As a contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, the indicated efficiency of SI engines can be increased via thermal swing coatings. Thereby, a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved, although not at all operating conditions. Here, the often-observed increased hydrocarbon emission partially overcompensates the reduced wall heat losses. The main root cause is always attributed to the increased surface roughness and porosity, leading to an increased crevice volume. Further investigations were performed at a single-cylinder engine equipped with a FTIR for species analysis of hydrocarbon emissions. A comparison of direct injection and port fuel injection were performed for RON95 E10 and methanol to assess the influence of mixture preparation. 3D CFD was used to additionally investigate the in-cylinder processes. The comparison of port fuel injection and direct injection showed a significant influence on the fuel hydrocarbon

Fischer, Marcus, Pischinger, Stefan

SAE TOMORROW TODAY - What Baja SAE Teaches That College Can?t

135746/25/2026

What does it really take to engineer under pressure? From mud-soaked vehicles and broken suspensions to team dynamics and split-second decisions, Baja SAE has become a proving ground for the next generation of engineering leaders. By challenging engineering students to design, build, and race single-seat off-road vehicles capable of surviving extreme terrain, Baja SAE requires every team to use the same 14 hp Kohler engine -- creating an even playing field and putting the focus on innovation, durability, and teamwork. Listen in as Honda's Adam Hussemann and TTX Company's Jason Rounds pull back the curtain on the intense, unpredictable world of Baja SAE competitions and how they prepare students for careers in manufacturing, mobility, and beyond. After hearing this conversation, you'll understand why more and more companies value Baja experience just as much as a perfect GPA. We'd love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast

Patterson, Lori

Standards for Battery Secondary Use

J2997_202606 (Current)

6/24/2026

This document provides recommendations involving BEV battery data retention and battery design that enhance the potential for BEV battery reuse and serviceability and that can improve recyclability. These recommendations have been developed by a group of professionals skilled in the secondary-use of batteries and in the research, development, and manufacture of BEV batteries and battery systems.

Secondary Battery Use Committee

Spatial Optimisation of Inner Dash Acoustic Performance Using Reciprocal Holography

2026-01-0712

6/20/2026

As acoustic requirements for NVH trim components become increasingly constrained by mass, cost, and sustainability targets, traditional approaches to inner dash design based on spatially averaged Transmission Loss (TL) metrics are reaching their practical limits. In fully built vehicles, the acoustic performance of the inner dash is governed by its global insulation capability but also by strong spatial heterogeneity and its interaction with spatially distributed noise sources such as the power unit, gearbox, and tyre-road excitation. This paper presents a test-based methodology for the spatial optimisation of inner dash acoustic performance using reciprocal holography. By applying a calibrated sound power source within the vehicle cabin and measuring the reciprocal response in the engine bay and wheel-arch regions, a high-resolution spatial Transmission Loss “hologram” of the inner dash is obtained under in-situ conditions. The resulting spatial data enables the identification of

Harry, Evan, Eandi, Giacomo

Simulation and Analysis of Flow and Acoustic Induced Structural Vibration

2026-01-0696

6/20/2026

For analysing flow and acoustic induced structural vibration, a fully run time coupled framework combining a hybrid CFD-CAA approach with a modal response simulation was validated and presented at the ISVNH 2022 (SAE Technical Paper 2022-01-0938). In this paper i We apply this CFD–CAA–modal coupling method to a series-representative bonnet geometry and demonstrate its capability to capture flow and aeroacoustically driven vibration with two-way coupling. ii We analyse the modal properties of the bonnet and show that confined air volumes beneath the bonnet can introduce significant fluid loading effects, which are already embedded in experimentally validated FE modal models and must therefore be treated carefully in two-way coupled simulations. iii We validate the fully coupled aeroelastic simulation against wind-tunnel measurements with undisturbed inflow, show close agreement with the measured vibration response and analyse that the dominant excitation is in this case from below the

Schwertfirm, Florian, Ocker, Joerg, Hartmann, Michael

A Modular Method for Certified Virtual Validation of NVH Performance in Automotive Platforms

2026-01-0684

6/20/2026

This work presents a modular engineering methodology (DiPhyBa - Digital Physical Balance) for the virtual validation of Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) performance in automotive development. The approach addresses the inefficiency of repeated physical testing across vehicle variants by introducing a structured two-phase process—Launcher and Reskin—centered on quantitative performance indicators with formal acceptance thresholds. In the Launcher phase, a digital replica of the base vehicle is built and iteratively correlated with physical test data. Validation is governed by objective indicators of confidence, conformity, and correlation, each evaluated against predefined thresholds. Once validated, the model becomes a certified reference, enabling its reuse across derivative configurations in the Reskin phase. Physical testing is only required if indicators fall below threshold, with a final gate test on pre-series vehicles ensuring industrial robustness. DiPhyBa formalizes the

Celiberti, Lucia, Camia, Andrea

An Experimental Setup for Vibroacoustic and Fluid-Born Noise Characterization of Electric Refrigerant Compressors Using R1234yf or R744

2026-01-0724

6/20/2026

The increasing electrification of vehicles means that heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems have a broader range of tasks and a different priority assessment. In electric cars, air conditioning systems are not only responsible for cooling the passenger compartment, but also for controlling the battery temperature, particularly during rapid charging, which represents a high-load operating point. Furthermore, achieving high thermodynamic efficiency is desirable, as this directly impacts the range of electric cars. The elimination of the combustion engine as a major source of noise prioritizes the noise, vibration and harshness behavior of the refrigerant compressor for product selection. To investigate the vibration and acoustic behavior, as well as the fluid dynamic forces resulting from the cyclic compression principle of an electric refrigerant compressor, a test rig was developed that allows compressors to be operated and measured in isolation in an anechoic chamber under

Beer, Gabriel, Saur, Lukas, Schwarz, Manuel, Zemsch, Stefan, Becker, Stefan

NoiseSphere: An AI-Based Approach for Dynamic and Large-Scale Noise Mapping

2026-01-0719

6/20/2026

Noise pollution is a major environmental and health challenge, yet its strong spatial and temporal variability makes comprehensive mapping highly complex. Current approaches under the European Noise Directive (END) provide only partial coverage and often lack temporal dynamics. The NoiseSphere project, funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG, develops an AI-based methodology for dynamic, large-scale noise prediction and mapping. A machine learning model is trained on heterogeneous data sources, including semantically enriched open Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, OpenStreetMap road data and existing noise maps. The model is refined through integration of noise emission data and validated using targeted in-situ measurements. A case study in an urban environment (Graz, Austria) demonstrates the model’s applicability. By combining remote sensing, traffic dynamics, and machine learning, NoiseSphere enables predictive noise mapping even in regions not covered by current

Girstmair, Josef

Holistic Sound Package Design for Optimal NVH and Carbon Footprint of a BEV

2026-01-0708

6/20/2026

Vehicle sound packages are usually designed to provide a given level of vehicle Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) comfort, within weight and cost constraints. Optimal comfort results can be obtained by considering the interaction of all the parts as a full physical system. So far, extensive research has already been performed and published on optimizing vehicle sound packages to achieve effective noise reduction at lowest cost and weight. Nowadays, due to the urgency of the transition to carbon neutrality, sound packages must also address the reduction of the full vehicle life cycle carbon emissions. Sound package components should use materials that have a low emission impact during production and that are suitable for recycling at the end of the vehicle’s life. This entails reconsidering the material solutions chosen for the sound package as a whole, rather than for each individual component. This article describes possible differentiations in the design of a sound package

Courtois, Theophane, Cardillo, Marco, Criscione, Mattia, Gerges, Youssef, Massocco, Andrea

Single Microphone Sound Source Localisation in Partially Known Environments Using Sequential Spatial Sampling

2026-01-0681

6/20/2026

Sound source localization is a fundamental capability for environmental awareness in a wide range of applications, including automotive or automated vehicles. Microphone-array-based signal processing techniques are widely used for this task. However, achieving sufficient localization accuracy often requires a large number of microphones and wide array apertures, which can be incompatible with limited installation space and cost constraints. Moreover, standard array-processing methods often rely on free-field transfer functions. In environments with reflections, diffraction, and scattering, particularly under non-line-of-sight conditions, this mismatch can degrade both accuracy and interpretability. This paper presents a methodology for sound source localization in partially known environments that addresses these challenges by combining two ideas. First, the method reduces sensor requirements by exploiting sequential pressure measurements acquired at different spatial locations along a

Pirro, Giovanni Battista, Nijman, Eugene, Deckers, Elke, Denayer, Hervé

Towards Realistic Stick-Slip Testing: Efficiently Mapping Material Behavior across a wide Range of Loading Conditions

2026-01-0713

6/20/2026

To minimize noise caused by interior components rubbing against each other, automotive materials are usually tested in advance with the established stick-slip method according to VDA standard 230-206. This procedure is widely used for soft materials, upholstery and plastics. However, it is limited to constant climatic and selected loading conditions. Contrary, in real application, changing climates and dynamic excitations can nevertheless trigger noise issues even in materials rated as suitable in the prior tests. To address this gap, a new test method has been developed that evaluates the stick-slip behavior of material combinations for a wide range of loading and climatic conditions. Conducted in a climate chamber with a standard stick-slip test bench, the procedure applies sinusoidal excitations, dynamic climatic shifts and advanced data analysis. In addition to the usual results the new method also evaluates realistic scenarios such as starting a vehicle in different seasons or

Fritz, Susanne, Strangfeld, Martin

A Modeling and Experimental Study of the Argon Power Cycle Using Mixing-Controlled Combustion

2026-01-5043

6/19/2026

The closed-cycle hydrogen-fueled argon power cycle is a zero emissions concept that combines a carbon-free fuel with argon as a diluent replacement for nitrogen. The lack of nitrogen in the argon power cycle results in zero NOx emissions on an internal combustion engine platform. There is also massive efficiency improvement because argon is monatomic and has a very high ratio of specific heats. However, this will also result in combustion temperatures and pressures exceeding those normally achieved on an air-standard engine platform. The literature shows conflict between modeling, which promises incredibly high efficiency gains, and experiment, which show more modest efficiency gains. This work combined thermodynamic modeling, literature analysis, and experiments to understand this discrepancy and ultimately understand what level of efficiency gain can be expected for the argon power cycle. It was found that while low compression ratio engines stand to see the largest relative

Gainey, Brian, Ahrling, Christoffer, Tunestal, Per, Tuner, Martin

Accelerated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-Based Quantitative Prediction of Urea Deposition in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Systems

2026-01-5041

6/12/2026

Mitigation of harmful emissions from oil-based engines is essential to avoid environmental pollution and comply with various NOx regulations across the globe. This can be partially achieved by injecting urea to produce ammonia (NH3), which reacts with NOx in a catalyst to produce harmless nitrogen (N2) and water vapor (H2O). However, urea deposition in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system poses a significant threat to the NOx removal process by not only reducing the urea conversion rate but also blocking the incoming flow and causing an additional pressure drop. Numerical modeling of this urea deposit formation involves multiphase flow physics coupled with accurate heat transfer calculations. Additionally, since urea decomposes into various by-products like biuret, cyanuric acid (CYA), and ammelide, detailed chemical kinetics modeling is equally important. Accurate and fast computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can help accelerate SCR system design cycles, leading to a

Morab, Sumant R., Khalate, Suraj, Ansari, Shoaib, Yang, Pengze

SAE Truck & Off-Highway Engineering: June 2026

26TOFHP066/11/2026

Hitting the road in the all-new VNR Volvo Trucks' revised VNR brings updated safety tech, improved fuel economy and driver comfort features to the regional haul segment. In fuel control How to ensure off-highway combustion systems operate with sufficient control to meet tightening emissions standards and evolving fuel landscapes without sacrificing reliability. Keeping industrial vehicles secure in a digital landscape OEMs, integrators and suppliers must continuously process, assess and identify platform vulnerabilities to prioritize and implement updates that protect systems from cyberattacks and data breaches. Editorial Diversification key for sustainable fleets ACT 2026: Uncertainty still exists over EPA 2027 NOx limit ZF bets big on hybrid transmissions Moog simplifies off-highway electrification Bosch shows off its first U.S. electrolyzer Microvision fast-tracks adoption of Luminar tech; eyes defense, industrial sectors Future-ready, customizable connectivity powers precision

Heavy-Duty Nonroad Material Handler Electrification Part 1: Real-World Drive Cycle Development

02-19-03-0015

6/10/2026

Knowing a detailed operating cycle is critical for developing and testing equipment. Operating cycles can be separated by two clear distinctions: (1) regulatory or non-regulatory and (2) application at the engine-only or full machine level. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Nonroad Transient Cycle (NRTC) may be a good representation of engine use in many types of equipment, but there is a gap in standardized and validated drive cycles specifically for nonroad material handlers. Lacking a standardized drive cycle makes it difficult to accurately benchmark machine performance and validate new powertrain technologies. The objective of this investigation is to illustrate the development of a custom drive cycle augmented with real-world customer use data that serves multiple purposes: (1) understand the range of operation and utilization that formulated inputs for electrified architecture analysis and (2) develop a repetitive and consistent maneuver to establish baseline energy

Czarnecki, Alexander, Goodenough, Bryant, Worm, Jeremy, Robinette, Darrell, LaTendresse, Phil, Westman, John

Challenges in Predicting Fatigue Damage during Agricultural Operations: Insights from Machine Learning Models

02-19-03-0017

6/10/2026

Agricultural vehicles operating in rough environments experience increased fatigue damage accumulation, which may decrease machine safety and reliability. Autonomous agricultural machines offer an opportunity to incorporate fatigue damage considerations into path planning. This work investigates whether machine learning can predict fatigue damage to a tractor chassis using light detection and ranging (LiDAR)-based terrain features, vehicle speed, and rotational vehicle state data (e.g., triaxial angle, angular velocity, and angular acceleration). Fatigue damage was estimated using the Rupp filter and the Durability Transfer Concept. Following poor predictive performance of the machine learning models, an exploratory analysis of damage histograms, dominant frequency, and acceleration magnitude was performed. Results indicated that most estimated fatigue damage occurred in the 0–2 Hz band, which coincides with the frequency range of terrain-induced acceleration. On-road driving led to

Govers, Megan Emily, Hamilton-Wright, Andrew, Hassan, Marwan, Oliver, Michele L.

Automated Design Sustainability Evaluation Framework: A CAD-Integrated Tool for Real-Time Costing and LCA in Automotive Engineering

2026-37-0044

6/9/2026

As the automotive industry faces increasingly rigorous environmental regulations and an approaching obligation for Digital Product Passports (DPPs), incorporating sustainability metrics into the early design phase has become a necessity. Traditionally, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and manufacturing cost estimation are performed during or after the design phase using specific methods and tools, resulting in costly iterations and delayed decision-making. This paper introduces a preliminary computational tool that combines 3D CAD and spreadsheet software via VBA integration. The framework automates the generation of an “Extended Bill of Materials” by extracting geometric and manufacturing data directly from CAD models. This tool’s classification logic is a key innovation that intelligently processes CAD features to identify component categories, such as sheet metal, machined parts, or plastic injections. This automated recognition allows the framework to implement specific algorithmic

Guadagno, Maurizio, Cecconi, Leonardo, Berzi, Lorenzo, Delogu, Massimo

Engine Thermal Management Strategies for Emissions Reduction during Real Driving Tests

2026-37-0036

6/9/2026

Thermal management in internal combustion engines (ICEs) strongly affects fuel consumption and pollutant emissions, especially during engine warm-up. Particularly, the oil temperature is strictly related to the organic efficiency of the vehicle: in the early phase of a driving cycle, the low temperature produces a high-viscous oil, which increases friction losses and increases fuel consumption, with respect to full thermal regimated oil. Usually, the oil and coolant thermal behaviours are interconnected, thanks to a coolant/oil heat exchanger in the engine. In this study, a prototyped electrical coolant pump has been applied and integrated in a small SUV vehicle, replacing the original mechanical unit. An off-board experimental campaign allowed a complete hydraulic characterization of the cooling system, including thermostat operation, and led to a physically based correlation between flow rates and pressure drops in each branch. Based on these results, the pump was designed and

Di Battista, Davide, Di Bartolomeo, Marco, Cipollone, Roberto

Development of a Diesel Combustion System for Next-Generation Heavy-Duty Engines Using a Synergistic Analysis-and-Testing Approach

2026-37-0004

6/9/2026

Regulators and policymakers have introduced increasingly stringent limits on tailpipe CO₂ and pollutant emissions to accelerate the decarbonization of heavy-duty vehicle applications. The development of innovative propulsion technologies — such as advanced combustion systems, low-friction reciprocating components, and improved aftertreatment solutions — combined with hybridization and the adoption of alternative fuels (e.g., biogas, HVO, green hydrogen), is a key pathway for meeting future emission and GHG targets. In this study, advanced combustion systems were developed for a 13-liter diesel engine for heavy-duty truck applications, with the objective of meeting forthcoming Euro VII regulations while maximizing thermal efficiency. The combustion system architecture—including open-bowl geometry with high aspect ratio, injector nozzle with wider spray opening angle, and reduced swirl ratio—was optimized using a Machine Learning–algorithm trained on high-fidelity 3D CFD combustion data

Belgiorno, Giacomo, Centini, Maria Pia, Pezza, Vincenzo, Cozza, Ivan F., Pesce, Francesco C., Vassallo, Alberto, Colombo, Giovanni, Gallo, Alessandro, Mirzaeian, Mohsen, Borg, Jonathan

Comparative Toxicological Assessment of Exhaust Emissions from Modern Low-Emission Passenger Vehicles

2026-37-0005

6/9/2026

As vehicle technologies evolve toward electrification and advanced aftertreatment, understanding the biological implications of their exhaust emissions remains essential. This study presents a harmonized comparative toxicological assessment of five Euro 6 vehicles representing gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, compressed natural gas (CNG), and diesel technologies. Vehicles were tested under realistic driving conditions on a chassis dynamometer. Diluted exhaust was delivered directly to human lung epithelial cells (A549) using a controlled air–liquid interface (ALI) exposure system. Solid and total particle number emissions were measured, and deposited particle mass was estimated from size-resolved distributions and deposition efficiency. Vehicles equipped with particulate filtration showed lower solid particle emissions overall, while differences between gasoline particulate filter-equipped vehicles indicated that hybridization can further influence emission levels. Diesel operation

Tsakonas, Georgios, Stamatiou, Rodopi, Lazou, Antigone, Samaras, Zissis, Elihn, Karine

Design-Driven Sustainability of Automotive Components: A Comparative LCA from Conventional to Metal and Composite Additive Manufacturing

2026-37-0037

6/9/2026

The increasing pressure to decarbonize manufacturing systems is pushing industry beyond conventional lightweighting strategies toward material and process paradigms, capable of delivering functional performance with radically lower environmental impact. In this context, polymer-based composite Additive Manufacturing (AM) offers an underexplored yet highly promising pathway for sustainable production of load-bearing components. This study presents a preliminary comparative cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a Formula SAE brake pedal, assessing the environmental transition from conventional sheet metal fabrication and finishing operations of Aluminum 7075-T6 to additive manufacturing solutions, with specific focus on Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites. Two topology-optimized designs, respectively for Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) in AlSi10Mg and Material Extrusion (MEX) in Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol with Carbon Fiber (PETG-CF) are compared to conventional

Dalpadulo, Enrico, Russo, Mario, Apté MD, Raphaëlle, Leali, Francesco

Investigating the Potential of Two Individually Controlled Injectors per Rotor for a Direct Injection Hydrogen Wankel Engine

2026-37-0008

6/9/2026

Hydrogen-fueled rotary engines offer a promising zero-emission solution for compact commercial powertrains. This study reports experimental results from the further development of a naturally aspirated, direct-injection hydrogen rotary engine by HTM. Initial applications, such as an airport baggage tractor, demonstrated technical feasibility but revealed pre-ignition that limited maximum torque. To address this, mixture formation was investigated using an experimental setup with two independently controlled injectors feeding a single rotor injection channel. The effects on operating behavior, efficiency, and NOx emissions were evaluated. The dual-injector configuration significantly shortens injection duration and improves spatial distribution of hydrogen within the combustion chamber. Enhanced mixture control suppresses pre-ignition and enables higher mean effective pressure. Systematic variation of injection timing under representative steady-state conditions also shows potential for

Endres, Jonas, Beidl, Christian, Herold, Tim, Lavall, Philipp, Schmidt, Marvin, Hofmann, Silas, Kahl, Jonas

Combined EGR-Air Dilution Effects on Performance, Combustion and Emissions of a Single-Cylinder Spark-Ignition Direct-Injection Hydrogen Engine

2026-37-0009

6/9/2026

Hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE) have emerged as a promising solution for decarbonisation of the transport sector, due to low cost and potential for rapid deployment. However, abnormal combustion and high nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions limit stoichiometric operation, making dilution strategies essential. While lean combustion has been widely studied, combined dilution strategies of air and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) require further investigation. This work presents experimental results from a boosted 0.5-litre spark-ignition direct-injection single-cylinder research engine equipped with high-tumble ports and cooled high-pressure EGR. Relative air–fuel ratios (lambda) of 1 to 3 and EGR rates of 0 to 40% are evaluated at 5, 10, and 15 bar of indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) at 2000 rpm to assess effects on net indicated thermal efficiency (nITE), combustion, and emissions. A peak nITE of 43.5% is achieved at 10 bar IMEP, λ = 2.5, and 30% EGR, which can be

King, Aidan, Islam, Reza, Pickering, Simon, Yuan, Hao, Mudge, Henry, Giles, Karl, Goyal, Harsh, Jones, Peter, Akehurst, Sam, Esposito, Stefania

Predictive Modelling of NO _x and Unburned Hydrogen Emissions in a Direct-Injection Hydrogen Spark-Ignition Engine

2026-37-0007

6/9/2026

Hydrogen is emerging as a compelling energy carrier for future transportation due to its potential to enable fully decarbonised operation and near-zero tailpipe pollutant emissions. Realising this potential in reciprocating internal combustion engines requires a detailed understanding of the complex interactions governing hydrogen combustion and emissions formation. In this context, physics-based reduced-order emission predictive modelling offers a powerful means to accelerate the development and optimisation of hydrogen-fuelled engines by enabling rapid evaluation of operating strategies without the need for extensive experimental campaigns. This study investigates the simulation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and unburned hydrogen (uH2) emissions from a 0.5L spark-ignition direct injection single-cylinder research engine within a 1D-0D simulation approach. For NOx prediction, a simplified kinetic mechanism is coupled with both a 0D two-zone combustion model and a thermal multi-zone in

Malfi, Enrica, De Felice, Massimiliano, Esposito, Stefania, Ribnishki, Aleksandar, King, Aidan, Akehurst, Sam, Jones, Peter, Goyal, Harsh

Alcohol-Based Energy Carriers in Transportation: Status, Standards, and Outlook

2026-37-0042

6/9/2026

The global transport sector accounts for approximately 30 % of total final energy consumption and 15.9 % of worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with road transport alone accounting for the largest share at 11.8 %. Decarbonizing this sector requires energy sources that combine scalable generation from renewable sources with compatibility with various modes of transportation and existing infrastructure. Methanol and ethanol emerge as promising alternative energy carriers that can leverage existing logistics infrastructure while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Global methanol production reached 112 million metric tons, and global ethanol production totaled approximately 93.5 million metric tons in 2024, compared to more than 2 billion metric tons of gasoline and diesel produced annually. The review assesses production pathways and cost trajectories for both alcohols, evaluates fuel requirements across multiple transport modes, including passenger vehicles, light- and heavy-duty

Fitz, Patrick, Fellner, Felix, Rößlhuemer, Raphael, Härtl, Martin, Jaensch, Malte

Can Large Language Models Enable Sustainable Driving Behavior? A Study on Large Language Model-Based Eco-Driving

13-07-02-0006

6/9/2026

Large language models (LLMs) have shown remarkable capabilities for perceiving driving environments and making interpretable, logical decisions for autonomous driving. However, their potential for more comprehensive driving strategies, especially concerning energy efficiency, remains underexplored. Most existing studies primarily focus on driving safety, which may inadvertently increase energy consumption. To address this issue, this study explores the use of LLMs as high-level controllers to jointly optimize driving safety and energy efficiency. A textual prompt is designed for the LLM, incorporating few-shot examples that describe scenarios, states, and actions. The LLM processes the scenario and state prompts describing the surrounding traffic environment. It generates a high-level control signal, which is then translated into low-level vehicle motion commands in a high-fidelity traffic simulator with realistic physics, vehicle dynamics, road slopes, and network topology

Wang, Haoyu, Li, Zhenning, Wang, Siying, Zhou, Zijing, Zhang, Xiang, Yang, Zhifeng, Ou, Shiqi (Shawn), Qi, Hao

Nitrogen-Based Emissions from Ammonia Combustion in a Heavy-Duty Spark Ignition Engine

2026-37-0032

6/9/2026

Ammonia (NH3) is a carbon-free fuel with strong potential for spark-ignition (SI) engine applications. However, the engine can produce complex nitrogen-based emissions not adequately captured by conventional engine models. This study consolidated the results of experimental and numerical studies on the use of neat NH3 combustion in a heavy-duty compression-ignition engine converted to spark-ignition operation, first for a sweep of equivalence ratios (ϕ) from 0.7 to 1.0, and another from varying the energy substitution ratio of methane (CH4)– NH3 blends from neat CH4 to neat NH3 at constant ϕ = 0.8. Two 0-D two-zone SI engine models with detailed chemistry (called “original” and “extended”) predicted engine thermodynamics and emissions. While the original model reproduced in-cylinder pressure and combustion phasing, it failed to capture the effect of fuel composition or operating condition on NO trends, both under- and over-predicting them for neat NH3 and CH4-rich operations. An

Trujillo Grisales, Juan, Saenz Prado, Stefany, Alvarez, Luis F., Akkerman, Vyacheslav, Dumitrescu, Cosmin E.

Development of a 0D – 1D Numerical Model for the Thermal Management of a Heavy – Duty PEMFC

2026-37-0006

6/9/2026

The rising concerns on climate change is accelerating the transition from fossil fuel-based technologies to sustainable energy systems. In this framework, Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are gaining an increasing interest due to their high efficiency and wide range of applications. Nevertheless, these systems experience significant performance losses under high loads, associated with significant heat generation, making thermal management a fundamental design aspect. In this study, a 200-kW low temperature PEMFC was investigated through the development of a 0D – 1D model of a simplified cooling circuit implemented in GT – SUITE environment. The model was used to evaluate the influence of design parameters on the effective efficiency of the system to dissipate the excessive heat. Additionally, a detailed stack-only model, comprehensive of the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) subcomponents, was developed to verify the temperature differences between coolant fluid and

Cecere, Giovanni, Antetomaso, Christian, Irimescu, Adrian, Merola, Simona

Impact of Compression Ratio and Stroke on Hydrogen Requirement for Emission-Optimized Operation of an Ammonia-Fuelled Spark-Ignition Engine

2026-37-0030

6/9/2026

Ammonia (NH3) fuelled engines have emerged as a promising route toward net-zero emission targets due to NH3’s carbon-free nature, ease of storage, and established handling infrastructure. However, the low laminar burning speed and narrow flammability limits of NH3 pose a significant combustion challenge, which can be addressed through hydrogen (H2) co-fuelling. For practical implementation, on-board H2 production via thermal catalytic cracking of NH3 is an attractive solution, as it eliminates the need for external H2 storage and associated handling and capital costs. Previous studies by the present authors identified a lean operating strategy that achieves an equimolar ratio of NOx and unburned NH3 (α NH3NOx ≈ 1), enabling complete conversion to nitrogen and water vapour when coupled with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system. This strategy was further validated using cracked NH3 derived H2 in place of bottled H2 through an on-board cracker, thereby representing a practical

Yadav, Neeraj Kumar, Ambalakatte, Ajith, Geng, Sikai, Gopakumar Suja, Gagan, Birch, Alexander, Cairns, Alasdair, Harrington, Anthony, Hall, Jonathan

CFD Modelling of an Asymmetric Hydrogen Injector Cap for Direct Injection Applications: Design Impact on Jets Structure and Momentum Flux

2026-37-0011

6/9/2026

The adoption of hydrogen as a carbon-neutral sustainable fuel for internal combustion is regarded as a promising solution to reduce greenhouse gases and pollutant emissions. In this framework, the injection system plays a crucial role, being responsible for delivering a large amount of fuel to the combustion chamber. Currently, low-pressure direct injection is considered one of the best solutions to ensure the appropriate fuel delivery. The use of caps has proven particularly effective, as they enable a potentially unlimited range of geometries while minimizing modifications to the injector hardware. Experimental campaigns and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can be used together as complementary tools to speed up the development process and explore multiple combinations of parameters, thereby optimizing the overall design of both the engine and the caps. In the present paper, a single-hole GDI-derived hydrogen prototype injector equipped with a two-hole asymmetric cap

Pavan, Nicolo, Breda, Sebastiano, Duni, Andrea, Martino, Manuel, Fontanesi, Stefano, Postrioti, Lucio

Development and Experimental Validation of a 1D Model for Performance and Emissions Analysis of Oxygenated Fuel Blends in a CI Engine

2026-37-0028

6/9/2026

Emissions reduction remains a major concern for internal combustion engines in view of increasingly stringent environmental regulations. To address these challenges while maintaining acceptable engine performance, a wide range of alternative fuels and fuel blends have been investigated to ensure the continued viability of CI engines. This study reports the effects of blending the oxygenated fuel diethylene glycol diethyl ether (DGDE) with hydrotreated vegetable oil biodiesel (HVO) on engine performance and emissions. The investigation is conducted on a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder, common-rail diesel engine, equipped with a variable geometry turbocharger and a high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system. The objectives of this study are achieved by developing a one-dimensional predictive engine model using the commercial GT-SUITE software. The engine model is developed and experimentally validated, at various operating conditions and HVO–DGDE fuel blends, to predict their effects on

Arain, M Wajahat Rasool, Foglia, Antonio, Frasci, Emmanuele, Vitek, Oldrich, Pianese, Cesare, Arsie, Ivan

Performance and Combustion Characteristics of Coryton SUSTAIN Classic Super 80 Carbon-Neutral Fuel versus EN 228 in a 1980s Fiat 500 Engine

2026-37-0033

6/9/2026

The energy transition requires a rapid reduction in the use of fossil fuels, whose combustion generates substantial greenhouse-gas emissions. In Europe, transport alone accounts for roughly a quarter of total greenhouse-gas emissions, with road transport being the predominant component. In this context, the use of biofuels has emerged as a potential solution for limiting further increases in CO₂ emissions. However, most studies available in the literature evaluate the performance of these fuels on modern engines, while their effects on historic carburetted engines remain largely unexplored. This is particularly significant given the large fleet of historic vehicles across Europe, supported by a long-standing tradition of vehicle preservation, associations, and classic car collectors. The main historic-vehicle federations advise caution and the use of low-ethanol formulations so as not to damage elastomers, fuel tanks, and carburettor float bowls. For this reason, a few suppliers have

Tarchiani, Marco, Fossati, Federico, Raspanti, Sandro, Baroni, Alberto, Ferrara, Giovanni, Romani, Luca

Potential of ORC-Based Waste Heat Recovery in Conventional and Hybrid Heavy-Duty Powertrains

2026-37-0018

6/9/2026

Heavy-duty vehicles significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and urban air pollution, especially during cold-starts and transients when engine and aftertreatment efficiencies drop. Waste heat recovery (WHR) via Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems offers a practical solution to improve fuel efficiency and cut CO₂ in real-world heavy-duty operations. This study examines ORC-based WHR integration into conventional and hybrid powertrains of an Isuzu FTR850 truck, analyzing four configurations: Shell-and-Tube or Plate heat exchangers with simple or regenerative ORC layouts. For hybrids, it compares two engine sizes and energy management strategies: an optimized fuzzy logic approach versus constant-power operation to enhance exhaust heat recovery. A validated quasi-static simulation framework is used to predict fuel consumption and exhaust properties over representative duty cycles. 2D performance maps using exhaust temperature and mass flow as inputs are used to model the WHR

Donateo, Teresa, Morrone, Pietropaolo

Methane Emission Mitigation in Large-Bore Dual-Fuel Engines via Negative Valve Overlap Diesel Injection: Thermochemical Pathways and Reactivity Control

2026-37-0045

6/9/2026

Low-load natural gas–diesel reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) in medium-speed marine engines is constrained by an insufficient charge thermal state. This limitation leads to partial fuel oxidation, producing high methane emissions. This work evaluates the use of negative valve overlap (NVO) combined with NVO diesel injection as an in-cylinder reactivity enhancement strategy. The simulation study was performed using the University of Vaasa’s advanced thermo-kinetic multi-zone model (UVATZ), extended for reactive simulations during NVO. The extended framework was validated against test-bench data from a prototype Wärtsilä 6L20 dual-fuel engine operating in RCCI mode. The baseline low-load operating point for reforming simulations was defined by reducing the intake manifold temperature to replicate conditions close to partial misfire with 52% combustion efficiency. The parametric sweeps of NVO injection timing and ratio showed that the strategy can be used for in-cycle

Soleimani, Amir, Nurmi, Mikael, Hunicz, Jacek, Kim, Jeyoung, Hyvonen, Jari, Mikulski, Maciej

A Parametric Cradle-to-Grave Life Cycle Assessment Tool for Comparative Evaluation of Passenger Car CO₂ Emissions

2026-37-0040

6/9/2026

This work presents the development of a user-oriented software tool for the cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of passenger cars, enabling robust comparisons of greenhouse gas emissions across heterogeneous vehicle configurations. The tool supports informed decision-making by quantifying and visualizing environmental impacts associated with alternative mobility choices over the full vehicle life cycle, including production, use, maintenance, and end-of-life stages. The proposed framework allows key parameters describing both the vehicle and its usage to be explicitly defined, including powertrain type, dimensions and weight, ownership profile (new or second-hand vehicles, partial ownership periods, leasing scenarios), annual mileage, vehicle lifetime assumptions, and the carbon intensity of fuels or electricity sources. Country-specific energy mixes are incorporated, enabling the same vehicle to be assessed under different geographic contexts and highlighting the strong

Gastaldi, Chiara, Cibrario, Luca

Forecasting Electric Vehicle Fleet Growth and Energy Requirements in the UK

2026-37-0043

6/9/2026

With the United Kingdom’s goal to achieve a fully decarbonised energy sector by 2035 and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, the transition of the UK’s passenger car fleet to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) plays a crucial role in reaching this goal. This study evaluates the environmental and energy impact of large-scale BEV adoption by modelling future uptake scenarios using historical fleet data combined with assumed impact of future policy such as the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles. Three predictive models have been developed: fast uptake, in which approximately 100% of the passenger car fleet is replaced by BEVs; moderate uptake, where a large majority of passenger cars are BEVs; and slow uptake, in which BEV adoption does not reach a majority. The results have shown that, if a medium- or large-scale adoption is possible by 2040 predicting nearly 37 million BEVs on the road, the associated electricity demand is predicted to rise close to 110

Burke, Bradley, Kateregga, Sunny, Sodre, Jose Ricardo

Analysis of a Sorption Energy Storage System for Cabin Air Heating and Dehumidification in Electric Vehicles

2026-37-0034

6/9/2026

This work investigates the integration of a Sorption Thermal Energy Storage (TES) into the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system of electric vehicles. The proposed device reduces the energy demand for cabin heating under winter conditions, leading to a driving range increase. The TES dehumidifies the cabin air through a desiccant bed (zeolite 4A), preventing window fogging, enabling higher air recirculation rates, and consequently reducing the required heating power. An experimentally validated numerical model was used to analyze the adsorption and regeneration processes and to identify suitable operating conditions. Regeneration was found to be effective at moderate temperatures (from 120°C), with a counter-current airflow configuration providing faster and more efficient desorption compared to parallel-flow one. A simplified model integrating TES, HVAC unit and cabin was developed and used to compare different configurations. Heating energy consumption with and

Verlingieri, Rebecca, Calabrese, Luigi, Freni, Angelo, Marocco, Luca, Scudeler, Gabriele, De Antonellis, Stefano

Hybridized Diesel Powertrains - An Important Enabler for Commercial Applications on the Long Journey towards Full Electrification

2026-37-0022

6/9/2026

The ongoing efforts for reduction of the traffic-related greenhouse gas emissions and, at the same time, the mitigation of harmful pollutant emissions from vehicle exhaust emissions are important development tasks for the entire automotive industry worldwide according to demand to provide clean and efficient products. Further tightened fleet average FE standards and ultra-low limits for exhaust emissions require the continuous development of new propulsion system types. Due to the given reluctance of the end customer and corresponding low acceptance of fully electrified vehicles, especially in the commercial vehicle segment, new and innovative topologies are needed to meet regulatory requirements and maintain the high versatility of today’s dominating solutions. For further optimization of operating conditions with enhanced fuel efficiency, the technical strategy is also determined by uplifting the attractiveness of electric driving incl. the avoidance of areas with poor ICE efficiency

Koerfer, Thomas

Optimal Charging Planning with Energy Consumption Simulation for Battery Electric Long-Haul Trucks

2026-37-0019

6/9/2026

Vehicle fleet decarbonization is a key objective for the coming years, with electrification representing the primary pathway to achieving the targets set by the European Union. The share of battery electric trucks in new registrations has been gradually increasing especially in light and medium size trucks. The replacement rate of diesel long-haul trucks with zero emission trucks is still low due to challenges posed by added complexity and limitations of battery charging. Depot overnight charging is not sufficient to cover the energy needs of a truck covering large distances and careful planning of the route using public charging infrastructure is crucial for an optimized route minimizing extra costs and range anxiety. The current work aims to develop a methodology to propose the optimal charging locations for a given route of a battery electric truck based on nearby stations along the route. Our study uses an open-source optimization algorithm for the fixed route vehicle charging

Perdikopoulos, Michail, Doulgeris, Stylianos, Livitsanos, Georgios, Kazakis, Thomas, Mellios, Giorgos, Ntziachristos, Leonidas

An Open-Source Framework to Automate Virtual Optimization of Internal Combustion Engine Calibration Maps through Shape-Based Strategy

2026-37-0001

6/9/2026

The automotive industry is facing increasingly stringent regulatory constraints, driving the need for faster and more efficient powertrain development. This results in higher systems complexity, making internal combustion engine calibration progressively more challenging to meet performance and emissions targets. This, combined with the manual nature of traditional calibration workflows, leads to a time-consuming process that heavily relies on human expertise. Although virtualization can reduce development time and costs, the overall workflow remains largely dependent on manual decision-making and iterative refinement. In this context, this work presents a virtual calibration framework based on a genetic algorithm, aimed at the automated optimization of engine calibration maps to satisfy performance and emissions constraints, while reducing manual effort. Each calibration map is represented through a polynomial parameterization. Specifically, a generic three-dimensional polynomial with

Romano, Gianvito, Aglietti, Filippo, Spedicato, Tonio, Cozza, Ivan Flaminio, Capra, Andrea

An Along-the-Channel Pseudo-2D Approach for Spatially Resolved PEM Fuel Cell Dynamics

2026-37-0010

6/9/2026

The longevity of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells is governed by degradation processes whose rates depend on local operating conditions such as temperature, humidity, liquid-water saturation, and reactant availability. Along-the-channel gradients imposed by the flow field can therefore be relevant when interpreting operating behavior and when formulating models intended to support control and system studies. The AlphaPEM framework provides a dynamic through-plane description of electrochemical and water-management states, but in its baseline form does not resolve how these states vary along the gas channels. This paper presents a pseudo-2D (1+1D) extension of AlphaPEM that couples a discretized along-the-channel gas-channel model to a segment-wise MEA submodel. For each axial segment, the MEA equations are evaluated with local boundary conditions obtained from the channel (e.g., reactant and vapor concentrations), while retaining the key dynamic states of the original formulation

Ringeisen, Björn, Günthner, Michael, Kargl, Pascal

Numerical Modeling Techniques for Jet Engine Test Cell Aerodynamics

AIR6355 (Current)

6/5/2026

This SAE Aerospace Information Report (AIR) has been written for individuals associated with ground level testing of turbofan and turbojet engines, and particularly for those who might be interested in investigating steady-state performance characteristics of a new test cell design or of proposed modifications to an existing test cell by means of numerical modeling and simulation. It is not the intent of this standard to provide specific test cell design recommendations, which are covered in the reference documentation.

EG-1E Gas Turbine Test Facilities and Equipment

Quantifying Life Cycle Environmental Impact of Emerging Aluminum High-Pressure Die Cast (HPDC) Mega-Castings Replacing Stamped Steel Solutions

13-07-01-0004

6/4/2026

Over the last few years, there has been an uptick in the exploration and implementation of aluminum high-pressure die casting (HPDC) mega-castings as replacements for conventional stamped steel parts in vehicles. This trend is expected to increase with common justifications, including claims of reduced costs and lower environmental impacts associated with the replacement of dozens of individual parts with a single casted piece, along with reduced demands on associated tooling and machinery. However, the data and literature to support these claims are limited and at times contradictory, with some studies showing increased costs and energy demands for mega-casting technologies. This study presents the results of a literature review and a gate-to-gate life cycle inventory (LCI) adapted from conventional HPDC aluminum casting unit processes that may be used to quantify potential life cycle global warming potential (GWP), cumulative energy demand (CED), and other environmental impacts of

Sebastian, Brandie, Balzer, Russ

IN FUEL CONTROL

26TOFHP06_02

6/1/2026

How to ensure off-highway combustion systems operate with sufficient control to meet tightening emissions standards and evolving fuel landscapes without sacrificing reliability. Off-highway equipment is being asked to do more with less. Less margin for emissions, less tolerance for downtime and less room for inefficiency, while operating under some of the most demanding duty cycles in the transport sector. Tier 4 and Tier 5 emissions standards have reshaped engine calibration strategies. Renewable diesel and biodiesel blends are entering worksites and farms at scale. At the same time, construction, mining and agricultural machines are expected to run for 20-25 years, often at sustained high load and far from service infrastructure. In this environment, combustion systems are far from being phased out.

Anderson, Todd

Conceptual Design of Hydrogen Fuel-Cell-Based Utility Aircraft

2026-26-0783

6/1/2026

The aviation industry contributes to around 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions. As various sectors of the economy look to reduce their global carbon footprint, the aviation industry is positively acknowledging alternatives to jet fuel. Hydrogen proves to be one such alternative having a high energy density and producing zero carbon emissions on combustion. Hydrogen when used in a jet engine produces water vapour and NOx emissions. In order to reduce the effect of GHGs, the current study aims to develop aircraft concepts suitable with hydrogen propulsion through fuel cells for a short-haul commercial mission profile. Aircrafts such as Metro-23 and Dornier 228-212 were referenced for the requirements of a utility turboprop aircraft. The weight estimation was done to obtain the take-off weight of 10,863 kg following the optimization of thrust to weight ratio and wing loading to calculate the initial dimensions. OpenVSP was used to model the initial structure of the aircraft. For the

Bhattacharya, Anisha, Seetha Ramu, Sree Valli, C N, Lakshmi Manasa, Rohit, Benjamin

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