By Bianca Licitra
AAU member institutions are once again overrepresented in an annual ranking of universities worldwide that patented the most inventions. The rankings, released by the National Academy of Inventors, are based on the number of utility patents granted to universities by the United States Patent and Trademark Office each year, and demonstrate the crucial role research universities play in the global innovation ecosystem.
The University of California system, which includes eight AAU institutions, received 571 patents in 2025, allowing it to claim the top spot on the list.
Many of the other U.S. institutions that joined the UC system at the top of the list are AAU members, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (291 patents), Stanford University (201 patents), Arizona State University (185 patents), and the University of Michigan (177 patents). The University of Texas System (229 patents), which includes the University of Texas at Austin, an AAU member, is number four on the list.
America’s research universities generate thousands of patents each year. Patents are an important step in moving discoveries from university labs to the marketplace and converting inventions into products that save lives, build prosperity, and strengthen America’s competitive edge.
“University research has long been and continues to provide the spark of breathtaking innovation and the NAI’s report makes clear they understand the paramount importance of protecting their intellectual property,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director John A. Squires.
Here are some of the inventions from AAU institutions that led to patents in 2025:
- Arizona State University researchers developed a wearable device to help older adults and individuals with lower-limb weakness transition between sitting and standing. The device lets wearers use upper-body strength to reduce strain on their knees and legs, thus reducing their risk of falling and allowing them to stay more independent.
- A team of researchers at the University of South Florida developed a new way to measure pain in newborns following surgery. Their invention uses a camera and microphone to record a baby’s face, body movements, and sounds, and then uses advanced machine-learning techniques to estimate the infant’s pain levels.
- Rutgers University researchers invented a device called Venibot to safely and efficiently access veins through ultrasound and miniaturized robotics. The device can help automate the process of withdrawing blood from patients with hard-to-locate veins.
The NAI’s annual rankings show that America’s innovation pipeline depends heavily on university research. AAU remains committed to bolstering and supporting policies, such as the landmark 1980 Bayh-Dole Act, that allow universities to retain patent and licensing rights to inventions resulting from federally funded research and that facilitate technology transfer from university labs to businesses.
Bianca Licitra is editorial and communications assistant at AAU.