Gilbert Moreno is a senior research engineer with NREL's power electronics and electric machines group, where he conducts research into the thermal management of power electronics. He has worked on several Department of Energy and industry-funded projects to develop advanced cooling technologies for various power electronics applications, including technologies for light- and heavy-duty vehicles, aviation, and power generation. He has patented multiple advanced cooling technologies for power electronics in collaboration with industry partners, including John Deere.

Research Interests

Designing advanced power electronics cooling systems that employ aggressive (e.g., jet impingement) cooling configurations

Developing dielectric fluid power electronics cooling technologies in both single- and two-phase heat transfer applications

Designing advanced packaging configurations to increase power density and improve thermal performance

Education

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington

M.S., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Arlington

B.S., Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at El Paso

Professional Experience

Senior Research Engineer, Center for Integrated Mobility Sciences, NREL (2009–present)

Research and Teaching Assistant, The University of Texas at Arlington (2004–2009)

Mechanical Design Engineer, Lockheed Martin (2001–2004)

Technician, Nalco Chemical (2000–2001)

Associations and Memberships

Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Featured Work

Energy Use in Quantum Data Centers: Scaling the Impact of Computer Architecture, Qubit Performance, Size, and Thermal Parameters, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Computing (2022)

Electric-Drive Vehicle Power Electronics Thermal Management: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Directions, Journal of Electronic Packaging (2022)

Pool Boiling Heat Transfer Characteristics of HFO-1234yf on Plain and Microporous-Enhanced Surfaces, Journal of Heat Transfer (2013)

Single-Phase Dielectric Fluid Thermal Management for Power-Dense Automotive Power Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics (2022)

Single-Phase Jet Impingement Cooling for a Power-Dense Silicon Carbide Power Module, IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology (2023)

Validation and Parametric Investigations of an Internal Permanent Magnet Motor Using a Lumped Parameter Thermal Model, Journal of Electronic Packaging (2021)

Patents

Condensers and Electronic Assemblies, U.S. Patent No. 11,778,782 B2 (2023)

Jet Impingement Manifolds for Cooling Power Electronics Modules, U.S. Patent No. 11,751,365 B2 (2023)

Evaporator Stacks and Electronic Assemblies, U.S. Patent No. 11,594,468 B2 (2023)

Condensers and Electronic Assemblies, U.S. Patent No. 11,388,840 B2 (2022)

Cooling Automotive Power Electronics, Non-Provisional Patent Application 17/573,445 (filed 2022)

Awards and Honors

Chairperson's Award, NREL (2023)

Distinguished Achievement Award, U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office (2018)

R&D 100 Award with Wolfspeed, Toyota, and the University of Arkansas, R&D Magazine (2016)

Outstanding Mentor Award, NREL (2013)

Outstanding Performance Staff Award, NREL (2011)

University Scholar Award, The University of Texas at Arlington (2007)