Clemson University researchers continue to earn U.S. patents for innovations in health care, agriculture, manufacturing, advanced materials and numerous other fields.
CLEMSON - The Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF) recognized the dedicated Clemson researchers behind the 12 US patents earned in 2024 at its annual Innovation Awards at the Madren Conference Center, according to the official website of the University.
“Our mission as a land-grant institution is to create a path to a better life and a path to economic prosperity through education, research and service,” said Clemson University President James P. Clements. “Your research, discoveries, contributions to your fields of study and areas of expertise are what will continue to move Clemson Fiercely Forward.”
At the event, CURF also recognized faculty members who have successfully licensed technology. As of 2025 fiscal year-end, CURF has 118 active licenses from a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio that span the multi-disciplinary Clemson University research enterprise. Licenses from 2024, as well as 2024 patents, are listed below.
“A trend you will see across the awards tonight is the inventor’s dedication to meaningful innovations that address real-life challenges – a reflection of Clemson’s research ecosystem and its drive to make a worldwide impact,” said CURF Executive Director Chris Gesswein.
The ceremony’s keynote speaker, Dr. Nakia Melecio, director of the NSF I-Corps Southeast Hub and senior research faculty at Georgia Tech, shared insights into the innovation ecosystem and the journey from lab to market. His global experience in launching startups and mentoring researchers underscored the value of strategic partnerships and entrepreneurial thinking.
Patent Awards
The following faculty members were recognized for patents issued in 2024:
• John Ballato
- US Patent No. 11,880,062 | 01.23.2024
Highly rare earth doped optical fiber and heating element comprising same
- US Patent No. 12,072,521 | 08.27.2024
Optical Fiber With Low Thermo-Optic Coefficient
• Rajendra Bordia, Kyle Brinkman, Fei Peng, Jianhua “Joshua” Tong, Hai Xiao
- US Patent No. 12,053,906 | 08.06.2024
Integrated additive manufacturing and laser processing techniques for ceramic, glass and sinterable materials
• Ralph Burrell, Ksenija Gasic
- US Patent No. PP36112 | 09.17.2024
EveRes Ruby
• Ksenija Gasic
- US Patent No. PP36072 | 08.20.2024
Peach Tree Named ‘CaroRes Wonder’
• Peng Chen, Hai Yao, Tong Ye
- US Patent No. 12,038,382 | 07.16.2024
Method, System and Application for 3D Molecular Diffusion Tensor Measurement and Structural Imaging
• George Chumanov, Robert A. Latour
- US Patent No. 11,946,872 | 04.02.2024
Coupon Design for Enhanced Color Sensitivity for Colorimetric-Based Chemical Analysis
• Liang Dong
- US Patent No. 11,876,337 | 01.16.2024
Three-Level System Fiber Lasers Incorporating an All-Solid Photonic Bandgap Fiber
• Kevin Finneran
- US Patent No. 12,168,252 | 12.17.2024
Rendering Co-Products as Electron Donors for Surface and Subsurface Remediation
• Lambert McCarty
- US Patent No. 11,944,098 | 04.02.2024
Joint NCSU and Clemson Technology on Using Tebuconazole for Poa annua control in Turf
• Richard Hassell
- US Patent No. 201800146 | 05.18.2024
Carolina Strongback Watermelon Variety
• Narendra Vyavahare
- US Patent No. 11,975,109 | 05.07.2024
Elastin Targeted Drug Deliveries for Elastin Degenerative Diseases
License Awards
The following faculty members were recognized for successful technology licensing:
• Ralph Burrell
- Cumberland Valley Nurseries, Inc.
Vaughn Nurseries
• Ksenija Gasic
- Cumberland Valley Nurseries, Inc.
Vaughn Nurseries
• Jeremy J. Mercuri
- NovaVia Spine and Biologics, LLC
A Decade of Impact
Since 2014, CURF has facilitated:
• 708 disclosures,
• 603 patents filed,
• 248 patents issued,
• 51 student internships, and
• $1.72 million in Technology Maturation Fund investments.
These milestones reflect CURF’s mission to accelerate the commercialization of Clemson’s most promising innovations through technology evaluation, IP protection, marketing and business development.
As an independent, affiliated 501(c)3 and 509(a) organization, CURF supports the University research ecosystem in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, greater contracting flexibility, streamlined access to external resources, and targeted marketing. CURF connects faculty, staff, and students to external opportunities for research partnership with the intent of creating a sustainable model of collaborative industry-sponsored research, feeding back into the university research enterprise