Institution news
With a projected 4.67% CAGR growth in the IC engine market during the forecast period 2019-2025, there remain many opportunities for further developments in internal combustion engine technologies, including alternative powertrains and and hybrid applications.
With this in mind, the Institution’s Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems for Future Transport conference in Birmingham once again brings together the international community of specialist engineers working in this field to share their recent studies and technical developments.
Q: Please could you briefly explain your role, involvement and experience with regards to engines and/or powertrain systems.
Irene Ruiz Rodriguez (IRR): I am a PhD student working on combustion and sooting properties of diesel and oxygenated fuels. My degree was in aerospace engineering and my final year and master’s year project involved looking at injectors for rocket nozzles and on hybrid rocket propulsion systems. I worked during my internship year at GE Aviation with jet turbines.
Q: What are the main engineering challenges facing the industry at the moment?
IRR: With regards to internal combustion engines, I believe the main challenge it is how to tackle emissions whilst keeping the engines efficient, reliable, practical and affordable. It is also the bad publicity and hype that electric engines are receiving when in reality the approach has to be holistic and application-specific and still include combustion engines with improved combustion processes and alternative sustainable fuels.
Q: What key topics are you excited to discuss?
IRR: Alternative fuels that could be used as drop-ins in internal combustion engines.
Q: What are the most common gripes you hear from your colleagues?
IRR: Finding a sustainable solution and the cooperation of manufacturers and end users with the new developments
Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
IRR: I am very interested in hearing the following talk from Carsten Weber at Ford Motor Company, titled "The Internal Combustion Engine of the Future - Contradiction or Reality?"
Q: What developments are you most interested in for the future and why?
IRR: The development in alternative fuels, because there are so many potential sources that little by little and combined can help us address the big problems!
Q: Why is it important for engineers to join this conference?
IRR: Besides networking with people from industry and academia experts in combustion, hearing from the advances and gaining different points of view on your topics can help give other perspectives to your own research. As well, it is important to understand advances in other areas such as hybrids or electrification to understand where you research fits in real world applications.
Internal Combustion Engines and Powertrain Systems for Future Transport takes place on 11-12 December 2019 in Birmingham.
The latest in the Institution’s series of conferences on engine and powertrain technologies, the December conference will bring together engineers from industry and academia across the world to share the latest technologies, research and industry trends.
Join to hear how your peers across the world are developing innovative solutions to improve powertrain efficiency while meeting future emissions requirements. Contributing organisations on this year’s agenda include Ford, JCB, MAHLE Powertrain, Ricardo, HORIBA MIRA, Concawe, Aramco, HIS Markit, University of Brighton, Brunel University and many more.
For full event details and to book your place, please visit the event website at www.imeche.org/icengines.