West Lafayette, IND -- Vilas Pol, professor of chemical engineering at Purdue University's Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, has been selected for induction into the inaugural Purdue Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).

The Purdue NAI Chapter honors faculty who have made significant and sustained contributions to translating research into real-world solutions. Eligibility requires either 10 or more issued patents through Purdue or standing as an NAI Fellow. During his time at Purdue, Pol has been granted 19 issued U.S. patents through the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization.

Pol's research, conducted through his Vilas Pol Energy Research group — known as ViPER — focuses on scalable design and optimization of electrode materials, separator designs and electrolyte discovery for next-generation battery technologies, including lithium-ion, sodium-ion, potassium-ion and solid-state batteries. His work emphasizes thermal safety and spans synthesis methods such as sonochemistry, solvent-free autogenic reactions and microwave irradiation. He holds two Guinness World Records related to his research, including achieving the lowest temperature — minus 100 degrees Celsius — at which a lithium-ion battery has been charged.

"This recognition reflects the incredible work of everyone in the ViPER group over the years," Pol said. "Translating fundamental battery research into real-world solutions has always been at the heart of what we do, and it is an honor to be part of this inaugural chapter alongside so many accomplished Purdue colleagues."

The inaugural Purdue NAI Chapter was launched April 22 at the Purdue Innovates Startup and Technology Expo. For additional photos from the chapter launch, visit the Expo recap.

To learn more about the National Academy of Inventors, visit academyofinventors.org.