Award
Congratulations to the 2009 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition
Award Winners!
The Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition congratulates
Lawrence D. Burns, Takashi
Moriya, and Hansraj C. Maru, winners of
the 2009 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition award. Awards are
given annually to those who have demonstrated significant
leadership in promoting the overall advancement of fuel cell
technology.
Recipient Biographies
Lawrence D. Burns, GM
On October 1, 2009, Larry Burns completed a 40-year career with
General Motors, serving as vice president of Research &
Development and Strategic Planning. In this role, he oversaw
GM's advanced technology, innovation programs, and corporate
strategy. He also served on GM's top decision-making bodies
for GM operations and products and was a member of the USCAR
Operating Council and the FreedomCAR Partnership Executive Steering
Committee.
In addition to driving innovation into today's vehicles, Burns
led GM's development of a new automotive "DNA" that marries
electrically driven and "connected vehicle" technologies. The
goal is to realize sustainable personal mobility with smart
vehicles that are aspirational and affordable.
Burns has been a major voice within the industry for the
reinvention of the automobile and the diversification of
transportation energy. Within GM, he personally championed
the electrification of the vehicle, vehicle telematics ("connected
vehicle" technologies), fuel cells, biofuels, and a series of
innovative advanced concept vehicles. He has been a leading
advocate for design innovation focused on the total customer
experience and the application of operations research to all
aspects of the business.
Under Burns' leadership, GM R&D:
- Expanded to a global organization with science labs, science
offices, and university collaborative research labs located around
the world.
- Quadrupled the number of patents issued to GM researchers and
increased intellectual property publications fivefold.
- Established strong linkages with GM's core automotive business
to drive fast implementation of key technologies.
- Increased collaboration with universities, auto companies, the
energy industry, and governments.
Other major accomplishments included:
- The GM AUTOnomy, GM Hy-wire, and Chevrolet Sequel concept
vehicles, which were the first to demonstrate the design potential
of the new automotive DNA. AUTOnomy incorporated all of the
vehicle's fuel cell-electric propulsion and control systems in an
innovative 12-inch skateboard chassis. Hy-wire was the first
drivable vehicle to combine fuel cell-electric propulsion with
by-wire controls. Sequel is the first roadway-capable fuel
cell-electric vehicle to achieve a 300-mile driving range.
- Development of an early concept that led to the Chevrolet Volt
extended-range electric vehicle, scheduled to begin production in
2010.
- The Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicle, which incorporates a
fuel cell-electric propulsion system into a production
vehicle. Over 100 of these vehicles have been produced and
are being driven by real customers as part of GM's Project Driveway
demonstration.
- GM's teaming with Carnegie Mellon University and other partners
on the development of "Boss," a self-driving Chevrolet Tahoe that
won the DARPA Urban Challenge for robotic vehicles in November
2007.
- GM's development of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) transponder
technology that supports automated safety features based on
all-around object detection. GM's prototype V2V systems use
wireless communication and positioning technologies to allow
vehicles to sense where they are, connect with other vehicles and
the roadway infrastructure, and react to changing driving
situations.
- Project P.U.M.A., a new concept for personal urban mobility and
accessibility. The two-wheeled, two-seat, electrically
powered and "connected" concept is being developed by GM as a
unique solution to moving about and interacting in cities.
- GM's Global Energy Systems Intelligence Center, a global
corporate center focused on understanding the interdependencies of
energy systems and supply chains, and identifying energy strategies
and business opportunities for the company.
Burns began his career as a member of the Research &
Development staff, where his research focused on transportation,
logistics, and production systems. He subsequently held
executive positions in several GM divisions in the areas of product
program management, quality, production control, industrial
engineering, and product and business planning. In May 1998,
he was named a vice president of General Motors, with
responsibility for R&D and Planning.
Burns holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of
California at Berkeley, where he is a member of the Advisory
Council for its Institute of Transportation Studies. He
earned his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from General
Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and his master's degree
in engineering/public policy from the University of Michigan
(U-M).
Burns serves on the board of U-M's Automotive Research Center
and the External Advisory Board for its Michigan Memorial Phoenix
Energy Institute. In addition, he is a member of the Board of
Trustees of the Midwest Research Institute and the Rochester
Institute of Technology.
In 2000, Burns received Kettering University's Engineering
Alumni Achievement Award for his contributions to the engineering
profession. In 2002, the Deafness Research Foundation
recognized him with its National Campaign for Hearing Health
Leadership Award. He served as National Honorary Chairman for
the MATHCOUNTS Foundation during 2004 and 2005. In 2005, he
was a member of a General Motors team awarded the Franz Edelman
Award from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management
Sciences. He is also the recipient of the 2005 Alumni Merit
Award from the University of Michigan Industrial and Operations
Engineering Department.
In 2007, Burns was awarded the ASM International Medal for the
Advancement of Research and the Society of Plastics Engineers
Global Engineering Leadership Award. In 2008, he received the
Golden Gear Award from the Washington Automotive Press Association
and the Industry Pioneer Award from the Alternative Fuel Vehicle
Institute. Most recently, he has been named the recipient of
the 2009 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition Award for demonstrating
significant leadership in promoting the overall advancement of fuel
cell technology.
Burns is highly sought-after as a keynote speaker for major
conferences related to transportation, energy, and
technology. He has been featured on NBC, CBS, Fox, PBS, BBC,
the Discovery Channel, and other major news outlets and his work
has been covered in Scientific American, WIRED
Magazine, and major newspapers and magazines across the globe.
In presenting the Golden Gear Award to Burns, Jim Healey of
USA Today, stated that "Larry's efforts have helped push
hydrogen development from something that automakers probably should
do, just in case, to something that they must do to stay
competitive. The Washington Automotive Press Association
likes to award the Golden Gear for what we call … 'significant
contribution to the automobile and its industry.' Well, providing a
way for the automobile and its industry to survive certainly seems
to qualify."
Micheline Maynard of The New York Times, called Burns
"the most visible executive at the American auto companies on green
issues."
Paul Gover of the Herald-Sun (Melbourne,
Australia), said: "Burns is a genuine futurist, and one
with the rare and priceless ability to drill deeply into the
problems facing the automotive world without leaving a non-expert
listener either sleeping or trailing a week behind. He knows
his stuff and he knows how to communicate the important messages
and answer the tough questions."
Burns recently completed a book (with
Professor William J. Mitchell, MIT, and Christopher E.
Borroni-Bird, General Motors) entitled Reinventing the
Automobile: Personal Urban Mobility for the 21st
Century.
Takashi Moriya, Honda Motor Co.
Takashi Moriya is the Operating Officer General Manager for the
Technology Research Division 1 of the Automobile R&D Center,
Honda R&D Co., Ltd. He graduated from Osaka University in
1981 with a degree in Mechanics. Shortly after, he joined the
team at Honda R&D, Co.,Ltd., and engaged in Engine
Design. In 1995 he began his career in fuel cell research,
and the following year assumed the role of Manager of Fuel Cell
Research. By 2005, he became the Senior Manager of Fuel Cell
Vehicle Development. Due to his outstanding performance and
dedication to the company, Takashi Moriya became the Operating
Office of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. in 2009.
Hansraj C. Maru, Retired
Dr. Hansraj C. Maru is internationally recognized as an expert
in carbonate fuel cell technology. He is best known for his
pioneering contributions in developing and commercially introducing
ultra-clean, high-efficiency, stationary fuel cell power plants
using fuel cells (Direct Fuel Cells) that create virtually no air
pollution. Maru has overseen the growth of these power plants,
which are currently installed in many countries and on the verge of
large-scale deployment.
FuelCell Energy, Inc., which produces Direct Fuel cells, began
with only 3 employees in 1970, and currently consists of 500
employees. Maru, who has a talent for solving multidisciplinary
technical problems in the energy industry, has been an integral
part of the company's immense growth, holding a number of technical
and management positions in the 29 years since joining the firm in
1977. Over the years, he has served as vice president of research
and development, executive vice president, and chief technology
officer of FuelCell Energy, Inc. Maru recently retired as CTO, but
he will continue to serve as a consultant with the company.
Prior to FCE(Energy Research Corpotation). Dr. Maru worked for 8
years at Institute of Gas Technology in the fields of fuel cells,
hydrogen and Energy Storage.
Maru holds 13 patents, and he has authored more than 160
publications. He has edited four symposia volumes and contributed
chapters in two books. Maru's work has been recognized with the
2004 F.T. Bacon Medal Award, which is given to those exhibiting
leadership and accomplishment in fuel cell technology. He was also
honored with the 2003 Mass High Tech All Star Award for his
contributions to fuel cell technology. Dr, Maru was awarded IIT
Alumni Professional Achevement Award 2008. Recently he was
awarded Electochemical Society's New Electrochemical Technology
(NET) Award.
After earning his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from
the Indian Institute of Technology, Maru earned both his master's
degree ('70) and his Ph.D. ('75) in chemical engineering at IIT.
Maru and his wife Usha have two sons, one daughter, and twin grand
sons.
Dr. Bernard S. Baker Student Award
Congratulations to the winners of the
2009 Fuel Cell Seminar & Exposition Baker Student award,
Fuel Cells: The New Generation of Green
Power! Awards are given to students conducting
exceptional fuel cell research.
First Place: Masaru
Tsuchiya, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Second Place: George
Chakravarthy Bandlamudi, University of Duisburg-Essen,
Duisburg, Germany
Third Place: Srikanth
Arisetty, University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Honorable Mentions:
1st: Kevin Davies, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta,
GA
2nd: Andrew Schafer, Michigan Technological
University, Houghton, MI
3rd: Jiefeng Lin, Arizona State University, Tempe,
AZ
About the Award
The purpose of the award is to encourage and recognize
exceptional students in the field of fuel cell related
technologies. Dr. Baker was a pioneer in the fuel cell industry,
and was himself a recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship as part of
his graduate work in carbonate fuel cells in The Netherlands.
About Dr. Bernard S. Baker
Dr. Bernard S. Baker of Bethel, Connecticut, was a pioneer in
the field of electrochemistry whose career spanned 45 years. He was
a founder and served as president, chief executive officer and
chairman of Energy Research Corporation (now called FuelCell
Energy, Inc., Danbury, Conn.), developer and manufacturer of fuel
cells used to generate electric power. Power plants based on his
concepts are providing electricity in locations throughout the
world.
Dr. Baker was known worldwide as an expert in electrochemical
systems. He directed research in and development of various
electrochemical power generation devices, including different types
of fuel cells, batteries and hybrid systems. Dr. Baker's expertise
encompassed fundamental research as well as the technological,
engineering, system and marketing aspects of these systems.
A vision of clean and quiet electric
power
Most fuel cells require hydrogen to be extracted from the fuel
source (such as natural gas) before it can be used in the fuel
cell. Dr. Baker envisioned a system that bypassed this step,
allowing fuel to be sent directly to the fuel cell. When Baker
started work on these so-called "Direct Fuel Cells" they were no
larger than a silver dollar and generated a few milliwatts. Today,
systems based on his designs are powering commercial and industrial
facilities throughout the world.
A lifetime of fuel cell research, development and
commercialization
Baker received his bachelors and masters degrees in chemical
engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and was a
Post-Graduate Fulbright Fellow at the Laboratory for
Electrochemistry, University of Amsterdam, before earning a
doctorate from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1969. His
doctoral thesis was also on fuel cell heat transfer and internal
reforming.
Before joining Energy Research Corporation, Baker was Director
of Basic Sciences at the Institute of Gas Technology in Chicago,
where he directed research in the area of energy conversion and
fuel cells. Before that, he was Senior Scientist at Lockheed
Aircraft Corporation, Missiles & Space Division, where he was
responsible for research on Carbonate Fuel Cell systems and
electrochemical kinetic studies.
Dr. Baker is a major contributor to the field of fuel cell
research, development and commercialization. He was issued 20 U.S.
patents relating to fuel cells and other electrochemical systems.
He authored more than 100 publications, including technical papers,
books and symposia proceedings on the subject of fuel cells. Dr.
Baker was a well-known expert in fuel cell systems and actively
contributed to many technology developments and breakthroughs in
the field.
In 1999, he received the prestigious Grove Medal, which was
presented in conjunction with the Sixth Grove Fuel Cell Symposium
in London and is awarded to acknowledge an individual or company
that has made valuable contributions toward the development and
success of fuel cell technology.
At the time of the award, the Chairman of the Grove Symposium
Steering Committee said: "Dr. Bernard S. Baker devoted his entire
professional career to develop and promote fuel cells. In the
beginning as a scientist, finally as a top manager he dealt with
various fuel cells including alkaline, phosphoric acid and molten
carbonate technologies. Dr. Baker personifies a remarkable
combination of scientific capabilities and management skills. This
unique blend enabled him not only to have many patents on fuel cell
related inventions and to issue more than 100 fuel cell
publications but to build up one of the world wide leading
companies in the carbonate fuel cell technology."
Dr. Baker received the Cecil J. Previdi Award for
Entrepreneurial Spirit and Business Leadership in 1995. He was
invited as a Ralph E. Peck Lecturer at Illinois Institute of
Technology in 1994.
Biographical information
Bernard Baker was born in Philadelphia on June 26, 1936 and was
the son of the late William Victor Baker and the late Bessie
(Weinstein) Baker. Dr. Baker died on June 21, 2004. The DR. BERNARD
S. BAKER STUDENT AWARD FOR FUEL CELL RESEARCH instituted by the
Fuel Cell Seminar in 2005, to encourage and recognize exceptional
students in the pursuit of fuel cell research, is a living tribute
to the memory of Dr. Baker.
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