Dr. Zhiming Gao is a senior research and development staff member in the Buildings and Transportation Science Division. His research primarily focuses on developing energy-efficient HVAC equipment and enabling technologies for zero-emission buildings, including CHPs, residential furnaces, PEM fuel cells, integrated heat pumps, water heaters, refrigerators, frost sensors, desiccant and membrane-based dehumidification technologies. He is also a recognized expert in vehicle powertrain, emissions control, and LD/MD/HD vehicle electrification. Currently, he has expanded his R&D interests to the fields of critical minerals, geothermal energy, and data centers. Dr. Gao has more than 100 publications in Nature Communications, Chemical Engineering Journal, Energy, Energy Conversion and Management, and many other journals and conferences, including more than 60 as lead author. He holds seven issued patents/copyrights, all as lead inventor. In addition, he has received 2022 and 2024 R&D 100 Awards, both as team leader. His works are funded by ARPA-E, BTO, DOE/TCF, UT/Battelle LDRD/TIP, VTO, and WPTO.
