ZEI builds next generation propulsion technology and infrastructure solutions for freight, maritime, and defense. We make hydrogen technology solutions that work in the real world.

At Zero Emission Advisors, Joe provides technical depth and breadth in all things hydrogen. He has analytical and hands-on experience in multiple application spaces on land, sea, and air, understands the latest technologies, and continues to accurately predict technical trends, successes, and failures. Zero Emission Advisors clients appreciate his unbiased, objective, and accessible technical assessments and use them to confidently make strategic decisions and set policy.

Program Responsibilities:• Founder and Manager of Sandia’s Zero Emission Maritime Program (maritime.sandia.gov)• Sandia Manager of US DOE’s Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure Research and Station Technology (H2FIRST) initiative (co-managed with NREL) (https://energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/h2first)• Manager of the Sandia Hydrogen Program’s Market Transformation activities.Principle Investigator on 13 projects and technical activities with a total value of over $9M over eight years, technical lead or contributor on 3 others, including:• Zero emission hydrogen and battery electric marine vessels.• Hydrogen fueling stations for fuel cell electric vehicles.• Liquid hydrogen based refueling for light duty and heavy duty vehicles and maritime vessels.• Maritime hydrogen safety and regulations.• Well-to-waves (lifecycle) emissions analyses.• Hydrogen energy storage and power-to-gas.• Deployment of hydrogen fuel cells in commercially viable applications.• Fuel cells for ports and other maritime applications.• Metal hydride hydrogen storage systems for material handling equipment.• Liquid fuel production from biofuel-based syngas via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.• Feasibility of PEM fuel cells on commercial aircraft.• Metal hydride stability and safety (hydrogen storage).• Hydrogen storage research needs.• Liquid hydrogen handling and safety.

• Conducted research in alternative energy systems; awarded a RMB 200,000 grant by the National Science Foundation of China for a hardware-in-the-loop experimental study of highly dynamic energy generation and storage systems.• Created and taught Junior and Senior Mechanical Engineering Laboratory classes on professional experimental techniques on a variety of core Mechanical Engineering subjects• Served as Chair of Undergraduate Education Committee• Designed, built, and managed the UM-SJTU JI Mechanical Engineering Laboratory.• Effective communication style, clear explanations, and easy-to-understand presentations led to winning 3rd Prize, 2009 Shanghai Jiao Tong University Excellent Teacher Award.• Taught Introduction to Engineering for Freshman, evaluated 4.96/5.0 (“excellent teacher”)• Supervised four undergraduate student researchers and several teaching assistants.

Doctoral Research: Designed, built, tested, and operated a permanent test facility for high-altitude fuel cell applications, all under-budget. In March 2007, operated a solid oxide fuel cell stack at a pressure altitude of 60,000 ft, the first time a solid oxide fuel cell has been operated at such a condition. In April 2008, operated a planar solid oxide fuel cell at similar conditions, leading to discovery of fundamental mechanisms that affect performance at these low pressures.Masters Research:Designed, built, tested, and operated a benchtop experiment for low temperature high-altitude fuel cell tests. Tested a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack at atmospheric conditions from sea level to 53,500 feet, the lowest ambient pressure ever tested for this type of fuel cell.

Taught Introduction to Thermodynamics (MAE 91) in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department, evaluated as 8.2/9.0 (“excellent”) – described as knowledgeable, clear, and effective.

Design, field engineering, and construction management of 500+ MW combined cycle gas turbine power plants. Construction, startup, and commissioning assignments in Bucksport, ME and Elk Hills, CA.