Rodica Baranescu

Rodica Baranescu (born 1940) is a Romanian-American mechanical engineer known for her research in automotive diesel engines. Specifically she focuses on alternative fuels and optimization in emissions and performance of the engines.

Early life and education

Baranescu earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Institute Francais du Petrol in Rueil-Malmaison She earned her M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (1961) and her PhD in Mechanical Engineering (1970) from Politehnica University in Bucharest, Romania.[1][2][3]

Career and Research

After her formal education Baranescu taught as an Assistant to the Associate Professor, Politehnica University from 1964-1978. In 1980 she moved to the United States to work for the International Truck and Engine Corporation where she eventually became Chief Engineer for Engine Performance Analysis. She also became a manager in the Fuels and Lubricants and Engine group for the same company. In 2005 she became and still is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Here she is a mentor and research director to graduate and undergraduate students in engineering. She is often invited as a speaker and lecturer worldwide to talk about her research in the automotive industry. She is the co-editor of the 1999 edition of the Diesel Engine Reference Book and author of many papers relating to fuels and energy, mobile technology, and environmental issues. Her success has led her to be the first woman president of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) which is the largest automotive society in the world. She is also the Chair of the Fluids group in the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA). Through her leadership at SAE she has promoted engineering education for young students, women, and minorities.[1][2][3]

Awards

  • Member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)
  • Doctor Honoris Causa of the Pitesti University – Romania
  • Fellow member of SAE International
  • Honorary Professor of Transylvania University, Brasov – Romania
  • ASME Internal Combustion Engine Award
  • Excellence in Oral Presentation at the SAE International Off-Highway Engineering Conference
  • Powerplant Congress and Exposition
  • Gold Award of Excellence for Chicago Section of SAE
  • Forest R. McFarland Award of SAE

Patents

  • Internal Combustion Engine with Damping Chamber
  • Accumulator Fuel Injection System for Diesel Engine

References

  1. 1 2 Wayne, Tiffany K. (2010-01-01). American Women of Science Since 1900. ABC-CLIO, LLC. ISBN 9781598841589.
  2. 1 2 "MIE - ProfileBaranescu". www.mie.uic.edu. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
  3. 1 2 "Department of Mechanical Engineering – Mechanical Engineering Seminar – Dr. Rodica A. Baranescu". www.me.vt.edu. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
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