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Mechanical Engineering professor Rolf Reitz received the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2011 Internal Combustion Engine Award. Reitz was recognized for his long-term contributions to the physics of liquid fuel spray atomization, 3-D numerical modeling of combustion, and combustion system optimization. He has demonstrated that multiple injections of fuel can reduce emissions in diesel engines, and pioneered Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition.

By Christie Taylor, College of Engineering News

A spinoff company created by two University of Wisconsin-Madison Engine Research Center (ERC) faculty members was awarded $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

The DOE award addresses a DOE vehicle technologies goal to reduce the fuel consumption of on-highway vehicles, which account for 55 percent of total U.S. oil use.

Continue reading at College of Engineering News.

As usual, we will be having a T-25/ERC get-together on Wednesday morning, April 25^th at 7:00AM in the basement food court at the Renaissance Center in Detroit. We would be most pleased to see you again and to re-establish old ties.

For those attending the SAE Congress, the schedule of presentation of ERC papers can be viewed here.

We look forward to seeing you again in Detroit!

An award-winning University of Wisconsin-Madison student hybrid vehicle will become a showcase for advanced fuel technology that harnesses the advantages of both diesel and gasoline. The UW-Madison Hybrid Vehicle Team, which has placed first in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Vehicle Competition six times in the past 20 years, is taking a break from competition to work on a new challenge, in conjunction with the UW-Madison Engine Research Center. There, Mechanical Engineering Professor Rolf Reitz is perfecting a new mixed-fuel technology that harnesses the advantages of both diesel and gasoline. Read more.

2011 Symposium: Future Engines and Their Fuels

The Engine Research Center held its biennial Symposium, "e;Future Engines and Their Fuels"e;, June 8-9th, 2011 in Madison, WI. A record 175 people attended this year’s symposium which included internationally recognized experts in engine research and senior executives from the major automotive/engine industries including General Motors, Toyota, Ford, Cummins, Caterpillar, General Electric, Mahle, Delphi, Chevron, Sandia National Lab, Southwest Research Institute, Oakridge National Lab, Pacific Northwest National Lab, Argonne National Lab, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Stanford University, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Talks were organized around Near-, Mid-, and Longer-term engine technologies and fuels with discussion of the technologies automotive and engine industries will implement to meet future vehicle efficiency targets with low emissions. For presentation information on this year’s symposium or past symposiums, Click Here

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Former ERC graduate student Dr. Neerav Abani and Prof. Rolf Reitz received the W.R. Marshall best paper award at the ILASS-2010 conference for their paper "e;Modeling sub-grid scale mixing of vapor in diesel sprays using jet theory"e;. The paper was presented at the 11th Triennial International Annual Conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems, Vail, Colorado, USA, July 27-31, 2009.

The W.R. Marshall award is awarded for the best paper at an Institute of Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems annual meeting, and is named in honor of W. Robert Marshall, who had a 40-year career on the UW-Madison faculty, starting in 1947. He also served as Dean of the College of Engineering from 1971 to 1981. Bob Marshall was world renowned for his research in Atomization and Spray Drying and he served as Director and President of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

ERC Students Sage Kokjohn, Reed Hanson and Derek Splitter recently competed in the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies Climate Leadership Challenge (CLC). The ERC team submitted a proposal entitled CORE (Combustion of Optimized Reactivity in Engines), which won the team $15,000 as the "Most Innovative Technical Solution". Their CORE proposal was based on a way to operate existing and future internal combustion engines using reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) combustion, which their team has experimentally demonstrated in their respective research at the ERC. The RCCI combustion strategy has been shown to simultaneously reduce fuel consumption and regulated emissions of NOx and PM.

The purpose of the interdisciplinary competition, which was open to UW-Madison students, was to promote innovative ideas that can make a substantial impact on climate change. Although several teams of up to four members submitted their ideas, only six teams were selected as finalists. The finalists showcased their innovation to the public and judges at the 40th Gaylord Nelson Earth Day Summit at Monona Terrace on April 21, 2010.

More information about the competition can be found at http://www.sage.wisc.edu/CLC/2010/core/CORE.html.

ERC Symposium: Reducing Fuel Consumption - Solutions and Prospect
June 2009

ERC Award Recipients at the 2010 SAE World Congress
March 2010

Lippert Awarded COE Early-Career Achievement Award
October 2009

Fire Destroys ERC Office
Sept. 3, 2009

MEES Graduates First Class of Students
May 17, 2007

ERC Faculty named ASME Fellows

The Engine Research Center Invites you to attend the T-25 Breakfast, an opportunity for ERC Alumni to gather and visit.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010
7:00 am – 9:00 am
Renaissance Center – Food Court

Join ERC faculty, staff, students, and alumni in the food court at the lower level of the Renaissance Center for an opportunity to gather and visit.

Consistent with the tough economic times we will continue this year’s event as a no host event. There are a couple of fast food restaurants that you may choose between, or you may wish to bring your own coffee and muffin. Most importantly there is a lot of space for us to gather and visit, which has always been the focus of the event.

It is understood that travel budgets are tight, and travel restrictions may be in force. However, if you are able to attend the SAE Congress - please stop by and meet with friends and colleagues who are the heritage of the ERC, and meet the current graduate students who carry on your legacy.

View .pdf for more information.

SAE Paper Abstracts (.doc)

Phillip Samuel Myers passed away on Wednesday, October 18, at home in Middleton. Phil was born in Webber, Kansas, to Earl and Sarah Katharine (Breon) Myers on May 8, 1916. He received B.S. degrees from McPherson College and Kansas State University and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin.

A life-long member of the Church of the Brethren, Phil was a conscientious objector in World War II and chose teaching as alternate service. In 1942 he came to the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UW-Madison, where he spent his entire career. In 1943 Phil married Jean Frances Alford, and their house became a home-away-from-home for many generations of students. Much of his work was done in collaboration with long-time friend and colleague Professor Otto Uyehara. They co-founded the internationally-recognized Engine Research Center in 1946, and over their careers were advisors to several hundred graduate students and fellows, including more than 100 from overseas. Phil also strongly supported undergraduate education and won several awards for teaching. The Myers Automotive Laboratory in the Engineering Centers Building was named in his honor. He and Jean established several funds through UW-Madison, Kansas State, and SAE to recognize and support undergraduate and graduate scholarship, and they endowed a professorship at UW-Madison.

In 1969, in the midst of giving away two daughters in marriage, Phil was elected as the first president of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to come from academia rather than industry. He became a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1973 and served on the committees that recommended the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for automobile gasoline mileage. Phil was convinced that mileage standards should and could be raised, and he himself owned both first and second generation models of the Toyota Prius. Phil served on the boards of Nelson Industries and Echlin, and he consulted extensively with automobile and engine manufacturers in this country, Europe, and Japan. He was also part of UW outreach efforts in China, Indonesia, India, and other areas. He officially retired from active teaching in 1986 but continued to maintain his office at the University and was a professor emeritus at his death. He often said, “The teacher hasn’t done his job unless the students become smarter than the teacher,” and he enjoyed staying in touch with and learning from ex-students turned colleagues around the world.

Phil was a man of principle who knew what he believed, but he always listened to and considered the opinions of others with respect. Throughout his life Phil was a teacher, mentor, father, and source of strength to his family, his students, his colleagues, and his friends. In addition to his professional activities, he enjoyed traveling, camping, waterskiing, and spending time at the family cottage near Westfield.

He is survived by Jean, his wife of 63 years; daughter Katharine Muirhead of Middleton and her husband Alan; daughter Elizabeth Baird of Corvallis, Oregon, her husband William, and children Heather, Scott, and Lisa, Lisa’s husband Damien Forkner and their daughter Sophie; daughter Phyllis Rathbone of Phoenix, Arizona, her husband David and son Nicholas; son John of Batavia, Illinois, his wife Ann, and children Allison and Jack; and son Mark of Raleigh, North Carolina, his wife Denise, and children Jamie and Danny. Other survivors include his older sister Gertrude Kern of Topeka, Kansas and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers. The family is grateful for the loving care and support provided by HospiceCare, Inc.

The Engine Research Center (ERC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is celebrating 60 years of operation. The ERC was founded in 1946 by Phil Myers and Otto Uyehara. Since that time, almost 450 outstanding students have graduated from the ERC and gone on to make important contributions to the engine community.

Today the ERC is the largest academic research center focusing on internal combustion engines in the US. The ERC currently has over 45 graduate students, six faculty and twelve research and administrative staff. This group combines advanced modeling and experimental capabilities into a cutting-edge research program addressing industry and national goals of reduced emissions and reduced fuel consumption. Today we are celebrating our past and we are building our future. For this celebration we planned two events.

On June 7, 2006 we had a 60th Anniversary dinner in Madison with alumni, friends, and supports of the ERC. Following dinner there were remarks from faculty and alumni about the people and rich history of the ERC.

On June 8, 2006 ERC faculty provided overview discussions and their visions of future engine research priorities. The days activities included tours of the ERC labs.

ERC Visions on Engine Research

Energy and Power Sources for Transportation. Experimental Research Needs on ICE
Prof. David E. Foster

Advanced Diagnostics for ICE Research
Prof. Jaal Ghandhi, Prof. Scott Sanders

Computer Modeling and Fundamental Understanding of Processes and Systems
Prof. Rolf D. Reitz, Prof. Chris Rutland

Professors Rutland and Reitz were both named to Fellow grade of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME).

Below are the citations:

Christopher J. Rutland
Dr. Christopher J. Rutland is internationally recognized for his technical contributions in understanding and modeling flow and combustion phenomena in internal combustion engines. He has developed advanced LES modeling techniques for turbulence, mixing, combustion, spray, and emission phenomena. By combining analytical methods with validation from basic experiments he has developed simulation models that are fundamental in nature and valuable in the design of engine systems. Automotive R&D laboratories are using these computational methodologies in the development of modern engine systems. Professor Rutland is currently the Director of the Engine Research Center (ERC) at the University of Wisconsin.

Rolf D. Reitz
Professor Reitz has conducted extensive fundamental research on combustion phenomena that has led to significant advances in the design and performance of internal combustion engines. His pioneering efforts on analytical tools supported by experiments have led to computer programs that are now used for advanced engine design by virtually all engine industries world-wide. He has been a leader in characterizing the performance of electronically controlled fuel injection systems, which has enabled major diesel engine manufacturers to incorporate multiple injection systems in engines to help meet emissions standards. He directs the Diesel Emissions Reduction Consortium that aids industry in meeting federal emissions mandates.

Professor Emeritus Otto A Uyehara, passed away on September 6, 2005 in Anaheim, CA at the age of 88. Professor Uyehara graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1942 with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering and earned his master's and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering in 1943 and 1946 respectively. In 1946, in collaboration with Professor P. S. Myers, Prof. Uyehara started the Engine Research Laboratory. His collaboration with Phil Myers lasted his entire career, and together they mentored more than 120 graduate students. The close working relationship between 'Phil-and-Otto' caused more than one person to assume that they were a single entity prior to actually meeting the pair. Professor Uyehara was an expert on diesel engines and the internal combustion engine processes and was a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers, a recipient of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Award and an Honorary Member of the Japanese Society of Mechanical Engineers. Otto was preceded in death by his wife Chisako who passed in 2004, and is survived by son, Ken; daughters, Susan J. Schultheiss and Emi R. Uyehara (Pablo Stewart); and 5 grandchildren.

We are very sad to report that Gary Borman died on January 17, 2005. Gary was a member of the ERC for most of his professional life, including being director from 1986 until his retirement in 1994. Gary was a treasured colleague and a wonderful friend. He will be missed by all.

The following is the official notification of Gary's passing that includes information about a future memorial service and his wishes for memorials made in his name.

Gary Lee Borman, age 72, passed away on Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at his residence, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Gary was born on March 15, 1932, in Wauwatosa, to parents, Louis and Meta (Singer) Borman. He graduated from West Allis High School and continued his education at UW-Madison with a B.S. and M.S. in math, an M.S. in engineering and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. Gary was the recipient of many awards, among them the Horning Memorial Award. He was also elected to the Society of Automotive Engineers board of directors, as an SAE fellow and to the Academy of Engineering. Gary was a full professor, retiring as a professor emeritus, and was involved with many research projects. He was the author and co-author of many SAE papers and also co-authored a book with Ken Ragland. Gary married Marlene Mehls on Dec. 1, 1971, in Chippewa Falls. He was an avid gardener, golfer, reader, photographer, traveler and gourmet cook. He is survived by his wife, Marlene; and his cousins in the Milwaukee area. He was a beloved uncle of six nephews; a niece; and is also survived by two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law. Gary was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society. Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road (608) 238-3434.

The 2004 Soichiro Honda Medal is awarded to Rolf D. Reitz, former director of the Engine Research Center and Wisconsin distinguished professor of mechanical engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, for seminal contributions to the understanding and modeling of turbulence, sprays and combustion chemistry relative to the performance and emissions from diesel, spark-ignition and HCCI engines; for technological innovations in fuel injection systems; and for computation methods defining future diesel combustion systems and advanced engine controls for low emissions.

The award will be made at the President's Luncheon, 2004 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition in Anaheim, CA, 11/15/04. The SOICHIRO HONDA MEDAL recognizes an individual for an outstanding achievement or a series of significant engineering contributions in developing improvements in the field of personal transportation. This medal was established in 1983 in recognition of Soichiro Honda's exemplary achievements in the field of personal transportation. The guidelines for awarding the medal state that attention shall be concentrated on the brilliance of the achievement or on the overall effect of a series of contributions - not on the individual. The achievement should be of such public importance as to be worthy of the gratitude of society and to call forth the admiration of engineers.

Previous ASME Soichiro Honda medalists include ERC faculty Prof. Phil Myers (1993), and former ERC student Prof. John Johnson (2002).

Assistant Professor Tim Shedd and Ph.D. candidate Diego Arias received the Best Paper Award at the 2004 Small Engine Technology Conference (SETC) held September 28-30 in Graz, Austria. Their paper, "Numerical and Experimental Study of Fuel and Air Flow in Carburetors for Small Engines" (2004-32-0053) explores the two-phase flow in the main jet of a carburetor. The study involved experimental visualization of the flow for a range of air-fuel mass ratios, pressure drop measurements of the two-phase flow, and the development of a comprehensive model to predict fuel flow from carburetors. Over one hundred papers were presented at the SETC, an annual meeting that is sponsored by SAE and JSAE in alternating years.

Professor Shedd oversees the Multiphase Flow Visualization and Analysis Laboratory, which has been focused on flow problems in refrigeration systems and evaporative spray cooling of computer circuits. Professor Shedd's research on carburetor flows stems from the interests of the Wisconsin Small Engine Consortium, which supported this work. Tim is also affiliated with the Solar Energy Laboratory and the Computational Mechanics Center in the Mechanical Engineering department. Diego Arias is a native of Columbia and expects to complete his Ph.D. in 2005.

Abstract

This work presents a complete model of the carburetor for small engines. It extends the previously published models by incorporating a detailed review of two-phase flow pressure drop, the effect of the fuel well on the control of airbleed flow, and unsteady flow. The homogenous two-phase flow model, which is commonly used in carburetor modeling, was compared with an empirical correlation derived from experiments in small pipes and found to be in poor agreement. In order to assess unsteady flow conditions, the model was extended by solving instantaneous one-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in single-phase pipes. This strategy proved successful in explaining the mixture enrichment seen under pulsating flow conditions. The model was also used to derive a sensitivity analysis of geometries and physical properties of air and fuel.

MADISON, Wis. - General Motors Corp. will fund a $5 million over five years collaborative research laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to help develop cleaner, more efficient diesel and gasoline engines.

UW-Madison's Engine Research Center (ERC) will use part of the funding to conduct extensive modeling of diesel exhaust after-treatment systems and diesel particulate emission traps. ERC researchers also will conduct experiments and three-dimensional simulations of advanced combustion processes for both diesel and gasoline engines leading to lower emissions and improved fuel economy.

The university's College of Engineering and GM announced the agreement today.

"The Engine Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a world-class educational and research institution," said Alan Taub, executive director of science laboratories at the GM Research and Development Center in Warren, Mich. "The center's outreach and perspective is globally focused, and consistent with GM's evolving global business environment."

"We see the ERC as a strategic partner in helping us further our research and development of cleaner, more efficient gasoline and diesel engines."

"In addition, many University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates have pursued careers at GM, and in GM Research & Development in particular," said Hazem Ezzat, director of the GM Powertrain Systems Research Lab.

"We're pleased that General Motors has chosen our Engine Research Center to become its latest collaborative research laboratory," said College of Engineering Dean Paul Peercy. "Our Engine Research Center has been conducting fundamental research on engines for more than half a century, and this partnership with General Motors will continue that tradition of cutting-edge research and technology transfer."

The ERC is one of only seven institutions worldwide to have received the prestigious designation from General Motors. The other institutions are at Brown University, the University of Michigan, Carnegie-Mellon University, Stanford University, Jiaotong University in Shanghai, China, and the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India.

"Being a strategic partner, GM envisions the ERC as an extension of GM Research & Development, and the relationship provides a focal point for joint research in areas that are core to GM's long-term competitiveness and commensurate with the scholarly expertise and intellectual pursuits of the university faculty," said Ezzat. "We look forward to achieving together significant milestones in advanced engine technologies and creating the fundamental knowledge upon which the future of internal combustion engines will be based," he added.

Half of the $5 million will go toward specific research contracted between the ERC and General Motors, according to David Foster, professor of mechanical engineering and principal investigator for this research. The remaining portion of the funding will go toward the ERC for its research initiatives as an unrestricted grant.

"There has been a long-running relationship between the Engine Research Center and General Motors," Foster said. "There will be a high degree of interaction between our faculty and students and General Motors' technical personnel."

General Motors (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide. In 2001, GM earned $1.5 billion on sales of $177.3 billion, excluding special items. It employs about 362,000 people globally. More information on General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

The College's Engine Research Center is home to more than 80 faculty, staff, and students. It has been recognized as a U.S. Army Center of Excellence.