Lumber made from recycled plastic bottles, coffee cups, and other plastics, that is strong enough to support 120-ton trains. New varieties of oysters that have become an important part of the worldwide aquaculture industry. Both innovations were developed at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and both will be recipients of 2026 Edison Patent Awards.

Professor Ning Lin and graduate alumna Renzhi Jing have been recognized by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey with the 2026 Edison Patent Award for their AI system that assists with risk analysis for hurricanes and severe storms.

A Rowan University biomedical engineer will be honored this fall with a 2026 Edison Patent Award in the “Advanced Manufacturing” category, the Research & Development Council of New Jersey announced Tuesday. The awards are New Jersey’s highest distinction for invention and innovation.

Vince Beachley, a professor in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering and associate dean of research and innovation at the Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, will accept the honor for his invention, “System and method for electrospun fiber straining and collecting,” U.S. Patent No. 11,015,267 B2. Patented by Rowan University, the new technology enables the continuous manufacturing production of aligned nanofibers. The method produces stronger, better-forming filaments with potential use in the biomedical industry.

Atam P. Dhawan, New Jersey Institute of Technology’s chief strategic innovation officer and senior vice provost for research, will receive the Research & Development Council of New Jersey’s 2026 Catalyst Award for his contributions to strengthening the state’s innovation ecosystem.

Dhawan will be honored Nov. 19 during the 47th Annual Edison Patent Awards Ceremony and Reception at Bell Works in Holmdel. The Catalyst Award recognizes individuals who connect people, institutions and resources to advance research and innovation throughout New Jersey.

The Research & Development Council of New Jersey (Council) announced the honorees of the 2026 Edison Patent Awards, New Jersey’s highest distinction for invention and innovation. This year’s awards recognize 15 award-winning patents from 13 organizations, along with five distinguished individual honors presented to eight leaders whose vision, leadership, and groundbreaking work continue to strengthen New Jersey’s innovation economy.

The honorees will be recognized during the 47th Annual Edison Patent Awards Ceremony and Reception on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at Bell Works in Holmdel.