Thomas E. Milner, Ph.D.

Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin are building a new type of ventilator made of cheap, widely available materials to help fill the demand created by the spread of COVID-19 for these critical devices that help patients breathe.

Ventilators become necessary when patients can’t breathe on their own, physically pumping oxygen into their lungs. They are in short supply. That’s why the researchers are building a “bridge ventilator” that can be replicated and mass-produced by others… Continue reading.

Professor Thomas Milner was named Inventor of the Year at the university’s annual Inventor Award Ceremony on Nov. 19. Milner pioneered the development of optical-based instrumentation applications that help physicians and patients in clinical settings.Milner, a professor in the Cockrell School’s Department of Biomedical Engineering who holds the Marion E. Forsman Centennial Professorship in Engineering, received the award from Provost Gregory L. Fenves for his dedication to the invention, development and demonstration of light-based therapeutic and diagnostic procedures that treat or prevent disease in humans.

Milner’s inventions have helped physicians better detect and diagnose illnesses such as glaucoma and heart disease, and they have helped treat many dermatological conditions.

“I congratulate Professor Milner for his contributions and for the impact they will have on society. This truly exemplifies our institution’s motto, What Starts Here Changes the World,” said Juan Sanchez, the university’s vice president for research.