Vi Rapp

Vi Rapp

Mechanical Staff Scientist/Engineer
510-495-2035

Bio

Dr. Vi Rapp is a problem-solving scientist who develops technology and software to improve human health. As a Research Scientist and Department Deputy, she leads and directs research on zero and low-carbon heat and power generation technologies. By fostering teamwork and creating productive environments, she advances scientific knowledge, while bringing technologies and projects to success. Her current projects include:

  • leveraging machine learning to identify bio-derived molecules that can improve air quality and public health;

  • developing novel technologies for CO2 free hydrogen production (Turquoise Hydrogen); and

  • advancing heat and power technologies for the industrial and developing world such as, wood heaters, cookstoves, and a zero-electricity warmer for preventing neonatal hypothermia.

Dr. Rapp received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley with a focus on advanced internal combustion engines and alternative fuels. Prior to her PhD, she worked in aerospace conducting thermal and stress analysis on primary flight control actuators for the Boeing 787 and other commercial aircraft.

Awards

2023 R&D 100 Award: R&D 100 Professional Team of the Year -  August 29th 2023

The Energy Management Systems Team receives the R&D 100 Professional Team of the Year Award from R&D World for its ongoing international efforts to advance energy management business practices in the commercial, manufacturing, and institutional sectors. The team has collectively built on each other’s strengths to make a profound impact in their respective fields. By leveraging their diverse academic and personal backgrounds, the team has created a technical program that reaches people working in all sectors of the economy. The team has published international standards, conducted original research, delivered technical assistance to organizations globally, developed professional workforce certification programs, and partnered with private and public sector organizations to accelerate the deployment of energy management business practices. The team’s resources and practices have been adopted by tens of thousands of organizations worldwide, including large and small manufacturers, regional hospital groups, government agencies, schools and universities, and corporate and boutique hotel chains. To learn more about energy management system business practices, visit 50001Ready.lbl.gov.

newscenter.lbl.gov/2023/08/23/rd-100-awards-honor-berkeley-lab-innovations/

Spot: Vi Rapp -  March 29th 2021

CHP Decarbonization Memo

Vi Rapp profile page

Honorable Mention: 2020 Patents for Humanity -  November 3rd 2020

The Warming Indicator, a phase-change material temperature indicator that improves the Infant Warmer's functionality and safety, was recently recognized with an honorable mention in the 2020 Patents for Humanity awards. The Infant Warmer is a low-cost, convenient, re-usable, and non-electric wrap-around pad that maintains a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, the average human core temperature) for approximately six hours for a newborn infant. Both technologies are being licensed to a non-profit for scale up in Africa.

Publications

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011