Dr. Benjamin Harvey, senior research chemist with Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, was named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors on Dec. 7.

The NAI Fellows Program highlights inventors who have demonstrated a spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society. To date, NAI Fellows hold more than 48,000 issued U.S. patents. The current Fellow class collectively hold 4,800 issued patents.

Harvey himself holds 78 patents, with several more pending. But he’s not done pushing yet.

“I think many scientists are driven by the question ‘What if,’” he said. “That thirst for understanding drives me to discover new molecules, materials, and processes to address pressing Navy needs.”

He noted that because Navy laboratories are not in the business of producing materiel, it’s critical to publish, patent key technologies and work with industry partners to enable commercial development.

Harvey didn’t get here alone, and he credits his colleagues, mentors, supervisors and patent attorneys for the collaborative effort to advance science and technology for the nation’s military service members.

“I’m incredibly humbled to be selected for this honor. Everything we do in the Research Department is designed to provide enhanced capabilities to the Warfighter, so my hope is that the breakthroughs we’ve made will help the U.S. Navy maintain its technical advantage,” he said.

Harvey and the rest of the 2021 new Fellows will be inducted at the Fellows Induction Ceremony at the 11th Annual Meeting of the National Academy of Inventors in June 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona.