Kalinin, Melcher Named Fellows of the NAI
Professors Sergei Kalinin and Chuck Melcher have been named as Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the organization announced Tuesday morning.
NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors and recognizes their exceptional achievements for contributions that have made a significant impact on innovation, economic development, and society’s welfare.
As members of the 2024 class of NAI Fellows, Kalinin and Melcher join a distinguished group of world-class innovators and leaders who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation through outstanding inventions.
This year’s class is comprised of 170 individuals (the full list can be found here). The honorees hail from 135 research universities, governmental, and nonprofit research institutions worldwide. They represent 39 US states and 12 countries.
Kalinin, Weston Fulton Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, combines the classical physical approach of making things simpler by going to atomic and nanometer scales, with the development of machine learning-enabled tools that make the discovery faster.
Over the last 25 years, Kalinin’s work has generated more than 20 patents. They include making measurement guidelines for accurate electric readings, studying small-scale chemical methods, and building structures one atom at a time using electron beams.
“I believe that the true measure of scientific research is the impact it has on life,” Kalinin said. “This does not mean that I am pursuing only immediate applications–very often technologies of 20-30 years future are built on the fundamental science of today. However, ultimately science builds on what was done before, and what drives me is the desire to build the next generation of tools that can accelerate real world materials and physics discovery from the atomic and nanometer scales up.”
Melcher is a research professor in MSE and the Department of Nuclear Engineering as well as the director of the Scintillation Materials Research Center (SMRC). He is a pioneer in the field radiation detection materials for applications in medical imaging, remote downhole measurements in oil wells, and nuclear security. He is a named inventor on 31 US patents and 32 foreign patents issued in various countries.
Melcher’s patents have had worldwide impact on the public welfare. His patented technology has improved the efficiency of oil production by precisely measuring the relative amounts of oil and water in rock strata. Melcher’s medical imaging technology has spread to nearly every country due to its ability to help physicians diagnose cancer at an earlier stage than was previously possible. Finally, his new radiation detection technology is critical to the ability to discover nuclear and radiological threats.
“I am grateful for the NAI’s recognition and for the numerous contributions of my colleagues and students,” Melcher said. “The tangible impact in areas of public welfare is particularly gratifying.”
Since its founding in 2012, the NAI Fellows program has grown to include 2,068 researchers and innovators, who hold over 68,000 U.S. patents and 20,000 licensed technologies. NAI Fellows are known for the societal and economic impact of their inventions, contributing to major advancements in science and consumer technologies. Their innovations have generated over $3.2 trillion in revenue and generated 1.2 million jobs.
Kalinin and Melcher will be formally inducted as Fellows at the 14th NAI Annual Meeting on June 26, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
During a special ceremony, Kalinin and Melcher will receive their official NAI Fellow certificate, medal, rosette, and lapel pin, presented by representatives from the NAI and a senior official of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Contact
Rhiannon Potkey (865-974-0683, rpotkey@utk.edu)