Professor John Prineas has been named a member of the National Academy of Inventors and was elected to join the University of Iowa chapter. He is being recognized for his work developing patents in semi-conductor and materials physics.

The National Academy of Inventors is an organization made up of universities from around the globe intent on providing recognition for academic technology, innovation, and intellectual property. The UI joined its ranks with its own chapter, created in 2024 by Aliasger Salem, professor and associate vice president for research. 

Prineas has worked at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences since 2001. In the more than two decades since, much of his research—and the patents created from it—has revolved around semi-conductor and materials physics. 

“I was very happy to be invited,” says Prineas of his invitation into the NAI. “Academic research tends to be focused on publishing rather than patents and startups. I’ve put a lot of effort into the latter, so it was great to be recognized for that.” 

Using mid-infrared wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, Prineas has created and patented light-emitting diodes, photo detectors, and laser-diodes with multi-spectral and enhanced properties. 

“There’s a lot of interest in mid-infrared chemical sensors for use in medical and environmental monitoring,” Prineas adds. “They have great specificity and sensitivity.” Mid-infrared optoelectronic devices also have key importance for imaging, lighting, and projection in security and defense.  

Prineas hopes to commercialize his patents in gaseous and molecular sensing, as well as other applications.