Mechanical Engineering Faculty Receive Young Academic Inventor Awards
Two faculty members from the Stony Brook University Department of Mechanical Engineering
were among the researchers honored with the Young Academic Inventor (YAI) Award for their groundbreaking work advancing innovative technologies with the potential
for significant societal impact.
Associate Professor Dimitris Assanis and Assistant Professor Shanshan Yao were honored at the Young Academic Inventors (YAI) Award Symposium, which was held on June 5th at the Charles B. Wang center. Presented by the Stony Brook University Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) and Intellectual Property Partners (IPP), the event recognized the 2025 and 2026 Young Academic Inventor Award recipients and celebrated the 10th anniversary of Stony Brook’s NAI Chapter, which supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and the translation of academic discoveries into technologies that benefit society.
Assanis was recognized for his research advancing next-generation combustion and alternative
fuel technologies, including hydrogen- and ammonia-based energy systems and patented
combustion innovations. His work supports the push for domestically produced, reliable fuel sources that
strengthen U.S. energy independence and reduce reliance on foreign energy supplies
as global demand continues to rise.
Assanis emphasized the urgent need to rethink modern combustion technologies to address growing energy demands and strengthen the nation’s energy security:
"The time and need for energy assuredness is here and now. Reimagining the capabilities of modern combustion is central to solving our immediate energy crisis. Our work adds critical tools to the toolbox for tackling the grand challenges of peaking power, backup power, and heating and cooling demands — the kind that major cities like New York City face every day. Where existing solutions fall short, we're working to deliver a cheaper, more secure, and healthier energy future."
His research includes collaborations with government and industry partners focused on developing next-generation energy infrastructure that expands the nation's fuel options, strengthens energy security, and brings the world closer to reliable, affordable energy for all.
Yao was recognized for her pioneering work in soft electronics, wearable technologies,
and human-machine interfaces. Her research combines materials science, mechanical engineering, and electronics to
create flexible, tissue-like devices that can better interact with the human body
for healthcare monitoring, treatment, and communication.
Her laboratory develops wearable sensors, soft robotic systems, and advanced human-machine interfaces, including technologies that monitor hydration, body temperature, and movement, as well as silent speech systems that use muscle activity and machine learning to enable communication.
Yao reflected on how industry engagement and intellectual property help her research move beyond the laboratory and toward technologies with meaningful real-world impact:
“I am honored to be recommended for this award by Intellectual Property Partners (IPP) in recognition of my recent contributions to the field. My dedication to intellectual property and commercialization directly fuels the success and expansion of my academic research. Through active customer discovery and industry engagement, my team gathers critical, real-world feedback to identify current market gaps. I bring these industry insights directly back to my laboratory at Stony Brook, allowing my research group to align our fundamental science with immediate, high-impact societal needs. Ultimately, this cycle of invention, patenting, and commercial translation not only elevates the visibility of my research at SBU but also maximizes the impact of my work by demonstrating a clear pathway from basic science to market-ready solutions,” she added.
Founded in 2010, the National Academy of Inventors recognizes innovators whose research advances technologies with meaningful societal impact. The Young Academic Inventor Award celebrates early-career faculty whose work demonstrates excellence in invention, intellectual property development, and commercialization.
The recognition of Professors Assanis and Yao highlights the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s commitment to impactful research and its continued efforts to translate innovative discoveries into solutions that address global challenges.
For more information:
- Ideas into Impact: Researchers Share Breakthroughs at Young Academic Inventors Symposium (SBU News)
- Stony Brook Celebrates Inventors Turning Research into Real-World Impact (SBU News)