William H. Avery

William Hinckley Avery (July 25, 1912 – June 26, 2004) was an influential aeronautical engineer. He designed the propulsion mechanism known as the ramjet, and was known for heading the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion program which generates electricity from the temperature differential between shallow and deep ocean water.

Early years Avery was born on July 25, 1912. After studying chemistry and physics at Harvard and working as a private research chemist, Avery turned to rocket science during World War II. He directed a division of the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Cumberland, Maryland, that developed solid fuels for rockets later used to launch guided missiles and spacecraft.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion In 1973, Avery began leading the Applied Physics Laboratory's work on emerging technologies. Searching for alternative sources of energy, he helped develop the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion program, which used the temperature difference between shallow and deep tropical seawater to generate electricity. Avery retired from the Applied Physics Laboratory in 1989.

Death Avery died on June 26, 2004, of congestive heart failure.