Milestone patent brings new technology to study human performance in real-world environments
Reuben F. Burch V, Texas Christian University’s vice provost for research, has reached a rare milestone with the issuance of his 50th patent, earning the designation of “Prolific Inventor.” The milestone is especially meaningful for Burch because patent No. 50 connects directly to the work he is now helping advance at TCU. The patented technology uses a swarm of drones to capture human movement in real-world environments, allowing researchers to study athletes on tracks, football fields and rugged terrain instead of being limited to a traditional laboratory setting.
“Fifty means just as much to me as my first one did,” Burch said, “and it means a lot more that I got it while I’m here at TCU.” Burch joined TCU in 2025 to lead the university’s growing research enterprise. His career, however, has long centered on finding practical solutions to complex problems. During his years at FedEx Express, he helped develop the rugged handheld technology used by couriers around the world. His first patent was for a wearable version of the device designed to free couriers’ hands while making their work safer and more efficient. That same inventor’s approach now shapes his work at TCU.
“Reuben has an extraordinary ability to see around corners,” said Jim Weinstein, director of TCU’s Roach Institute of Athlete Engineering. “He recognizes problems that others haven’t yet identified and then creates the technology needed to solve them. This patent isn’t just another invention; it’s a new research capability that will change how we study movement and human performance.”
The patent comes during a period of significant growth for research at TCU. In Burch’s first year, competitive external research awards increased 79.7%. TCU also established new partnerships with Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Deakin University and the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge and launched the Roach Institute of Athlete Engineering.
For Burch, those developments are the result of building over time. “Taking an idea from concept to reality is a multi-year process and requires endless patience,” Burch said. “Sometimes I have to remind myself why we do what we do as inventors. As a long-term planner, it helps me be OK with the small wins.” Read the full TCU News story to learn more about Burch’s journey from his first patent to No. 50.
