Groll named head of Purdue mechanical engineering

USA: Eckhard A Groll, one of the world’s leading thermal engineering experts, has been named as Purdue University’s new head of mechanical engineering.

Currently associate dean for undergraduate and graduate education for the College of Engineering and the Reilly professor of mechanical engineering, he will assume the role of William E and Florence E Perry head of mechanical engineering on July 1. 

Groll joined Purdue in 1994 as an assistant professor, moving to associate professor in 2000 and full professor in 2005. He was named a Reilly professor in 2013. He holds a pre-diploma of engineering and diploma of engineering, both in mechanical engineering, from Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany. He earned his doctor of engineering degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Hanover.

His research interests include fundamental thermal sciences as applied to advanced energy conversion systems, components, and their working fluids. Select recognitions include the Ritter von Rittinger International Heat Pump Award, Institute of Refrigeration International Gold Medal in Refrigeration, ACE (American Council on Education) Fellow, ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and a Purdue Book of Great Teachers inductee.

Groll also worked on creating two living lab research homes: the ReNEWW House, sponsored by Whirlpool and retrofitted with renewable technologies to be net-zero energy, water and waste; and the DC Nano-Grid House, sponsored by the Center for High Performance Buildings, which focused on converting an AC-powered home to DC power. Both research homes are 1920s-style residential buildings in West Lafayette.

“I consider it the right time to reinvent the School of Mechanical Engineering as an interdisciplinary, unique entity that provides exceptional cross-disciplinary and transformational learning, discovery, and engagement activities for our students, faculty and staff,” Groll said. “I am deeply honored and excited about the opportunity to lead our school.”

Groll succeeds Anil K Bajaj, who has been the head of mechanical engineering since 2011. After a one-year sabbatical, he will return to the ME faculty.

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