Listen to this articleThe basics:
- 46th annual Edison Patent Awards held Nov. 20 at Bell Works Holmdel
- 12 patents, six individual honorees celebrated for innovation in biotech, AI, health care, defense & environmental tech
- Individual winners include leaders from Stryker, Rutgers, Princeton University & PolyGone Systems
- Patents recognized breakthroughs from biodegradable detergents to AI-based brain tumor detection and microplastic filtration
The Research & Development Council of New Jersey honored the state’s leading scientists, inventors and research institutions at its 46th annual Edison Patent Awards, held Nov. 20 at Bell Works in Holmdel.
The event celebrated 12 patents and six individual honorees, highlighting the Garden State’s reputation as the nation’s “Innovation State.”
This year’s theme was “Powering the Future Through Innovation,” which spotlighted breakthroughs shaping the future in different sectors – from life-saving medical technologies to groundbreaking advances in energy, defense, and digital communication.
In a letter to attendees, Gov. Phil Murphy praised the impact of these contributions: “Each of today’s honorees have demonstrated a level of commitment to their profession and community that is truly worthy of special recognition.”
Transforming their fields
Patents were evaluated on significance of the problem, utility/socio-economic value, novelty, commercial potential – and the requirement that a substantial portion of the work be conducted in New Jersey. The event also recognized influential leaders advancing science, technology, education and innovation ecosystems across the state.
Council Chair Virginie Maillard said the legacy of Thomas Edison continues to define the state’s culture of innovation. “From university labs to global research centers, our state remains an engine of innovation where brilliant minds come together to solve complex challenges and power the future,” she said.
The individual honorees include:
- Robert Cohen – Science & Technology Medal
Vice president of innovation and technology, Stryker Orthopaedics Group
Honored for decades of work advancing surgical robotics, biomaterials and 3D printing to improve patient outcomes - John Crowley – Visionary Award
President and CEO, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
Recognized for his impact on rare disease innovation and biotechnology advocacy, inspired by his family’s experience with Pompe disease - Brian Strom – Educator of the Year Award
Chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and executive vice president for Health Affairs, Rutgers University
Celebrated for transforming medical education in the state and unifying Rutgers’ health sciences enterprise - Craig Arnold – Catalyst Award
Vice dean for innovation and university innovation officer, Princeton University
Honored for leadership in advancing Princeton’s innovation ecosystem and helping launch the New Jersey AI Hub - Nathaniel Banks and Yidian Liu – Emerging Tech Award
Co-founders, PolyGone Systems
Recognized for developing a microplastic filtration system that has removed over 540 million microplastics from New Jersey waterways – in partnership with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority
Congratulations to Nathaniel Banks & Yidian Liu of @polygonesystems – winners of ’25 Emerging Tech Award!
Their microplastic filtration system, developed with @ACUA_Green, has already removed 540M+ microplastics from NJ waterways.#2025Eddys #CleanTech #InnovationNJ pic.twitter.com/UG26C6HL8C
— R&D Council of NJ (@RDCouncilNJ) November 21, 2025
“Our individual honorees embody the intersection of innovation and leadership,” said Council Executive Director Kim Case. “Each has transformed their field through creativity, courage, and commitment. Their work reflects not only scientific excellence but also the enduring spirit of discovery that defines New Jersey.”
The 2025 Edison Patent Award winners include:
Avantor & Amgen – Biotechnology
Developed biodegradable, low-toxicity viral inactivation detergents that replace Triton X-100, offering improved safety, sustainability and manufacturing efficiency.
Merck – Pharmaceuticals
Created a new crystalline form of ceftolozane sulfate that enables a more efficient, greener and cost-effective crystallization-based manufacturing process.
Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation – Biomaterials
Produced tissue-derived, cell-viable implants containing osteogenic cells and bone matrix components to improve orthopedic repair.
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) – Technology Transfer
Pioneered a method for 3D printing thermally curable biomaterials, enabling custom, patient-specific orthopedic and tissue repair components.
Nokia Bell Labs – Telecommunications
Patent helps to significantly increase the effectiveness of a Content Delivery Network for video streaming – enabling multiple servers in a CDN to collaborate.
Princeton University – Consumer
Developed a breakthrough formulation that preserves human breast milk during freezing/thawing – preventing rancidity while preserving taste, quality and nutrition.
Rowan University – Medical Diagnostics
Introduced an AI-driven method to detect brain tumor progression earlier through volumetric imaging comparisons; received U.S. Food and Drug Administration-clearance and commercialized.
Congratulations to @RowanUniversity, winner of the Edison Patent Award in Medical Diagnostics!
Honored for: Method for Detecting Radiological Progression in Cancer Surveillance (U.S. 12,198,334 B2)https://t.co/PcYUCojLNn#2025Eddys #InnovationNJ #CancerResearch pic.twitter.com/LGmZSH7Tul
— R&D Council of NJ (@RDCouncilNJ) November 21, 2025
Rutgers University – Emerging Technology
Created invisible AI-detectable digital watermarking to protect digital assets, prevent leaks and combat deepfakes; spun out as Steg.AI.
Rutgers University – Industrial Processes
Developed a low-energy inorganic material synthesis process – central to carbon-neutral cement manufacturing; spun-out startup Queens Carbon.
Siemens – Information Technology
Built a portable, containerized supervisory automation software package that improves cross-platform deployment and maintainability.
Stryker – Medical Transfer
Designed a modular hinge knee prosthesis that aims to improve knee kinematics by minimizing patellar tilt throughout the range of motion through modifications to the femoral component and overall hinge knee prosthesis.
U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center – Defense
Created a distributed system that allows for real-time identifying monitoring, tracking and warning of fast-moving unmanned aerial vehicles (hostile and friendly UAVs) within predefined geospatial areas using spontaneously formed ad-hoc wireless networks.
Maillard noted, “The range of this year’s awardees, from advances in health care and biotechnology to breakthroughs in communications, defense, and environmental sustainability, demonstrates that New Jersey’s innovators are not only driving progress but redefining what is possible.”
