THIESEL 2014 is the eight edition of this conference and it has
gained a consolidated position as a meeting point between industry, research
institutions and academia involved in R&D for automotive engines. Considering
that engine science and technology have evolved during these years, with new
emerging engine concepts, and that the frontiers between spark-ignition and
compression-ignition are becoming more and more diffuse, in 2012, the conference
renewed its name to THIESEL Conference on ‘Thermo- and Fluid-Dynamic Processes
in Direct Injection Engines’. This
gave it a boost, which proved that in such a technological context, it was
reasonable to exploit R&D synergies and enhance the exchange of valuable
knowledge and experience.
It is generally agreed that the internal combustion engine will remain the main
propulsion system for vehicles in the next 20 to 30 years and furthermore, will
remain present even in hybrid and electrified vehicles. Therefore, innovative
research on combustion engines represents a most promising way to a substantial
reduction of pollutant emissions, until new solutions based on hydrogen and fuel
cell technologies may reach their maturity.
Innovation, however, calls for important research efforts. On the combustion
side, further development for advanced control strategies and hardware able to
fully exploit the flexibility provided by modern multiple injection systems will
be required. Regarding other engine processes, advances will also be necessary
in the thermal and air management of the engine, in response to foreseen demands
for a precise control of heat flows, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and
turbo-charging system operation. Also, it is likely that new and challenging
issues regarding after-treatment technology and engine noise abatement will
arise.
The outlook allows for an optimistic view on the potential of clean and silent
combustion engine technologies. However, their eventual success depends on the
academic researchers’ awareness of the automotive industry needs and on the will
of automotive industry to invest in medium-to-long term basic research.
The main objective of THIESEL 2014 is to contribute to this success by
attracting good quality papers from both Industry and Academia, describing the
most recent developments and latest innovations relative to thermo-and fluid
dynamic processes in direct injection engines, and by facilitating the exchange
of valuable knowledge and experience between the main actors of the automotive
R&D sector.
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