Tom Diller, professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.

A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1979, Diller made significant contributions in the engineering, entrepreneurial, and interdisciplinary aspects of heat transfer and, in particular, heat flux and temperature measurements and sensors. He holds three utility patents which have resulted in successful commercial products, the latest occurring in 2021. He has written nine book chapters, 53 peer-reviewed journal articles, and 79 peer-reviewed conference papers. Diller has established two companies and was a member of the board of directors of another.

In the classroom, Diller has taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses ranging across the mechanical engineering curriculum with a total of over 7,500 students. He has advised 49 students on master’s degree theses and 12 additional students on Ph.D. dissertations and has helped them develop successful careers in both academic and industrial settings.

Diller received his bachelor’s degree from Carnegie-Mellon University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

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