With a vast educational background, Patcharin Burke has earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Chulalongkorn University, a master’s degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Utah and a doctorate in materials science from Pennsylvania State University.

Burke has extensive experience in advanced materials R&D as applied to high-temperature materials and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). This experience is in diverse areas as well, such as project management and product and process development. Her main areas of expertise involve fabrication and structure-property-processing relationships of high-temperature materials such as alloys, composites and perovskite materials and their application to fuel cell systems and advanced turbines. 

Burke joined NETL in December 2009. Her projects mainly focus on the technical challenges of developing low-cost SOFC systems for stationary coal-based power applications and advanced energy materials development.

Currently, she is the technology managers for both reversible solid oxide fuel cell (R-SOFC) and Advanced Energy Materials programs, and she is also acting technology manager for Sensors and Controls.

In these positions, she builds a technology team of knowledgeable NETL personnel to create and update research plans, including budget requests, spend plans and technology readiness assessments to develop technologies that achieve program goals while also utilizing and strengthening NETL capabilities.

She also serves as NETL’s primary point of contact with external stakeholders for assigned technology R&D programs, communicating with them to promote technology transfer, facilitate collaborations and partnerships and to gather information guide research planning.

When it comes to accomplishments, Burke has a lot to be proud of as she authored/co-authored 30 technical publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. She also has authored numerous reports for all R&D projects performed, presented technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and provided supplemental information and recommendations to executive leadership required to render final decisions on operational direction.

Burke served as treasurer for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Pittsburgh Section in 2011 and as secretary in 2010. She also served for three consecutive years (2009-2012) as chair of the IEEE’s Pittsburgh Section of Women in Engineering (WIE) and for two years (2010-2012) as treasurer of the IEEE’s Pittsburgh Section of the Components Packaging, Manufacturing and Technology/Electron Devices Society (CPMT/EDS). 

During Women’s History Month, Burke believes it’s a time to honor the accomplishments and contributions made by women in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines. Burke said that she is happy to be a part of a diverse and talented team, as they work together to enhance the country’s energy security and innovation. She also said that she is grateful to the women who came before her and paved the road for her work.

“As a first-generation immigrant to the USA, I appreciate the opportunities and freedoms that this country has given me, and I hope to inspire and mentor the next generation of women in STEM,” Burke said. “Women’s History Month is a time to honor the achievements of women in STEM fields, but it is also a time to acknowledge the challenges and barriers that they still face as a reminder to keep working for more fairness and diversity in STEM.”

Patcharin Burke