Are you interested in inventions and inventing? On Monday, March 4th, Award-winning research scientist, inventor and author Charles Kannankeril will present a talk on the process of invention and his book, “The Inventor in You”.
Charles Kannankeril was born in Kerala, India, where he received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. After coming to United States, he received a master’s degree in organic chemistry from the University of Massachusetts. Charles was accepted to the doctorate program there, but he decided to pursue engineering to broaden his knowledge base. He received a master’s degree in engineering, from the same university in the field of plastics.
Charles has over three years of teaching experience at universities in India and the United States. He has worked in the plastics and rubber industries and has forty-five years of research and development experience in this area. Charles has held various 
positions in these fields including development engineer, senior development engineer, senior engineering fellow, and director of research and development.
Over the years, he invented and documented over three hundred ideas for new products and processes. His areas of expertise include cushion technology using Bubble Wrap, foam, paper, and on-demand cushion products; food packaging technology related to meat-packaging trays, absorbent pads, and microbial control; medical products such as inflatable hospital beds, ostomy bags, blood-wipe pads, and biohazard material shipping bags; solar-power technology, and polymer formulation and process technology. One of his significant inventions—a high temperature–resistant rubber tape formula that could withstand 3400° F—was not patented but instead kept as a trade secret.
Having over 300 inventions, eighty four Patents and many Trade Secrets, he will discuss how to identify areas where an invention could solve a problem, develop the mindset, motivation and determination to develop inventions, how to navigate cost factors, and how to protect the inventions by filing for patents. He will also present some of his inventions and discuss how they were developed.
Whenever someone says, “I wish there were a better way to do this,” then you have an opportunity for an invention. All you need to do is identify a solution, make it a reality, and then promote your method.
In his practical and entertaining book filled with personal stories, “The Inventor In You”, Charles draws on his years of experience in creating innovative and useful products to explore how an inventor’s mind works and to help you bring your own ideas to life.
Kannankeril also emphasizes how important it is to believe you have what it takes to solve problems. Many inventors make great contributions simply by modifying objects that they handle every day to their liking.
*Copies of his book will be available for purchase and signing after the program. The program is free and open to all but registration is required.*
-Archana Chiplunkar, Adult Services Librarian