Award
We are pleased to announce the winner of the 2006 Fuel
Cell Seminar is John O'Sullivan. This award will be
officially presented at the Plenary Session of the 2006 Fuel Cell
Seminar on November 14, 2006 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The Fuel Cell Seminar Award is awarded annually
to someone who has demonstrated significant leadership in promoting
the overall advancement of fuel cell technology. The recipient is
selected as someone who has promoted partnerships and built
coalitions that advance the research and development,
commercialization, and implementation of fuel cells on either a
national or global scale, and who has helped develop and/or enhance
alliances with stakeholders, engaging in cross-functional
activities relevant to the ultimate success of fuel cells, and
helping to resolve barriers to the commercialization of fuel
cells.
It is particularly befitting to bestow this award on John
O'Sullivan at this, the 30th Anniversary of the Fuel
Cell Seminar, as he attended the very first Seminar
in 1976, and has (and continues to this day) to provide excellent
input and guidance to the Seminar in promotion of the growth and
maturity of the Seminar and fuel cell technology.
John O'Sullivan's involvement with fuel cells spans over 35
years. He has headed the fuel cell programs at the U.S. Department
of the Army Belvoir Research & Development Center, the
Institute of Gas Technology and the Electric Power Research
Institute (EPRI), and has been a consultant since May 2000. His
involvement with fuel cells has encompassed program administration
and management, strategic planning, basic research, test and
evaluation, and product design and development.
Biosketch for John O'Sullivan
Experience:
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
October 1992-May 2000
Manager, Distributed Generation Technologies
Program Manager, Fuel Cells
Manager, Fuel Cells Commercialization
Responsible for program planning project management and
implementation. Primary focus in technology development and
assessment of fuel cells and microturbines. Managed and
participated in active programs involving PAFC, MCFC, SOFC, PEMFC,
and Proton conducting oxide electrolytes. Also involved with
product definition application identification and field experience
with fuel cells and microturbines.
Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) in Chicago,
Illinois
1980-1992
Institute Scientist
Assistant Vice President, Engineering Division
Director, Energy Conversion and Storage
Responsible for the molten carbonate fuel cell program and dealing
with the utilization of carbonate salts for high temperature energy
storage. The MCFC program, funded by DOE, led to the creation of
M-C Power, Inc. by IGT as the means of technology
commercialization. IGT continued to provide the basic R&D
support to the program. As administrator of the IR&D program
funded internal fuel cell development efforts in SOFC
technology.
U.S. Department of the Army Belvoir Research &
Development Center
1969-1980
Chief C Petroleum and Environmental Technology
Division
Chief (Acting) C Energy and Water Resources Laboratory
Chief (Acting) C Electrochemical Division
Chief C Basic Research Branch, Electrochemical Division
Supervisory Chemical Engineer
Was responsible for the more basic R&D of the army program as
well as interaction with the development programs. Technologic
emphasis was on a series of 1.5 kW, 3.0 kW and 5.0 kW field power
plants based on phosphoric acid. Smaller efforts for silent power
sources involved some of the only PEM work done in the U.S. during
the late 1970's. Was responsible for the development of one of the
earliest (1974) hybrid electric vehicles, a 4,000 lb. forklift
truck powered by phosphoric acid fuel cells and lead-acid
batteries.
Research Division of the Allis-Chalmers Corporation
(A-C) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
1962-1969
Manager, Mineral Processing
Responsible for basic R&D efforts in the areas of comminution,
agglomeration, pyroprocessing and hydrometallurgy. Specialized in
processes for cement and lime kilns and direct reduction of iron
ore. Supported the fuel cell effort via work on asbestos membranes
and development of a continuous process for catalyst production.
Developed Thermochemical Cycles for hydrogen production from
nuclear reactors.
Education:
Ph.D. Geology; Soil Engineering; Soil Physics/Chemistry, Iowa
State University, Ames, IA, 1961
M.S. Geology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 1958
B.S. Geology, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN, 1955
Affiliation:
Sigma Xi
Electrochemical Society
Chair, National Capital Section, 1976 & 1977
Chairman, DOE/Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel - 2001 to
2003
Chairman, 2000 Fuel Cell Seminar
Founding Member, Treasurer, and Board Director: Midwest
Cogeneration Association Inc. (Affiliated w/ American Cogeneration
Association) circa 1985 to 1992
Founding Member and Member, Board of Governors: Fuel Cell
Institute 1985 - 2003
Accepted into Initial Class of MARAD Program (US Army Material
Command - Executive Development)