Southwest Research Institute’s Angel Wileman has been officially recognized as one of the Women in Hydrogen 50 for 2025 by The Women’s Global Leadership Conference (WGLC) in Energy. This prestigious accolade shines a spotlight on Wileman as a transformative leader and innovator in the rapidly evolving hydrogen economy, acknowledging her extensive contributions to advancing sustainable energy technologies. The list annually honors 50 women who have demonstrated exceptional expertise and influence in shaping the future of hydrogen as a cornerstone of the global energy transition.
As the manager of the Thermofluids Section at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), Angel Wileman operates at the intersection of advanced experimental testing and applied engineering design, focusing heavily on hydrogen integration and infrastructure. Her role encompasses a broad scope of responsibilities including conceptual development and fabrication of testing facilities, rigorous data analysis, and strategic project management. Wileman’s work is pivotal in bringing fundamental scientific principles to bear on real-world energy challenges, particularly as industries seek to decarbonize through the adoption of hydrogen fuel technologies.
Wileman’s research rigorously explores the complex behaviors of hydrogen and its blends with natural gas, pushing the boundaries of what is currently achievable in energy systems. One of her key projects evaluates the metrological accuracy of natural gas meters when used in hydrogen blends—a critical component for ensuring safe and efficient distribution of blended gases. This experimental work involves precise calibration and measurement protocols to understand how hydrogen’s molecular properties affect existing infrastructure and sensor systems originally designed for natural gas.
In addition, she investigates the implications of hydrogen-natural gas blends on peak shaving plants, which operate to balance supply and demand within natural gas networks. By examining the thermodynamic and fluid dynamic properties of these blends, Wileman contributes to the technical knowledge base necessary to predict and mitigate risks associated with energy storage and delivery. Her insights into transport safety zones for hydrogen blends in bulk rail containers further underscore her commitment to advancing safe, scalable hydrogen distribution logistics.
A hallmark of Wileman’s expertise is her ability to conceptualize and develop custom flow facilities tailored to experimental requirements. These advanced testbeds enable detailed investigations of thermofluid phenomena under controlled conditions, thereby accelerating the development of robust hydrogen refueling technologies. Her leadership in launching the H2HD REFUEL consortium exemplifies her pioneering approach. This industry partnership focuses on hydrogen refueling infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles, an area where technical challenges such as high-pressure storage, thermal management, and system standardization remain barriers to widespread adoption.
The consortium’s efforts to integrate component testing, station control systems, and innovative vehicle storage solutions highlight the multidisciplinary nature of hydrogen technology development, blending mechanical engineering, materials science, and systems integration. By spearheading such initiatives, Wileman propels the hydrogen fuel ecosystem towards maturation, enabling commercial deployment that aligns with global climate goals. Her work thus extends beyond theoretical research to tangible technological advances that promise to reshape transportation energy paradigms.
Beyond her technical achievements, Wileman is deeply invested in cultivating the next generation of engineers and scientists. Through targeted mentorship programs and outreach, she actively encourages young women and underrepresented groups to engage with STEM disciplines. Her role with the Society of Women Engineers demonstrates a commitment not only to advancing hydrogen technology but also to fostering an inclusive and diverse scientific community. This dual focus on innovation and empowerment amplifies the societal impact of her career.
Wileman’s contributions have garnered recognition throughout her career. She received the Empowering Women in Industry Leadership in STEM Award in 2019 for her mentorship efforts, and she was named one of the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2023, reflecting her influence as both a researcher and a community leader. These honors affirm her status as a role model and a driving force within the clean energy sector.
The Women’s Global Leadership Conference’s Women in Hydrogen 50 list demonstrates a growing acknowledgment within the energy industry of the critical role that women innovators play in driving the hydrogen economy forward. The 2025 honorees represent a diverse array of talented professionals whose work spans research, policy, industrial deployment, and advocacy. This global recognition program, in partnership with The Hydrogen Economist and H2Tech, serves as a beacon to inspire ongoing progress and highlight the most impactful leaders in the field.
A key part of Wileman’s ongoing initiatives includes addressing the technical complexities of scaling hydrogen as an energy carrier. Hydrogen’s unique properties—such as its low density, high diffusivity, and wide flammability limits—pose significant challenges in measurement, storage, and system controls. Through rigorous research and experimental validation, Wileman and her team develop solutions that enable safe handling and reliable integration within existing energy infrastructures, ensuring that hydrogen can be deployed on a commercial scale with confidence.
Her recent work also touches on metrology and temperature measurement systems critical for accurate monitoring of hydrogen processes. These systems provide data essential for optimizing thermodynamic efficiency and operational safety in hydrogen refueling and transport environments. By refining measurement accuracy and control systems, Wileman enhances the reliability and performance of hydrogen technologies, strengthening their competitiveness against traditional fossil fuels.
Looking ahead, Wileman envisions a future where hydrogen complements renewable energy sources and accelerates the transition to a sustainable energy landscape worldwide. Her participation in SwRI’s Technology Today podcast offers further insight into this vision, detailing pathways to decarbonization and the role of innovative hydrogen applications from local ecosystems to global markets.
The upcoming Women’s Global Leadership Conference in Energy, slated for October in Houston, Texas, will further celebrate the achievements of the Women in Hydrogen 50. This event will provide a crucial platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, strengthening the community of professionals dedicated to realizing the full potential of hydrogen technology. Angel Wileman’s inclusion among the honorees signals a bright future for hydrogen innovation driven by diverse, visionary leadership.
Subject of Research: Hydrogen energy technologies, hydrogen-natural gas blends, hydrogen refueling infrastructure, thermofluids engineering, hydrogen metrology and safety
Article Title: Angel Wileman Named Among Women in Hydrogen 50 for Pioneering Advances in Hydrogen Energy
News Publication Date: June 16, 2025
Web References:
- https://www.swri.org/markets/energy-environment/oil-gas/fluids-engineering
- https://www.swri.org/newsroom/technology-today/podcast/ep42-decarbonizing-hydrogen
Image Credits: Southwest Research Institute
Keywords
Hydrogen; Hydrogen production; Hydrogen fuel; Natural gas; Energy; Hydrogen energy; Mechanical energy; Gases; Temperature measurement; Mechanical engineering; Thermal energy; Low temperature physics; Power systems
