Potential Research Partners

California Polytechnic State University

This Cal Poly Draft Proposal FutureTruck (April 2001) seeks to retrofit a 2002 Ford Explorer with a series hybrid system involving a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) internal combustion engine, a generator, and an AC electic motor. This proposal seeks to keep the performance and drivability of the present vehicle while resulting in ultra-low emissions, increased vehicle range, and increased fuel economy. The proposal states a need to seek out collaborations to fund and implement this project.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Heavy Vehicle Technologies (OHVT)

The OHVT, created in 1996, addresses the energy efficiency challenges facing the manufacturers, suppliers, and users of heavy transport vehicles. Such vehicles include trucks, buses, rail, off-highway (construction, farming, forestry, and mining) equipment, and inland marine. Their mission is to work with industry partners and their suppliers to research and develop technologies that increase energy efficiencies, expand the capacity for the use of alternative fuels, and reduce vehicle emissions for these heavy vehicles. Research areas include: Fuels & Lubricants (i.e., advanced petroleum-based fuels, alternative fuels), Vehicle Systems, Engines, Materials, Environment & Health, and Truck Safety.

The Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE)

The Society of Automobile Engineers provides technical information and expertise in designing, building, maintaining, and operating self-propelled vehicles. The organization has a Cooperative Research Program that helps facilitate projects that benefit the industry. The technical committees are heavily involved in writing new automotive engineering standards, as well as technical papers, books, and periodicals. The 80,000 member base from 97 countries work together to advance the engineering of this industry.

U.S. Army Fuels and Lubricants Research Facility

This research facility conducts fuels and lubricants research for the Army, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and other government and commercial agencies. The research areas include Fuels and Lubricants, Petroleum Properties and Logistics, and Combustion Applications.

Lund Institute of Technology

This Institute has a Centre for Combustion Science and Technology.