Overview
Personal Profile
Tim LaClair's research focuses on thermal energy storage and utilization, heat transfer, phase change material development, and advanced building technologies, and he was previously active in energy efficient transportation research. His work combines experimental measurement with computer modeling and analysis of data. He serves as NLR's codirector for the U.S. Department of Energy Stor4Build Energy Storage Consortium and manages a diverse research portfolio, including advanced building thermal energy systems and energy integration.
Research Interests
Thermal energy storage
Phase change materials
Boiling heat transfer
HVAC systems
Building energy efficiency
Professional Experience
Senior R&D Staff and Subprogram Manager for Thermal Energy Storage, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2021-2022)
Group Leader, Vehicle Connectivity and Autonomy Research, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2020-2022)
R&D Staff, Center for Transportation Analysis, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2009-2020)
Lead Analyst/Performance Engineer, Michelin Tire Corporation (1999-2009)
Spacecraft Thermal Management Engineer, United States Air Force Research Laboratory (1992-1999)
Education/Academic Qualification
Master, Mechanical Engineering, Florida Institute of Technology
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
Bachelor, Mathematics, University of Michigan
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Collaborations and Top Research Areas From the Past 5 Years
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Field Evaluation of the High Efficiency Dehumidification System (HEDS) at the Timken Museum of Art - Measurement and Verification (M&V) Results from Summer, Winter and Spring Evaluation Periods
Cu, K. N., LaClair, T. & Dahlhausen, M., 2025, 44 p.Research output: NLR › Technical Report
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Techno-Economic Analysis for the Addition of a Thermal Energy Storage System to a Central Plant: Article No. 021003
Woldekidan, K., Bianchi, C., Fallahi, Z. & LaClair, T., 2025, In: Journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities. 6, 2, 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Scopus Citations -
Techno-Economic Analysis for the Addition of Thermal Energy Storage to a Campus With Existing Battery Storage: Article No. 021004
Woldekidan, K., Bianchi, C., Fallahi, Z. & LaClair, T., 2025, In: Journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities. 6, 2, 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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A Mobile Edge Computing Framework for Traffic Optimization At Urban Intersections Through Cyber-Physical Integration
Xu, H., Yuan, J., Berres, A., Shao, Y., Wang, C., Li, W., LaClair, T., Sanyal, J. & Wang, H., 2024, In: IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Vehicles. 9, 1, p. 1131-1145 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
8 Scopus Citations -
Enhanced Thermal Reliability and Performance of Calcium Chloride Hexahydrate Phase Change Material Using Cellulose Nanofibril and Graphene Nanoplatelet: Article No. 109560
Akamo, D., Li, K., Turnaoglu, T., Kumar, N., Li, Y., Pekol, C., Bibhanshu, N., Goswami, M., Hirschey, J., LaClair, T., Keffer, D., Rios, O. & Gluesenkamp, K., 2024, In: Journal of Energy Storage. 75, 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
25 Scopus Citations
Activities
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American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) (External organization)
Allen, A. (Member), Zuo, W. (Chair), Antretter, F. (Member), Romero, R. (Member), Hayter, S. (Member), Hayter, S. (Member), Hayter, S. (Fellow), Hirschey, J. (Member), Gamil, A. (Member), Kocher, J. (Member), Ermel, C. (Member) & LaClair, T. (Member)
0001Activity: Membership › Membership of network