The editorial of Engenharia Térmica of this issue continues the discussion on scientific research needs in vital areas in which thermal engineering has important participation. The main goal is to motivate the readers, within their specialties, to identify possible subjects for their future research.

In the beginning of the 21st century the international scientific community pointed out that there was a need for increased push towards alternative energy technologies to replace fossil and nuclear sources in the near future, in order to determine what is scientifically possible, environmentally acceptable and technologically promising. Also, the scientists recalled that policy, science and technology need to work together harmoniously, which are responsible for acceptability, possibility and practicability, respectively. A great amount of diversity with the exploration of innovative nanomaterials and their hybrid assemblies for energy conversion and storage have been seen in energy research. Advances in time-resolved spectroscopy, surface science, imaging techniques, and various in situ and operando characterization techniques are providing new insights into energy conversion and storage processes. The same challenges continue to be up-to-date as discussed by the scientific community recently, showing that technically and economically viable renewable energy generation and storage are major hurdles to be overcome. For that, some research areas that need to be pursued in the energy field were listed: energy materials; electrochemical energy conversion and energy storage; solar cells; solar fuels; LED and display devices, and last but not least theory and computational modeling. Such areas represent a few potential opportunities, which in the opinion of Engenharia Térmica have the potential for important scientific advances.

The mission of Engenharia Térmica is to document the scientific progress in areas related to thermal engineering (e.g., energy, oil and renewable fuels). We are confident that we will continue to receive articles’ submissions that contribute to the progress of science.

José V. C. Vargas
Technical Editor

OBITUÁRIO DE FRAIMUNDO HUSCHER

Fraimundo Huscher, 64 anos, de Curitiba, Paraná, faleceu em 31 de janeiro de 2018. Formou-se em Engenharia Elétrica pela Universidade Federal do Paraná em 1976. Ele foi o fundador e CEO da Nilko Tecnologia Ltda., uma empresa brasileira que é destaque em telecomunicações e acondicionamento de eletrônicos globalmente. Sua visão científica era única entre empresários, que compreendem um setor da economia há muito dominado pelo ceticismo no Brasil, quando se trata de investir na academia para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos. Mesmo assim, Fraimundo investiu por mais de 20 anos em pesquisa e desenvolvimento na Universidade Federal do Paraná, o que resultou em novos produtos, um número significativo de registros de patentes e a formação de muitos novos engenheiros, mestres e doutores altamente qualificados que vêm atuando no mercado em benefício da sociedade global. Engenharia Térmica foi honrada com sua contribuição como membro do Quadro de Aconselhamento Editorial por mais de 15 anos.

Fraimundo partiu, mas permanecem sua esposa Antonia, filho e filha. Seus descendentes certamente se orgulharão de seu legado profissional, contribuições inestimáveis para a sociedade em geral e de seu exemplo de ser humano solidário e irrepreensível que ele era.

José V. C. Vargas
Editor Técnico

FRAIMUNDO HUSCHER'S OBITUARY

Fraimundo Huscher, 64, from Curitiba, Paraná, passed away on January 31, 2018. He got a degree in Electrical Engineering from Federal University of Paraná in 1976. He was the founder and CEO of Nilko Technology Ltd., which is a Brazilian company that is prominent in telecommunications and electronic packaging globally. His scientific vision was unique among entrepreneurs, which comprise an economy sector that has long been dominated by skepticism in Brazil, when it comes to investment in academia for new products development. Even so, Fraimundo invested for more than 20 years in research and development at Federal University of Paraná, which resulted in new products, a significant number of patents registration, and the formation of many highly qualified new engineers, masters and doctors that have been acting in the market to the benefit of the global society. Engenharia Térmica has been honored with his contribution as part of the Editorial Advisory Board for more than 15 years.

Fraimundo is survived by his wife Antonia, son and daughter. His descendants will certainly be proud of his professional legacy, invaluable contributions to the society in general, and of his example of caring and irreprehensible human being he was.

José V. C. Vargas
Technical Editor