High-precision laser sensor for unburnt hydrocarbon emissions

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EPSRC : Alex Gander : EP/S513751/1Improving air quality while supporting clean growth and future transportation technology represents a significant societal challenge for Canada and the UK. Emissions of unburnt hydrocarbon (uHC) fuel directly affects public health, and their reduction from vehicles such as hybrid cars require new solutions. Recent research conducted by Professor Cyril Crua's team at the University of Brighton has demonstrated that large fuel films on the tip of injector nozzles can be stripped and released in the form of unburnt fuel. However it is not currently possible to establish how much of this liquid fuel is actually released into the exhaust in the form of uHCs. This project will establish a new collaboration with the team led by Prof. Patrick Kirchen at the University of British Columbia to develop a novel high-precision laser-based sensor that can unveil the link between the formation of fuel films inside engines, and the release of unburnt fuel into the exhaust. This will enable both teams to significantly accelerate our understanding of the mechanisms that lead to the release of uHCs into the environment, and their impact on air quality.