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    <title>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</title>
    <link>https://trid.trb.org/</link>
    <atom:link href="https://trid.trb.org/Record/RSS?s=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" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
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    <language>en-us</language>
    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
    <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Transport Research International Documentation (TRID)</title>
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      <link>https://trid.trb.org/</link>
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    <item>
      <title>Optimization of Engine Cooling System for Improved Fuel Efficiency and Vehicle Marketability</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692288</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Effective thermal management in internal combustion engines is essential for meeting increasingly stringent emissions regulations and achieving fuel efficiency improvements. This study introduces a novel and comprehensive approach to optimize engine thermal management by addressing key system components, including coolant circuit design, Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM) control strategies, port-specific flow management, zero-flow operation techniques, and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) settings standardization. Unlike previously published works, this study focuses on reducing coolant circuit thermal mass to accelerate engine and component warm-up, refining ITM control logic through linear mapping and advanced signal filtering for precision, and enhancing zero-flow operation for minimizing lubricant oil dilution during start-up and reducing heat loss under low ambient conditions. Additional optimizations include port-specific adjustments and radiator flow distribution strategies to improve system responsiveness and fuel economy. Standardized HVAC configurations were implemented to ensure reproducibility across WLTP vehicle and bench testing scenarios. The methodology validated key improvements through rigorous testing on a newly developed engine platform and demonstrated scalability by successfully integrating these measures into vehicles designed to comply with EU7 regulations. Results indicate substantial gains in warm-up performance, coolant temperature control stability, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, these advancements underscore their practical application for automakers seeking novel solutions to meet evolving environmental standards and enhance market competitiveness. Overall, this study presents a set of scalable and widely applicable strategies for modern spark-ignition engines, supporting both new engine development and optimization of existing engines, while addressing global fuel-efficiency and emissions challenges effectively.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692288</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Investigation of In-Cylinder Cycle-to-Cycle Variation Using PIV, LIF and RANS Simulation</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692282</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV) of combustion is an issue that inevitably arises in internal combustion engines. There is a need to clarify and improve the situation, as well as predict it using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This study involved carrying out experimental analyses of the factors that cause combustion cycle fluctuations, as well as predicting the CCV of gas flow using RANS. To elucidate the CCV in gas flow and combustion within gasoline engine, simultaneous TR-PIV, PLIF and direct-photography of flame propagation were performed using an optical single-cylinder engine, CCV prediction model for gas flow using RANS was verified. The results revealed the following: The variation in the equivalence ratio per cycle has little effect on initial combustion but does influence IMEP. Evaluating the laminar flame speed, SL and turbulent flame speed, ST as factors determining initial combustion revealed almost no correlation with SL, while moderate correlations were observed between ST and CA10. The position of the tumble vortex center at ignition timing was found to be critical; the vortex center position most favorable for advancing combustion timing was located to diagonally below the spark plug. The angular velocity at the center of the tumble vortex in the ensemble averaged flow significantly affected the turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) at the ignition timing, initial flame propagation speed, and CA10 phase. A model predicting cycle fluctuations during non-combustion was developed and verified against experiments. The CCV predicted using the spatial-based model reproduced the experimental CCV trends.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692282</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Achieving Euro 7 WHSC NOx Emission Targets from a Spark Ignited Engine Using Methanol-Hydrogen Co-Fuelling</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692276</link>
      <description><![CDATA[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 oxides of nitrogen (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 10% hydrogen (energy basis) at low engine loads can extend the lean limit from air-fuel equivalence ratio (λ) of 1.7 to 2. This change cut NOx emissions by 99% and reduced formaldehyde emissions by 18% compared to pure methanol operation at stoichiometric. Furthermore, the NOx emissions were reduced sufficiently that engine could operate within Euro 7 World Harmonic Stationary Cycle (WHSC) limits.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692276</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Effects of Gasoline Composition and Operating Parameters on the Response of End-Gas Autoignition to Nitric Oxide in a Lean-Burn DI-SI Engine</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692275</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Lean operation of spark-ignition engines can lead to engine thermal efficiency gains and lower NOx emissions due to reduced combustion temperatures. Yet, lean operation could still face challenges in end-gas autoignition and knock generation due to higher intake pressures and trapped NO in the residual gas.This study evaluates the impact of NO on end-gas autoignition for two gasoline fuels with similar octane rating but different composition: high cycloalkane fuel (HCA) and high olefin fuel (HO). Experiments were performed at stoichiometric and lean (λ = 2) conditions and at two engine speeds of 1400 rpm and 2000 rpm. Accompanying chemical kinetics simulations in CHEMKIN revealed that the mechanisms controlling the effect of NO on autoignition are similar λ = 2 and λ = 1, with NO + HO2 = NO2 + OH being the main pathway for enhancing reactivity by promoting low-temperature heat release (LTHR). The compositionally different fuels reacted differently to NO seeding and engine speed, and differences were augmented at λ = 2 compared to λ = 1 as the end-gas autoignition shifted to the low temperature regime. HO, which has inherent low temperature chemistry, was strongly impacted by engine speed at low NO seeding levels, with no noticeable peak of LTHR detected at 2000 rpm. On the other hand, LTHR of HCA was marginally affected by shortened residence time at higher engine speed as NO + HO2 reaction was not greatly affected by shorter time scales, since HO2 production was sustained even at 2000 rpm to support OH generation from NO + HO2. Contrary to HO, HCA exhibited greater sensitivity to NO seeding, as the increased OH production at higher NO concentrations offset the OH-quenching effect of cyclopentane, which accounts for 28.6% of HCA’s composition. Consequently, a sensitivity analysis revealed that fuels with weak inherent low-temperature chemistry, like HCA, are likely to be more sensitive to variations in NO concentration and charge temperature, whereas fuels with strong low temperature chemistry are more sensitive to variations in end-gas λ and intake pressure.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692275</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Impact of Mid-Level Ethanol Blends on Reliability, Performance and Emissions in Gasoline Engine</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692271</link>
      <description><![CDATA[To reduce CO₂ emissions from automobiles, it is essential to improve system efficiency through the electrification of vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs), such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), as well as through enhancements in ICE thermal efficiency. Additionally, biofuels and synthetic fuels are gaining attention as promising options to reduce CO₂ emissions from existing vehicles. Among these alternative fuels, ethanol, a bio-derived fuel, is already used at varying concentrations in many countries, and its further adoption is expected. Expanding the fleet of flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) capable of running on high ethanol blends is one approach; however, increasing ethanol content in conventional gasoline, which is more widely used, is considered to have a greater impact on CO₂ reduction. A key issue is how existing vehicles adapt to increased ethanol concentrations such as E20, E30, and E40. This study focuses on turbocharged engines typically found in heavier passenger vehicles, which are less likely to be electrified, to assess the effects of varying ethanol concentrations on performance, efficiency, emissions, and reliability. The evaluation showed that increasing ethanol concentration from E0 to E40 in a fixed Blend stock for Oxygenate Blending (BOB) resulted in comparable or slightly improved torque and thermal efficiency, with emissions remaining similar and abnormal combustion tendencies suppressed. No reliability issues were observed in endurance testing. Furthermore, advancing ignition timing to take advantage of ethanol’s knock resistance within the constraints of mass-produced engines revealed that medium ethanol concentrations are sufficient to realize these benefits. Therefore, to improve output and thermal efficiency across a wider range of vehicles using the same ethanol volume, medium concentrations may be more advantageous than higher concentrations.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692271</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>A Pathway to Exceed 50% Indicated Thermal Efficiency for Gasoline Engines with Active Pre-Chamber</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692270</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Research on high efficiency and low emission control strategies are crucial for addressing energy security and pollution challenges for combustion engines of vehicles. This paper investigates the effects of increasing the compression ratio and excess air coefficient (λ) in naturally aspirated engines via active pre-chamber technology, and further enhancing λ through the synergy of active pre-chamber with intake boosting and Miller cycle technology, on combustion efficiency and pollutant emissions. Experiments were conducted on a high-compression-ratio (up to 16.6) single-cylinder gasoline engine. Under natural aspiration, the effective compression ratio was raised via valve timing, while λ was increased using integrated passive and active pre-chamber systems. Under boosted conditions, intake flow was controlled via a flow meter, and λ was controlled via an active pre-chamber to analyze the λ distribution and thermal efficiency at high-efficiency operating points. Results indicate that under natural aspiration, increasing the effective compression ratio to 15.8 and λ to 1.4 improved the indicated thermal efficiency (ITE) to 40.3%. Further deployment of an active pre-chamber enabling ultra-lean combustion (λ=2.0) achieved an ITE of 43.3% while reducing NOx emissions to 53×10-6. Under boosted intake pressure with Miller cycle, elevating intake pressure to 282kPa and achieving ultra-lean combustion (λ=2.0–2.2) resulted in ITE over 50%, with NOx emissions consistently below 50×10-6 (ppm - parts per million).]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692270</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Impact of Various Renewable Hydrocarbons on Performance and Emissions in a Super Lean Burn Engine</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692268</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Compared to regular fuels, biofuels can play a key role as low-carbon 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 enhanced fuel economy and reduced NOx emissions. The Toyota prototype engine used to generate data for this project injects most of the fuel in 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 high biofuel content were tested in both conventional and super lean burn engines. Certain fuel compositions were formulated with faster burning components such as ethyl benzene. The super lean burn engine showed a clear link between faster combustion and minimization of unburned fuel losses, thereby resulting in a further efficiency benefit. The effect of fuel composition on particulate emissions was more complex: although the conventional engine emitted higher particulate numbers (PN) when operating on fuels with a higher content of heavier aromatics (as might be predicted from standard particulate index approaches), the super lean burn engine suggests that additional factors are at play which are discussed in the paper.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692268</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>The Effects of Ethanol on Combustion in a Super-Lean-Burn Engine</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692269</link>
      <description><![CDATA[To mitigate global warming, many countries are working toward carbon neutrality. Reducing CO₂ emissions from vehicles requires electrification technologies in hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs, PHEVs) and improving thermal efficiency of internal combustion engines (ICEs). Lean-burn combustion is one approach to improving ICE thermal efficiency. Biofuels and synthetic fuels can also reduce CO₂ emissions in existing vehicles. Ethanol, a bio-derived fuel, is widely used in varying contents worldwide, and its further utilization is anticipated. This study examines the effects of ethanol blending on emissions, thermal efficiency, knocking, and combustion speed in a super-lean-burn engine. Gasoline surrogates with varying ethanol contents were tested at an excess air ratio (λ) of 2.5. Higher ethanol content reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions due to lower adiabatic flame temperature. Total hydrocarbon (THC) emissions measured by a Flame Ionization Detector (FID) showed a decreasing trend; however, after correction for low sensitivity to ethanol and aldehydes, no significant differences were observed. Thermal efficiency increased with ethanol content, due to reduced cooling losses. Knocking was mitigated by the higher Research Octane Number (RON) from ethanol blending; however, the extent was smaller than in the production engine operating at λ = 1. This mechanism was examined through ignition delay calculations. At λ = 2.5 and in-cylinder pressures above 9 MPa, the 50–90% combustion duration was prolonged, attributable to suppressed ethyl radical formation under lean conditions and a greater influence of the reaction in which methyl radicals consume hydrogen atoms to produce methane under high-pressure conditions.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692269</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Combustion Characterization of Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) as an Alternative Fuel for Use in IC Engines</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692266</link>
      <description><![CDATA[In the endeavors to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, synthetic fuels from less carbon intensive feedstocks have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional fuels. These synthetic fuels have gained traction in the aviation industry as sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). One such fuel is a synthetic paraffinic kerosene derived from hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). Preliminary research has also suggested that this fuel may also be favorable for use in IC engines. This investigation will explore the combustion characteristics of HEFA in an IC engine in more detail.The thermophysical properties of HEFA were investigated and found comparable to or improving upon those of ULSD. Spray atomization analysis revealed more than 25% smaller SMD compared to ULSD, and lower span factor indicating a more uniform spray which can promote faster formation of a homogenous mixture. A tribological analysis using a pin-on-disk tribometer revealed comparable lubricity compared to ULSD, without requiring any additives. A CVCC was used to investigate the autoignition characteristics of the fuels. HEFA was found to have a DCN of 58 compared to ULSD at 48. Resultingly, the ignition delay for HEFA was notably shorter compared to the baseline of ULSD.Fired engine testing was conducted using a single-cylinder CRDI experimental engine. Emissions were measured using a FTIR and Microsoot sensor. Combustion characteristics such as ignition delay, LTHR, pressure rise rate, peak pressure, ringing intensity, CA50, and combustion duration were compared to ULSD at matched operating modes. HEFA was observed to have a shorter ignition delay and smaller premixed combustion event, releasing more of its energy in mixing controlled combustion. This caused CA50 and overall combustion duration to be extended compared to ULSD. The combustion behavior of HEFA contributed to significant reductions in NOx and Soot emissions compared to ULSD. Cycle variability was reduced by half for HEFA, indicating smoother engine operation and combustion stability. These results showcase the versatility of this SAF to be used in IC engines with conventional combustion strategies.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692266</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Energy and Operational Efficiency of Shared Autonomous Fleet Powered with Battery Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Technologies</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692248</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Electrifying shared autonomous fleets (Robotaxis) presents challenges in balancing decarbonization, service quality, and operational costs, given the limited driving range, long charging times, and suboptimal planning of charging infrastructure. This study develops an integrated energy management and fleet dispatching simulation framework to support cost-effective, low-carbon Robotaxi deployment. The proposed system models both battery electric vehicles (BEV) and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV) technologies, and is extensible to other powertrain types. The study also integrates a life cycle assessment module to evaluate well-to-wheel carbon emissions. A total of 1,440 scenarios are designed to test the performance of two service modes (ride-hailing vs. ride-pooling) in terms of energy consumption, emissions, service quality, and operational costs, across varying levels of trip demand and market penetration of different powertrain technologies. The testing aims to verify the system’s effectiveness in improving energy efficiency, clarify the cost of autonomous vehicles electrification, and identify the most cost-effective low-carbon fleet composition under different scenarios. The results demonstrate that ride-pooling system outperforms both ride-hailing and private vehicles. Ride-pooling achieves 15–25% lower carbon intensity and 18–25% energy savings compared to private vehicles. It is also found that EVs present, on average, an 8–12% higher trip rejection rate than ICE fleets, demonstrating that electrifying Robotaxis comes at the cost of reduced service levels or increased costs. The study ultimately finds that electrifying Robotaxis at a moderate level (40–60%) can achieve a good trade-off between environmental benefits, service quality, and cost.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692248</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Optimal Strategies for SI H2 Combustion System and Pre-Ignition Investigation through Advanced Optical Techniques</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692238</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The rapidly transforming mobility sector is confronted with a dual challenge: achieving market expansion while significantly reducing emissions. Even if vehicle electrification tends to be favored in developed nations, it is widely acknowledged that no single solution is universally optimal. Within this context, hydrogen emerges as a compelling energy vector. It can be used both in fuel cells and internal combustion engines. This latter benefits from a well-known architecture and existing production infrastructures constituting a viable short-term and cost-effective solution especially for light or heavy-duty and off-road applications.In this context, investigation on the hydrogen spark-ignited internal combustion engine was performed, focusing especially on critical abnormal combustions. Indeed, during early development phase, abnormal combustion management was a challenge requiring the identification of the root cause of these issues. This work, based on the use of a versatile single-cylinder engine, is dedicated to the optimization of hydrogen combustion through adaptations of injection strategy to minimize the NOx production and improve the combustion efficiency. A dedicated attention was paid to study the effects of different parameters of the hydrogen injection system, such as the location of the injector, the targeting and the injection pressure. Subsequently, a specific cylinder head has been designed to allow endoscopic optical access into the combustion chamber for a visualization of the combustion related phenomena using a high-speed UV intensified camera. The work was especially focused on abnormal combustion analysis such as pre-ignition and allows to analyze the behavior of different spark plugs. Different injection configurations were tested and their effects on combustion were evaluated using both adiabatic heat release rate analysis and in-cylinder movies obtained through the optical setup described above. It provides valuable data about mixture preparation, flame propagation and cycle to cycle fluctuations. Conventional heat release rate analysis gives macro level data of the combustion stroke whereas the endoscopic images provide 2D flame fields that enhance the understanding of the combustion characteristics. This work finally leads to a better understanding of abnormal combustion occurrences and guides towards the choice of relevant injection and ignition strategies, especially at full load.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692238</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Meeting the Challenges of PHEVs/REEVs Lubrication: Insights from Comprehensive On-Road Fleet Tests</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692233</link>
      <description><![CDATA[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 the 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. Conventional lubricant formulations, designed for continuous ICE operation, may not sufficiently address the demands of hybrid applications, where concerns such as oil degradation, wear protection, deposit control, and compatibility with aftertreatment systems are increasingly critical. Consequently, there is a growing need to redefine lubricant performance criteria to ensure oils are qualified to meet the specific demands of hybrid powertrains.This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of engine lubricant performance in PHEVs and REEVs, based on extensive field testing under diverse real-world operating conditions. Unlike prior research which focused on oil emulsification and water entrainment, this work focuses on four underexplored yet industry-relevant aspects:]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692233</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Effect of Passive Pre-Chamber Geometry on Performance and Emissions of a Single-Cylinder Natural Gas Large Bore Engine</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692231</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The maritime industry is one of the most energy-intensive sectors, characterized by high fuel consumption and significant environmental impact. As global trade relies on shipping, the challenge of reducing pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions becomes ever more pressing. Natural gas (NG) is considered as a transitional fuel, capable of lowering CO₂ emissions by 20–30% compared to conventional marine fuels. However, to fully harness this potential, significant advances in combustion technology are necessary, particularly with ultra-lean combustion strategies. One of the most promising pathways is pre-chamber combustion, a solution that can simultaneously improve the efficiency and sustainability of NG marine engines. In this scenario, the passive pre-chamber geometry plays a key role, as it directly influences ignition behavior, combustion stability, and exhaust emissions.This work presents an experimental study conducted on a single-cylinder marine engine prototype, retrofitted from a diesel baseline, and equipped alternatively with four passive pre-chambers featuring different geometrical configurations. The tests were conducted at an engine speed of 1500 rpm and different loads to evaluate the influence of pre-chamber geometry on engine performance and exhaust emissions. Key parameters such as combustion phasing, efficiency, and pollutant formation were analyzed and compared between the four setups. Results showed that pre-chamber design affects the interaction between the turbulent jets and the main chamber mixture, leading to significant variations in both combustion efficiency and emission trends.These findings provide new insights into the role of passive pre-chamber geometry in optimizing large-bore NG marine engines, offering a valuable contribution to the development of cleaner and more efficient propulsion systems for the maritime sector.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692231</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Real-Time Observations of the Effect of Fuel Dilution in an Engine Transient Friction Rig. Along with Real-Time Observations of Fuel Entering and Leaving Internal Combustion Engine Oil, over Both Standard Engine, ICE and Plug-In Hybrid, PHEV Dynamic Drive Cycles</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692230</link>
      <description><![CDATA[Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) with an increasing level of electrification, are becoming a major part of the global energy transition. To achieve lower engine tailpipe exhaust emissions and improve total fuel consumption, typically the HEV control system expertly and frequently switches between the internal combustion engine and electric motor drive, with multiple stops and restarts of the internal combustion engine (ICE). As a consequential result of this switching, are typically slower or even incomplete engine warm-up times, depending on the engine speed, load pattern and run time of the vehicle drive cycle. Along with the speed and load transient control, the engine stop and start processes are also challenging to control, with respect to cold start fuel and combustion by-products entering the oil. Consequently, contamination enters the engine oil but may not completely leave. These effects are highly transient over the drive cycle. Contaminants and in particular, fuel dilution, will affect the engine oil viscosity.To demonstrate this whilst yielding insights, a precisely controlled engine test cell, running the cold start Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Transient Cycle (WLTC) for both, a non-hybridized ICE only vehicle and a HEV in charge sustaining mode operation is described. This also has on-line viscosity sensing and oil sampling. Typical data is shared along with engine oil comparisons.For complimentary insights, the impact of the fuel dilution on engine friction was investigated using a novel, precise, fully transient engine friction test rig, which measures gasoline direct injection high pressure fuel-pump friction and engine oil viscosity accurately. The cycle is based on measured data from vehicles tested on a chassis dynamometer. On-line friction data, with oil comparisons is used to show real-time data of the effect of fuel dilution on the frictional energy required, thus CO2 over the full WLTC.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692230</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Combustion Enhancement via Discharge Current Modulation under Turbulence Conditions</title>
      <link>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692229</link>
      <description><![CDATA[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 flame speed. 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 flow chamber is utilized to enhance the turbulence flow, and a custom-built ignition module is utilized to provide boosted discharge current to enhance the ignition stability under flow conditions. An effective spark energy required to enhance the combustion process is investigated under both stoichiometric and lean conditions. Further increase of discharge current amplitude beyond this boundary yields minimal impact on the flame propagation process. This study will offer important insights for developing an on-demand ignition energy profiling strategy to reduce sparkplug electrode erosion.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>https://trid.trb.org/View/2692229</guid>
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