In Memoriam: Sumanjeet Kaur, Research Scientist and Leader of the Thermal Energy Group in the Energy Technologies Area
Sumanjeet (Suman) Kaur, research scientist and inaugural leader of the Thermal Energy Group in the Energy Technologies Area (ETA) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), passed away on June 7, 2026, after a brief illness.
Kaur’s research focused on advancing thermal technologies for applications ranging from batteries to water desalination to critical mineral recovery. She led the development of dynamically tunable thermal energy storage technologies and served as co-director of the Stor4Build consortium, launched in 2024 to develop thermal energy storage as a complement to electrical battery storage for buildings.
Born in Haryana, India, on March 8, 1975, Kaur earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Metallurgy from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gujarat, India, in 1997. After completing an MBA from Neville Wadia Institute of Management Studies and Research, Pune, in 2000, she moved to the United States and joined Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She completed her Ph.D. in materials science and engineering in 2008. Under the supervision of Professor Pulickel Ajayan, Kaur focused on design, fabrication, and properties of novel nanomaterials. During the 2000s, researchers explored how vertically aligned carbon nanotubes could be used as thermal interface materials for microelectronics cooling, but their performance fell short of expectations, primarily due to weak bonding with the heat sink. In 2008, Kaur was recruited by Intel to work as a postdoctoral researcher at Berkeley Lab’s Molecular Foundry to solve this problem. Her work at the foundry led to a seminal paper (Nat Commun 5, 3082, 2014) on covalently bonded carbon nanotubes and improved the performance by an order of magnitude.
The Thermal Energy Group at Berkeley Lab started in 2016 with just five researchers, and by 2020 Kaur was tapped to formally lead the group, which had expanded to 28 researchers. Kaur’s work “on theoretical, computational, and experimental techniques to understand thermal energy conversion, storage, and transport has pushed the boundaries of our current understanding but also positioned Berkeley Lab as a leader in the thermal energy technology area,” said Robert Kostecki, director of the Energy Technologies and Systems Division in ETA. “Beyond her technical contributions, Suman was a phenomenal leader and mentor. She had a rare gift for recognizing the potential in others and providing the support and encouragement they needed to thrive. Many of us have benefited from her wisdom and her ability to lead with both strength and empathy. The growth and success of her team members are a direct reflection of her dedication to their mentorship and her belief in their success.”
Kaur played an instrumental role in the formation of the Stor4Build consortium, and her leadership of the group demonstrated her capacity for successful cross-disciplinary collaboration with other experts and institutions. "A true visionary in material science, Suman made innovative contributions to thermal energy storage and extreme heat resilience that will leave a lasting impact," said Jessica Granderson, director of the Building and Industrial Energy Systems Division in ETA. "She was an extraordinary collaborator who brought both passion and intellect to every project. It was a privilege to work alongside her, and she will be deeply missed."
Outside of the lab, Suman was an avid film enthusiast, and she loved cooking. She was passionate about health and fitness and enjoyed running. She also loved hiking and camping at national parks.
Kaur is survived by her husband, Alpesh Shukla, and daughter Zoya.
Colleagues, friends, and family gathered on June 19, 2026 to honor Kaur’s life at the El Sobrante Gurdwara Sahib (Sikh Center). Those wishing to make donations in her name are encouraged to consider Mahipatram Rupram Ashram in Ahmedabad, India, which provides education and welfare to underprivileged children.