, health care and public infrastructure.
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By supporting faculty through the commercialization process and fostering collaboration across disciplines, the University continues to expand its role in driving innovation within the UT System and beyond.
“The growth in our patent portfolio reflects a culture of interdisciplinary innovation that continues to propel UTA into the future,” Dr. Miller said. “This momentum reinforces the UT System’s status as a global leader and ensures that our research yields the transformative solutions required to power a modern economy.”
The NAI ranking is based on calendar-year data from the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is widely regarded as a benchmark for innovation and intellectual property development.
As the UT System maintains its place among the world’s leading institutions for patent production, UT Arlington’s contributions highlight its expanding research enterprise and its commitment to delivering solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.