Dr. Lennie Klebanoff, a Staff Scientist at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore California, a pivotal figure in advancing hydrogen storage and fuel cell technologies has been appointed to the Energy News Advisory Board.
With 40 patents, over 140 scientific publications, and leadership roles in U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) initiatives, Klebanoff brings three decades of expertise in materials science, hydrogen infrastructure, and clean energy solutions. His work, spanning academic, national laboratory, and industrial R&D establishes him as a critical voice in addressing technical and commercialization barriers in the global hydrogen economy.
Klebanoff’s Sandia career began in 1997 when he led the Environment Team for the Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL) program—a collaboration with Intel, AMD, Motorola Solutions, and ASML to create the chip-making technology that is revolutionizing computer technology today. By 2003, he expanded to clean energy, serving on the State of California’s Hydrogen Highway Blueprint Team.
As Director of the DOE’s Metal Hydride Center of Excellence (MHCoE) from 2006–2010, Klebanoff spearheaded research into solid-state hydrogen storage, an important enabler for fuel cell adoption. Klebanoff’s subsequent roles as the founder and leader of Sandia’s Fuel Cell Market Transformation program focused on commercial viability, including hydrogen-powered mobile lighting systems deployed at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes. These zero-emission lighting systems demonstrated hydrogen’s reliability for high-profile, off-grid applications.
Since 2016, Klebanoff’s feasibility studies of powering maritime vessels with fuel cells have inspired the design, construction, and deployment of fuel cell vessels, including the MV Sea Change in San Francisco, and the MF Hydra in Norway. In addition, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography is adapting one of Klebanoff’s designs for an ocean-going oceanographic research vessel powered partly with hydrogen.
Academic Rigor and Industrial Pragmatism
Before joining Sandia, Klebanoff was a Professor of Chemistry at Lehigh University, pioneering spin-resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to analyze magnetic thin films and surfaces. He eventually attained the rank of Full Professor with Tenure. At Sandia, his 2012 book, titled Hydrogen Storage Technology, Materials, and Applications, remains a key reference for hydrogen energy infrastructure and the science and technology of storing hydrogen in the solid or liquid state.
Klebanoff’s appointment reinforces Energy News’ focus on bridging innovation and market realities and also the development of training materials for those interested in hydrogen technology.
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