Curriculum Vitae – Vikas Patnaik

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY LEADER

Proven professional known for building up and leading global functions with complexity across varied dimensions – technical, geographically dispersed, culturally diverse, multi-product and business – with a progressive, inclusive and socially responsible management style. Core competencies include:

Low-Emissions/Decarbonized Energy Technologies (Cogeneration, Distributed Hydrogen Generation, Heat Pumps, Data Center Cooling) • HVAC&R Systems (Vapor Compression, Sorption/Heat-Driven, Not-in-Kind) • Refrigerant Performance, Safety & Environmental Characteristics • Thermal Systems (Heat Exchangers, Fluid Flow, Phase Change) • General Thermodynamic Systems (Power Generation, Thermal & Electrical Energy Storage) • Modeling & Simulation • Technology Scouting and Introduction • Organizational Competency Assessment and People Development • Product Development • System Engineering and Modular Product Architecture • Cross-Disciplinary Application • External Collaboration • Innovation and Intellectual Property Management • Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility • Process and Capability Development, Standardization

EXPERIENCE

PoleStar Consulting, LLC, Seattle, WA; La Crosse, WI
2023 – ; 2019 – 2020

President
(Re)started a nimble and balanced consultancy to help businesses, governments and other organizations around the world with the assessment and introduction of earth-friendly technologies, and to help
enterprises with the expansion of their global presence in a sustainable way.

  • Worked with Bay Area stealth-startup on novel expander/ evaporator-based thermodynamic cycle and associated product development for low-carbon, high-efficiency data center cooling. 
  • Evaluated impact of nanoparticles-based additive in chilled water on energy performance of chiller systems for NALCO Water / Ecolab, Naperville, IL.
  • Formulated international go-to-market and product development strategy with senior leadership of Triton Valves Ltd. for high-end expansion valves for HVAC&R systems. Conducted workshop / training in Mysore, India, on fundamentals and system engineering of the same.
  • Developed research work statements for the International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration (IIAR), e.g. on refrigerant evaluator tool improvements, risk quantification and comparison for ammonia systems, statistical determination of replacement intervals for ammonia relief valves.
  • Completed project with Gates Foundation-funded startup, Foss Toilets, on heat pump-driven energy recovery for bioreactor-based sanitation system.
  • Completed project with Gas Technology Institute, IL, on absorption heat pump field trial data processing and visualization.
  • Completed numerous short-term assignments through GLG Group, Guidepoint, Coleman Research, Dialectica, Ivy Exec, Liahnson & Company and Emissary.

Modern Electron (Bill Gates-backed start-up), Bothell, WA 2021 – 2022

Vice President, Product Development
Taking challenging sustainable and decarbonized energy technologies such as

  • Combined Heat & Power (CHP) with thermionics and
  • Combined Combustion & Pyrolysis (CCP) for distributed hydrogen generation

from concept prototype to commercialized product through innovation and system engineering process rigor, as well as OEM/downstream stakeholder partnership, for residential and commercial applications.

  • Awarded cost-share grants towards $3M projects from Natural Gas Innovation Fund, Canada, for commercializing above CHP and CCP technology streams.

Ingersoll Rand, Davidson, NC
2008 – 2019

Chief Engineer, Technology Networks of Excellence, 2017–2019
Conducted assessment and introduction of cross-functional advanced technologies, capabilities and competencies, leveraging external partnerships & digital innovation, and translating these into new products & solutions, standard work and an engaged, high-caliber workforce, respectively.

  • Introduced artificial-intelligence based controls, a high-efficiency, low-emissions heat pump and molecular dynamics-based modeling for novel materials and chemistry choices.

Director, Technology Network of Excellence – Modeling & Simulation, 2013–2017
Executed modeling & simulation strategy and implementation, impacting product development, new technology and productivity processes to reduce cycle times and prototype expenses and improve speed to market and competitive differentiation, via collaborative networks both within and outside the company. Team of 54 advanced engineers (including 15 PhDs, 28 MS).

  • Located in Shanghai, Bangalore, Davidson (Charlotte), Minneapolis, Tyler, Augusta, La Crosse.
  • Supported Trane Commercial (large chiller and unitary air-conditioning and heat pump equipment manufacturer and solutions provider), Trane Residential (home air-conditioning and heat pump equipment manufacturer and solutions provider), Thermo King (transport refrigeration equipment manufacturer and solutions provider) and Ingersoll Rand products including air compressors, power tools, fluid management and material handling equipment, and Club Car golf and utility vehicles.
  • Realized cost avoidance / productivity savings through replacing of physical with digital testing by double the department budget and overall cycle time reduction of 30-40%.

Engineering Manager, Technology Analysis & Introduction, Climate Solutions, 2008–2012
Consolidated cross-sector processes for multi-generational technology/product planning and innovation, formulating next-generation strategies with suppliers & other technology partners from industry and academia, setting up joint ventures, representing company in standards & regulatory activity.

  • Located in La Crosse, Shanghai, Chennai and Prague.
  • Supported all product design verification and selection related modeling and data analysis needs of Trane, Thermo King & Hussmann (supermarket refrigeration equipment manufacturer and solutions provider) HVAC&R systems.
  • Majority of product sales were enabled by suite of tools developed by the team, serving design to selection, on the order of ~$4B in revenues for the Company.

Trane / American Standard, La Crosse, WI
1998 – 2008

Project Leader & Product Development Engineer, Thermal Equipment Design, Engineering Technology
Certified Black Belt & Champion (Design for Six Sigma), thermodynamic modeling & data analysis expert

  • Mentored Green Belts in project application.
  • Managed DOE-sponsored project on combined cooling, heating and power for buildings.
  • Designed chiller and unitary equipment for NPI, NTI and value engineering, creating cost/system optimization tool. Carried through from concept to implementation.
  • Led outsourcing effort for absorption chillers.

Phillips Engineering Company, St. Joseph, MI
1994 – 1998

Research Engineer

  • Designed, simulated, tested and analyzed various components of absorption heat pump for residential cooling and heating applications.
  • Developed thermodynamic correlations for vapor-liquid equilibrium data of ammonia-water working pair.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Adjunct Professor

Department of Management, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI, 2019: International Management; 3rd- and 4th-year students

Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse, WI, 2019, 2006: Statics; 3rd– and 4th-year, Physics-Mechanical Engineering dual-degree students

Department of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 1996 – 1997: Heat Transfer; 4th-year students. Computational Fluid Dynamics and Engineering Analysis; graduate students                

Panelist

US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Building Technologies Office Project Review, 2024, 2023

US Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transitions Technology Commercialization Fund Proposals Merit Review, 2020

Nazarbayev University Research Council Proposals Merit Review [administered by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)], 2020

IIT Bombay TechFest 2020 Industry 4.0 Summit Forum Moderator: “IoT for smart products and services and the digital transformation of companies”, 2020

US Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office Nat’l Lab Core Merit Review, 2018

US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Program Review, 1998

Independent Consultant

Biomedical engineering project with Craig Nevin, University of Cape Town Medical School, South Africa, and Dr. Stephan Praet, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, on the development of a cam model for the 1st metatarsophalangeal (MTP-1) joint in the human foot to improve prosthetic design, 2001

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Industry Advisory Board of Penn State University Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2018 – 2019

“Chief External Engagement Officer”, 2013 – 2019
Developed and executed on external engagement strategy for Ingersoll Rand via consortia and conferences participation and/or sponsorship.

  • TechConnect
  • NREL Industry Growth Forum
  • Center for Built Environment, UC Berkeley
  • Center for High Performance Buildings, Purdue University
  • Center for Environmental Energy Engineering, University of Maryland
  • Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Center, University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign

Leadership roles in ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Engineers), 1992 – 2012

  • Voting Member, Standard for Designation and Safety Classification of Refrigerants: Harmonization with ISO and other standards.
  • Vice-Chair, Building Environmental Impacts and Sustainability Technical Committee: Wrote 2 sections of ASHRAE Green Guide, relating to combined heat & power.
  • Chairman, Absorption & Heat-Operated Machines Technical Committee.

HONORS & AWARDS

Floyd C. Hayes Author/Presenter Award for 13 publications & conference lectures.

18th rank in Maharashtra state (0.5 million students), India, in Secondary School Certificate Board Exam. Awarded Honorary Citizen of Pune by Mayor of Pune City, and invited to felicitation ceremonies organized by several state institutions, including Governor of Maharashtra.

PUBLICATIONS & LECTURES

  • 40+ papers, seminars & theses.
  • 1 patent, 1 trade secret, 2 patent applications.
  • 30+ reviews of journal & conference papers, handbook chapters and external reports in the thermal/energy technology area.
  • Invited speaker in Athens-Greece, Tarragona-Spain, Nuremburg-Germany, Delhi-India, Paris-France, Shanghai-China, and several venues in the U.S.

EDUCATION

M.B.A., Global, University of Manchester, United Kingdom          

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering (Thermal Sciences), Pennsylvania State University, University Park

M.S., Mechanical Engineering (Thermal Sciences), Pennsylvania State University, University Park

B.Tech. (Honors), Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India

PAPERS, THESES & SEMINARS

Patnaik, V., 2025, “R/evolution in the Heating and Cooling of Buildings,” ME Seminar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, May 13, 2025.

Patnaik, V., 2024, “Improvement of Refrigerant Evaluator Tool for Comprehensive and Fair Comparison between Refrigerants,” IIAR Research Project Work Statement, International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration.

Patnaik, V., 2024, “Risk of Ammonia Usage as a Refrigerant compared to Risks encountered in Everyday Life,” IIAR Research Project Work Statement, International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration.

Patnaik, V., 2024, “Development of a Risk Quantification Framework for Ammonia HVAC&R Systems,” IIAR Research Project Scoping Document, International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration.

Patnaik, V., 2023, “Statistical Determination of Replacement Intervals for Ammonia Refrigeration Internal Relief Valves,” IIAR Research Project Work Statement, International Institute of All-Natural Refrigeration.

Patnaik, V., Goyal, A., Pahl, M., and Mankin, M. N., 2022, “Combined Heat and Power plus Distributed Hydrogen Production for Building Decarbonization,” presented at the ASHRAE International Building Decarbonization 2022 Conference, October 5-7, 2022, Athens, Greece.

Patnaik, V., 2022, “Thermionic Converters for Self-Powered Residential Heating,” presented in Seminar 4: Opportunities and Barriers for Self-Powered and Integrated HVAC at the ASHRAE Winter Meeting in Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 29-Feb. 2.

Patnaik, V., 2021, “Corporate Social Responsibility: Developing Technologies at the Intersection of Environmental and Social Issues and Business Goals,” presented at the Net Impact chapter meeting in the UW Foster School of Business, University of Washington, Seattle, November 2021.

Patnaik, V., and Garrabrant, M., 2020, “Sustainable Use Cases for Ammonia as a Refrigerant in Residential/Light-Commercial HVAC,” presented at the 50th Anniversary IIAR Natural Refrigeration Conference & Heavy Equipment Expo, June 20-23, 2021, Palm Springs, CA, USA.

Patnaik, V., 2020, “IoT for Smart Products and Services and the Digital Transformation of Companies,” forum moderated at IIT Bombay TechFest 2020 Industry 4.0 Summit, January 3-5.

Patnaik, V., 2017, “Glimpses of Ingersoll Rand’s Sustainability-Driven Portfolio and Its Enablers,” session keynote presented at the 2017 TechConnect World Innovation Conference, May 16, 2017.

Yin, X.-W., Wang, W., Patnaik, V., Rite, R., Zhou, J.-S., and Gupta, D., 2017, “Experiment and Modeling Evaluation of Charge Inventory Impacts on Unitary Air Conditioners,” International Journal of Refrigeration, under submission.

Yin, X.-W., Wang, W., Patnaik, V, Zhou, J.-S., and Huang, X.-C., 2016, “Flow Boiling Pressure Drop for R410A and RL32H in Multi-channel Tube,” Proceedings of the 16th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 11-14, 2016. Paper 1752. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iracc/1752

Yin, X.-W., Wang, W., Patnaik, V, Zhou, J.-S., and Huang, X.-C., 2015, “Evaluation of microchannel condenser characteristics by numerical simulation,” International Journal of Refrigeration, Vol. 54, pp. 126-141.

Li, B., Jain, N., Mohs, W. F., Munns, S., Patnaik, V., Berge, J., and Alleyne, A. G., 2012, “Dynamic modeling of refrigerated transport systems with cooling-mode/heating-mode switch operations,” HVAC&R Research, Vol. 18, Issue 5.

Patnaik, V., 2009, “History & Use of Refrigerants,” invited seminar, Physics Dept., University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Patnaik, V., 2008, “Absorption Technology as a Global Sustainable Energy Solution,” (invited seminar) presented at the ILK Symposium Absorptionskälte, Chillventa, Nuremberg, Germany, 14th October 2008.

Patnaik, V., 2007, “Absorption Technology as a Sustainable Energy Solution in the United States,” (invited seminar)Proceedings of the 1st European Conference on Polygeneration – Technologies and Applications, Palau Firal i de Congressos, Tarragona, Spain, October 16-17, 2007, ed. Alberto Coronas, pp. 257-279.

Patnaik, V., 2007, “Combined Cooling, Heating and Power (CHP) Systems,” in Energy Conversion Systems (Ch. 11) of ASHRAE GreenGuide, 2nd Edition.

Patnaik, V., 2005, “A Thermodynamic Investigation of the NH3-H2O Working Pair for Enhanced Energy Efficiency of Air-Conditioning Equipment via Wet Compression,” Proceedings of the International Sorption Heat Pump Conference in Broomfield (Denver), Colorado, June 21-24, 2005.

Patnaik, V., 2005, “Math in Technology Development,” invited seminar, Mathematics Dept., Univ. of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Patnaik, V., 2004, “Sustainable Absorption Systems,” invited seminar, ASHRAE La Crosse Chapter, La Crosse, WI, September 15, 2004.

Patnaik, V., 2004, “Experimental Verification of an Absorption Chiller for BCHP Applications,” ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 110, Part 1; presented in Symposium AN-04-07 at the ASHRAE Winter Meeting in Anaheim, CA, Jan. 24-28, 2004.

Patnaik, V., 2003, “Life in Technology Development,” invited seminar, Physics Dept., University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.

Patnaik, V., 2003, “Sustainable Absorption Systems,” presented in Seminar 46: Future Developments in Absorption at the ASHRAE Annual Meeting in Kansas City, MO, June 28 – July 2, 2003.

Patnaik, V., Schultz, K. J., and Xia, Peter, 2002, “A Thermodynamic Investigation of the R22-DMF, R134A-DMETEG and NH3-H2O Working Pairs for Enhanced Vapor Compression via a Solution Circuit in Air-Conditioning Applications,” Proceedings of the International Sorption Heat Pump Conference at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, September 24-27, 2002.

Schultz, K. J., and Patnaik, V., 2002, “Observations of Absorber Additive Behavior,” Proceedings of the International Sorption Heat Pump Conference at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, September 24-27, 2002.

Patnaik, V., 2001, “Tube Bundle Optimization for Chillers using a Modified Dynamic Programming Technique,” presented at the 2nd Heat Powered Cycles conference at CNAM, Paris, France, September 5-7, 2001.

Patnaik, V., 2000, “Global Future of Absorption,” invited seminar, Mech. Engg. Dept., Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

Patnaik, V., and Perez-Blanco, H., 1996, “A Study of Absorption Enhancement by Wavy Film Flows,” International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, Elsevier Science (publ.), Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 71-77.

Patnaik, V., and Perez-Blanco, H., 1996, “Roll Waves in Falling Films: An Approximate Treatment of the Velocity Field,” International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, Elsevier Science (publ.), Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 63-70.

Patnaik, V., Miller, W. A., and Perez-Blanco, H., 1994, “An Empirical Methodology for the Design of Vertical Tube Absorbers”, (presented at the ASHRAE Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, on June 27, 1994) ASHRAE Transactions, V. 100, Pt. 2.

Patnaik, V., 1994, Coupled Heat and Mass Transfer in Wavy Film Absorption, Ph.D. Thesis, Penn State University.

Patnaik, V., and Perez-Blanco, H., 1994, “A Counterflow Heat-Exchanger Analysis for the Design of Falling-Film Absorbers,” Proceedings of the ASME International Absorption Heat Pump Conference, New Orleans, LA, Jan. 19-21, 1994.

Patnaik, V., Perez-Blanco, H., and Ryan, W. A., 1993, “A Simple Analytical Model for the Design of Vertical Tube Absorbers”, (presented at the ASHRAE Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado, on June 27, 1993) ASHRAE Transactions, V. 99, Pt. 2.

Miller, W. A., Perez-Blanco, H., and Patnaik, V., 1992, Advanced Surfaces for Vertical Tube Absorbers, Final Report (# 5089-243-1844) to the Gas Research Institute, Chicago, IL.

Thynell, S. T., and Patnaik, V., 1990, “Study of Waste Heat Recovery using Phase Change Particles,” Phase Change and Convective Heat Transfer, Proceedings of the AIAA/ASME Thermophysics and Heat Transfer Conference, Seattle, WA, June 18-20, 1990, HTD-vol. 129, pp. 71-79.

Patnaik, V., 1990, Study of Waste Heat Recovery using Phase Change Particles, M.S. Thesis, Penn State University.

Patnaik, V., 1988, Computer-Assisted Instruction Courseware on Introductory Robotics using Interactive Computer Graphics and Animation, B.Tech. (Hons.) Thesis, The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India.

Patnaik, V., 1987, Computer-Assisted Instruction for CAD/CAM literacy in Indian Industry, Technical Report, Tata Unisys Ltd.

Translations (German to English; knowledge of German acquired 1980-1984)

Iseli, M., 1985, Experimentelle und Thermodynamische Untersuchung des Siedegleichgewichtes des Systems NH3-H2O bei hohen Drucken (Experimental and thermodynamic investigation of vapor equilibrium of the NH3-H2O system under high pressures), Dissertation, ETH Zurich.

Keller, J., and Peters, R., 1994, Arbeitstoffe fur Absorptionsmaschinen (Working Substances for Absorption Machines), International Patent No. WO 94/13752, Ref.No. PCT/DE93/01218.

Schmidt, E. F., 1967, “Warmeubergang und Druckverlust in Rohrschlangen (Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop in Coiled Tubes,” Chemie Ingenieur Technik (Chemical Engineer Technology), Vol. 39, No. 13, pp. 781-789.

Reviewed 30+ journal/conference papers and numerous handbook chapters and external reports since 1993, in the thermal sciences applied to HVAC and other energy systems.

PROPOSALS

Modern Electron, 2021-2022, numerous proposals to government agencies such as ARPA-E (US DOE) and NGIF (Canada) relating to thermionic energy converter based combined heat and power systems and methane pyrolysis reactor based hydrogen generation systems.

Trane U.S. Inc. (jointly with Rocky Research), 2012, Variable-Speed Absorption System with Co-firing Capabilities for Ground-Source Heat Pump Applications; Project: AbsoHP, Application to the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Savings through Improved Mechanical Systems & Building Envelope Technologies, Solicitation No.: DE-FOA-0000621, Control No.: 0621-1524, Topic 1: Energy Saving Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems; Subtopic 1.2: Alternative Space-Heating Systems.

The Trane Company, 2001, Energy Efficient Building Equipment and Envelope Technologies, DOE/NETL solicitation (which evolved into Single Stage Chiller Development for Waukesha Engine Modular BCHP System), accepted by DOE/GTI.

Phillips Engineering Co., 1996, Technical Proposal for Hi-Cool Absorption Cycle Technology Development – Phase II: Critical Component Development, accepted by Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN.

Perez-Blanco, H., and Patnaik, V., 1993, A Proposal for a Production Grant on the CRAY Y-MP C90, accepted by the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, Pittsburgh, PA.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Kraemer, D, Chen, Y., Noble, P. D., and Patnaik, V., 2023, “Combustion systems including heat modules, and associated devices and methods,” United States Patent, Pub. No.: US 2023/0025491 A1, Current Assignee: Modern Hydrogen Inc.

Patnaik, V. et al., 2021-2022, 1 patent application related to thermionic energy converters and associated combined heat and power systems, Modern Electron.

Patnaik, V., and Leroy, J., 2019, “Hybrid Thermal & Electrical Compressor Based Heating & Cooling System”. Patent application, Trane Residential HVAC / Ingersoll Rand.

Patnaik, V., and Fu, L. (F.), 2013, “Advanced dynamic modeling methods for vapor-compression system”. Trane Commercial Systems.

ARTISTIC PRODUCTIONS

Patnaik, V., 2024, Dream # 9, an original play set in the early 1980’s and based in an alternative reality, with elements borrowed from dreams, real life and Indian mythology, that imagines the survival of John Lennon. Performed at the Shoreline Community College Theater, April 5-7, Shoreline, WA.

Patnaik, V., 2018, Banvaas (The Exile), a musical play based on Indian mythology around the banishment of Prince Ram. Performed at the Cavalier Theatre, April 29, La Crosse, WI.

Patnaik, V., 2016, Shakti, a dance-drama tribute to the women of South Asia, and womankind in general, via glimpses of mythology and history, set to the backdrop of classical music and dance originating in a glorious ancient culture. Performed at the Cavalier Theatre, April 30, and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, December 11, La Crosse, WI.

Patnaik, V., 2012, “Pussy Riot and the Presidency of Russia,” Leaders We Deserve, WordPress blog, Ed. Dr. Tudor Rickards. Available at: https://leaderswedeserve.wordpress.com/tag/vikas-patnaik/

Mehrotra, S. C., 2010, Maya & Me, compiled and edited by Vikas Patnaik, 1st ed., printed by Prizm Strategic Communications.

Available at: https://www.amazon.com/Maya-Me-Subhash-Mehrotra-ebook/dp/B0078HLGXS

Patnaik, V., 2004, “The Shifted Bindi,” a short story, published in Journal of the Orissa Society of the Americas, 2004 Souvenir Issue, coinciding with the 35th OSA Annual Convention, Dallas, TX, July 2-4.

Patnaik, V., 2002, “Lotus Talk,” a poem. Recited at Barnes & Noble poetry reading/competition, National Poetry Week, April 26.

Patnaik, V., 2001, Tracks, a musical play inspired by the early works of Pink Floyd set in the mist of musical reality. Performed at the Pump House, September 27, Odin Gallery, October 3, and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Cartwright Center, Valhalla Auditorium, October 4, La Crosse, WI.

Patnaik, V., 2000, Holi, a multi-lingual, musical play (performed in Tamil, Bengali and Gujarati) on the origins of the Indian Festival of Colors. Performed at the Onalaska Community Center, April 8, Onalaska, WI.

Developed numerous theatrical adaptations of classical stories for children’s plays, including Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, High School Musical and Lord of the Rings, performed at various locations in La Crosse, WI.