Photo by Kathy Atkinson / Photo illustration by Jeffrey C. Chase
December 11, 2025
The University of Delaware’s David Martin, Karl W. and Renate Böer Chair within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, has been named to the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2025 Class of Fellows.
The highest skilled distinction awarded solely to inventors, Martin is amongst 185 innovators chosen, in keeping with an NAI announcement on Thursday, December 11. The 2025 Class of Fellows contains recipients of the Nobel Prize, the National Medals of Science and Technology and Innovation and members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, putting Martin in elite firm. Collectively, these people maintain greater than 5,300 U.S. patents for discoveries spanning fields on the vanguard of human well being, quantum computing, synthetic intelligence and regenerative drugs.
Among Martin’s most notable achievements is his pioneering work on supplies that may bridge gadgets and residing tissue. For instance, his early analysis on electrically conductive polymer supplies superior new designs for biocompatible electrodes with the flexibility to enhance the efficiency of sensing and stimulation in diagnostic and therapeutic medical gadgets for the mind and the ear. This work led to improved supplies with biomedical functions starting from neural prosthetics to cochlear implants.
Martin co-founded and served as chief scientific officer at Biotectix LLC, which translated these discoveries into apply. Biotectix LLC was acquired by the high-tech biomaterials firm Heraeus Medevio in 2017.
His later work has targeted on growing superior chemical sensors to measure antibodies and proteins in bioreactors, offering a solution to detect adjustments or issues in biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Martin is a named inventor on 13 patents, with extra patents pending.
“What sets Dr. Martin apart is not only his scientific brilliance but also his deep sense of purpose. He has sought to ensure that his work would make a difference in people’s lives,” stated Julius Korley, affiliate vp for the Office of Economic Innovation and Partnerships, the unit answerable for managing mental property at UD.
Looking again, Martin stated, he’s all the time had an creative mindset.
“I have always wanted to be involved in things that were going to be useful,” he stated. “There is so much value in doing something that one day turns into a product that people can buy.”
At UD, Martin has been instrumental in establishing modern analysis infrastructure capability to assist others obtain such objectives, together with the Advanced Materials Characterization Lab, which offers campus and space researchers entry to speedy prototyping and testing capabilities for novel supplies and gadgets. As affiliate dean for analysis and entrepreneurship within the College of Engineering, Martin fostered others’ skills to translate their scientific discoveries to society. He additionally devoted time to growing trade partnerships and initiatives, bridging the hole between academia and functions.
“Dr. Martin’s leadership and involvement in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship within the University ecosystem have inspired countless researchers to transform their ideas into tangible products and services that benefit society,” stated Pamela Norris, dean of the College of Engineering.