Professor Samuelsen Elected ASME Fellow

Recognized for his many career contributions in mechanical engineering

April 4, 2006 - Scott Samuelsen, Ph.D., professor and founder of UC Irvine’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, and director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center, recently was named an American Society of Mechanical Engineers Fellow, a prestigious distinction recognizing him for his many career contributions to the mechanical engineering field.

In addition to teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses, and serving as a department chair for 14 years, Samuelsen in 1970 established the UCI Combustion Laboratory, which today is recognized internationally for its leadership in gas turbine technology, both in aero propulsion and electric power generation.  In 1998, Samuelsen initiated the NFCRC in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and the California Energy Commission.

This NFCRC pioneered the evolution of ultra-efficient hybrid power-generation systems that combine fuel cells and gas turbine engines, and plays a leadership role in the development of low-cost, reliable and flexible fuel cell systems. 

In an extension of his role at the NFCRC, Samuelsen co-chairs the California Stationary Fuel Cell Collaborative, a unique public-private alliance that is addressing critical technology and market hurdles to accelerate the commercialization of advanced power generation systems.

In addition to leading the NFCRC and UCICL, Samuelsen is also the director of the UCI Advanced Power and Energy Program, and the Pacific Rim Consortium on Energy, Combustion, and the Environment.  The consortium engages university and industry members in a global dialog about the economic importance of achieving a balance between energy generation and environmental sustainability, with an emphasis on the Pacific Rim.

Another notable accomplishment includes his work for the Federal Trade Commission in 1973 to develop and implement the "(R+M)/2" octane posting index, which continues today―40 years later― to govern automobile manufacturers and the energy industry in both engine and fuel design, and to guide the public through labeling on gasoline dispensers throughout the world.

Samuelsen was recently recognized as one of the “10 to Watch,” by The Orange County Register, which identified 10 individuals predicted to help shape Orange County’s next 100 years. This designation was featured in a special edition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the paper, honoring the top 100 people who have helped develop Orange County today.

Samuelsen is the technical chair for ASME’s International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering, and Technology, which is scheduled for June 19-21 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

He also serves as the technical chair of the International Colloquium on Environmentally Preferred Advanced Power Generation, or ICEPAG, scheduled for Sept. 5-7 at the Newport Beach Marriott.  ICEPAG is planned in conjunction with the European Union, the United Nations, the U.S. Department of Energy, and ASME.