Arun Majumdar, currently associate laboratory director at Berkeley Lab and a professor of engineering at the University of California at Berkeley, was nominated on Sept. 18 to head the Energy Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy (ARPA-E). Majumdar is a mechanical engineer and a materials science specialist.

Arun Majumdar has been nominiated to head ARPA-Energy

His research has focused on energy conversion and storage along with transportation, spanning the molecular and nanoscale levels up to large energy systems. Majumdar also has worked on energy efficiency and storage along with renewable energy projects.

Majumbar also has served as an advisor to federal science and engineering agencies.

"He is very highly regarded," said one engineering professor who works on energy projects. "When it comes to scientific positions, Obama actually appoints real scientists."

ARPA-Energy was created by Congress last year to provide funding and oversight for next-generation energy technology development.

Majumbar's must next be confirmed by the Senate.