Professor Ahmed Kovacevic receives J&E Hall Gold Medal

On Thursday 27 February, Professor Ahmed Kovacevic, FREng received the prestigious J&E Hall Gold International Medal in front of almost 400 guests at the 125th Institute of Refrigeration Annual Dinner at the Hilton London Bankside Hotel, London.

Professor Kovacevic is the Howden/RAEng Chair in Compressor Technology and Associate Dean, Corporate Partnerships at the School of Science & Technology at City, St George’s, University of London.

The J&E Hall Gold International Medal recognises the most noteworthy practical contribution to the field of innovation in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology.

The medal is awarded by the Institute of Refrigeration (IoR), sponsored by the J&E Hall International, to recognise the most noteworthy practical contribution to the field of innovation in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technology.

Professor Kovacevic’s work blends academic research with industrial collaboration to deliver transformative solutions for high-fidelity numerical modelling of rotary positive displacement compressors.

The specialist software he has developed has revolutionised compressor design. It has enabled improved performance, efficiency, and reliability across refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pumps, and energy recovery systems.

In partnership with industry, he has enhanced compressor technology and expanded its applications into areas such as high-temperature heat pumps, hydrogen compression, and sustainable lubrication.

Professor Kovacevic has an international reputation in the field of compressor technology and is renowned for encouraging knowledge exchange, training future engineers, and advancing the understanding of compressor technology on a global scale.

This work will have a profound impact on the future of refrigeration and sustainable energy systems.

Reflecting on his receipt of the award, Professor Kovacevic said:

I am deeply honoured to receive the prestigious J&E Hall International Gold Medal.

"This recognition is not just for me, but for the tireless efforts of my research team in the Centre for Compressor Technology at City St George’s, University of London. Among other activities, we closely collaborate with the Institute of Refrigeration UK on delivering the International Conference on Compressors and their Systems organised by the Centre.

"Several members of the Institute of Refrigeration UK helped us to contribute to enhancing refrigeration, including late Guy Hundy, Miriam Rodway, Andy Pearson, Graeme Maidment FInstR and many others.

“I am truly thankful to the Institute of Refrigeration UK for support and recognition of our involvement in the field with this award, which fuels my passion to continue exploring the frontiers of science. I am committed to using our knowledge to benefit humanity and contribute to the sustainable refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technologies.

"On behalf of all of us from City St George’s, I wish the Institute of Refrigeration UK happy 125th Anniversary and success in enhancing refrigeration in the next 125 years.”