Nigerian-American Engineer Okojie Honored by NASA

Dr Robert Sola Okojie, a Nigerian-American engineer, has been celebrated by the U.S. Mission in Nigeria for his significant contributions to aerospace technology.

His pioneering inventions have advanced technologies capable of functioning under extreme conditions in space exploration. Okojie was inducted into NASA's Inventors Hall of Fame in 2020, an honor reserved for innovators whose work has greatly impacted the agency.

He joined NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1999, where he has produced over 20 patents focused on high-temperature electronic devices and technologies. His research primarily involves silicon carbide-based microelectromechanical systems (MEMES), which are essential for spacecraft and sensors exposed to harsh environments.

Okojie's work includes the development of the world's first thermally stable ohmic contact metallisation on silicon carbide, functioning at record temperatures. His patented technologies have also been licensed for commercial use, potentially reducing spacecraft weight and improving launch efficiency.