Browse Topic: Powertrains

Items (49,895)

Coolant Pump Weep Chamber 3D CFD Transient Simulation for predicting Coolant Evaporation

2026-01-0485To be published on 04/07/2026

This paper presents transient, complex, multi-species, multiphase, 3D CFD transient simulation of engine coolant pump weep chamber for predicting coolant evaporation. The engine coolant pump contains a rotating mechanical face seal to prevent liquid coolant leakage at the rotating interface. During normal engine operation, a small amount of coolant vapor is expressed by this rotating seal; this vapor can condense on solid surfaces within the weep chamber. The coolant collected in weep chamber evaporates from the chamber and exits out of the weep chamber in vapor form. Evaporation rate of the coolant is a primary factor deciding weep chamber size. Evaporation rate of coolant depends on several factors – ambient humidity, ambient temperature, flow of air in and out of the weep chamber, pump temperature, and pump rotational speed. Weep chamber is small in dimensions (~ 100 cm^3) and dependence of coolant evaporation on several factors results in necessity of an accurate and predictive

Tawar, Ranjit Ramchandra, Drechsel, James, Bedekar, Sanjeev, Nallamothu, Sravan

Upstream Oxygen Sensor Signal Improvement Using the DFSS and Virtual Validation Approach

2026-01-0486To be published on 04/07/2026

Combustion stability and emission control remain key challenges for gasoline engines, requiring robust oxygen sensing strategies. The primary function of the upstream exhaust oxygen sensor is to detect the oxygen concentration in exhaust gas for accurate air–fuel ratio control. However, poor signal visibility from individual cylinders across engine speeds can lead to improper combustion prediction and reduced engine efficiency. This work applies a Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) approach to optimize the upstream oxygen sensor configuration in a 2.0 L four-stroke gasoline engine. Conventionally, sensor placement is completed by iterative testing and calibration, which is both time-consuming and cost intensive. The DFSS framework uses input, output, control, and noise factors. Exhaust gas mass flow rate from engine cylinders at different speeds is treated as the input, while the detected oxygen mass fraction is the output. Design parameters such as pipe length, pipe diameter, sensor

Dixit, Manish, Raja, Vinayak, Annabattula, Pallavi

Research on Intelligent Vehicle Fleet Longitudinal Control Based on Fuzzy Model Predictive Control

2026-01-0040To be published on 04/07/2026

Addressing the challenge of balancing tracking efficiency and stability in longitudinal cooperative control of intelligent vehicle platoons, this paper proposes a hierarchical control strategy integrating fuzzy logic with Model Predictive Control (MPC). The upper-layer controller, based on the platoon's longitudinal dynamics model, formulates an optimization objective function that considers both tracking performance and ride comfort. A fuzzy logic system is introduced to adaptively adjust the weighting coefficients within the MPC objective function in real-time based on the prevailing tracking state, outputting an optimal desired acceleration. The lower-layer controller, utilizing an inverse longitudinal dynamics model incorporating the engine's universal characteristic map and a brake system model, accurately translates the desired acceleration into throttle opening or brake pressure via a Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control algorithm. To validate the control strategy, a

Li, Ye

In-Situ Raman Measurements of Fuel Dilution of Lubricant Films in a Direct-Injection Spark-Ignition Engine

2026-01-0355To be published on 04/07/2026

To measure the fuel proportion within the lubricant film, an in-situ Raman spectroscopy technique was employed in a specially modified single-cylinder direct-injection spark-ignition engine. The engine block was engineered for optical access with a fused silica window, enabling a focused laser beam to probe the lubricant film on the engine liner under motoring conditions. The lubricant used was GTL8 base oil with ZDDP additive, and iso-octane was injected as a model fuel to study fuel-lubricant mixing. A calibration curve was established by recording Raman spectra of known mixtures of GTL8 oil and iso-octane. The Raman intensity ratio of the iso-octane peak to the oil peak was used as a quantitative indicator of fuel concentration. During engine operation, Raman spectra were acquired in real time, on a cycle-by-cycle basis, through the optical window. Upon iso-octane injection, its characteristic Raman peak appeared in the spectrum, and the intensity ratio was referenced against the

Bolle, Bastien, Augoye, Kobi, Wong, Janet, Aleiferis, Pavlos, Hall, Jonathan, Bassett, Mike, Cracknell, Roger

Improving Transient Diesel Performance with E-Supercharging and Multiple-Input Multiple-Output Controls

2026-01-0444To be published on 04/07/2026

Engine torque response for turbocharged diesel engines is limited by lag in air supply to the engine restricting the rate at which fuel can be delivered. This delay can lead to rich air-fuel mixtures and elevated soot emissions during transient events. Electric forced induction systems (EFIS) offer a potential solution to address both of these challenges. For this study, an electric supercharger (E-Booster) is integrated with the original forced induction system of a 4.5-L 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine to create a two-stage boosting system that assists induction during transients. Electric supercharger operation is managed by two control schemes, a model-based single-input single-output (SISO) and a model-based robust multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) controller. Constant speed load acceptance (CSLA) experiments and emulated drive-cycles were performed in a dyno cell evaluating both control methods. The E-supercharged two-stage boosted engine has demonstrated significant

Vang, Nicholas, Rothamer, David, Ghandhi, Jaal, Ashta, Shubham, Qiu, Weijin, Rayasam, Sree Harsha, Shaver, Greg, Frushour, Bryan, Dou, Danan

Development of a lightweight and quick-to-install pedal robot for unmanned chassis dynamometer testing

2026-01-0197To be published on 04/07/2026

As electric vehicles become more popular, their development and testing using chassis dynamometers is also increasing. Compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, chassis dynamometer testing for electric vehicles requires several to dozens of times longer, requiring increasingly more labor. Furthermore, low-temperature testing is also required, further increasing the labor intensity of testing. Therefore, we developed and evaluated a pedal robot to facilitate unmanned and automated testing. The pedal robot developed in this study weighs only 12 kg and can be installed in a matter of minutes. It is the world's first pedal robot that mimics human driving behavior by driving with one foot and operating the accelerator and brake pedals. Unlike existing driving robots, the robot's actuators do not need to be directly connected to the vehicle pedals, making installation quick. Furthermore, it is installed on the floor of the driver's seat, eliminating the need for a seat attachment. The

Lee, Daeyup, Kang, ji myeong, Jo, Yechan, Choi, SeongUn, shin, Jaesik, Kim, Jongmin, Kang, Keonwoo, Lee, Jongtae

AI-Powered Requirements Engineering & Design Optimization of Electric Powertrains

2026-01-0500To be published on 04/07/2026

The development of electric vehicle powertrains is driven by diverse and often conflicting requirements. In early development phases, these requirements are often vague, incomplete, and continuously refined and subject to change as development progresses. Moreover, powertrain designs must be competitive regarding multiple key performance indicators (KPIs) such as performance, cost, energy efficiency, and package integration. This challenges engineers to concurrently develop the powertrain design alongside the requirements on which the design is based on. Managing this combination of uncertain requirements and multi-KPI design optimization represents a complex challenge in automotive engineering. The present work introduces a requirements engineering approach based on OPED (Optimization of Electric Drives). OPED digitalizes the transition from requirements to technical solutions by integrating parametric system models with an AI-based evolutionary optimization algorithm. This enables

Hofstetter, Martin, Lechleitner, Dominik

The Impact of Fuel Injector Deposits on Fuel Consumption: Correlations & Consequences for Modern Compression Ignition Engines

2026-01-0343To be published on 04/07/2026

Fuel injector cleanliness has been identified in the literature as the key factor for maintaining performance in modern compression ignition engines. Fuel injector nozzle deposits have been shown to restrict the mass of fuel that can be injected, resulting in power loss under full load. Several published studies have also investigated changes in fuel economy brought about from fuel injector nozzle deposits, but the majority of these have failed to demonstrate an unambiguous link between fuel economy and fuel injector nozzle deposits. In this paper, we present previously unpublished data from multiple platforms, including light- and heavy-duty, and from vehicle and stationary engine tests, with each showing a strong link between the formation of fuel injector nozzle deposits and associated losses in full-load power and increased brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). A requirement for a tractable method is that it should be short enough to economically enable multiple repeats to

Smith, Alastair

Comparative Analysis of Flux Linkage Characterization Methods for Automotive Permanent Magnet Traction Motors: A Critical Review and Performance Evaluation Framework

2026-01-0441To be published on 04/07/2026

Accurate flux linkage characterization is essential for the design, control, performance and efficiency optimization of permanent magnet (PM) traction motors in automotive applications. Precise knowledge of flux linkage across varying load, speed, and temperature conditions directly impacts torque production, field-weakening capability, overall drive system efficiency and torque security. This paper presents a critical review and classification of flux-linkage characterization methods, encompassing offline laboratory mapping, standstill signal injection, self-commissioning inverter-only routines, and online real-time estimation. Each method exhibits distinct trade-offs in terms of accuracy, robustness to inverter nonlinearities, temperature adaptability, cost, and scalability for production and in-vehicle use. With the increasing complexity of automotive electrified traction systems, understanding these trade-offs is crucial for optimal motor design and control. To enable systematic

Khan, Ahmad Arshan, Haddad, Reemon, Kim, Jay, Hermann, Justin, Mohamadian, Mustafa

Multi-stage Packaging and Routing Optimization for Automotive Component Layout, Wire Harness and Duct Route Design

2026-01-0507To be published on 04/07/2026

Modern vehicle design involves complex considerations and tradeoffs between system integration and layout which have a direct impact on performance, efficiency, and cost. The placement of equipment including control boards, motors, and fans as well as the routing of ducts and wire harnesses poses a time-consuming and intricate problem for design engineers. This paper presents an automated methodology to determine the optimal component packaging configuration, duct routing, and wire harnessing layout to maximize component packing density and minimize the total routing length. A two-stage optimization framework has been developed where the first stage packages the components within the design space with considerations for space utilization, component overlap, proximity relationships, point-to-point accessibility, and component mounting. The second stage implements a custom A-star path-finding algorithm and gradient based optimization to determine the optimal route layout between port

LeFrancois, Richard, Kim, Il Yong

Effect of Ignition Energy on Combustion Duration under Flow Conditions

2026-01-0336To be published on 04/07/2026

Utilizing low carbon fuel in lean burn combustion presents a compelling strategy for improving thermal efficiency and reducing NOx emissions. Methane, the main content of natural gas, still receives challenge of a rapid and complete combustion process because of its low chemical reactivity. Further increase of excess air ratio would decrease the flame propagation speed significantly, leading to prolonged combustion durations. The long combustion duration deteriorates the performance of a spark ignition engine, in terms of poor combustion instability and misfire. Although ignition timing can be utilized to adjust the combustion phasing, the ignition process faces challenges due to reduced background pressure and temperature at advanced spark timings. In this paper, a rapid compression machine equipped with a specially designed combustion flow chamber is utilized to enhance the mean flow speed across the spark gap under the background pressure 6 bar abs. and temperature 600 K. A

Jin, Long, Yu, Xiao, Reader, Graham, Zheng, Ming

Modelling of Le Mans Daytona Hybrid Hypercar Powertrain System

2026-01-0270To be published on 04/07/2026

This study presents the development, validation, and application of a full-vehicle simulation model of the BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh Hypercar, designed to investigate and optimise hybrid energy recovery strategies in compliance with FIA and IMSA 2025 technical regulations. With increasing regulatory and sustainability demands in endurance racing, the deployment and recovery of electric energy using MGU-K have become pivotal for both performance and fuel efficiency. A physics-based simulation model was constructed in GT-SUITE, incorporating a map based internal combustion engine, transmission, and 50 kW rear-axle hybrid system. Complementary to this, a novel telemetry extraction method using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in MATLAB and Python was developed to generate real-world drive cycles from on-board race footage. The model was validated using telemetry data. Subsequently, multiple energy deployment strategies were evaluated under varying race scenarios to identify optimal control

Buysse, Alexander, Samuel, Stephen

From Reactive to Proactive: Applying Data Analysis and Automation to Mitigate PLC Communication Disruption

2026-01-0250To be published on 04/07/2026

PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) are critical devices in manufacturing, enabling the functioning of machinery and the transmission of build data to other systems in a production facility. Thus, maintaining uptime of these devices is crucial for ensuring that a facility can keep its line running, as even a few minutes of downtime can cost a company thousands in lost units and revenue. One particular pain point that causes downtime is broken communication between the devices and downstream applications, especially those that track orders and traceability. While advances in computing and digital technology have enabled the quick detection of lost signalling and the quick restoration of communication channels, there is much work left to be done in this realm. Besides causing downtime, an incident disrupts the flow of the line, leading to much effort in order to restore normalcy of production, even after resolution of the incident. In addition, the outage and the post-incident recovery

Jan, Jonathan, Preston, Joshua

Enhancing Understanding of State-of-the-Art Fe/zeolite Selective Catalytic Reduction Catalysts

2026-01-0362To be published on 04/07/2026

Fe/zeolite selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts are commercially used for NOx emissions reduction from diesel engines. In comparison to Cu/zeolite, these catalysts are widely reported to form less N2O as a byproduct of the SCR reactions between NOx and NH3, and Fe/zeolite SCR catalysts also achieve impressive deNOx at high temperatures. On the other hand, Fe/zeolite SCR is much less active than Cu/zeolite for low temperature NOx conversion under standard SCR conditions (NO+NH3). In this study, a state-of-the-art Fe/zeolite SCR catalyst is probed with a combination of BET surface area analysis, SEM/EDX physicochemical characterization, reactor-based performance and active site quantification, and in-situ DRIFTS. The results are split into 3 sections evaluating the impacts of: degreening, mild hydrothermal aging, and extreme hydrothermal aging. In a degreened condition, the impact of water vapor on standard and fast SCR is assessed, and the isothermal desorption of NH3 is

Ottinger, Nathan, Xi, Yuanzhou, Liu, Z. Gerald

An Image-Derived Multimodal Framework for Automotive Tire Exterior Noise Prediction

2026-01-0220To be published on 04/07/2026

This study presents an image-derived multimodal AI framework for early-stage tire noise evaluation. The proposed model requires only multi-angle photographs captured by a standard smartphone and basic tire specifications. From these images, scaled three-dimensional (3D) meshes and fixed-view depth maps are reconstructed and combined with numerical parameters within a neural network architecture. Three input branches—a point-cloud–gradient branch, a depth-map convolutional neural network (CNN) branch, and a specification multi-layer perceptron (MLP) branch—are jointly trained using a composite loss that integrates frequency-weighted mean squared error (MSE), spectral cosine similarity, FFT-domain consistency, and A-weighted sound-level terms. A dataset of 28 tires, spanning passenger, SUV, and pickup applications for both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, was evaluated using leave-one-out (LOO) cross-validation. The model achieved a mean

Shao, Guangxin, Shopoff, Scott, Franklin, Nicholas

Study on the Effects of Different Catalyst Loadings on Diesel Engine Emission Characteristics with DOC Coupled SCR

2026-01-0368To be published on 04/07/2026

DOC coupled with SCR is an important technical route for reducing gaseous pollutant emissions from diesel agricultural engines. Based on engine bench tests, this paper uses a diesel engine as a prototype to experimentally study the impact of different catalyst loadings on the emission characteristics of diesel engines when coupled with DOC and SCR. The results show that the higher the loading of the DOC catalyst, the greater the exhaust back pressure loss, with the maximum pressure difference reaching 4.9 kPa. The temperature difference before and after the DOC has a smaller impact with varying catalyst loadings. The higher the loading of the DOC catalyst, the stronger the catalytic activity for CO and THC. At medium and low loads, the impact of catalyst loading is more significant, while at high loads, it has a smaller impact. The higher the loading of the DOC catalyst, the stronger the oxidation ability for NO. Under external characteristic conditions, due to the higher engine

zhang, Yunhua, Junzhe, Li, Lou, Diming, Fang, Liang

Physics-Based Simulation for Sustainable Fuels Part 1: Simulation-Driven Hydrogen Engine Power Cylinder Unit Optimization and Experimental Confirmation

2026-01-0278To be published on 04/07/2026

The demand for sustainable mobility and transportation is accelerating the adoption of alternative fuels, particularly hydrogen, in internal combustion engines. However, these engines present specific risks, such as explosive crankcase gas accumulation from blow-by and irregular combustion resulting from oil transport into the combustion chamber. Addressing these challenges requires advanced simulation tools to optimize power-cylinder-unit performance, specifically piston ring and gas dynamics. This study demonstrates simulation capabilities validated through detailed comparisons of measured and simulated inter-ring pressures across light vehicle, heavy-duty, large-bore, and motorsport applications, spanning a broad range of engine sizes covering displacements from 2 to 96 liters. Inter-ring pressure obtained via inhouse telemetry measurements within the power cylinder unit provided crank-angle resolved data throughout the ring pack, serving to validate 2D and 3D ring and gas dynamics

Köser, Philipp, Moreira, Rui, Deuß, Thomas, Morgado, Leonardo

Methodology for generating off-road tracks for powertrain simulation of off-road passenger vehicles

2026-01-0275To be published on 04/07/2026

For off-road driving, particularly on steep grades and over barriers, the engine torque is a key design criterion of off-road vehicles. In conventional powertrains with combustion engines, mechanical all-wheel-drive systems combined with differential locks are used to distribute the torque demand between the front and the rear axle based on wheel-specific traction. With the growing market share of electric powertrains, off-road applications are becoming increasingly relevant for electric passenger cars. In comparison to conventional powertrains, electric all-wheel-drive configurations do not have a mechanical torque transfer between the two axles. If one axle experiences low traction, the second axle can rely on its own torque capability only. Transfer of unused torque of the slipping axle to the other one is not possible. The challenge, therefore, is to specify the right torque requirements for each axle for off-road driving while avoiding an over-dimensioning and high powertrain

Martin, Michael, Winkelheide, Jonas, Hartmann, Lukas, Sturm, Axel, Henze, Roman

Effect of Pre-Chamber Geometry on Methanol Cold-Start Combustion in an SI Engine

2026-01-0307To be published on 04/07/2026

Vehicle pollutant emissions represent a key issue in the development of internal combustion engines. In recent decades, the automotive industry has been driven to explore innovative solutions, such as the use of alternative fuels and lean-burn combustion strategies, in order to meet increasingly stringent emission regulations. In this context, pre-chamber ignition systems show strong potential for reducing both fuel consumption and emissions, due to their ability to operate under lean mixtures and with non-conventional fuels. The aim of this work is to investigate the evolution of plasma jets under different in-cylinder combustion conditions, using methanol as fuel and integrating a pre-chamber heating system to improve cold-start operation. The experimental activity was carried out on a small optical spark-ignition (SI) engine, alternatively equipped with a conventional ignition system and a pre-chamber. The engine was operated at 2000 rpm under wide open throttle (WOT) in standard

Sementa, Paolo, Altieri, Nunzio, Tornatore, Cinzia

Technology Development of Novel Aftertreatment High Pressure Diesel Delivery Unit to Meet Future Emission Regulations for Medium-Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

2026-01-0358To be published on 04/07/2026

Future emission regulations (Euro VII, LEV IV, Tier V, China VII, etc.) will impose more stringent requirements both in terms of regulated pollutants emissions and CO2 for On-Road and Off-Road Diesel applications. The higher regulatory stringency will require more complex AfterTreatment System (ATS) architectures featuring a more frequent implementation of a Diesel Dosing Unit (DDU) in the exhaust as technology enabler for the overall compliance. Currently available DDUs work at low pressure (LP) fuel supply around 5 bar and often require a mixer downstream in the exhaust line to ensure the right level of fuel atomization, evaporation and mixing. The usage of high pressure (HP) fuel supply at around 200 bar, together with component design enhancement and dedicated spray targeting generates advantages in terms of CO2 and pollutant emissions both during Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration and normal modes. To quantify the advantages, steady state and transient tests were

Ciaravino, Claudio, Belgiorno, Giacomo, Negro, Cosma, Cosseddu, Cinzia, Gallo, Giovanni, Gestri, Luca, Soriani, Matteo, Cipriani, Massimiliano, Cibella, Marco, Giannantoni, Lorenzo, Di Nieri, Aldo, Mital, Rahul

Experimental Evaluation of After-treatment Solutions for Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Vehicles to meet future CNVII Regulations

2026-01-0376To be published on 04/07/2026

The heavy-duty truck market in China has seen a significant increase in the adoption of natural gas-powered engines over the past two years. Simultaneously, the anticipated release of the China VII emissions regulation proposal by the end of 2025 is expected to impose stricter emissions limits on all heavy-duty engines, including new particulate number (PN10) thresholds analogous to those in the Euro 7 regulation. While tailpipe NOx and methane (CH4) emissions from natural gas engines can be mitigated through tighter lambda control and adjustments to catalyst volume and precious metal (PGM) loading, addressing particulate number (PN) emissions necessitate more advanced after-treatment solutions. Although natural gas combustion is virtually soot-free, the entrainment of lubricating oil into the combustion chamber, especially during cold-start conditions, poses a challenge, leading to potential exceedance of the proposed future China VII limits. Additionally, PN emissions from natural

Jiahui, Gao, Marc C, Besch, Ding, Ning, He, Suhao, zhao, Yuxin, Yixiao, Li, Shen, Ye

Analysis of In-Cylinder Flow for Hybrid Gasoline Engine using High-Speed Particle Image Velocimetry

2026-01-0298To be published on 04/07/2026

To curb global warming, reduction of CO2 emissions in automotive powertrains is required. Hybridization and further improvement of thermal efficiency has been promoted in internal combustion engines. Therefore, the 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder direct-injection engine for 2 motor-hybrid powertrain have been developed to realize rapid combustion by in-cylinder flow enhancement. In this paper, in-cylinder flow analysis using high-speed PIV on the optical single-cylinder engine was performed, and evaluated the combustion promotion concept by analyzing the bulk flow and the turbulence. To achieve rapid combustion, the intake port shape for tumble flow enhancement and bowl-in type piston which was smoothly converted the tumble flow to upward flow were examined. As a method for turbulent component decomposition, the time filter method proposed by the authors were applied. The characteristics of the time filter method is that turbulent component does not include the cycle-by-cycle fluctuations

Okura, Yasuhiro, Urata, Yasuhiro

Development of the Honda S+ Shift Utilizing e:HEV System

2026-01-0418To be published on 04/07/2026

Honda is promoting mobility electrification to realize a carbon-neutral society by 2050. Hybrid vehicles will remain advantageous over electric vehicles in terms of manufacturing cost and driving range until renewable energy usage increases, charging infrastructure is sufficiently developed, and battery costs are reduced. In response to this situation, Honda has developed a new control system, “Honda S+ Shift”, which further enhances the “emotional value of driving pleasure” inherent to the e:HEV system and creates new value for hybrid vehicles. Honda S+ Shift synchronizes the engine and vehicle speed and selects a virtual gear position according to the driver's operation such as acceleration, cornering, and deceleration. Subsequently, the system achieves the required system output in cooperation with a dedicated energy management system. It also works with each vehicle system, such as drive force control, sound control, and meter cluster, to stimulate all five senses of the driver

Murata, Naoya, Narimoto, Ryosuke, Saito, Masatoshi, Ishida, Daichi, GUNJI, HIROKI, UKAI, YOHEI, Kurachi, Shinobu, SHIKI, KAZUKI, Nagakura, Akari, Maeda, Sadaharu, Mitogawa, Terumasa

Achieving 70% Urban Fuel Consumption Reduction: An Opposed-Piston Engine-Based Mild-Hybrid Powertrain Architecture for Light Commercial Vehicles (JLA-2/JLA-T)

2026-01-0432To be published on 04/07/2026

This paper proposes a novel powertrain architecture for the urban Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, leveraging the compact JLA-2 opposed-piston (OP) engine paired with the reconfigurable JLA-T mild-hybrid architecture. Within SAE literature, OP engines are consistently associated with simplicity. As highlighted by Tom Ryan III (2008 SAE President) in the foreword of Opposed Piston Engines: Evolution, Use, and Future Applications, this architecture is characterized by its manufacturing simplicity” and described as a “relatively simple, robust, and cost effective” power unit solution. The present work builds on this established view. The JLA-2 engine solves traditional packaging constraints by reducing the block width by 30% for horizontal installation and is volumetrically self-sufficient, eliminating external compressors. Although the gear train required for crank synchronization introduces design challenges, explicitly accounted for in our model, the elimination of the cylinder

Nigro, Norberto, Aguerre, Horacio, Carignano, Mauro Guido, Alonso, José Luis, Juni, Carlos A.

On-Engine Measurement of Automotive Turbocharger Turbine Blade Vibration

2026-01-0201To be published on 04/07/2026

Automotive turbochargers are designed to avoid resonance of the turbine blades and backwall, which can result in High Cycle Fatigue failures. Blade Tip Timing is a method of turbomachinery testing which utilizes fiber optic probes to measure turbine blade displacements in real time on turbochargers spinning at upwards of 150,000 RPM. Historically, Blade Tip Timing measurements of automotive turbochargers have been made under steady-state conditions using a Hot Gas Stand. General Motors conducted testing of a turbocharger on a running engine to capture realistic exhaust pressure dynamics. A reference turbocharger was measured on an engine testbed running a production calibration; the same turbocharger was then tested on a Hot Gas Stand to observe how the blade behavior differed. Blade displacements were found to be lower on engine, because the dynamics of engine pulsation reduced the in-phase work available to drive the turbine blades, resulting in lower blade stresses and an

SCHWARZ, JORDAN, Goodheart, Rachel, Tappert, Peter, DePaoli, Dominic, Longacre, Christian

Simultaneously NOx and Fuel Reduction for Off-Road

2026-01-0296To be published on 04/07/2026

Simultaneously reducing criteria pollutants and fuel consumption is important for clean air and improving vehicle total cost of ownership. The goal of this effort was focused on a 90% NOx reduction and 10% fuel savings for an off-road 407 kW diesel engine. The baseline was a current production Fiat Powertrain 13L engine and aftertreatment system meeting 0.4 g/kW-hr NOx. The baseline system was quantified over the NRTC, RMC, new low load cycle and five field cycles. A next generation engine was built incorporating many fuel-efficient approaches such as higher compression and reduced parasitic loads. Cylinder deactivation and EGR pump technologies were added to this engine as well. The combination was optimized prior to adding advanced aftertreatment systems, showing the trade-off of engine out NOx and exhaust temperature. Two next-generation catalyst technologies were employed into a LO-SCR plus main SCR system, both with and without an electric heater upstream of the LO-SCR. These

McCarthy, James, Wine, Jonathan, Bradley, Ryan, Hasseman, Andy, Prikhodko, Vitaly, Howell, Thomas

Rapid Prediction Method for Crankshaft dynamic balancing Based on SolidWorks

2026-01-0494To be published on 04/07/2026

As the core component of high-speed power systems such as internal combustion engines and compressors, the crankshaft’s dynamic balancing performance is a key factor influencing overall machine vibration, noise and operation reliability of the whole machine. In response to the problem whereby the traditional dynamic balancing correction method relies on empirical formulas and repeated trial weights, resulting in a long design cycle, this paper proposes a rapid prediction and optimized design method for the dynamic balancing performance of crankshafts based on SolidWorks. The method first determines the center of mass and the moment of inertia of the crankshaft through mass properties analysis, and then uses the motion simulation module for dynamic simulation to accurately predict the imbalance force and moment. In order to overcome the common numerical convergence difficulties and oscillations in the result curves in simulation, this study introduces a series of optimization strategies

Yang, Minghao, Zheng, Yuqing, Ma, Honghui, Chen, Hao

Flame Velocity and Combustion Behaviour of Ammonia–Hydrogen Blends: A Combined Experimental and Numerical Study

2026-01-0320To be published on 04/07/2026

Ammonia is gaining importance as a viable energy vector for decarbonising the maritime sector. However, ammonia flame speed is much slower than that of traditional fuels, and this can result in incomplete burning, decreased engine efficiency, and increased undesirable emissions such as unburned ammonia (NH₃). While blending hydrogen with ammonia has been shown to mitigate some of ammonia's combustion drawbacks, the underlying mechanisms driving these improvements are still not fully understood. This study explores these processes to inform better optimisation. A 1.2 L optically accessible constant volume combustion chamber equipped with a wall-mounted surface spark plug was used to investigate the combustion characteristics and apparent flame velocity of ammonia-hydrogen blends. Chamber pressure and temperature were measured using high-frequency piezoresistive pressure transducers and K-type thermocouples. Flame propagation was captured at 9,000 frames per second using a Photron

Bodur, Tuna Murat, Bowling, William, La Rocca, Antonino, Cairns, Alasdair

Advancing Oil Consumption Prediction with 3-D Multiphase CFD: Insights into Piston Design Impacts

2026-01-0282To be published on 04/07/2026

Engine oil consumption contributes to hydrocarbon and particulate emissions, catalyst degradation, and reduced thermal efficiency. Reducing it is essential for meeting emission standards and improving engine reliability. This study introduces a 3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) framework that captures micron-scale gaps in the piston-ring-cylinder system while accounting for ring dynamics. The model leverages Simerics-MP+ features—including a novel mesh motion strategy and Mismatched Grid Interface (MGI) coupling—to resolve fine crevice regions alongside coarser bulk domains. It incorporates piston translation, ring motion, and crankshaft rotation, and uses the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method to capture multiphase interactions in thin oil films. Compared to experiments, this approach offers detailed flow visualization in optically inaccessible regions at lower cost and complexity. Unlike traditional 1-D models, it captures nonlinear behaviors without relying heavily on parameter

Mohapatra, Chinmoy K., Schlautman, Jeff, Manne, Venkata Harish Babu, schroeder, Debera, Srinivasan, Chiranth

Predicting the Impact of FIA 2026 Power Unit Regulations on the Performance of Formula 1 Car

2026-01-0268To be published on 04/07/2026

This work investigates the impact of the forthcoming 2026 FIA Formula 1 power unit regulations on vehicle track performance. This new regulation introduces a rebalanced power distribution between the internal combustion engine and the Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic (MGU-K), with each unit contributing up to 350 kW. This transition nearly triples the previous 120 kW output of the MGU-K while constraining the internal combustion engine through newly imposed fuel energy limits. A full vehicle powertrain model was developed in GT-Suite following 2026 FIA technical directives. Particular attention was given to Articles 5.4.7 to 5.4.10, which define key constraints on hybrid operation: a maximum variation of 4 MJ in battery state of charge, up to 9 MJ of recoverable energy per lap, and a peak MGU-K electrical power output of 350 kW. The model includes updated architecture specifications, active aerodynamic modules, energy deployment logic, and component-level constraints. Telemetry data from

Giaquinta Aitala, Lucio, Samuel, Stephen

Ignition and Flame Characteristics of the Ultra-high Pressure Hydrogen Jets

2026-01-0334To be published on 04/07/2026

This study investigates the ignition and flame characteristics of ultra-high-pressure hydrogen jets under elevated pressure and temperature conditions, with relevance to next-generation zero-carbon propulsion systems. Experiments were conducted in a high-pressure, high-temperature optical chamber at ambient temperatures ranging from 900 to 1200 K, oxygen concentrations between 12% and 18%, and injection pressures from 200 to 600 bar. High-speed optical diagnostics were employed to resolve the multi-scale flame development process. Planar OH* chemiluminescence imaging was used to track high-temperature reaction zones, schlieren imaging provided visualization of global jet penetration and flame propagation, and natural flame luminosity recorded with a color camera revealed the visible flame evolution. The combined measurements enabled a comprehensive assessment of auto-ignition behavior, ignition delay, and subsequent flame stabilization under extreme injection conditions. Results

Cheng, Qiang, Grahn, Viljam, Ahmad, Zeeshan, Hyvonen, Jari, Vuorinen, Ville, Kaario, Ossi

Development and Comparison of Benchmarking Methods for Electric Vehicle Drive Units

2026-01-0198To be published on 04/07/2026

At the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory, a development project was implemented to compare various test methods for benchmarking the operation of vehicle electric drive units (EDUs). In earlier research, several test methods were identified, of which two were used to test a Chevrolet Bolt EDU: (a) in-vehicle testing of the complete EDU on a chassis hub dynamometer and (b) stand-alone testing of the EDU’s electric motor and inverter in a dedicated test cell after removal from the vehicle. The resulting data sets were compared with each other and with similar data previously published by GM. In this paper, additional EDU test methods are explored. First, the stand-alone testing of the EDU and its subcomponents is expanded to include testing both with and without the EDU gearing. This testing allows the electric motor, inverter, and gearbox to be characterized separately and the EDU to be characterized as a complete unit. Second, in

Moskalik, Andrew, Schauer, Ethan, Barba, Daniel

Physics-Based Simulation for Sustainable Fuels Part 2.1: Inter-Ring Pressure Measurements and 2D/3D Ring Dynamics Analysis Across Multiple Engine Platforms – Light Vehicle

2026-01-0281To be published on 04/07/2026

The growing demand for sustainable mobility and transportation is accelerating the adoption of alternative fuels, particularly hydrogen, in internal combustion engines. The first part of this publication series highlights the significance of 2D simulation as a crucial and computationally efficient tool for the precise development of hydrogen Power Cylinder Units. This approach demonstrates predictive capability proofed through engine tests, achieving a reduction in lube oil consumption by 5–7 g/h during high-load operations, alongside a 28% decrease in blow-by and an 11% reduction in hydrogen flow to the crankcase. To provide deeper insights into the complexities identified in Part 1, this study employs inter-ring pressure measurements across various engine types and configurations, including light vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, and large-bore applications, covering a broad range of engine displacements from 2 to almost 100 liters. This investigation in Part 2.1 focuses on understanding

Moreira, Rui, Rösch, Hannes, Ehnis, Holger, Köser, Philipp

The impact of various renewable hydrocarbons on performance and emissions in a super lean burn engine

2026-01-0306To be published on 04/07/2026

Biofuels can play a key role as carbon-neutral transitional energy sources for ICE vehicles as the fleet moves towards increasing electrification. Blending of ethanol plays a key role in enhancing the anti-knock properties of the fuel and also allows renewable hydrocarbons (such as bio-naphtha) to be incorporated into the blend whilst maintaining an acceptable overall fuel quality. Super lean burn ICE technology with λ between 2 and 3 can lead to significantly enhanced fuel economy and reduced NOx emissions. The Toyota prototype engine used to generate data for this project injects most of the fuel in a PFI mode to generate a homogeneous super-lean charge in the cylinder, but just before spark ignition the DI injector sprays a small amount of fuel towards the spark plug to create a richer charge near the spark plug to promote flame kernel development. Various fuel formulations with a high biofuel content were tested in both conventional and super lean burn engines. Certain fuel

Aradi, Allen, Krueger-Venus, Jens, Jain, Sandeep Kumar, Cracknell, Roger, Kolbeck, Andreas, Shibuya, Masahiko, Yamada, Ryota, Matsubara, Naoyoshi, Kitano, Koji

A novel chemical clustering approach for the acceleration of 3D CFD simulations of internal combustion engines with complex fuels

2026-01-0495To be published on 04/07/2026

Accurate fuel chemistry modelling is critical for internal combustion engine (ICE) simulations, especially when assessing fuel composition effects, preferential evaporation, and emissions. This need grows with the increasing use of e-fuels and blends with conventional fuels. While detailed chemical kinetics offers high fidelity, computational cost often limits its practical application. This paper introduces an extended chemical kinetics clustering approach to accelerate complex fuel simulations in 3D CFD. Building on a previously published method, the approach targets multi-component fuels with strong local inhomogeneities. By grouping cells with similar thermochemical states during source term evaluation, redundant calculations are reduced. The method is robust for a wide range of fuels, from simple surrogates to complex gasoline blends. Benchmark results and an evaluation of the clustering strategy are presented for a direct injection gasoline engine. Simulations are performed using

Hernandez, Ignacio, Turquand d Auzay, Charles, Shapiro, Evgeniy, Shala, Mehmet, Borg, Anders, Seidel, Lars, MAUSS, Fabian, Brandes-Grote, Kerstin

Characterisation of Particle Number and Size from a DI SI Engine Operating on Hydrogen: Operating Sensitivities and Filtration Effects

2026-01-0378To be published on 04/07/2026

Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H₂ICEs) offer the potential for near-zero carbon emissions. However, while nitrogen oxide (NOₓ) emissions have been extensively studied, particle number (PN) emissions, primarily resulting from lubricant oil pyrolysis due to hydrogen’s short quench distance, remain less well understood. This study investigates exhaust particle characteristics from a spark-ignition, single-cylinder research engine, based on MAHLE Powertrain’s downsizing engine combustion system, at Brunel University, London. It compares gasoline and hydrogen direct-injection strategies (central vs. side injection) across a wide range of operating conditions, including variations in engine speed, load, air-fuel ratio (λ), rail pressure, and spark timing. PN and particle size distribution were measured using Cambustion’s DMS500, paired with a catalytic stripper to isolate solid particles. To assess the impact of engine wear, tests were conducted on both a worn engine configuration

Harrington, Anthony, Zaman, Zayne, Nickolaus, Chris, Zhao, Hua, Wang, Xinyan, Hall, Jonathan

Using Unreal Engine Software for Driving Studies: Developing Documentation to Support Collaboration

2026-01-0517To be published on 04/07/2026

Context: A wide range of applications already support driving simulator studies, including CARLA, miniSim, VI-GRADE, SCANeR, and others, each with distinct strengths and limitations. However, many academic institutions are turning to free and accessible gaming platforms such as Unreal Engine and Unity. In the Human Factors Group at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), a multidisciplinary team of 19 students is developing an Unreal Engine-based driving simulator as a research tool to investigate the difficulty of driving roads and for other purposes. Problem: Until recently, the absence of consistent documentation has created major obstacles, including errors in code management and steep learning curves for new contributors. To address the issue, the team initiated a development freeze and established documentation standards tailored to Unreal Engine’s Blueprint framework, a graphical node-based programming language that poses organizational and learning

Erturk, Selay, Stimec, Luka, Xin, Jared Hongyi, Tasmaan, Ashley, Mitani, Kate, Zhang, Luya, Green, Paul

Research on Economy Mode Control Algorithm for Pure Electric Tractor with Powered Trailer

2026-01-0425To be published on 04/07/2026

This research presents a comprehensive investigation into the electrification development pathway and energy-saving optimization methodologies for commercial tractor vehicles. Given the pivotal role that commercial vehicles play in modern logistics and transportation sectors, their propulsion systems are undergoing a fundamental transition from traditional internal combustion engines toward more sustainable hybrid and pure electric architectures. Simultaneously, the emerging trend of trailer electrification has gained considerable attention, where conventional trailers are retrofitted with motorized axles to form cooperative powertrain systems, demonstrating substantial energy-saving potential as confirmed by multiple research studies. Utilizing an integrated Trucksim and MATLAB/Simulink co-simulation platform, this study developed sophisticated vehicle dynamics models, detailed electric drive system models, and advanced battery models, which were subsequently integrated to establish a

tong, zi yu, Zheng, Hongyu, Li, Gang

Application of Fatigue Damage Criteria to CAE-Based Fatigue Life Prediction of a Welded Chassis Component

2026-01-0232To be published on 04/07/2026

In recent years, computer-aided engineering (CAE) has become an essential practice in design and durability analysis of industrial components such as weldments. The current analytical trend for CAE-based fatigue life prediction of weldments includes procedures based on design guidelines, mesh-sensitive methods (e.g., local strain-life approach) and mesh insensitive methods (e.g., Volvo and Verity methods). As an inherent characteristic of weldments, the geometry of the weld is often simplified in failure analysis and important hotspots such as start/stop of the weld beads are not considered in designing process. However, such critical locations cannot be avoided in complex welded structures. Therefore, incorporating main geometrical details of the weld can improve the accuracy of critical regions identification and damage calculation using mesh-sensitive CAE-based methodologies. Herein, a framework for life prediction of welded components including the weld geometry is discussed and

Razi, Ahmad, Kim, Dooyoung, PARK, Jaehong, YOUK, Wansoo, Fatemi, Ali

Potential for Total Cost of Ownership Reduction using Passive Pre-Chamber Ignition in Natural Gas Engines

2026-01-0309To be published on 04/07/2026

Spark plug durability is a factor affecting the total cost of ownership (TCO) of spark-ignited natural gas engines, with some heavy-duty platforms requiring plug replacement after only 750 hours of operation. The high ignition energy demand under lean or diluted conditions accelerates electrode wear, shortening plug life and increasing maintenance frequency. This work evaluates passive pre-chamber (PC) ignition operating at lowered spark energies as a strategy to reduce spark energy requirements and extend plug durability, thereby lowering TCO. Experiments were conducted on a medium-duty Cummins 6.7L ISB engine at 1600 RPM and 50% load under varying exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) dilution levels (0–40%). Two passive pre-chambers, with 1.1 mm and 1.6 mm nozzle diameters, were compared against conventional spark ignition (SI). SI was operated with a fixed coil dwell of 4 ms (~90 mJ), while the PC configuration was tested across 2–4 ms dwell times (~30–90 mJ). Cylinder pressure analysis

Dhotre, Akash, Voris, Alex, Okey, Nathan, Kane, Seamus, Rajasegar, Rajavasanth, Northrop, William

Sensor Location Study for Non-Intrusive Start of Combustion (SOC) Detection Using Engine Block Vibration

2026-01-0288To be published on 04/07/2026

This study investigates the impact of sensor location on accelerometer-based sensing of combustion phasing for compression-ignition engines. Ten accelerometer locations were studied on a light-duty compression-ignition engine for a set of conditions varied in engine load, speed, injection timing and injection strategy. Start of combustion (SOC) was identified from filtered acceleration signals. Each location was assessed using both signal quality metrics, including magnitude squared coherence (MSC) with in-cylinder pressure, passband intensity, signal to noise ratio, and spectrogram shape, as well as SOC outcome metrics such as detection success rate. Results demonstrate that the mounting location has a significant impact on the ability to extract relevant combustion phasing information from the accelerometer signal. Sensors mounted on the front face of the engine produced the strongest signals for an individual cylinder. For multi-cylinder sensing, a side mounted location delivered

Hegge, Graydon, Hanson, Reed, Kim, Kenneth, Rothamer, David

Optimizing Custom Hybrid Solutions for Low-Volume Specialist Equipment

2026-01-0479To be published on 04/07/2026

Off-road vehicles are typically powered by diesel engines, sized to cover the highest peak loads in their dutycycles. Such engines can be downsized, using hybridization to supplement engine power for short periods. However, many applications are low-volume and specialized, making it impractical to deploy heavy engineering resources to optimize every one. For this reason, manufacturers tend to produce maid-of-all-work vehicles to cover every situation. This paper demonstrates the benefits of custom hybridization for specialist applications. It also introduces a simulation tool to benefit OEMs who seek to provide custom low-volume vehicles based on common platforms. The simulation tool is a fast, low-cost, cloud-based software package under development at ZeBeyond, provisionally named "ePop Cloud". It allows many different architectures to be evaluated rapidly at the product planning stage, and can be quickly set up and used by engineers who are not specialists in simulation. An

De Salis, Rupert, Fons, Daniel

Meeting the Challenges of PHEVs/REEVs Lubrication: Insights from Comprehensive On-Road Fleet Tests

2026-01-0354To be published on 04/07/2026

Driven by increasingly stringent emissions regulations, rapid advancements in electrification technologies, and rising consumer demand for fuel-efficient and environmentally sustainable mobility, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Range-Extended Electric Vehicles (REEVs) have seen substantial growth in global automotive market. These hybrid architectures integrate electric propulsion with internal combustion engines (ICEs), offering extended driving range and operational flexibility. However, the evolution of hybrid powertrain systems introduces distinct operating characteristics—such as frequent engine start-stop events, reduced average engine loads, and extended oil drain intervals—that diverge significantly from conventional ICE vehicle usage profiles. These changes present new challenges for engine lubricants, which must maintain performance under intermittent engine operation, increased exposure to water and fuel, and fluctuating thermal and environmental conditions

Zhang, Ruifeng, Andrew, Rhiann, Hu, Gang, Lim, Pei Yi, Lu, Hongjie, Moizan, Simon

Impact of Hydrogen on Methane and Pollutant Emissions over Three-Way Catalysts with Natural Gas–Hydrogen Blends

2026-01-0357To be published on 04/07/2026

Natural gas (NG) is a domestically abundant, low-cost fuel with the potential to displace gasoline and diesel fuel in commercial and off-road vehicles. NG engines typically produce lower engine-out pollutant emissions, such as NOx, CO and particulate matter, which could simplify emission control systems. Blending NG with hydrogen (H₂) can improve engine performance and increase combustion efficiency to further reduce engine-out emissions. Additionally, the presence of H2 in the exhaust stream may also facilitate the catalytic conversion of methane and other pollutants, resulting in cleaner tailpipe emissions. This study evaluates the impact of H2 on the conversion of methane, CO, and NOx emissions on a commercial three-way catalyst (TWC) in a flow reactor using synthetic gas mixtures that simulate stoichiometric engine exhausts with NG or NG+H₂ combustion. The work examines whether, and how, the additional amount of H₂ in the exhaust stream affects the conversion efficiency of methane

Prikhodko, Vitaly, Wang, Min, Park, Yeonshil, Chen, Hai-Ying, Pihl, Josh

Virtual Sensor Development for Real-Time Estimation of Transient NOx Emissions for Internal Combustion Engine

2026-01-0370To be published on 04/07/2026

Accurately measuring NOx emissions under transient engine conditions is becoming increasingly important with upcoming Euro 7 and EPA 2027 regulations. Traditional physical sensors often struggle with cost and response time, especially with aging of sensors in dynamic operation. This paper introduces a machine-learning–based virtual NOx sensor that can provide real-time emission estimates while reducing reliance on hardware sensors. The approach uses multiple machine-learning methods (Random Forest, Bootstrap Aggregating, Adaptive Boosting, Gradient Boosting, Extreme Gradient Boosting) and selected best one to establish correlations between engine operating parameters, measured steady-state data, and transient duty cycle NOx emissions. Validation across different duty cycles has shown strong alignment with physical sensor readings, with R² values above 0.9995 for known data sets and above 0.9534 for unseen conditions. The model needs to be trained with larger training samples to further

Kumar, Chandan, Dahodwala, Mufaddel, Thawrani, Kiran

Experimental Study on the effect of Ignition Strategy on Combustion and Emissions in a Direct Injection Hydrogen Engine

2026-01-0330To be published on 04/07/2026

Hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines (H₂ICEs) are a promising pathway toward carbon-neutral transportation, but their efficiency and emissions performance are highly sensitive to ignition control strategies. This study systematically investigates the combined effects of spark timing (−10 to −26 °CA bTDC) and spark energy (25–40 mJ) on combustion characteristics in a port fuel-injected H₂ICE operating at a constant speed of 1400 r/min under low, medium, and high load conditions. Results show that spark timing advance produces load-dependent effects: at low load, it increases the peak heat release rate while delaying peak pressure and shortening combustion duration; at medium and high loads, it advances both peaks toward TDC with an optimal spark timing shifting closer to −14 °CA. Ignition delay was only slightly reduced at low load but significantly shortened—by about 3 °CA—at high load. NOₓ emissions increased nearly linearly with spark advance, while slight retardation

ZHAO, KEQIN, Lou, Diming, zhang, yunhua, Fang, Liang, Tan, Piqiang, Hu, Zhiyuan

Effect of Renewable Fuel Blends on Particulate Emissions Under Medium Engine Load and Injector Coking Conditions in a GDI Engine

2026-01-0301To be published on 04/07/2026

Renewable gasoline is blended with fossil gasoline as part of the effort to achieve zero net carbon emissions. This study examined how five gasoline fuels with different hydrocarbon compositions affect engine-out gaseous and particle number (PN) emissions. Gasolines F3 and F4 reduce GHG emissions by 54% and 35%, compared with fossil gasoline. The other three gasolines reduce GHG emissions by 4-9%. Tests were conducted on a single-cylinder GDI engine at 10-14 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) and 2000 rpm. The injector-tip coking behavior of the test fuels and the resulting PN emissions were also investigated at 10 bar IMEP. Spray plume targets and start-of-injection (SOI) timing were adjusted to examine how the test fuels affected PN emissions. An endoscope was used to identify the sources of soot during fuel combustion. The experimental results show that PN varies with gasoline composition and engine operating conditions. Aromatics and olefins contribute more to injector

Muniappan, Krishnamoorthi, Dahlander, Petter, Helmantel, Ayolt, Alemahdi, Nika, Lehto, Kalle

Effect of Exhaust Gas Components on Oxygen Storage Capacity Measurements of Automotive Catalysts

2026-01-0360To be published on 04/07/2026

Three-way catalytic converters (TWC) are one of the most popular methods to help reduce harmful tailpipe emissions emitted from internal combustion (IC) vehicles. To help improve conversion efficiency, TWCs can store and release oxygen via an oxygen storage capacity (OSC) mechanism. During engine control unit (ECU) calibration, on board OSC measurements are correlated to TWC and vehicle emissions to monitor emissions performance throughout the full useful life (FUL) of the vehicle. It is known that different test conditions, including temperature, space velocity and background gases in the exhaust stream affect OSC measurement, potentially altering the calculated OSC values and thus the perceived level of OSC and emissions preformance during operation. This study utilises an OMEGA test bench to complete OSC measurements on the full-scale automotive catalyst samples to quantify the effects of different background gases including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitric oxide on OSC

Mc Grane, Liam, Douglas, Roy, Irwin, Kurtis, Woods, Andrew, Elliott, Matthew, Istrate PhD, Oana, Nockemann, Peter

Optimization of Engine Cooling System for Improved Fuel Efficiency and Vehicle Marketability

2026-01-0297To be published on 04/07/2026

Effective thermal management in internal combustion engines is essential for meeting increasingly stringent global emissions regulations and fuel efficiency standards. This paper presents a comprehensive solution to enhance engine thermal management performance by addressing key system aspects, including coolant circuit architecture, Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM) control strategies, port-specific flow management, zero-flow operation, and standardization of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) settings. The research was conducted on a newly developed engine platform, where a suite of advanced thermal management measures was applied and verified through both vehicle and bench testing. Key improvements included reducing the thermal mass of the coolant circuit to enable faster warm-up of the engine and major components, as well as refining ITM control logic through linear mapping and signal filtering for more precise target coolant temperature regulation. Enhanced

Lee, ChangJoo, LEE, KyuMin, Kim, Seonyeong, Nam, Choonho, YOO, JiHun

Achieving Euro 7 WHSC NOx emission targets from a Spark ignited engine using Methanol-Hydrogen co-fuelling.

2026-01-0321To be published on 04/07/2026

E-methanol is increasingly seen as a promising clean fuel because its chemical makeup is close to fossil fuels, making it easier to use in existing engines. It offers a carbon-neutral option to help reduce greenhouse gases in sectors where cutting emissions is especially difficult, such as transportation. However, while e-methanol avoids adding new carbon dioxide, burning it in internal combustion engines still releases harmful gases like NOx and other toxic by-products like formaldehyde and formic acid that damage both health and the environment. This report explores a new strategy that combines methanol with hydrogen to run engines under “ultra-lean” conditions and its impact on emissions, performance and efficiency. Experiments were carried out on a single-cylinder spark ignition engine, with directly injected methanol and port fuelled injection of hydrogen. The findings show that adding about 15% hydrogen at low engine loads can extend the lean limit from λ=1.7 to λ=2. This change

Ambalakatte, Ajith, Geng, Sikai, Cairns, Alasdair, Varaei, Amirata, Harrington, Anthony, Hall, Jonathan, Bassett, Mike, Cracknell, Roger

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