2024 VTO AMR Awards

On June 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) presented its annual awards during the 2024 Annual Merit Review (AMR) Plenary. Each year, VTO presents awards to individuals from partner institutions for contributions to overall program efforts and to recognize research, development, demonstration, and deployment achievements in specific areas. 

This year’s awardees were:

Distinguished Achievement Awards 

• Ahmad Pesaran, National Renewable Energy Laboratory: For over 25 years of cutting-edge research in battery thermal management systems, battery calorimetry, and battery safety models and tools. 
• Xiao-Qing Yang, Brookhaven National Laboratory: For pioneering advanced characterization tools, such as in situ x-ray diffraction and absorption, to analyze battery materials under operational and extreme conditions in support of VTO battery research and development (R&D) at Brookhaven National Laboratory over the last 38 years.
• Todd Monson, Sandia National Laboratories: In recognition of significant soft magnetic composite material innovations for inductors and motors under the VTO Electric Drive Consortium. 
• Patrick Blanchard, Ford Motor Company: In recognition of extraordinary leadership in industry-university-government partnership to enable multifunctional composites structures for smart vehicles.
• Kristen Wahl, Argonne National Laboratory: In recognition of the vision, passion, and leadership in designing and implementing the Battery Workforce Challenge.
• Eric Wood, National Renewable Energy Laboratory: For outstanding leadership and technical excellence in leading the Transportation Electrification Impact Study to an “unmitigated success”.

Team Awards 

• PACCAR SuperTruck II: In recognition of PACCAR’s unique achievements in the field of heavy-duty engine and vehicle efficiency that will contribute to more than doubling freight truck ton-miles per gallon. 
• Lauren Spath Luhring, Chitra Sivaraman, Ronald Stewart, Paden Rumsey, Sherman Beus, Joseph Fish, Andrew Kotz, Shuhao Bai, Philip Stewart, James Ford, and Jeffrey Gonder; Livewire: In recognition of outstanding teamwork and technical expertise on the Livewire Data Platform in support of the Energy Efficient Mobility Systems program and VTO.

Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Awards 

• William Partridge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory: For world-class research and development of advanced diagnostic tools that enabled next generation engines and emissions control systems. 
• Robert McDonald, Energetics: In recognition of significant contributions to advancing the mission of VTO to electrify the U.S. transportation sector and integrate it with the electric grid.