Learning from the Best

Kwang-Tzu Yang, the Viola D. Hank Professor Emeritus of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, received the Max Jakob Memorial Award in July 2007 during the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)-Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Thermal Engineering and Summer Heat Transfer Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Named in honor of Max Jakob, a pioneer in the science of heat transmission, the award has been presented annually since 1961. Yang was recognized for a long career of achievement and distinguished service in heat transfer. His research has focused on heat exchanger dynamics, hydronic systems, application of artificial intelligence, oscillating flows, modeling of large fires, tribology, food and materials processing, and technology transfer. He also holds patents for flexible coupling and the wet oxidation of coal for the generation of heat energy. The award is a special honor for Yang as Jakob was his Ph.D. adviser.

A fellow of the ASME and a member of numerous professional societies, Yang is listed in “Who’s Who in America,” “Who’s Who in Engineering” and “American Men and Women of Science.” He has served as a faculty member since 1955.