ANAND SANKARAN

Executive technical leader, energy storage and high voltage electrical systems, Ford Motor Co.

Chosen because: The efforts of Sankaran, 45, in power semiconductors and power electronics helped bring Ford's hybrids -- the Ford Escape crossover, Fusion sedan and Lincoln MKZ sedan -- to market. Sankaran began his career at Ford's Research and Innovation Center in 1991 before moving to product development in 1999. He currently leads the development of Ford's lithium ion battery and in-house energy storage system solutions, as well as working on related technologies such as chargers, converters and high-voltage systems for global applications. Sankaran holds 26 patents in automotive power electronics and has 11 more pending.

Quote: "After 25 years of intense research, electrification technology has finally arrived and is here to stay. These are exciting times for engineers who are faced with the challenge of utilizing economically the materials and forces of nature for developing innovative electrified solutions for affordable fuel economy."