Joshua New, known for his innovative work in building science and energy efficiency, has been named 2024 Researcher of the Year by R&D World magazine. His recognition comes amid several key achievements at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where New is a distinguished R&D staff member. This honor marks his second accolade from R&D World, with his initial acknowledgment in 2016, according to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
At ORNL since 2009, New has emerged as a leader in the realm of climate change research, boasting an annual average of more than 12 publications. One of his most notable projects involves the creation of 'digital twin' simulations for over 141 million buildings across the United States and Puerto Rico. These simulations are aimed at pinpointing how upgrades can enhance energy efficiency and lessen environmental impact. Despite the professional accolade, New remained grounded, stating in an interview that many elements converged unexpectedly, making the recognition brighter while he was engaged in personal interests such as preparing to ice climb Alaska's Godwin Glacier.
Building upon years of meticulous research, New's team recently released data from 125.7 million buildings to the public. This effort is intended to spur sustainable construction and renovation practices. "We want people to save money and enable a more sustainable environment to live in now and in the future," New explained, as per the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Additionally, he cited that the U.S. building data and models are available for any "simulation-informed use case," potentially transforming the way builders and policymakers approach energy-efficient designs.
Developing digital simulations for individual buildings has been a critical aspect of New's work, beginning around 2015. Utilizing ORNL's supercomputing capabilities, New's team initially focused on the data for 187,000 structures in Chattanooga as part of a three-year project, later expanding the scale to encompass a comprehensive nationwide database. This database has attracted interest from both public and private sector entities, leading to an array of projects and confidentiality agreements with companies ranging from small businesses to tech giants like Microsoft and Google.
New is quick to share credit for his successes, highlighting the collective effort behind his research initiatives. According to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, he expressed gratitude towards his team: "No researcher stands alone, and I stand on the shoulders of giants. I hold hands with amazing intellects, and I have access to the world’s fastest supercomputers. What we did would not have been possible without all of those." R&D World magazine selected New and other winners from a pool of 141 finalists spanning 16 countries. ORNL, managed by UT-Battelle for DOE’s Office of Science, continues to play an integral role in furthering basic research in the physical sciences, as it seeks to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our era.
