Faculty Directory

Aute, Vikrant C.

Aute, Vikrant C.

Research Professor
Director, Modeling & Optimization Consortium
Co-Director, Center for Environmental Energy Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Center for Environmental Energy Engineering
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
4164G Glenn L. Martin Hall

EDUCATION

  • MBA (2021), University of Maryland Global Campus
  • M.S. (2018), Data Analytics, University of Maryland University College
  • Ph.D. (2010), Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland College Park
  • M.S. (2001), Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland College Park
  • B.E. (1997), Mechanical Engineering, University of Pune, India

BACKGROUND

Vikrant Aute serves as director of the Modeling and Optimization Consortium within the Center for Environmental Energy Engineering. Dr. Aute has twenty years of experience in the development of modeling and optimization algorithms for thermal systems. His current research focuses on approximation assisted multi-objective multidisciplinary optimization and its application to design of thermal systems and the continued development of heat exchanger and vapor compression system simulation tools. His industrial experience includes work at Thermax Ltd.(India), Tata Infotech Ltd. (India) and Daikin Industries Ltd. (Japan). He is an active member of ASHRAE and has served on committees as voting member. He holds multiple professional qualifications including Microsoft Certified Professional and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator. 

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Fellow, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (2024)
  • Exceptional Service Award, ASHRAE (2023)
  • Best Session Paper, Experimental Methods, ATE-HEFAT Conference (2021)
  • Peter Ritter von Rittinger International Heat Pump Team Award (2021), More Information
  • Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2020)
  • Provost's Excellence in Research Award for PTK Faculty, University of Maryland College Park (2018)
  • Best Research Journal Paper Award, ASHRAE (2018)
  • Distinguished Service Award, ASHRAE (2017)

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

  • Professional Scrum Master I
  • Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
  • Microsoft Certified Professional

 

 

  • Innovation in design, simulation, optimization and life cycle impact assessment of thermal systems and components for HVAC&R applications
  • Multi-disciplinary, shape and topology optimization, Approximation Assisted Optimization & Adaptive DOE
  • Development and application of multi-objective genetic algorithms and non-linear methods to HVAC&R applications
  • Application of machine learning & data visualization to understand & improve HVAC&R system efficiencies

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

  • 2020-2023, A novel framework for design optimization of PCM-embedded heat exchangers for the built environment, Funding Source: US Dept. of Energy

  • 2001 to present, Modeling and Optimization Tools for HVAC&R applications: CoilDesigner, VapCyc, PHESim; Architect, Product Owner and Lead Developer.

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR / TECHNICAL LEAD

  • 2019-2021, Ultra-Performance Heat Exchanger Enabled by Additive Technology (UPHEAT), Funding Source: GE Global Research, as a part of the ARPAe HITEMMP Project Portfolio

  • 2018-2021, Design and Manufacturing of High-Performance Reduced Charge Heat Exchangers, Funding Source: US Dept. of Energy.

PUBLICATION SUMMARY

  • 58 Journal articles
  • 146 Conference papers
  • 21 Invited talks/seminars/symposia
  • 23 Inventions, 1 Granted Patent, 5 Commercialized inventions

EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES

  • Subject Editor, Applied Thermal Engineering,  Jun 2022 to Dec 2023.
  • Associate Editor, ASME J. of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications, May 2020 to Apr 2023.
  • Guest Associate Editor for Topical Issue on Optimization, ASHRAE HVAC&R Research Journal, 2010-2012.

REVIEWER FOR JOURNALS/PUBLICATIONS

  • Applied Thermal Engineering
  • Science & Technology for the Built Environment, formerly ASHRAE HVAC&R Research Journal
  • International Journal of Refrigeration
  • Journal of Building Performance Simulation
  • Journal of Cleaner Production
  • Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
  • Journal of Power and Energy, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization
  • Heat & Mass Transfer
  • International J. of Thermal Sciences
  • Springer Publishing

CEEE: Three Decades of Innovation

The UMD-based center marked its 30th anniversary at a gala event on June 9.

UMD receives two new DOE Building Technologies awards

Takeuchi and Aute to lead projects 

Dr. Michael Osterman Receives University of Maryland Provost’s Excellence Award

Award recognizes outstanding research contributions made by professional track faculty on campus.

CEEE Researchers Win ASHRAE Best Paper Award

Chosen as best out of 107 papers published in 2017 in Science and Technology for the Built Environment.

Dr. Vikrant Aute Wins Provost’s Excellence Award for Professional Track Faculty

Recognized for his outstanding contributions in research.

Aute to Receive ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award

ASHRAE recognizes CEEE Associate Research Scientist Vikrant Aute for his service to the society.

Researchers Introduce RoCo, a Mobile Personal Heating and Cooling Device

UMD Invention Has Potential to Cut Energy Costs in Residential and Large Building AC

UMD Startup To Solve Energy Conversion Challenges in Thermal Systems

Optimized Thermal Systems provides engineering consulting for HVAC&R systems.

Saving Energy with ‘Personal HVAC Systems’

UMD awarded more than $5 million by ARPA-E to fund potentially transformational research.

CEEE Team had Strong Showing at Purdue Conferences

CEEE students and faculty (and one alumni) presented a total of 18 presentations.

UMD Researchers Win $1.5 Million Department of Energy Award to Improve Home Cooling Efficiency

The Center for Environmental Energy Engineering to collaborate with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Profs. Balachandran and Sandborn Winners of OTC Invention of the Year Competition

Professors Balakumar Balachandran and Peter Sandborn were the winners of two of the three (OTC) Invention of the Year Awards.

American Society of Heating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)