Qu named senior member of National Academy of Inventors

Liyan Qu, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, has been elected a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors, becoming the first Husker woman to receive the recognition and the fifth UNL researcher overall.

Qu, who is a named inventor on nine issued U.S. patents, joins a group of approximately 550 senior members worldwide.

The academy’s senior member program recognizes early-stage innovators whose success in patents, licensing and commercialization is positively impacting the welfare of society and economic development in their communities. Senior members are rising leaders in their fields who foster innovation and mentor the next generation of inventors. Each member holds a U.S. patent that has been licensed or commercialized, and/or five or more issued U.S. patents.

Qu is an expert in developing magnetoelectric devices that facilitate improved electrical energy conversion; advanced motor and generator control methods; and technology breakthroughs in renewable energy systems. Broadly, her work supports the country’s movement toward electrification and cleaner energy sources by providing software and hardware solutions that increase the efficiency, flexibility and reliability of the electricity supply.

Her technologies also help integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power stations, into existing power grid systems.

“The main goal of my work is to provide cleaner electrical energy to customers with high efficiency, high reliability and at a lower cost,” Qu said. “In addition, if we improve efficiency, that means we can reduce energy-related emissions, which benefits the environment.”