Leading Materials Innovation at Corning, One Patent at a Time

With 171 United States patents to his name, Tim Gross ‘04 has built a career transforming laboratory discoveries into materials used in everyday products worldwide.

Today, he serves as director of inorganic materials at Corning Incorporated, leading a team of scientists developing new glass and ceramic technologies for a wide range of applications. “One example of a material developed by my team is the strengthened glass on your phone,” he shares, referring to the durable glass designed to protect devices from drops and daily use.

While much of his role involves guiding teams and reviewing progress, he remains closely connected to the technical work. He helps shape research direction, evaluates experimental results, and works with scientists to move promising ideas from the lab toward real‑world applications. “The highlight of every week is the time I reserve to do hands-on technical work in my lab,” he says.

That hands-on approach was shaped early in his career, beginning with his decision to pursue a master’s degree in materials science to broaden his background in ceramic engineering. “I was intrigued by several aspects of RIT,” he recalls. “I had a strong desire to expand my materials science understanding beyond the focused discipline of ceramic science and found that RIT offered that opportunity with expertise in polymer science, semiconductor fabrication, and thin film technology.” The program allowed him to deepen his expertise in ceramics while gaining exposure across the broader materials spectrum.

Tim credits his time in the lab with shaping the mindset that has defined his career as an inventor. “I spent much of my time at RIT doing experimental work in the laboratory. I learned to make careful observations and embrace the unexpected result.” That philosophy became foundational. “Harnessing the unexpected and making it into something useful has been the key to my success as an inventor.” The patents he holds today, he notes, stem directly from that approach.

Mentorship at RIT also proved transformative. His master’s thesis advisor, Professor Marvin Illingsworth, and co advisor, Dr. Henry Gysling from Kodak, challenged him to push further. “With their guidance, I completed my thesis in less than 2 years, nearly equivalent to a full Ph.D. thesis,” he says. “They helped me realize what my potential could be and inspired me to continue on to a Ph.D. program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.”

That mentorship and research experience ultimately shaped a career defined by real world impact. “The best feeling in the world for an industrial researcher is seeing their invention in a commercial product.” He has experienced that moment many times, from damage‑resistant and flexible cell phone glass to antimicrobial paint additives and crack‑resistant automotive windshields.

With that experience in mind, his advice to students interested in materials science or industrial research reflects both innovation and balance. “My advice for students who want to pursue a career in industrial research is to embrace emerging AI technology and use it as a tool to accelerate materials discovery,” he says. “However, do not let it remove you from the lab and take away your ability to make observations.”