MSAL Alumni Dr. Hanrahan listed among the Early Career Distinguished Alumni Society Class of 2024

Dean Samuel Graham, Jr. is pleased to announce the Early Career Distinguished Alumni Society Class of 2024. The Clark School is proud to recognize the innovations, leadership, and impact made by the Clark School’s inaugural class of Early Career Distinguished Alumni Society inductees. These 25 alumni are at the forefront of their respective fields and have demonstrated excellence in leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and/or service. 

MSAL Alumni Dr. Brendan Hanrahan is a senior materials engineer, renowned for his expertise in ferroelectrics and energy applications. He earned his B.S. from Clemson University in 2006. At the University of Maryland, College Park he obtained an M.S. (’09) and a Ph.D. in 2013 in Materials Science and Engineering, focusing his doctoral research on advancing microscale power generation technologies.

Since joining the DEVCOM U.S. Army Research Laboratory in 2009, Hanrahan has been instrumental in energy technologies, particularly in wireless power and energy storage. His team's notable achievement includes developing the highest operating temperature random access memory (RAM), which is currently in the process of commercialization. He received the prestigious Civilian Meritorious Service Medal in 2021 for his contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Army lab. In 2022, he was honored with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory Mentoring Award. In 2020, he was named ARL Scientist of the Quarter for his wireless power program. His commitment to excellence in his field is further evidenced by over 50 peer-reviewed publications, more than 30 presentations, and 4 patents/applications. One of his notable patents in elastocaloric cooling technology has laid the foundation for Barrow Green LLC, a start-up revolutionizing air conditioning and refrigeration systems.

More information can be found on the UMD ECE Page.