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The ITB's latest automotive thermal conference has concluded, successfully bringing together industry leaders and innovators to showcase cutting-edge thermal solutions for electrified drives, battery systems, passenger cabin comfort and safety systems, as well as conventional and hybrid powertrain technologies. This year’s conference emphasized innovations designed to reduce costs while enhancing thermal performance of electrified vehicles, aligning with the industry's push towards more efficient and sustainable automotive technologies.
The conference featured 14 presentations, beginning with Johannes Helmich of TI Fluid Systems delivering a keynote on "Transformation in Thermal Management Technology”.
Over three sessions, the conference explored a wide range of topics, including:
- Innovations in thermal solutions for electrified vehicles
- Enhancements in battery thermal management systems
- Strategies for improving passenger cabin comfort and safety
- Developments in conventional and hybrid powertrain thermal technologies
Networking at the conference was dynamic, offering experts opportunities to engage with clients, connect with peers, and explore new business relationships, while also discovering engineering innovations showcased in the exhibit hall.
Conference feedback has been very positive and planning for our 2025 conference is underway. Opportunities to become a presenter, sponsor, and/or exhibitor are available and full details will be released soon.
ITB will also host its next Smart Automotive Systems 2024 conference on September 12th in Novi, Michigan and we invite key companies to participate, sponsor, exhibit, or present. Planning for 2025 conferences are also underway including our Sustainable Vehicle Production conference (February), and our Advanced Fuels for Mobility Summit (March). We hope to have you join us!
For inquiries about future conferences or participation opportunities, please contact Mr. Bryan Eldredge, Program Director – Conferences, at beldredge@itbgroup.com or call +1 (248) 380-6310.
CONFERENCE AGENDA - June 13, 2024
7:30 a.m. |
Registration, Networking, and Continental Breakfast
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8:30 a.m. |
Welcome and Opening Remarks:
Sean Osborne, Vice President - The ITB Group
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Thermal System Developments
8:45 a.m. |
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Transformation in Thermal Management Technology
Johannes Helmich, CTO - TI Fluid Systems
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9:25 a.m. |
Trends and Novel Solutions for Efficient EV Glycol Thermal Management
Dr. Brian Cardwell, Senior Director of Advanced Fluid Handling - Cooper Standard
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9:55 a.m. |
A Centralized Secondary Loop Thermal Module for Electric Vehicles
Akash Bhargav Kotamraju, Lead Systems Engineer - Forvia Hella
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10:25 a.m. |
Networking Break
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11:00 a.m. |
Integrated Pump/Valve Solution for Thermal Management Systems
Anthony Carman, Engineering Director - Tengam Engineering
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Surfaces and Heat Exchangers
11:25 a.m. |
Interior Thermal Surfaces to Improve EV Energy Management and Occupant Comfort
Maggie Kasper, Surface Activation Sales Manager - Forvia Faurecia
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11:55 a.m. |
3D Printing High Performance Heat Exchangers
Mark Norfolk, President - Fabrisonic
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12:20 p.m. |
Lunch |
1:20 p.m. |
Hybrid Cooling Plates for Batteries and Power Electronics
Marco Barbolini, Product Manager Thermal - Roechling
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Thermal System Materials
1:50 p.m. |
Silicone-free Thermal Interface Materials
Benjamin Stößer, R&D Group Leader - Bostik
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2:15 p.m. |
Low-Cost Renewable PA6 Copolymer for BEV Coolant Tubing
Dr. Mo Meysami, Process and Product Development Manager - BASF
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2:40 p.m. |
Engineering Plastics Developed for Hybrid and EV Thermal Management Systems
Russell Bloomfield, Application Development Manager - Envalior
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3:05 p.m. |
Networking Break
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3:25 p.m. |
Powering the Shift: Thermal Management Challenges in the Transition from ICE to BEV
Ger Vroomen, New Business Development and OEM Management - Teknor Apex
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3:50 p.m. |
Adhesive Resin Enabling Technology for Multilayer Thermoplastic Coolant Tubes
Dennis Que, Manager of Business Development - Mitsui Chemicals America
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4:15 p.m. |
Influence of Relative Thermal Index on Long- Term Mechanical Performance of Engineering Polyamides
Stephen Denny, Application Development Engineer, Automotive - EMS-CHEMIE
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4:40 p.m. |
Battery Electric Vehicle Thermal Management Systems – Material Optionality
Dr. Jeffrey Helms, Automotive Director, Engineered Materials - Celanese
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5:05 p.m. |
Closing Remarks
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For questions or to reserve your space and confirm your participation at our upcoming conference, please contact Mr. Bryan Eldredge, Program Director, The ITB Group. Email: beldredge@itbgroup.com – Phone: +1 (248) 380-6310.
Note: ITB will photograph the conference for promotional purposes. By participating in the conference you grant ITB permission to use your likeness in any/all conference related promotions.
Sean Osborne
Vice President - The ITB Group
Mr. Osborne leads vehicle efficiency, thermal and fluid management initiatives at The ITB Group. He has been developing and implementing strategic visions as a executive in several organizations for 25 years. Over the past 35 years he has accumulated extensive experience in automotive development, including experience working in Europe and China as well as the United States. Areas of his automotive specialization are vehicle efficiency, thermal and fluid management, fuel systems, and communications networks. Mr. Osborne holds Master’s degrees in Engineering and Management from MIT and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from General Motors Institute.
Johannes Helmich
CTO - TI Fluid Systems
Mr. Helmich is currently the Chief Technical Officer at TI Fluid Systems. Prior to this role he worked in various international management positions at Bosch and also operated as the Senior Director of Global Advanced Engineering and Innovation at Magna International. Mr. Helmich holds a degree in Business Management & Electrical Engineering from the University of Heilbronn.
Dr. Brian Cardwell
Senior Director of Advanced Fluid Handling - Cooper Standard
Dr. Cardwell is Senior Director of Advanced Fluid Handling Product Development at Cooper Standard. His most recent focus has been on the innovation of fluid handling and control products for electrified powertrain thermal management systems. He has over 29 years of industrial experience in automotive components, products, and systems. Prior to joining Cooper Standard, he managed the development of A/C products at Hanon Systems and was a materials and failure analysis expert at Ford Motor Company. Dr. Cardwell holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from The University of Michigan and holds over 25 patents granted for automotive technologies.
Akash Bhargav Kotamraju
Lead Systems Engineer - Forvia Hella
Information Coming Soon
Anthony Carman
Engineering Director - Tengam Engineering
Mr. Carman has over 42 years of automotive industry experience and currently works as Engineering Director at Tengam Engineering. Here he leads the development of a high-performance high efficiency thermal management pump. Throughout his career, Mr. Carman has held various positions in application engineering and program management, working for companies such as GM, Cooper Standard, and ITT. Mr. Carman received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kettering University and his MBA from Oakland University.
Maggie Kasper
Surface Activation Sales Manager - Forvia Faurecia
Ms. Kasper has spent the last twelve years working in the automotive industry in the areas of manufacturing, R&D, and sales where she gained in-depth experience with automotive interiors including HMI and surface activation. She currently leads Surface Activation Advanced Sales and Business Development for North American Interior Systems Business Group at Forvia with focus on enhancing UX and creating a more sustainable future. Ms. Kasper holds a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from Michigan State University.
Mark Norfolk
President - Fabrisonic
Mr. Norfolk is the President and CEO of Fabrisonic where he leads the company in the commercialization of Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) Technology. Mr. Norfolk has over 25 years of experience in manufacturing, R&D, and shop floor management. Prior to Fabrisonic, he was a Senior Project Manager at EWI, where he managed research and programs for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Department of Energy, as well as varied commercial customers. Mr. Norfolk holds a Bachelor’s degree in welding engineering from Ohio State University as well as an MBA from the University of Iowa.
Marco Barbolini
Product Manager, Thermal - Roechling
Dr. Barbolini has more than 20+ years of experience in the plastic industry and his functional experience includes engineering, production, marketing, simulation, strategy appraisal, project and business management. He began work at Röchling Automotive as a materials engineer in 1997 and later worked as technology manager for blow molding, injection molding and welding. Currently he operates as Product Manager for engine systems and in 2018 added the responsibility of battery components and systems for BEVs. Dr. Barbolini has published many articles in the trade press, holds more than 20 patents and has earned a degree in Materials Engineering from the University of Trento, with a focus in sintered metallurgy.
Benjamin Stößer
R&D Group Leader - Bostik
Mr. Stößer is the R&D Group Leader for thermally conductive materials at Bostik. Prior to this role he worked as an application technician and developer in research and development at Polytec PT. Mr. Stößer holds a Master’s degree in Biological & Chemical Engineering from the Technical University Kaiserslautern in Germany.
Dr. Mo Meysami
Process and Product Development Manager - BASF
Dr. Meysami has over 20 years of experience in polymer application and development. He is a process and product development manager at BASF where his primary expertise is developing cutting-edge engineering thermoplastic solutions for their performance materials division. Dr. Meysami holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering along with a Bachelor and Master’s degree in polymer engineering.
Russell Bloomfield
Application Development Manager - Envalior
Mr. Bloomfield is an Application Development Manager at Envalior where he focuses on high performance materials that are used in automotive air induction and thermal management systems. Prior to this, he was employed at DSM Engineering Materials, SABIC Innovative Plastics, General Electric Plastics, and BASF Corporation. During his career, Mr. Bloomfield has been active in application development, process engineering, as well as market development for high performance polymers. Mr. Bloomfield holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Ger Vroomen
New Business Development and OEM Management - Teknor Apex Company
Mr. Vroomen began his career at DSM Plastics in 1980 as a laboratory instructor and later transitioned to the elastomers division specializing in automotive application development. He now operates in new business development and OEM management within the European automotive segment. Mr. Vroomen holds a degree in Polymer Science and Rubber Technology from the Dutch Rubber and Plastic Association, with additional specializations in Processing and Characterization of Plastics from the Dutch University of Polymers. Mr. Vroomen furthered his education with studies in Industrial Marketing and Advanced Industrial Marketing at Erasmus University.
Dennis Que
Manager of Business Development - Mitsui Chemicals America
Mr. Que currently works as Manager of Business Development at Mitsui Chemicals America in the Admer™ plastic fuel tank and industrial department. His expertise includes functional and structural plastic parts for EV drivetrains and batteries and holds three patents related to these areas. Prior to this role, Mr. Que has held positions as global application development manager and lead product engineer with DuPont, DSM Engineering Plastics, BorgWarner and Philips Electronics Mr. Que earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State and he performed his undergraduate studies at Michigan Tech.
Stephen Denny
Application Development Engineer, Automotive - EMS-CHEMIE
Mr. Denny is an application development engineer for the EMS-Chemie North American automotive group. His background is in chemical engineering and his responsibilities center around plastic material selection, failure analysis, and process troubleshooting. Mr. Denny is currently working on introducing new material solutions to the automotive market with a focus on E-vehicle applications.
Dr. Jeffrey Helms
Automotive Director, Engineered Materials - Celanese
Dr. Helms is currently Automotive Marketing Director with leadership for the thermal management automotive segment at Celanese. In this role he is responsible for driving and coordinating the commercial growth of Celanese product lines with a particular focus on E-mobility and Sustainability. Dr. Helms is a member of The Society of Plastic Engineers and The Society of Automotive Engineers. Dr. Helms received his Bachelor degree and his Ph. D. in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition, Dr. Helms received his MBA from Michigan State University.
