Share2026 Herrick Conferences Deliver a Week of High‑Impact Research and Global Collaboration
The 2026 Herrick Conferences at Purdue University (West Lafayette, USA) concluded last week as a resounding hybrid success, bringing together more than 660 attendees–including over 170 students–for a week of exchange, networking and expert-led sessions.
Chaired by Prof. Eckhard Groll, Reilly Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University also serving as President of IIR section B Thermodynamics, equipment and systems, this year’s edition featured five keynote and plenary talks and 64 technical sessions, showcasing more than 340 papers selected from 474 submitted abstracts. Topics spanned high-performance heat pumps, next-generation refrigerants, hydrocarbon applications, advanced controls in HVAC&R systems, CO2 applications and many other areas sharping the future of refrigeration.
IIR Director General Dr. Yosr Allouche attended the event and delivered a keynote address highlighting the importance of international cooperation in the refrigeration and heat pump sector, and the role of the IIR in providing the scientific knowledge and international platform needed to support evidence-informed policymaking and advance the sector.
Alongside four social events that fostered connection across the community, the day before the conference offered short courses for students, delivered by the US National committee to IIR. The short course covered refrigeration topics of particular significance to the current refrigeration market, including stationary heat pumps for human comfort, electric vehicle thermal management, cooling in data centres and developments in high temperature heat pumps.
The lecturers included Shahzad Yousaf, Woo Young Park and Kia Luo from UIUC, Chris Seeton from Seeton C&P in Texas, Chad Bowers from Daikin Applied in Arkansas, Hui Zhao from CTS, Yang Zou from NVIDIA, Leon Brendel from Eastern Switzerland Technical University and UK Delegate to the IIR, Member of IIR Commission E1, Andy Pearson from Star Refrigeration. The course was administered by Member of IIR Commissions D2 and E2 Professor Stefan Elbel from TU Berlin, and Professor Craig Bradshaw from UIUC in Urbana Champaign.
Craig Bradshaw and Stefan Elbel introduce the day’s program
Andy Pearson addressing some of the challenging economics of industrial heat pumps
Nine students were recognised with awards across the three conferences at the Conference dinner, capping off a strong and inspiring week for HVAC&R research worldwide. Congratulations to the student paper award winners – Viyan Bade, Nicolas Leclercq, Ganesh Venkatesan, Levi R. Premier, Ahmed Afifi, Tim Pfeiffer, Hang Guan and Zhihao Ma.