Christopher Edwards
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus
Bio
The Edwards research group is focused on fundamental research for advanced energy technologies. The group performs theoretical and experimental studies of energy transformations such that the conversion process can be made cleaner, more efficient, and more controllable than has been possible with traditional technologies. Applications include advanced transportation engines (piston and turbine) and advanced electric power generation with carbon mitigation.
Academic Appointments
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Emeritus Faculty, Acad Council, Mechanical Engineering
Honors & Awards
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PEP Award-Best Paper of 2009, International Journal of Engine Research (2009)
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Senior Fellow, Precourt Institute for Energy (2009)
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Walter J Gores Award, Stanford University (2008)
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John Henry Samter University Fellow in Undergraduate Education, Stanford University (2008-2012)
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The Rudolf Kalman Award, ASME Dynamic Systems and Control Division (2005)
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John Henry Samter University Fellow in Undergraduate Education, Stanford University (2002-2007)
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Professor of the Year, Stanford University Society of Women Engineers (2001-2002)
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Tau Beta Pi Undergraduate Teaching Award, Stanford University (2000)
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Phi Beta Kappa Undergraduate Teaching Prize, Stanford University (1999)
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Teacher of the Year, Stanford University Society of Women Engineers (1999)
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The Bing Fellowship, Stanford University (1998-2001)
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Tanasawa Award, International Conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems (1994)
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Adams Award, Sandia National Laboratories (1994)
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W. Robert Marshall Award, Institute of Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems (1994)
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Starkman Memorial Award, University of California, Berkeley (1983)
Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations
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Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Sandia National Labs (1995 - 1995)
Professional Education
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PhD, UC Berkeley, Mechanical Engineering (1985)
2024-25 Courses
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Independent Studies (8)
- Engineering Problems
ME 391 (Spr) - Engineering Problems and Experimental Investigation
ME 191 (Spr) - Experimental Investigation of Engineering Problems
ME 392 (Spr) - Honors Research
ME 191H (Spr) - Ph.D. Research Rotation
ME 398 (Spr) - Ph.D. Teaching Experience
ME 491 (Spr) - Practical Training
ME 299A (Spr) - Practical Training
ME 299B (Spr)
- Engineering Problems
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Prior Year Courses
2023-24 Courses
- Energy Systems II: Modeling and Advanced Concepts
ME 370B (Win) - Intermediate Thermodynamics
ME 132 (Aut)
2022-23 Courses
- Energy Systems II: Modeling and Advanced Concepts
ME 370B (Win) - Intermediate Thermodynamics
ME 132 (Aut)
2021-22 Courses
- Energy Systems II: Modeling and Advanced Concepts
ME 370B (Win) - Intermediate Thermodynamics
ME 132 (Aut) - Thermofluids, Energy, and Propulsion Research Seminar
ME 390A (Aut)
- Energy Systems II: Modeling and Advanced Concepts
All Publications
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Maximum-efficiency architectures for heat- and work-regenerative gas turbine engines
ENERGY
2016; 100: 115-128
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.energy.2016.01.044
View details for Web of Science ID 000375167100013
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Maximum-efficiency architectures for steady-flow combustion engines, I: Attractor trajectory optimization approach
ENERGY
2014; 72: 44-57
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.energy.2014.04.085
View details for Web of Science ID 000340321100004
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Maximum-efficiency architectures for steady-flow combustion engines, II: Work-regenerative gas turbine engines
ENERGY
2014; 72: 58-68
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.energy.2014.05.074
View details for Web of Science ID 000340321100005
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Unifying principles of irreversibility minimization for efficiency maximization in steady-flow chemically-reactive engines
ENERGY
2014; 68: 844-853
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.energy.2014.02.052
View details for Web of Science ID 000335874300088
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Prospects for High-Temperature Combustion, Neat Alcohol-Fueled Diesel Engines
SAE Int. J. Engines
2014; 7 (1): 448-457
View details for DOI 10.4271/2014-01-1194
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Thermodynamic benchmarking of CO2 capture systems: Exergy analysis methodology for adsorption processes
12TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES, GHGT-12
2014; 63: 1-17
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.11.002
View details for Web of Science ID 000361211500001
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Overcoming Pressure Waves to Achieve High Load HCCI Combustion
SAE 2014 World Congress & Exhibition
2014
View details for DOI 10.4271/2014-01-1269
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Homogeneous charge compression ignition with nondilute stoichiometric methane-air at extreme compression ratios
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINE RESEARCH
2013; 14 (5): 479-495
View details for DOI 10.1177/1468087413481217
View details for Web of Science ID 000325476400006
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The utility of environmental exergy analysis for decision making in energy
ENERGY
2013; 55: 742-751
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.energy.2012.12.038
View details for Web of Science ID 000321228400073
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SUPERCRITICAL AUTO-THERMAL RANKINE (SCATR) SYSTEM: HIGH EFFICIENCY FOSSIL FUEL BASED ELECTRICITY WITH INTRINSIC CARBON SEPARATION
ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. 2013: 265–274
View details for Web of Science ID 000350070400030
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Exploring the Pathway to High Efficiency IC Engines through Exergy Analysis of Heat Transfer Reduction
SAE Int. J. Engines
2013; 6 (1): 150-166
View details for DOI 10.4271/2013-01-0278
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Understanding the Thermodynamic Possibilities and Limitations of the Solid-oxide Fuel Cell, Gas Turbine Double Cycle
11th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference
2013
View details for DOI 10.2514/6.2013-3673
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EXERGY ANALYSIS OF A SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELL, GAS TURBINE, STEAM TURBINE TRIPLE-CYCLE POWER PLANT
ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. 2013: 255–263
View details for Web of Science ID 000350070400029
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Emissions from an extreme-compression, free-piston engine with diesel-style combustion
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINE RESEARCH
2012; 13 (3): 238-252
View details for DOI 10.1177/1468087411435207
View details for Web of Science ID 000305467900006
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EXERGY ANALYSIS OF COAL ENERGY CONVERSION WITH CARBON SEQUESTRATION VIA COMBUSTION IN SUPERCRITICAL SALINE AQUIFER WATER
ASME 5th International Conference on Energy Sustainability
AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. 2012: 1987–1995
View details for Web of Science ID 000321076701044
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Optimal Architecture for Efficient Simple-Cycle Steady-Flow Combustion Engines
JOURNAL OF PROPULSION AND POWER
2011; 27 (4): 873-883
View details for DOI 10.2514/1.B34050
View details for Web of Science ID 000293149700015
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Assessing the feasibility of increasing engine efficiency through extreme compression
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINE RESEARCH
2011; 12 (3): 293-307
View details for DOI 10.1177/1468087411404299
View details for Web of Science ID 000293478500010
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An exergy-based framework for evaluating environmental impact
ENERGY
2011; 36 (3): 1442-1459
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.energy.2011.01.025
View details for Web of Science ID 000289337600009
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Requirements for designing chemical engines with reversible reactions
ENERGY
2011; 36 (1): 99-110
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.energy.2010.11.002
View details for Web of Science ID 000286781800011
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A Methodology for Determining Optimal Architectures for Heat-and-Work Regenerative Steady-Flow Combustion Engines
42nd AIAA Thermophysics Conference
2011
View details for DOI 10.2514/6.2011-3773
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DIESEL SPRAY BEHAVIOR AT COMPRESSION RATIOS UP TO 100:1
ATOMIZATION AND SPRAYS
2010; 20 (5): 453-465
View details for Web of Science ID 000282533100006
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IDENTIFICATION OF OPTIMAL ARCHITECTURE FOR EFFICIENT SIMPLE-CYCLE GAS TURBINE ENGINES
ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. 2010: 539–548
View details for Web of Science ID 000282725100063
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REDUCING COMBUSTION IRREVERSIBILITY THROUGH EXTREME COMPRESSION: ANALYZING DEVICE PERFORMANCE
ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENGINEERS. 2010: 239–248
View details for Web of Science ID 000282341200029
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Coal energy conversion with carbon sequestration via combustion in supercritical saline aquifer water
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL
2009; 3 (5): 568-576
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijggc.2009.05.001
View details for Web of Science ID 000268949300007
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Understanding chemical effects in low-load-limit extension of homogeneous charge compression ignition engines via recompression reaction
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINE RESEARCH
2009; 10 (4): 231-250
View details for DOI 10.1243/14680874JER03409
View details for Web of Science ID 000270216300003
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Experimental study of recompression reaction for low-load operation in direct-injection homogeneous charge compression ignition engines with n-heptane and i-octane fuels
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINE RESEARCH
2009; 10 (4): 215-229
View details for DOI 10.1243/14680874JER03309
View details for Web of Science ID 000270216300002
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Coal energy conversion with carbon sequestration via combustion in supercritical saline aquifer water
GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES 9
2009; 1 (1): 4055-4062
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.egypro.2009.02.212
View details for Web of Science ID 000276074404010
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Thermodynamic requirements for maximum internal combustion engine cycle efficiency. Part 2: work extraction and reactant preparation strategies
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINE RESEARCH
2008; 9 (6): 467-481
View details for DOI 10.1243/14680874JER01608
View details for Web of Science ID 000261280900003
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Thermodynamic requirements for maximum internal combustion engine cycle efficiency. Part 1: optimal combustion strategy
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINE RESEARCH
2008; 9 (6): 449-465
View details for DOI 10.1243/14680874JER01508
View details for Web of Science ID 000261280900002
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An optimal control approach to minimizing entropy generation in an adiabatic internal combustion engine
JOURNAL OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME
2008; 130 (4)
View details for DOI 10.1115/1.2936864
View details for Web of Science ID 000257132800008
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Effects of pressure on performance of mesoscale burner arrays for gas-turbine applications
JOURNAL OF PROPULSION AND POWER
2007; 23 (4): 884-886
View details for DOI 10.2514/1.26255
View details for Web of Science ID 000248073000032
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Mesoscale burner Arrays for gas-turbine reheat applications
JOURNAL OF PROPULSION AND POWER
2006; 22 (2): 417-424
View details for Web of Science ID 000236087000015
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Experimental study of confined, swirling, nonpremixed gas flame for validation of simulations
JOURNAL OF PROPULSION AND POWER
2006; 22 (1): 158-168
View details for Web of Science ID 000234910900019
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An optimal control approach to minimizing entropy generation in an adiabatic internal combustion engine
45th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control
IEEE. 2006: 6648–6653
View details for Web of Science ID 000252251601064
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Dynamic modeling of residual-affected homogeneous charge compression ignition engines with variable valve actuation
JOURNAL OF DYNAMIC SYSTEMS MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL-TRANSACTIONS OF THE ASME
2005; 127 (3): 374-381
View details for DOI 10.1115/1.1979511
View details for Web of Science ID 000232071400008
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Strategies for Achieving Residual-Effected HCCI Using Variable Valve Actuation.
SAE. Doc.
2005
View details for DOI 10.4271/2005-01-0165
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A physics-based approach to the control of homogeneous charge compression ignition engines with variable valve actuation
International Journal of Engine Research
2005; 6 (4): 361-375
View details for DOI 10.1243/146808705X30512
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Residual-Effected Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition with Delayed Intake Valve Closing at Elevated Compression Ratio
International Journal of Engine Research
2005; 6 (4): 399-419(21)
View details for DOI 10.1243/146808705X30431
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RP of Si3N4 burner arrays via assembly mould SDM
RAPID PROTOTYPING JOURNAL
2004; 10 (4): 239-246
View details for DOI 10.1108/13552540410551360
View details for Web of Science ID 000223628300004
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Computation of spray dynamics by moment transport equations I: Theory and development
ATOMIZATION AND SPRAYS
2003; 13 (1): 63-87
View details for Web of Science ID 000181748700004
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Residual-effected homogeneous charge compression ignition at a low compression ratio using exhaust reinduction
International Journal of Engine Research
2003; 4 (3): 163-177
View details for DOI 10.1243/146808703322223306
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Development of a temporally modulated fuel injector with controlled spray dynamics
46th International Gas Turbine and Aeroengine Congress and Exhibition
ASME-AMER SOC MECHANICAL ENG. 2003: 284–91
View details for DOI 10.1115/1.1496118
View details for Web of Science ID 000180321800036
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Computation of spray dynamics by moment transport equations II: Application to calculation of a quasi-one-dimensional spray
ATOMIZATION AND SPRAYS
2003; 13 (1): 89-115
View details for Web of Science ID 000181748700005
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Modeling for control of HCCI engines
Annual American Control Conference (ACC 2003)
IEEE. 2003: 749–754
View details for Web of Science ID 000186706200129
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Quasi-steady deformation and drag of uncontaminated liquid drops
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIPHASE FLOW
2002; 28 (10): 1631-1657
View details for Web of Science ID 000178987900003
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Toward a comprehensive theory of dense spray flows
ATOMIZATION AND SPRAYS
2000; 10 (3-5): 335-353
View details for Web of Science ID 000088254600004
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Computation of spray dynamics by direct solution of moment transport equations
38th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit
2000
View details for DOI 10.2514/6.2000-197
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The Point-Particle/Continuum-Field Theory of Spray Flows
International Journal of Fluid Mechanics Research
1997; 24 (1-3): 149-159
View details for DOI 10.1615/InterJFluidMechRes.v24.i1-3.150
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Single-point statistics of ideal sprays .1. Fundamental descriptions and derived quantities
ATOMIZATION AND SPRAYS
1996; 6 (5): 499-536
View details for Web of Science ID A1996VP73500001
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Effect of fuel gas composition and excess air on VOC emissions from a small-scale, industrial-style burner
4th International Congress on Toxic Combustion Byproducts
TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC. 1996: 375–97
View details for Web of Science ID A1996WY15800016
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MULTIPOINT STATISTICAL STRUCTURE OF THE IDEAL SPRAY, PART I: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS AND THE REALIZATION DENSITY
Atomization and Sprays
1995; 5 (4 & 5): 435-455
View details for DOI 10.1615/AtomizSpr.v5.i45.50
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MULTIPOINT STATISTICAL STRUCTURE OF THE IDEAL SPRAY, PART II: EVALUATING STEADINESS USING THE INTERPARTICLE TIME DISTRIBUTION
Atomization and Sprays
1995; 5 (4 & 5): 457-505
View details for DOI 10.1615/AtomizSpr.v5.i45.60
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STRUCTURE OF A METHANOL AIR COAXIAL REACTING SPRAY NEAR THE STABILIZATION REGION
COMBUSTION AND FLAME
1994; 98 (3): 205-219
View details for Web of Science ID A1994PA04800004
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LIMITATIONS OF THE IDEAL PHASE-DOPPLER SYSTEM - EXTENSION TO SPATIALLY AND TEMPORALLY INHOMOGENEOUS PARTICLE FLOWS
ATOMIZATION AND SPRAYS
1994; 4 (1): 1-40
View details for Web of Science ID A1994NE79200001
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LIMITATIONS OF THE IDEAL PHASE-DOPPLER SYSTEM: EXTENSION TO SPATIALLY AND TEMPORALLY INHOMOGENEOUS PARTICLE FLOWS
Atomization and Sprays
1994; 4 (1): 1-40
View details for DOI 10.1615/AtomizSpr.v4.i1.10
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SPATIAL STRUCTURE OF A CONFINED SWIRLING FLOW USING PLANAR ELASTIC SCATTER IMAGING AND LASER-DOPPLER VELOCIMETRY
FUEL
1993; 72 (8): 1151-1159
View details for Web of Science ID A1993LN47400012
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ANALYSIS OF THE IDEAL PHASE-DOPPLER SYSTEM: LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY THE SINGLE-PARTICLE CONSTRAINT
Atomization and Sprays
1992; 2 (3): 319-366
View details for DOI 10.1615/AtomizSpr.v2.i3.70
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Autoignition of Methane and Natural Gas in a Simulated Diesel Environment
1991 SAE International Congress & Exposition
1991
View details for DOI 10.4271/910227
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Ignition Delay Performance Versus Composition of Model Fuels
1992 SAE International Congress & Exposition
1992
View details for DOI 10.4271/920109
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Structure of a swirl-stabilized spray flame by imaging, laser doppler velocimetry, and phase doppler anemometry
Twenty-Third Symposium (International) on Combustion
1991: 1353–59
View details for DOI 10.1016/S0082-0784(06)80400-5
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A Photographic Study of Plasma Ignition Systems
1985 SAE International Congress and Exposition
1985
View details for DOI 10.4271/850077
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A Study of the Autoignition Process of a Diesel Spray via High Speed Visualization
1992 SAE International Congress & Exposition
1992
View details for DOI 10.4271/920108
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Use of Dynamic Valving to Achieve Residual-Affected Combustion
SAE 2001 World Congress
2001
View details for DOI 10.4271/2001-01-0549
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Emission Characteristics of Methanol Fueled Vehicles Using Feedback Carburetion and Three Way Catalysts
1981 SAE International Fall Fuels and Lubricants Meeting and Exhibition
1981
View details for DOI 10.4271/811221
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Wear Characteristics of Fleet Vehicles Operating on Methyl Alcohol
1981 SAE International Fall Fuels and Lubricants Meeting and Exhibition
1981
View details for DOI 10.4271/811202
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A Comparative Study of Plasma lgnition Systems
1983 SAE International Congress and Exposition
1983
View details for DOI 10.4271/830479
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Optimization of Recompression Reaction for Low-Load Operation of Residual-Effected HCCI
2008 SAE World Congress & Exhibition
2008
View details for DOI 10.4271/2008-01-0016
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Effects of nozzle geometry and ambient pressure on the characteristics of a modulated spray
37th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit
1999
View details for DOI 10.2514/6.1999-366
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Autoignition of Methanol and Ethanol Sprays under Diesel Engine Conditions
1987 SAE International Congress and Exposition
1987
View details for DOI 10.4271/870588