Among his other honors, Chen has won an R&D 100 Award, Martin Marietta Energy Systems' Technical Achievement Award and the Advanced Technology Award from the Inventors Clubs of America International Hall of Fame for his work in air-conditioning research.
He is responsible for managing advanced energy research and development programs in thermal sciences and environmental control, including novel thermodynamic cycles and systems, heat pumps, fuel cells and hydrogen storage facilities with applications in industry, building, transportation and utility sectors.
Chen earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the National Taiwan University, a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Rochester and a doctorate in engineering and applied physics from Harvard University.
Prior to joining ORNL in 1977, Chen worked with the Nuclear Utilities Service (NUS) Corp. of Rockville, Md., and TRW Energy Systems in McLean, Va. He is a member of the Organization of Chinese-American, Inc.
Chen and his wife, Teresa, are residents of Knoxville.
ORNL, one of DOE's multiprogram national research and development facilities, is managed by Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.