Encit 2012

Professor William M. Worek

Professor Worek is the Dave House Professor and Dean of Engineering at Michigan Technological University. He has been involved, over the last 30 years, in many aspects of heat and mass transfer processes as they apply energy systems in commercial and industrial applications. Some of the areas include the development of new desiccant materials for cooling systems applications, modeling of sorption processes and the experimental testing of desiccant material performance. In addition, he has investigated liquid absorption processes in both open- and closed-cycle systems and methods to enhance heat transport in refrigeration systems. Professor Worek also has worked on design and operational strategies to realize net zero energy buildings in northern climates. He holds three patents on energy system design and operation resulting in performance improvements. He has expanded his research to investigate the heat transfer enhancement when nanofluids are boiled.

Professor Worek is Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Fellow of the American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning (ASHRAE). Professor Worek has served on international review committees and currently is a member of the University Grants Council – Research Grants Council of Hong Kong and is an external advisor for the Hong Kong Institute of Science and Technology.

Professor Worek is the American Editor of Applied Thermal Engineering, the Coordinating Editor of Heat Transfer Asian Research and Associate Editor of Energy the International Journal. He serves on the Editorial Advisory Boards of the International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer and the International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer. Professor Worek was chair of ASME's Solar Energy Division, Vice-President of ASME's Energy Resources Group and a long-standing member of ASME's Publication Committee. Currently, he is incoming Governor of ASME.