Vikrant C. Aute Appointed CEEE Director

University of Maryland (UMD) Research Professor Vikrant C. Aute has been appointed director of the UMD Center for Environmental Energy Engineering (CEEE), effective May 1, 2025. Aute will lead the research center, which focuses on research in environmentally responsible and economically feasible integrated energy conversion systems for buildings and transportation.

Since its founding in 1991 by Mechanical Engineering Professors Reinhard Radermacher and Michael Ohadi, CEEE has pioneered research on sustainable air conditioning, refrigeration, heat pumping, and integrated cooling, heating, and power systems. CEEE’s pre-competitive research advances innovative solutions to industry’s fundamental challenges and enables cost-effective and timely technology transfer.

“Under Vikrant’s leadership, CEEE will continue to define the forefront of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) research and development, while expanding its use-inspired scholarship across new areas of sustainable energy system technologies,” says Harry Dankowicz, chair of the UMD Department of Mechanical Engineering, which houses the center. CEEE also serves as an important pipeline that prepares master’s and Ph.D. graduates for careers in the HVAC&R industry, where they are innovating the next generation of sustainable technologies.

Aute, who has served as CEEE co-director since 2019, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of heat exchanger innovation and modeling and optimization of thermal systems. As a co-founder and technical lead for the CEEE Modeling and Optimization Consortium, he spearheaded the development of modeling and optimization platforms that transform the way HVAC&R components and systems are designed and help accelerate the time to market.

In addition to strengthening existing partnerships, Aute plans to expand CEEE’s collaborations with other centers and faculty members within the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the A. James Clark School of Engineering. “There are abundant opportunities to create synergy and make the Clark School the leader in innovation for the HVAC&R industry” he says.

Aute joined the university’s research faculty in 2001 and earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 2010. He also holds an M.S. in data analytics and an MBA, both from University of Maryland Global Campus. His industrial experience includes work at Thermax Ltd. (India), Tata Infotech Ltd. (India), and Daikin Industries Ltd. (Japan).

In recognition of his accomplishments, Aute was honored in 2018 with the UMD Provost’s Excellence in Research Award for Professional Track Faculty and in 2024 with the Dean’s Outstanding Performance Award for Professional Track Faculty from the Clark School of Engineering. He is a Fellow of ASHRAE and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a recipient of both the Distinguished Service Award and the Exceptional Service Award from ASHRAE.

Published May 2, 2025