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Adrian Bejan

J.A. Jones Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
148A Engineering Bldg, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708-0300
148A Engineering Bldg, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Professor Bejan was awarded the Benjamin Franklin Medal 2018 and the Humboldt Research Award 2019. His research covers engineering science and applied physics: thermodynamics, heat transfer, convection, design, and evolution in nature.

He is ranked among the top 0.01% of the most cited and impactful world scientists (and top 10 in Engineering world wide) in the 2019 citations impact database created by Stanford University’s John Ioannidis, in PLoS Biology.  He is the author of 30 books and 700 peer-referred articles. His h-index is 111 with 92,000 citations on Google Scholar. He received 18 honorary doctorates from universities in 11 countries.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


J.A. Jones Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering · 1989 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering
Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science · 1984 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering

In the News


Published April 23, 2025
What Ancient Homes Can Teach Us About Energy Efficiency
Published October 10, 2023
Animals’ Rhythm as a Design Element in Robotics
Published May 23, 2023
Why Perfection Is the Enemy of Evolution

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Recent Publications


Obesity, body heat loss, and efficiency in movement.

Journal Article Bio Systems · December 2025 This article makes an unexpected, counterintuitive theoretical step. Excessive inactive body mass (fat, carried load) has a negative impact on the efficiency of life movement to distances. Also negative is the impact of loss of body heat to the cold ambien ... Full text Cite

Enhanced multi-objective genetic algorithm for optimized thermal management in mini heat sinks

Journal Article International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer · September 1, 2025 This research conducts an in-depth exploration of multi-objective optimization for a mini heat sink with fins using a genetic algorithm (GA). The objective is to reduce both thermal resistance and pump power consumption. The optimization problem consists o ... Full text Cite

Why people shape roofs the same way

Journal Article International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer · May 1, 2025 The roofs of houses look similar in profile, especially in villages and old settlements. Why? The question is about the common angle of inclination. The answer comes from heat transfer by natural convection. Inspired by the evolution of the sapiens toward ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Constructal Theory for Aeroelastic Design of Aircraft

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Florida International University · 2023 - 2026

Simulation Tools for 3D and 4D CT and Dosimetry

ResearchCollaborator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2007 - 2025

Optimization of Multiscale Geometries for Novel Heat Exchangers for Geothermal Power Plants

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Oak Ridge National Laboratory · 2014 - 2016

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Education, Training & Certifications


Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 1975 Sc.D.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 1972 Sc.M.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 1972 S.B.