Matthew M. Mench

Matthew M. Mench serves as Dean of the Tickle College of Engineering and Condra Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Previously, he held interim roles as Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement and served as faculty at Pennsylvania State University from 2002-2013.

His educational background includes an MBA (2022) from UT Martin, PhD (2000), MSME (1996), and BSME (1994) from Pennsylvania State University.

• MBA, 2022, University of Tennessee, Martin
• PhD, 2000, The Pennsylvania State University
• MSME, 1996, The Pennsylvania State University
• BSME, 1994, The Pennsylvania State University

Mench leads pioneering research in electrochemical energy systems, specializing in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, flow battery systems, and biological energy conversion. His work integrates advanced diagnostics, computational simulation, and multi-phase transport characterization to address critical challenges in sustainable energy storage and conversion. The Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Laboratory (EESC) under his direction spans 2500+ sq.ft. across three specialized facilities: Fuel Cell Diagnostics and Design Laboratory, Advanced Projects Laboratory, and Flow Battery Diagnostics and Design Laboratory.

His recent publications demonstrate concentrated expertise in flow battery electrode optimization, hydrogen production systems, and fuel cell architecture, reflecting his leadership in advancing electrochemical engineering solutions for renewable energy infrastructure. Research trends emphasize practical applications in heavy-duty transportation and grid-scale energy storage.

Award highlights include:

• NSF CAREER Award
• ASME Fellow designation
• Chancellor's Professor title
• Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher (top 1% in engineering)
• Elsevier's List of 150 Most Cited Energy Scholars

Mench actively mentors doctoral students, with recent PhD completions including Yasser Ashraf Gandomi (now at MIT), Tugrul Ertugrul, Cyrus Daugherty, and Jake Houser. His laboratory secures significant funding from DOE, NASA, and industry partners like Nuvera Fuel Cells, supporting translational research in electrochemical systems. Current initiatives focus on integrated electrode technologies for green hydrogen production and advanced flowfield architectures for next-generation energy storage.