The University of Houston (UH) is proving that groundbreaking ideas, though they may be hatched in a lab, can also drive real-world change. That was the central message of the Fourth Annual Chevron Energy Innovation Competition, the finals of which were held on September 19, 2025, where teams of researchers presented bold solutions to some of the energy industry’s most pressing challenges.
Sponsored by Chevron, a global energy leader that has long championed advancing technologies to address energy transition demands, the competition highlights UH’s role as a hub for innovation in sustainable and resilient energy. The event focused heavily on turning research and new discoveries into commercially viable ventures that can attract investor interest and deliver lasting impact.
“This competition embodies UH Energy’s mission,” said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation, pointing to the university’s efforts across research, innovation, and education. “It’s about accelerating ideas into the marketplace and preparing our students and faculty to be leaders in the next wave of energy innovation.”
Unlike traditional academic pathways that emphasize publishing papers and securing patents, the Chevron Energy Innovation Competition challenges participants to take their ideas further. They are encouraged to consider business realities, refine commercialization strategies, and connect directly with industry experts who provide guidance on patenting and licensing, as well as on scaling new technologies.
This year’s competition drew 15 initial entries in July 2025, which were narrowed down to 6 finalists whose projects demonstrated the strongest potential for scalability and market readiness. The topics chosen were:
· Novel Method for Ethylene Production
· Carbon Capture and Utilization in Cement Manufacturing
· Maximizing CO2 Sequestration Potential
· Integrated Management of Microgrids
· Smart Solid State Pulsed Power Supply
· Engineering Zeolites for Carbon Capture
After being mentored and coached on the preparation of their “pitch” by UH faculty and members TiE Global over the last several months, the teams pitched their ideas to judges at this event, explaining how their projects provided opportunities to bridge the gap between invention and industry adoption.
Building a New Innovation Ecosystem
For the past few years, the organizers of the event have endeavored to change the perspectives of innovators and researchers. By encouraging participants to view their work as solutions for society, the competition helps cultivate a mindset where academic excellence and entrepreneurial vision go hand in hand. As S. Radhakrishnan, a retired University of Houston business professor and coordinator of the competition, puts it, “The journey from ‘innovation to impact’ starts with a change in mindset: from an inventor to an entrepreneur. The innovation competition is a hands-on practical way to learn about this transformation journey.”
The winning team, comprising Syed Ahsan Imam and Dhagash Pandit, stood out with their project, A Novel Method for Ethylene Production. Their work proposes a transformative approach to one of the chemical industry’s foundational processes, offering both economic and environmental benefits. On his team being chosen the winner, Syed Ahsan Imam said, “It means a lot to us because we have put in a lot of effort right from the beginning: conducting experiments, doing the modeling, spending enormous amount of time in our lab. Eventually it all came to fruition.”
For UH, the competition is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the University of Houston’s position as The Energy University (R) and a leader in the field of energy transition. By creating a pipeline from university research to commercial ventures, UH is building long-term value not only for its academic community but also for industry and society.