Distinguished Scientist, Energy Science & Technology Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Edgar Lara-Curzio is a Distinguished Scientist in the Energy Science & Technology Directorate at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). He also directs ORNL’s Fossil Energy & Carbon Management Program, and ORNL’s Energy Transitions and Infrastructure Programs.
He served as leader of the Mechanical Properties & Mechanics Group between 2000 and 2022, and as Director of the High Temperature Materials Laboratory between 2007 and 2012. Lara-Curzio has authored or co-authored more than 270 articles in peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings, 4 book chapters, 10 U.S. Patents and co-edited 17 books. His area of expertise is the development and characterization of functional and structural materials and components for power generation, and for the conversion, transmission, storage, and utilization of energy.
Winthrop E. Stone Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University
Professor Agrawal’s current interest and passion are in energy production issues, especially from renewable sources such as solar. The thrust of research is to fabricate low-cost solar cells based on nanotechnology. Another major thrust of his current research is the electrification of chemical manufacturing for decarbonization. Extensive process modeling and optimization techniques are used to identify energy-efficient and cost-effective processes for the manufacture of major chemicals and petrochemicals. In particular, challenges associated with the use of variable renewable electricity from solar and wind vis-a-vis dynamic load operation and energy storage are addressed.
He has broad experience in hydrogen production and purification technologies. His research interests include basic and applied research in process development, gas liquefaction, cryogenics, and thermodynamics.
Chief Technology Officer, Technip Energies
Wei Cai is the Chief Technology Officer for Technip Energies and is part of the Executive Committee. In this role, Dr. Cai shapes technology strategy to support business growth and leads the Technology and Innovation organization to drive technology execution, both organically and inorganically. Dr. Cai also champions external collaborations and alliances to build the technology ecosystem for the company. Dr. Cai has 20+ years of experience managing industrial technology portfolios and research programs. She is passionate about shaping the energy transition. Previously, Dr. Cai spent over 18 years at General Electric Research, where she held various leadership roles, including Executive Energy Transformation Technology Leader at GE Research in New York. Dr. Cai has more than 40 patents filed and has authored numerous journal articles.
Distinguished Research Scientist, Material Separations & Analysis, Idaho National Laboratory
Dr. M. Magdalena Ramirez-Corredores is a Distinguished Research Scientist, at the Material Separations & Analysis Department of the Idaho National Laboratory since 2016, where she has been working on biofuels and currently on carbon dioxide utilization; with previous industrial research experience at KiOR, BP International and PDVSA. Her trajectory involved a successful track in the invention and development of emerging process technologies for biomass conversion and refining processes; and on knowledge, science & technology management. She has 60 inventions described in 190+ worldwide patents (and patent applications) and authored 142 publications (3 books, 8 monographs, 78 articles and 53 conference papers). Her total number of citations (excluding all authors’ self‐citations) is above 2500, for an h-index of 31.
