Barbara Haviland Minor

Barbara Haviland Minor is an American chemical engineer, known for the development of refrigerants. She was technical leader for chemical company DuPont in the development of R-1234yf, with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering. Minor develops new refrigerants for air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Her work supports the phasing out of ozone depleting chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons, and of hydrofluorocarbons that contribute to global warming. compared to 1430 for R-134a. HFO-1234yf also has a lower atmospheric lifetime (11 days compared to 14 years), and higher energy efficiency under many conditions. and as Solstice yf by Honeywell. As of 2018, 50% of new vehicles produced by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are believed to use HFO-1234yf for air conditioning.

Minor helped to develop both the XP (2014) and XL (2016) lines of refrigerant for Dupont and Chemours. In addition to alternative refrigerants for use in automobiles, more ecologically friendly refrigerants have been developed for supermarket refrigeration systems (XP40) commercial freezers (XL20), reach-in coolers and freezers (R450A), beverage coolers (HFO-1234yf), A number of these refrigerants involve HFO/HFC blends.

Minor holds more than 160 patents in the United States, for her work on refrigerants, cleaning agents, and aerosol propellants.

She is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). She has chaired the AHRI's Research group and the AHRTI's Technology and Steering committees.

Awards 2003: featured DuPont scientist, Woman Engineer magazine 2014: DuPont Fellow 2016: Distinguished Service Award, American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 2017: Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, Bucknell University College of Engineering and the Bucknell Engineering Alumni Association 2023: American Chemical Society (Delaware section) Carothers Award