Nan Byars

Nan Byars

Professor Emeritus, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Engineering Technology and Construction Management

Degrees & Professional Registration:

  • M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown WV, 1981
  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson SC, 1978
  • REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER, South Carolina
  • Certified Energy Manager (CEM)

Research:

  • Technological Literacy
  • Engineering Education
  • Energy Conservation for Building Envelope Systems (roofing, walls, windows, foundation)

Research Grants:

  • “Net-Zero Energy Building Operator Training Program”, DOE, 2010-2012, $589,843, Co-PI.
  • PI, “Degradation of Roofing Membrane Reflectance,” Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.($33,413), 2000-2002
  • PI, “Development of Criteria for Self-Drying Low Slope Roofing Systems, Phase II,” Lockheed-Martin Energy Systems, Inc. ($26,758), 1997-1999
  • PI, “Development of Criteria for Self-Drying Low Slope Roofing Systems, Phase I,” Lockheed-Martin Energy Systems, Inc. ($10,726), 1996

Recent Publications:

  • Byars Nan A., “ A Technical Literacy Course at UNC Charlotte”, NSF/NAE Technological Literacy Workshop, Washington DC, April 2005
  • Miller, William A. and Byars, Nan A., “The Field Performance of High-Reflectance Single-Ply Membranes Exposed to Three Years of Weathering in Various U.S. Climates,” prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy under contract DE-AC05-00OR22725, April 2002
  • Desjarlais, A.O. and Byars, N.A., “Predicting Moisture Problems in Low-Slope Roofing,” ASHRAE Thermal VII Conference Proceedings, December 1998
  • Byars, N.A., “Technological Literacy Classes for Liberal Arts Students: the State of the Art,” Journal of Engineering Education, V87, pp. 53-62, January 1998
  • Desjarlais, A.O., Byars, N.A. and Christian, J., “A New Look at Moisture Control in Low Slope Roofing,” NRCA/NIST International Roofing Symposium Proceedings, November 1997
  • Byars, N.A., “Using a ‘Rube Goldberg’ Project to Teach Dynamics,” ASEE Southeast Section Meeting Proceedings, Atlanta, GA, April 1997
  • Desjarlais, A.O. and Byars, N.A., “Moisture Control in Low-Slope Roofing: A New Design Requirement,” Roof Consultants Institute Convention, Orlando, FL, March 1997
  • Desjarlais, A.O. and Byars, N.A., “Moisture Design to Improve Durability of Low-Slope Roofing Systems,” ORNL Sustainable Low-Slope Roofing Workshop Proceedings, Oak Ridge TN, October 1996