Daniel Deng

Daniel Deng is a Laboratory Fellow in the Energy & Environment Directorate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and serves as an Adjunct Professor at multiple institutions including the University of Michigan (2023-present), Virginia Tech (2017-present), Hohai University (2016-present), Ocean University of China (2013-2018), and Tianjin University (2011-2013). He directs the Bio-Acoustics & Flow Laboratory, an accredited multi-disciplinary R&D laboratory addressing engineering and ecological issues related to environmental monitoring and risk assessment for hydropower, wind, marine, and hydrokinetic energy systems.

Deng earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Mechanics/Mechanics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tianjin University, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics from Tianjin University. His educational background established the foundation for his interdisciplinary work bridging mechanical engineering with environmental science.

Dr. Deng's research focuses on advanced sensing systems for renewable energy and earth systems, with particular expertise in underwater acoustics, acoustic telemetry, ecohydraulics, and environmental monitoring for renewable energy systems. His work bridges mechanical engineering, environmental science, and aquatic ecology to develop technologies that minimize the environmental impact of renewable energy systems while maximizing their efficiency and sustainability. He has pioneered innovations in bio-acoustics and fish-friendly turbine design, creating several licensed technologies in acoustic telemetry, environmental sensing, and energy storage. His research has direct applications in improving the environmental performance of hydropower facilities and marine energy systems.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward developing self-powered sensing systems for environmental monitoring, with particular focus on triboelectric nanogenerators for harvesting wave energy, advanced fish tracking technologies, and improved methods for assessing fish passage through hydropower systems. His work spans disciplines including mechanical engineering, environmental science, fisheries biology, and renewable energy technology, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of sustainable energy development.

• 2025 American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Fellow
• 2025 Fish Passage Career Achievement Award
• 2024 Distinguished Inventor of Battelle
• 2023 Member of the Washington State Academy of Sciences
• Multiple R&D 100 Awards
• PNNL Inventor of the Year (2022)
• IEEE Internet of Things Journal Best Paper Runner-Up Award (2023)

As director of the Bio-Acoustics & Flow Laboratory, Dr. Deng has supervised research that has won awards including ASME's International Conference on Energy Sustainability Outstanding Student Paper Award. His work has been supported by numerous grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, and other organizations focused on renewable energy and environmental protection. His research has led to multiple patents and licensed technologies that have practical applications in the field.

The Bio-Acoustics & Flow Laboratory (BFL), which Dr. Deng directs, is accredited by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). The lab focuses on developing and applying advanced sensing technologies for environmental monitoring, with particular emphasis on aquatic systems. BFL's research supports the development of more environmentally sustainable hydropower, marine energy, and other renewable energy technologies through innovative approaches to environmental assessment and monitoring. The lab has developed several key technologies including the Lab-on-a-Fish system for real-time monitoring of aquatic animals.