I am currently working in the Washington DC metro area for a research institute that does integrated assessment modeling to understand the physical and economic impacts of climate change legislation. I recently graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with my MS in mechanical engineering. My thesis, Minimum Energy Design of Seawater Heat Exchangers, focused on the design of energy efficient heat exchangers from a new thermally conductive polymer material, for applications including power plants and desalination (available here). I received my BS from Northwestern University in June, 2007, also in mechanical engineering. I believe everyone is entitled to clean, abundant, and affordable energy.
I believe in the importance of using the Earth’s resources wisely, and focused my research at the University of Maryland accordingly. In addition to my research, I have done significant work as an assistant to the University of Maryland Energy Research Center Steering Committee, which has exposed me to the wide range of energy-related activities in progress at the university. I am also a member of the campus chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers.
In addition to the professional saving-the-world aspects of my life, I also spend a lot of time on my bike. There are several large group rides in the greater DC area which I frequent, and in the spring and summer I do a few races here and there. I also cook all my own food, read a variety of books, do a little photography, and play in a couple regular ultimate frisbee games. I have thought about making my site more focused, but it ends up being much more interesting to discuss the variety of the things that interest me.
-Patrick
