Our Bureau
Knoxville, TN
The University of Tennessee Research Foundation (UTRF) with great pride recognized, Dr. Uday Vaidya, the University of Tennessee – Oak Ridge National Laboratory Governor’s Chair of Advanced Composites Manufacturing, with 2024 Innovator of the Year Award.
The UTRF Multi-Campus Office Innovation Awards ceremony was held in Knoxville on November 25th, 2024.
Dr. Vaidya’s pioneering leadership in advanced composites and materials science has transformed lightweight, high-performance materials, driving innovation across industries. His work has fostered impactful partnerships between academia, government, and industry to tackle critical global challenges, resulting in numerous patents that underscore his ingenuity and influence.
Dr. Vaidya is an expert on the manufacturing and use of fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites. His research focuses on developing applications for thermoplastics in the military, the housing market, the health care industry, and commercial transportation.
Dr. Vaidya is also interested in engaging minority and underrepresented students in STEM fields and advanced manufacturing technologies. A passionate mentor, Dr. Vaidya is deeply committed to shaping the future of engineering, science, and entrepreneurship. His graduate students have launched three successful startups, and he actively supports emerging ventures across the community.
Beyond his research, he led the development of InnoCrate, an innovative educational toolkit designed to introduce K-12 students to the exciting world of composites, inspiring the next generation of engineers, designers, and innovators.
