NREL Researchers Recognized as ASME Fellows for Engineering Achievements
Key Ideas
- Two NREL researchers, Zhiwen Ma and Bidzina Kekelia, were named fellows of ASME for their exceptional engineering achievements.
- Zhiwen Ma's work in thermal energy storage, hydrogen production, and using sand for thermal energy storage has been groundbreaking, with applications moving towards commercial adoption.
- Bidzina Kekelia has focused on vehicle thermal management, novel cooling methods for power electronics, and traction drives for electric vehicles and electrified aviation.
- Several NREL scientists, including Ma, Kekelia, and Gilbert Moreno, have been recognized as ASME fellows for their contributions to the engineering profession.
Two researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Zhiwen Ma and Bidzina Kekelia, have been named fellows of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in New York. ASME annually recognizes a select group of fellows for their exceptional engineering achievements. Zhiwen Ma, a senior engineer at NREL for 16 years, has made significant contributions in thermal energy storage, hydrogen production, and the use of sand for thermal energy storage, progressing from laboratory to commercial applications. Bidzina Kekelia, another senior engineer at NREL for nearly a decade, has focused on vehicle thermal management, innovative cooling methods for power electronics, and traction drives for electric vehicles and electrified aviation. Both Ma and Kekelia have been recognized for their technical expertise and contributions to the engineering profession. Gilbert Moreno, a senior research engineer at NREL, also joined the ranks of ASME fellows. This recognition showcases the excellence and innovation of NREL scientists in the field of clean energy technologies.