University of Arkansas Professor Alan Mantooth Named Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has named Dr. Alan Mantooth, a Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Arkansas, to its 2025 class of NAI Fellows. The honor recognizes academic inventors whose patent portfolios and technological innovations have demonstrated a tangible impact on society and the economy.
Mantooth, who directs the University of Arkansas Power Group, was selected for his career accomplishments in power electronics, semiconductor packaging, and electronic design automation. Over a 27-year tenure at the institution, his research initiatives have generated 45 invention disclosures, 12 issued patents, four pending patent applications, and the creation of four commercial spin-off enterprises.
Pioneering Research in Extreme Environments
Mantooth's laboratory specializes in power electronic devices and circuit architectures engineered for high-reliability applications under severe environmental conditions. Electronic systems designed by Mantooth and his team have been deployed on the International Space Station, operating continuously while exposed to intense radiation and wide temperature swings.
Beyond hardware systems, Mantooth's research group has built software tools for artificial intelligence-assisted design of power modules, machine learning algorithms for critical infrastructure cybersecurity, and predictive modeling for power system durability.
"I am truly humbled to be selected for this honor by the academy," Mantooth said in a statement following the announcement. "This is a distinction that I share with my former students, collaborators and colleagues. Because of our teamwork, we have been able to invent and innovate."
Mentorship and Research Leadership
During his academic career, Mantooth has led five federally recognized centers of excellence, securing nearly $200 million in cumulative research support. Funding sources include NASA, DARPA, ARPA-E, the Office of Naval Research, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and more than 50 industrial partners.
Mantooth has also prioritized academic mentorship, directly supervising more than 150 graduate students and mentoring over 250 undergraduate engineering candidates.
"Alan Mantooth's groundbreaking research in power electronics is truly changing the world," said Kim Needy, dean of the U of A College of Engineering. "As a world-renowned leader in the field, Alan continues to push the boundaries of innovation and inspires all of us who work alongside him."
The NAI Fellow designation adds to Mantooth's professional recognitions, which include the 2025 R. David Middlebrook Award and the 2023 Harry A. Owen Jr. Award from the IEEE Power Electronics Society. He will be formally inducted into the National Academy of Inventors at its annual meeting.