Sharon Chen

Navigation of extraordinary logistial and safety challenges, including rodent infestation of her lab, travel and field work under evolving COVID-19 controls, and outdoor research during a heat wave.

Sharon went above and beyond in providing critical support on a very demanding project with a tight schedule.

A Berkeley Lab-led team of scientists established a method to simulate soiling and weathering of roofing material, reproducing in the lab in only a few days what would naturally take three years. This “cool roof time machine” protocol has been approved by ASTM International, a widely referenced standards body, as a standard practice for the industry, and is expected to accelerate deployment of cool roofs, which have been shown to reduce a building’s energy use and mitigate the urban heat island effect.

R&D Magazine’s annual R&D 100 Awards recognize the top 100 technology products from industry, academia, and government-sponsored research. For more information on the awards, see the links below.