She became an American citizen in 1937 and started work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to create practical uses of solar energy in 1939.

[4] Telkes, often called by colleagues The Sun Queen,[5][6] is considered one of the founders of solar thermal storage systems.

[13] Her academic pursuits continued as she pursued a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at the University of Budapest,[14] completing her doctoral studies in 1924.

However, her life took a turn when, after visiting a relative who served as the Hungarian consul in Cleveland, Ohio, she decided to immigrate to the United States.

Telkes did some research while working at the foundation, and under the leadership of George Washington Crile, they invented a photoelectric mechanism that could record brain waves.

As part of the Solar Energy Conversion Project at MIT, she investigated thermoelectric devices powered by sunlight.

[13] During World War II, she worked as a civilian advisor for the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD).

[16] Her most notable innovation was the invention of the solar distiller and the development of the first solar-powered heating system designed for residential use.

Telkes aimed to address the reliance on traditional heating methods, often powered by non-renewable energy sources.

During World War II, the United States government, noting Telkes's expertise, recruited her to serve as a civilian advisor to the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD).

[17] However, its initial deployment was delayed until the end of the war because Hoyt C. Hottel repeatedly re-negotiated the manufacturing contracts for the machine.

"[18] Telkes identified thermal energy storage as the most "critical problem" facing designers of a workable solar-heated house.

She hoped to use phase-change materials like molten salts for storing thermal energy in active heating systems.

In spite of support from university president Karl Compton, Telkes was reassigned to the metallurgy department, where she continued her work on thermocouples.

[3] In 1948, Telkes started working on the Dover Sun House; she teamed up with architect Eleanor Raymond,[19] with the project financed by philanthropist and sculptor Amelia Peabody.

[20] The system was designed so that Glauber's salt would melt in the sun, trap the heat, and then release it as it cooled and hardened.

By the third winter, there were problems with the Glauber's salt: it had stratified into layers of liquid and solid, and its containers were corroded and leaking.

[16] By 1953, Telkes was working at the New York University College of Engineering where she continued to conduct solar energy research.

Telkes received a grant from the Ford Foundation of $45,000 to develop a solar-powered oven so people who lack the technology around the world would be able to heat things.

[7] The project criteria included: "it had to be able to cook, boil, and bake according to any local custom", "durable, portable, and simple to use and clean", cheap, and it must be able to be used in the early evening (para.

[6][13] From 1963–1969, she worked as director of solar energy at Melpar, Inc.[7][24] In 1964 she spoke at the first International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists in New York.

Her groundbreaking contributions to the field of solar energy earned her the affectionate moniker of the "Sun Queen," a title that reflected her unparalleled dedication and leadership in harnessing solar power [5].Her inventive prowess and dedication to advancing sustainable solutions marked her as a trailblazer in the field.