--- title: "AI With Rhythm: Brain-Inspired Tech Wins 2025 Invention of the Year Award" date: 2025-05-14T05:30:00-04:00 author: University of Maryland canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/ai-with-rhythm-brain-inspired-tech-wins-2025-invention-of-the-year-award" section: Articles --- # AI With Rhythm: Brain-Inspired Tech Wins 2025 Invention of the Year Award *May 14, 2025* — by [Jordan Dunklee](/author/jordan-dunklee) > From RNA to Microchips, Innovate Maryland Celebrates Transformative Research Shaping the Future *Mmorgan 250513 14751 1920x1080 — Physics Professor Wolfgang Losert, one of the winners of UMD's Invention of the Year competition, holds a plaque onstage at Innovate Maryland on Tuesday. Also pictured (from left): UM Ventures Innovation Managers Virinchi Juttukonda and Ashwin Ramanujam, Chief Innovation Officer Dean Chang, Vice President for Research Gregory F. Ball, UM Ventures Associate Director Felicia Metz and UM Ventures-College Park Director Ken Porter.* What if artificial intelligence could think less like a calculator and more like a brain—quick to adapt, sensitive to change and able to learn without being told how? A team of University of Maryland researchers have developed a method that can do just that: a new way to train AI to mimic the natural neural rhythms of the human brain. The breakthrough, which the team calls “rhythmic sharing,” has the potential to revolutionize AI systems by enabling them to spot early warning signs in everything from cancer to climate, and it claimed the top honor in the university’s annual Invention of the Year competition. “This work reimagines what AI can be—learning from the brain to create a truly adaptive and intuitive tool, capable of evolving with remarkable potential for real-world impact,” said physics Professor Wolfgang Losert. Alongside awardees in three other categories, including a new social innovation category, Losert and co-inventor Hoony Kang Ph.D. ’24 were announced Tuesday as overall Invention of the Year Award winners as part of Innovate Maryland—an annual celebration of UMD researchers’ creativity in translating cutting-edge research into practical, impactful solutions to address global challenges. “Tonight’s nominees for Invention of the Year are powerful reminders of what’s possible when imagination meets determination,” said Vice President for Research Gregory F. Ball. “They reflect the incredible spirit of innovation that thrives across our research community—a community united by a shared vision to turn bold ideas into lasting impact.” In addition to the Invention of the Year Awards, three special recognition awards were presented to honor recipients for their exceptional contributions to UMD’s innovation ecosystem and their lasting impact both in the region and beyond. ION Storage Systems, founded by Distinguished University Professor of materials science and engineering Eric Wachsman, was recognized as Startup of the Year for their pioneering work to develop safer, more powerful and fully recyclable solid-state batteries. Kan Cao, professor of cell biology and molecular genetics, was named Entrepreneur of the Year for launching Bluelene; the skin care line from her company, MBlue Labs, is the first to harness the anti-aging properties of the antioxidant methylene blue. \[*[The Age of Skin: Researcher’s Study of Disease That Fatally Ages Children Leads to a Discovery That Could Help Us All Look Younger](https://today.umd.edu/the-age-of-skin)*\] Reinhard Radermacher (1952-2025), former director of the Center for Environmental Energy Engineering and Minta Martin Professor of Mechanical Engineering, was honored posthumously for his unparalleled career at UMD as an inventor. He holds the record for most inventions disclosed with a cumulative total of 150 since 1984, was himself an Invention of the Year winner in 2010 and finalist three other times. Six companies further developed and commercialized Radermacher’s technologies over his career at UMD, demonstrating his lasting, real-world impact. “Dr. Radermacher was the most prolific inventor in our university’s history, but more importantly he was one of our best people. His academic excellence was truly matched by the kindness he showed colleagues and students, and he is deeply missed,” said President Darryll J. Pines of his former Clark School colleague in a recorded video. “So in the days ahead, as we work to continue to make real change for real people, I want each of us to follow in his example.” *A man speaks in front of an audience from a stage — Vice President for Research Gregory F. Ball addresses spectators at Innovate Maryland on Tuesday at the Hall CP.* **Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research) **Tags:** [Artificial Intelligence](https://today.umd.edu/topic/artificial-intelligence), [Machine Learning](https://today.umd.edu/topic/machine-learning), [Materials Science and Engineering](https://today.umd.edu/topic/materials-science-and-engineering), [Mechanical Engineering](https://today.umd.edu/topic/mechanical-engineering), [Physics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/physics), [Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics](https://today.umd.edu/topic/cell-biology-and-molecular-genetics), [Research Impact](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research-impact), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research) **Units:** [A. James Clark School of Engineering](https://today.umd.edu/topic/james-clark-school-engineering), [College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-computer-mathematical-and-natural-sciences), [Division of Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/division-research), [University Libraries](https://today.umd.edu/topic/university-libraries)