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AjilliHardy2012

By Sonja Mack | Published January 19, 2012 | Full size is 2448 × 3264 pixels

Ajilli Hardy, Ph.D., 33 Energy Systems Engineer General Electric Co. Hardy is a thermal systems engineer charged with building models and experiments and testing them with the goal of developing new ways to harvest unconventional energy to convert it to a usable form. She’s also responsible for developing technology that cleans hard-to-treat process water from hydraulic fracturing sites. Hardy’s recent projects included building and testing an absorption chiller for the Army, in which waste heat from ground generators cools tents in hot weather conditions. Hardy offers this advice for those who want to pursue a professional career in the sciences: “If you are in school and pursuing a technical career, make use of internship opportunities to gain as much exposure as you can. Try everything,” she says, noting her own internships around the globe with companies such as BMW, Boeing, and the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics. Dream vacation: "I think I’d like to spend a good month in Africa--someplace very remote, where there may not be any infrastructure for energy. And I’d like to learn as much as I can about what resources are there and what would be needed in order to harvest energy using those resources." Dream car: "The Mission Impossible car (BMW i8). I’ll take two of those." Phone: Droid Razr "I like the large screen." Favorite store: Victoria’s Secret "They have awesome sweater dresses." Favorite beverage: "Bolthouse Farms has great smoothies. I really like the Green Goodness one. I don’t drink alcohol."

Ajilli Hardy, Ph.D., 33

Energy Systems Engineer

General Electric Co.

Hardy is a thermal systems engineer charged with…