Aute, Vikrant C.
Director, Modeling & Optimization Consortium
Co-Director, Center for Environmental Energy Engineering
Center for Environmental Energy Engineering
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
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
Jump Start Program Gives CEEE Grad Students a Boost
A new workshop helps research assistants get up to speed on the fundamentals of HVAC technologies.DOE Ups Its Investment in UMD to Develop Eco-Friendly Heat Pumps
Agency awards UMD and partners $4.8 million to improve heat pump performance and safety.International HVAC&R Experts Meet at UMD to Tackle Climate Change
CEEE hosted a global conference on eco-friendly natural refrigerantsFarewell to Postdoc Researcher Lei Gao
CEEE researcher to continue heat pump research at Oak Ridge National LaboratoryBetelhiem Mengesha Receives NSF Graduate Fellowship
Research will focus on optimizing additive manufacturing for heat exchanger design and quality controlCEEE Co-Director Vikrant Aute Honored With Faculty Award
Aute lauded for his influential research accomplishments in the field of HVAC&RCEEE Co-Director Dr. Vikrant Aute elevated to Fellow ASHRAE
In January, ASHRAE elevated Dr. Vikrant Aute to one of their most distinguished levels, Fellow ASHRAE.Crank Up the AC, Not Global Warming
Maryland engineers advance heating and cooling technology to push for a greener futureCEEE: Three Decades of Innovation
The UMD-based center marked its 30th anniversary at a gala event on June 9.CEEE Wins Best Session Paper Award for Experimental Methods at The 15th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics (HEFAT)
The paper is titled "Design Optimization and Experimental Validation of Heat Exchangers Utilizing High Performance, Non-round Tubes.”UMD receives two new DOE Building Technologies awards
Takeuchi and Aute to lead projectsDr. Hwang and Dr. Aute Named New CEEE Co-Directors
They aim to expand CEEE's status as one of the leading Centers for HVAC&R Research in the worldCEEE Researchers Win ASHRAE Best Paper Award
Chosen as best out of 107 papers published in 2017 in Science and Technology for the Built Environment.Dr. Vikrant Aute Wins Provost’s Excellence Award for Professional Track Faculty
Recognized for his outstanding contributions in research.Aute to Receive ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award
ASHRAE recognizes CEEE Associate Research Scientist Vikrant Aute for his service to the society.Researchers Introduce RoCo, a Mobile Personal Heating and Cooling Device
UMD Invention Has Potential to Cut Energy Costs in Residential and Large Building ACMeet the visiting students!
Students from universities abroadvisit CEEE to work in labs, gain research and cultural experience.We printed a 3D heat exchanger and it works great!
Direct-metal printed heat exchanger saves money, time, and materials - and is more efficient!UMD Startup To Solve Energy Conversion Challenges in Thermal Systems
Optimized Thermal Systems provides engineering consulting for HVAC&R systems.Saving Energy with ‘Personal HVAC Systems’
UMD awarded more than $5 million by ARPA-E to fund potentially transformational research.CEEE Team had Strong Showing at Purdue Conferences
CEEE students and faculty (and one alumni) presented a total of 18 presentations.- Fellow Grade
- Fellow Grade