Meet the Experts:

We are thrilled to welcome a powerhouse lineup of experts leading the charge in hydrogen innovation! Confirmed speakers include:

IAN JAKUPCA

NASA Glenn Research Center, Fuel Cell Technology Lead

Presentation: Current NASA Lunar Power and Energy Options

Ian graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Dayton in 2000 with a concentration in Energy Systems. After graduating, he began his career in hydrogen-based energy systems at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.  This work began with developing specialized instruments, flow control components, and electrochemical stacks for the next generation Space Shuttle Orbiter fuel cell power system and the regenerative fuel cell energy storage system for the HELIOS solar powered aircraft. Over the years, this work evolved from developing components to developing systems for vehicles and platforms operating in submerged, atmospheric, or space environments. These systems included primary fuel cells for electric power, regenerative fuel cells for energy storage, water electrolysis systems for generating oxygen and hydrogen for propellants, life support breathing oxygen, energy storage, and material processing systems. His primary research interest is the efficiency of integrated electrochemical systems with a focus on low-power techniques to manage reactants, heat, and power in remote, autonomous systems. As the Fuel Cell Technology Lead at NASA Glenn Research Center, he collaborates with academia, industry, and other federal agencies to advance hydrogen-based technologies for use above and below the von Kármán line.

SHAWN LITSTER, PhD

Carnegie Mellon University, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Presentation: PEMFC Electrochemical Modelling for Aerospace Applications

Shawn Litster is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University (2008) and his Bachelor Engineering and Master of Applied Sciences degrees from the University of Victoria. His current research focus is micro- and nanoscale transport phenomena in energy conversion technologies where electrochemistry and electrokinetics play a dominant role, including fuel cells, batteries, and ultra-capacitors. His research interests also include multiphase flow in porous media and micro-channels, non-linear dynamics, catalytic gasification, and microfluidic pumping.

MARK HABERBUSCH

NEOEx Systems, President & Founder

Presentation: On-site Liquid Hydrogen Production for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Refueling

Mark has 29 years of aerospace engineering experience with many of those years as the Director of Research and Technology for Sierra Lobo, Inc.  He has conducted research on cryogenic rocket engines and slush hydrogen for the National Aerospace Plane program as a Senior Researcher at the Ohio Aerospace Institute.  He has been a Principal Investigator on many research programs including several to develop liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen fuel cell based power systems for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs).  For this work his team was awarded an R&D 100 Award (the Oscar of Innovation), Mr. Haberbusch’s second R&D 100 award.  He has BS and MS degrees in Fluid and Thermal Engineering Science from Case Western Reserve University.  He has over 40 technical publications and eight patents.

MATT MORAN

Moran Innovation LLC, Managing Member, and previous Managing Partner at Isotherm Energy.

Presentation: Hydrogen for Aerospace

Matt has been developing power and propulsion systems for more than 40 years; and first-of-a-kind gas, slush, and liquid hydrogen systems since the mid-1980s. Matt was also the Sector Manager for Energy & Materials in his last position at NASA where he worked for 31 years. He's been a cofounder in seven technology-based start-ups; and provided R&D and engineering support to many organizations. Matt has three patents and more than 50 publications including his online Cryogenic Fluid Management guide and Decarbonizing Mobility with Liquid Hydrogen SAE report. He has created and taught liquid hydrogen courses, webinars, and workshops to global audiences. Matt also writes about liquid hydrogen on his LH2 Era™ blog.

GENE ARKENBERG

Teledyne Energy Systems, Chief Engineer for Clean Energy

Presentation: Fuel Cells for Space Power

Gene provides technical leadership for advanced fuel cell and energy system technologies supporting aerospace, defense, and commercial markets. He brings over 20 years of experience across fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, catalysis, and advanced materials, with prior leadership roles at Nexceris, LLC and Teledyne Energy Systems. Mr. Arkenberg holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The Ohio State University and has served as Principal Investigator on multiple NASA, Department of Defense, and U.S. Army programs, including a successful NASA Tipping Point flight demonstration. He is the author or co‑author of sixteen technical papers and an inventor on one international patent, two issued U.S. patents, and one pending U.S. patent application, with innovations spanning fuel cell stack architectures and electrochemical sensing technologies.

SHAWN BENNETT

Battelle, Energy and Resilience Division Manager

Presentation: ARCH2's Path Forward

Shawn Bennett is the Energy and Resilience Division Manager at Battelle, where he oversees all government-funded energy projects awarded to Battelle. In this role, he primarily focuses on opportunities in Carbon Capture and Storage, Hydrogen, Rare Earth Elements and Critical Minerals, and Direct Air Capture. Mr. Bennett is a former Managing Director at FTI Consulting in their Energy and Natural Resources sector. Mr. Bennett is also the former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Oil and Natural Gas at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he oversaw the Department’s research and development in the oil and gas sector, policy analysis, methane quantification and mitigation, and regulated LNG export authorizations for the United States.

CHRIS MCWHINNEY

Millennium Reign Energy, CEO & Founder

Presentation: Hydrogen-based Micro grids for Micro Data centers

Chris McWhinney has experience in developing 37 full scale working production models globally of fully automated water electrolysis products called AutoARK®. Successfully filed a provisional patent for a Residential Hydrogen Power Plant in 2003 to combine wind solar and hydrogen into a single harmonious system. He now holds 10 patents and 5 trademarks.
In charge of research and development, purchasing, financing projects, and marketing. Chris is the only executive officer in attendance on all the important codes and standards meetings in the world. Currently serving on technical subcommittees for CSA standards development, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the National Fire Protection code 2, and the International Standards Association and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. MRE is a Manufacturer of hydrogen infrastructure including Alkaline Electrolyzers, purification, compression, storage, and dispensing. MRE Develops and installs both custom and standard products and has completed over 3,500 successful fueling events. The company is in Dayton Ohio.

JOE DELLAMORTE

Nexceris, Catalyst Technology Director

Presentation: Catalysts for Hydrogen and Decarbonization

Joe Dellamorte has more than 15 years of experience spanning catalyst development, process scale-up, manufacturing operations, and technology commercialization in the chemical and energy sectors.  He earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware and has held leadership roles at organizations including BASF, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Nexceris, leading global cross-functional teams across R&D, pilot plant, and manufacturing environments.  Joe’s expertise includes heterogeneous catalysis for chemical synthesis and hydrogen generation, process optimization, and operational excellence, with a strong focus on translating innovation into scalable industrial solutions.  When not in the lab, you can usually find Joe with his wife and two kids taking care of their yard, playing golf, or watching a baseball game.

TRAVIS PYRZYNSKI, PMP

GTI Energy, Project Manager, Mobility

Presentation: Advancing Hydrogen Systems: Bridging R&D, Integration, and Real-World Deployment

Mr. Pyrzynski is a project manager in GTI Energy’s Energy Systems and Technology Integration business unit, supporting work in the Mobility subgroup. GTI Energy is an independent, not-for-profit research and development institute that has been bringing innovative technology to the energy industry for 80 years. In his current position, Mr. Pyrzynski oversees the analysis, design, construction, commissioning, testing and demonstration of several novel technologies. These technologies have covered several topics, including point source carbon capture, high pressure natural gas clean up, ammonia production and decomposition, CO₂ utilization, membrane technology, chemical absorption, steam methane reforming, hydrogen generation, hydrogen refueling, and organic waste to biogas. He recently led part of the effort that saw the completion of the first and only networked renewable hydrogen ecosystem in the U.S., the Hydrogen ProtoHub, through the DOE sponsored H2@Scale in Texas and Beyond.

He has over 15 years of experience in commercial process engineering, commercial process safety, and end to end development of emerging technologies. Mr. Pyrzynski is a graduate of the University of Dayton where he received a master’s degree in chemical engineering and is a registered Project Management Professional.