{"id":104089,"date":"2024-12-10T15:55:32","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T21:55:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engineering.wisc.edu\/?post_type=news&p=104089"},"modified":"2024-12-10T15:55:38","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T21:55:38","slug":"at-aircraft-altitude-in-sweltering-heat-and-bitter-cold-unique-new-engine-lab-is-a-testbed-for-futuristic-sustainable-fuels","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/engineering.wisc.edu\/news\/at-aircraft-altitude-in-sweltering-heat-and-bitter-cold-unique-new-engine-lab-is-a-testbed-for-futuristic-sustainable-fuels\/","title":{"rendered":"At aircraft altitude, in sweltering heat and bitter cold, unique new engine lab is a testbed for futuristic sustainable fuels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
While there\u2019s an industry trend toward electric vehicles, there are many mobility sectors\u2014aviation, heavy-duty trucking, rail, off-road machinery, and marine, for example\u2014that will continue to rely on internal combustion engines for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers are researching engine technologies with a lower carbon footprint that could power vehicles in these \u201chard-to-electrify\u201d sectors. Their fundamental research will pave the way for hybrid-electric engines capable of running smoothly and reliably on a variety of fuels, including a range of net-low-carbon fuels such as ethanol, methanol and ammonia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A new facility at UW-Madison\u2014the Altitude and Climatic Testing Laboratory\u2014will enable the researchers to advance their work and investigate the performance of multi-fuel, hybrid-electric engines in extreme environments, such as at high altitudes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis testing lab is designed to simulate conditions up to 26,000 feet in altitude, which is an extraordinarily unique capability,\u201d says David Rothamer<\/a>, a professor of mechanical engineering<\/a> at UW-Madison and principal investigator for the project. \u201cThere are increased challenges for engines operating at high altitudes, and this facility really allows us to push the limits of engine performance over a full range of conditions and for multiple types of fuels.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The facility is also capable of simulating a range of climates, which is particularly useful for testing ground vehicle engine systems in harsh environments. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command\u2019s Army Research Laboratory is supporting the research and the new lab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObtaining experimental data at higher altitudes and in cold temperatures is challenging and extremely costly,\u201d says Mike Kweon, program manager of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory\u2019s Versatile Tactical Power and Propulsion Essential Research Program. \u201cResearchers have faced difficulties developing and validating models under extreme operating conditions. I am confident that the Altitude and Climatic Testing Laboratory will play a major role in generating this crucial data, advancing technology development in energy, power and propulsion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many heavy-duty vehicles run on diesel fuel, which readily auto-ignites in compression ignition engines; however, net-low-carbon fuels do not. To overcome this barrier, the researchers are developing techniques for assisting the ignition process with net-low-carbon fuels. Essentially, the goal is to develop an engine that has the performance of a diesel engine while running on more sustainable fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rothamer says the team\u2019s research advances will be useful in various industries, including emerging air taxi companies. This work could also help enable viable alternatives to leaded aviation fuels, which the industry is trying to phase out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With its state-of-the-art facilities, the new lab will enrich the educational experience and give students valuable hands-on learning opportunities. \u201cUW-Madison is the only university in the country with a facility that has these cutting-edge capabilities,\u201d Rothamer says. \u201cThis will allow our students to expand the range of problems they can tackle and prepare them well for careers in industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n