Faculty Directory

EDUCATION

• MBA (2021), University of Maryland Global Campus
• M.S. (2018), Data Analytics, University of Maryland University College
• Ph.D. (2010), Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland College Park
• M.S. (2001), Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland College Park
• B.E. (1997), Mechanical Engineering, University of Pune, India

BACKGROUND

Vikrant Aute co-directs the industry and government supported Center for Environmental Energy Engineering and also serves as the Director of the Modeling and Optimization Consortium within the Center. Dr. Aute has over twenty five years of experience in the development of modeling and optimization algorithms for thermal systems. His current research focuses on novel heat exchangers for heat pumps and power generation applications, approximation assisted multi-objective multidisciplinary optimization and its application to design of thermal systems and the continued development of heat exchanger and vapor compression system simulation tools. His industrial experience includes work at Thermax Ltd.(India), Tata Infotech Ltd. (India) and Daikin Industries Ltd. (Japan). He is a Fellow of ASME and ASHRAE. He is an active member of ASHRAE and has served on multiple technical, standards, and standing committees as voting member. He is a certified Professional Scrum Master and a Microsoft Certified Professional. 

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Dean's Outstanding Performance Award for PTK Faculty (2024)
• Fellow, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (2024)
• Exceptional Service Award, ASHRAE (2023)
• Best Session Paper, Experimental Methods, ATE-HEFAT Conference (2021)
• Peter Ritter von Rittinger International Heat Pump Team Award (2021), More Information
• Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2020)
• Provost's Excellence in Research Award for PTK Faculty, University of Maryland College Park (2018)
• Best Research Journal Paper Award, ASHRAE (2018)
• Distinguished Service Award, ASHRAE (2017)

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

• Professional Scrum Master I
• Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
• Microsoft Certified Professional

• Innovation in design, simulation, optimization and life cycle impact assessment of thermal systems and components for HVAC&R applications
• Multi-disciplinary, shape and topology optimization, Approximation Assisted Optimization & Adaptive DOE
• Development and application of multi-objective genetic algorithms and non-linear methods to HVAC&R applications
• Application of machine learning & data visualization to understand & improve HVAC&R system efficiencies

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• 2020-2023, A novel framework for design optimization of PCM-embedded heat exchangers for the built environment, Funding Source: US Dept. of Energy

• 2001 to present, Modeling and Optimization Platforms for HVAC&R Systems: CoilDesigner, VapCyc, PHESim; Principal Author & Architect and Product Owner.

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR / TECHNICAL LEAD

• 2024-2027, Next Generation Liquid-to-Refrigerant Heat Exchangers for Heat Pumps, Water Heaters,
  
  and Refrigeration Systems, DE-EE0010904,  Funding Source: US Department of Energy.

• 2019-2021, Ultra-Performance Heat Exchanger Enabled by Additive Technology (UPHEAT), Funding Source: GE Global Research, as a part of the ARPAe HITEMMP Project Portfolio

• 2018-2021, Design and Manufacturing of High-Performance Reduced Charge Heat Exchangers, DE-EE0008221, Funding Source: US Dept. of Energy.

PUBLICATION SUMMARY

• 60 Journal articles
• 175 Conference papers
• 30 Invited talks/seminars/symposia
• 23 Inventions, 1 Granted Patent, 5 Commercialized inventions

EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES

• Subject Editor, Applied Thermal Engineering,  Jun 2022 to Dec 2023.
• Associate Editor, ASME J. of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications, May 2020 to Apr 2023.
• Guest Associate Editor for Topical Issue on Optimization, ASHRAE HVAC&R Research Journal, 2010-2012.

REVIEWER FOR JOURNALS/PUBLICATIONS

• Applied Thermal Engineering
• Science & Technology for the Built Environment, formerly ASHRAE HVAC&R Research Journal
• International Journal of Refrigeration
• Journal of Building Performance Simulation
• Journal of Cleaner Production
• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
• Journal of Power and Energy, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization
• Heat & Mass Transfer
• International J. of Thermal Sciences
• Springer Publishing