May 12, 2025

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has selected Mizzou Engineering Professor Hongbin “Bill” Ma, chair of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, as the recipient of its distinguished Heat Transfer Memorial Award for 2025.

This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of heat transfer and is awarded annually in three categories: science, art and the general subject of heat transfer. Ma will be honored in the category of the art of heat transfer.

The award acknowledges Ma’s extensive and impactful body of work in applied heat transfer, particularly his pioneering innovations in oscillating heat pipe thermal control for defense systems, heat pipe technologies for computer cooling, and phase-change and microchannel cooling for consumer products such as drink-now coffee mugs. His research has advanced both the theoretical understanding and practical implementation of thermal management solutions across multiple industries.

Established in 1959 by ASME’s Heat Transfer Division and elevated to a Society-level award in 1974, the Heat Transfer Memorial Award celebrates outstanding contributions in teaching, research, practice and design in the field of heat transfer.

Ma will be formally recognized at the 2025 ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, to be held July 8-10 in Westminster, Colorado.

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