All Outputs (32)

Investigating the Effect of Lubricating Oil Volatility and Ash Content on the Emission of Sub-23 nm Particles (2025)
Journal Article
Lagana, S., Pfau, S. A., Haffner-Staton, E., La Rocca, A., & Cairns, A. (2025). Investigating the Effect of Lubricating Oil Volatility and Ash Content on the Emission of Sub-23 nm Particles. Applied Sciences, 15(4), Article 2212. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15042212

Featured Application: This work highlights the critical role of oil formulation in minimizing sub-23 nm particulates; it is particularly relevant in emerging H2 and NH3 engines, crucial for meeting stricter SPN emission standards in decarbonized fuel... Read More about Investigating the Effect of Lubricating Oil Volatility and Ash Content on the Emission of Sub-23 nm Particles.

The use of ammonia as a zero carbon heavy duty IC engine fuel for low criteria pollutant emissions– Simulation of an I.C. Engine with exhaust reforming (2024)
Journal Article
Heaton, D., & Cairns, A. (2025). The use of ammonia as a zero carbon heavy duty IC engine fuel for low criteria pollutant emissions– Simulation of an I.C. Engine with exhaust reforming. Fuel, 384, Article 133538. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.133538

Ammonia has many advantages for use as a net-zero fuel, primarily potentially lowest lifecycle cost and reasonable energy storage density (by volume) compared with other zero carbon contenders. Handling and safety is not without concern, but its safe... Read More about The use of ammonia as a zero carbon heavy duty IC engine fuel for low criteria pollutant emissions– Simulation of an I.C. Engine with exhaust reforming.

Effect of Different Module Arrangements for Thermal Management of Cylindrical Li-ion Battery Packs (2024)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Sen, S., Talebizadehsardari, P., La Rocca, A., Cairns, A., Pacino, A., & Mehdipour, R. (2024, November). Effect of Different Module Arrangements for Thermal Management of Cylindrical Li-ion Battery Packs. Presented at 50th IECON: Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, Chicago, USA

This study aims to analyze the effect of module arrangement in a lithium-ion battery pack using partial immersion cooling. The pack consists of sixteen modules with 192 cylindrical batteries in each module. The partial immersion method is used to red... Read More about Effect of Different Module Arrangements for Thermal Management of Cylindrical Li-ion Battery Packs.

Optimizing photovoltaic thermal systems with wavy collector Tube: A response Surface-Based design study with desirability analysis (2024)
Journal Article
Kazemian, A., Khosravi, K., Sen, S., Talebizadehsardari, P., Cairns, A., & Ma, T. (2025). Optimizing photovoltaic thermal systems with wavy collector Tube: A response Surface-Based design study with desirability analysis. Applied Thermal Engineering, 258(A), Article 124475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.124475

A comprehensive simulation model and predictive analysis are employed to investigate the performance of a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system with a wavy collector tube. Response surface methodology and desirability analysis are utilized to develop a r... Read More about Optimizing photovoltaic thermal systems with wavy collector Tube: A response Surface-Based design study with desirability analysis.

Comparing physical and chemical properties of soot from laboratory tests and heavy-duty engines used in field operations (2024)
Journal Article
Pacino, A., La Rocca, A., Smith, J., Berryman, J., Fowell, M., Cairns, A., & Fay, M. W. (2024). Comparing physical and chemical properties of soot from laboratory tests and heavy-duty engines used in field operations. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 18(1), Article 04-18-01-0002. https://doi.org/10.4271/04-18-01-0002

Morphology, nanostructure, and composition of soot extracted from the oil sump of different heavy-duty engines operated under dynamometer and field conditions were investigated. Soot characteristics were then compared to a carbon black sample. Soot w... Read More about Comparing physical and chemical properties of soot from laboratory tests and heavy-duty engines used in field operations.

Experimental Comparison of Spark and Jet Ignition Engine Operation with Ammonia/Hydrogen Co-Fuelling (2024)
Journal Article
Ambalakatte, A., Cairns, A., Geng, S., Varaei, A., Hegab, A., Harrington, A., Hall, J., & Bassett, M. (2024). Experimental Comparison of Spark and Jet Ignition Engine Operation with Ammonia/Hydrogen Co-Fuelling. SAE Technical Papers, 2024, Article 01-2099. https://doi.org/10.4271/2024-01-2099

Ammonia (NH3) is emerging as a potential fuel for longer range decarbonised heavy transport, predominantly due to favourable characteristics as an effective hydrogen carrier. This is despite generally unfavourable combustion and toxicity attributes,... Read More about Experimental Comparison of Spark and Jet Ignition Engine Operation with Ammonia/Hydrogen Co-Fuelling.

Research and innovation identified to decarbonise the maritime sector (2024)
Journal Article
Ling-Chin, J., Simpson, R., Cairns, A., Wu, D., Xie, Y., Song, D., Kashkarov, S., Molkov, V., Moutzouris, I., Wright, L., Tricoli, P., Dansoh, C., Panesar, A., Chong, K., Liu, P., Roy, D., Wang, Y., Smallbone, A., & Roskilly, A. P. (2024). Research and innovation identified to decarbonise the maritime sector. Green Energy and Sustainability, 4(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.47248/ges2404010001

The maritime sector requires technically, environmentally, socially, and economically informed pathways to decarbonise and eliminate all emissions harmful to the environment and health. This is extremely challenging and complex, and a wide range of t... Read More about Research and innovation identified to decarbonise the maritime sector.

Design and optimization of a household photovoltaic/thermal collector with serpentine tube: Energy and exergy analysis (2024)
Journal Article
Alsharifi, T., Mahdi, J. M., Togun, H., Taqi Al-Najjar, H. M., Ben Khedher, N., Cairns, A., & Talebizadehsardari, P. (2024). Design and optimization of a household photovoltaic/thermal collector with serpentine tube: Energy and exergy analysis. Applied Thermal Engineering, 246, Article 122983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.122983

Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) collectors that simultaneously generate electricity and heat have promise for sustainable energy production. However, their performance depends strongly on four key design parameters. These are: panel aspect ratio,... Read More about Design and optimization of a household photovoltaic/thermal collector with serpentine tube: Energy and exergy analysis.

Evaluation of ammonia-gasoline co-combustion in a modern spark ignition research engine (2023)
Journal Article
Ambalakatte, A., Geng, S., Cairns, A., Harrington, A., Hall, J., & Bassett, M. (2023). Evaluation of ammonia-gasoline co-combustion in a modern spark ignition research engine. Carbon Neutrality, 2(1), Article 35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43979-023-00075-3

Ammonia (NH3) is emerging as a potential favoured fuel for longer range decarbonised heavy transport, particularly in the marine sector, predominantly due to highly favourable characteristics as an effective hydrogen carrier. This is despite generall... Read More about Evaluation of ammonia-gasoline co-combustion in a modern spark ignition research engine.

Evaluation of E10 and NH3 co-fuelling in a modern spark ignition engine (2023)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Ambalakatte, A., Geng, S., Cairns, A., La Rocca, A., Harrington, A., Hall, J., & Bassett, M. (2023, November). Evaluation of E10 and NH3 co-fuelling in a modern spark ignition engine. Presented at International Conference on Powertrain Systems for a Sustainable Future 2023, London

Ammonia (NH3) is emerging as a potential favoured fuel for longer range decarbonised heavy transport, particularly in the marine sector, predominantly due to highly favourable characteristics as an effective hydrogen carrier. This is despite generall... Read More about Evaluation of E10 and NH3 co-fuelling in a modern spark ignition engine.

Evaluation of Ammonia Co-fuelling in Modern Four Stroke Engines (2023)
Journal Article
Ambalakatte, A., Hegab, A., Geng, S., Cairns, A., Harrington, A., Hall, J., & Bassett, M. (2024). Evaluation of Ammonia Co-fuelling in Modern Four Stroke Engines. Johnson Matthey Technology Review, 68(3), 396-411. https://doi.org/10.1595/205651324x17005622661871

Ammonia is emerging as a promising alternative fuel for longer range decarbonised heavy transport, particularly in the marine sector due to highly favourable characteristics as an effective hydrogen carrier. This is despite generally unfavourable co... Read More about Evaluation of Ammonia Co-fuelling in Modern Four Stroke Engines.

Investigation of Exhaust Particles on Different TEM Grids: a Comparison between Graphene Oxide and Silicon Nitride Grids (2023)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Lagana, S., Akifjevs, R., Rocca, A. L., Cairns, A., Fay, M. W., & Webb, K. F. (2023, August). Investigation of Exhaust Particles on Different TEM Grids: a Comparison between Graphene Oxide and Silicon Nitride Grids. Presented at 2023 JSAE/SAE Powertrains, Energy and Lubricants International Meeting, Kyoto, Japan

Two different TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) grids - graphene oxide (GO) and silicon nitride (SiN) - were used to capture the particulates emitted with the exhaust of a modern 1.0 L GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine. One speed-load condi... Read More about Investigation of Exhaust Particles on Different TEM Grids: a Comparison between Graphene Oxide and Silicon Nitride Grids.

2D and 3D TEM Characterisation of Benzene and Ethylene Soot (2023)
Journal Article
Lagana, S., La Rocca, A., Cairns, A., Fay, M. W., Apicella, B., Ciajolo, A., & Russo, C. (in press). 2D and 3D TEM Characterisation of Benzene and Ethylene Soot. Fuels, 4(2), 174-185. https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels4020011

Flame-generated soot particles from two different fuels, benzene (B) and ethylene (E), at different ageing conditions, were analysed to assess their morphological and structural features. Samples were collected at 6, 10 and 14 mm from the nozzle loca... Read More about 2D and 3D TEM Characterisation of Benzene and Ethylene Soot.

Hydrogen storage in liquid hydrogen carriers: recent activities and new trends (2023)
Journal Article
Ulucan, T. H., Akhade, S. A., Ambalakatte, A., Autrey, T., Cairns, A., Chen, P., Cho, Y. W., Gallucci, F., Gao, W., Grinderslev, J. B., Grubel, K., Jensen, T. R., de Jongh, P. E., Kothandaraman, J., Lamb, K. E., Lee, Y.-S., Makhloufi, C., Ngene, P., Olivier, P., Webb, C. J., …Weidenthaler, C. (2023). Hydrogen storage in liquid hydrogen carriers: recent activities and new trends. Progress in Energy, 5(1), Article 012004. https://doi.org/10.1088/2516-1083/acac5c

Efficient storage of hydrogen is one of the biggest challenges towards a potential hydrogen economy. Hydrogen storage in liquid carriers is an attractive alternative to compression or liquefaction at low temperatures. Liquid carriers can be stored co... Read More about Hydrogen storage in liquid hydrogen carriers: recent activities and new trends.

Investigating the Effect of Volatiles on Sub-23 nm Particle Number Measurements for a Downsized GDI Engine with a Catalytic Stripper and Digital Filtering (2022)
Journal Article
Pfau, S. A., Haffner-Staton, E., La Rocca, A., & Cairns, A. (2022). Investigating the Effect of Volatiles on Sub-23 nm Particle Number Measurements for a Downsized GDI Engine with a Catalytic Stripper and Digital Filtering. Fuels, 3(4), 682-697. https://doi.org/10.3390/fuels3040041

Recent efforts of both researchers and regulators regarding particulate emissions have focused on the contribution and presence of sub-23 nm particulates. Despite being previously excluded from emissions legislation with the particle measurement prog... Read More about Investigating the Effect of Volatiles on Sub-23 nm Particle Number Measurements for a Downsized GDI Engine with a Catalytic Stripper and Digital Filtering.

Automated particle recognition for engine soot nanoparticles (2022)
Journal Article
Haffner-Staton, E., Avanzini, L., La Rocca, A., Pfau, S. A., & Cairns, A. (2022). Automated particle recognition for engine soot nanoparticles. Journal of Microscopy, 288(1), 28-39. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmi.13140

A pre-trained convolution neural network based on residual error functions (ResNet) was applied to the classification of soot and non-soot carbon nanoparticles in TEM images. Two depths of ResNet, one 18 layers deep and the other 50 layers deep, were... Read More about Automated particle recognition for engine soot nanoparticles.

Performance Assessment of Standard Cooling Strategies for Hairpin Windings (2022)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
La Rocca, A., La Rocca, S., Zou, T., Liu, C., Moslemin, M., Gerada, C., & Cairns, A. (2022, September). Performance Assessment of Standard Cooling Strategies for Hairpin Windings. Presented at 2022 International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM), Valencia, Spain

This paper aims to assess the performance of some standard cooling strategies which are commonly used in traction electric motors for electric vehicles (EVs) employing hairpin windings. The use of such type of coils does normally lead to higher power... Read More about Performance Assessment of Standard Cooling Strategies for Hairpin Windings.

A Comprehensive Design Guideline of Hairpin Windings for High Power Density Electric Vehicle Traction Motors (2022)
Journal Article
Zou, T., Gerada, D., La Rocca, A., Moslemin, M., Cairns, A., Cui, M., Bardalai, A., Zhang, F., & Gerada, C. (2022). A Comprehensive Design Guideline of Hairpin Windings for High Power Density Electric Vehicle Traction Motors. IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification, 8(3), 3578-3593. https://doi.org/10.1109/TTE.2022.3149786

The rapidly increasing demand on power density levels of electric vehicle (EV) drive systems is pushing the boundaries of traction motor performance. Hairpin windings are becoming a popular option for EV motors due to their reduced DC losses and impr... Read More about A Comprehensive Design Guideline of Hairpin Windings for High Power Density Electric Vehicle Traction Motors.

Linking operating conditions of a GDI engine to the nature and nanostructure of ultrafine soot particles (2022)
Journal Article
Pfau, S. A., Rocca, A. L., Haffner-Staton, E., Fay, M. W., & Cairns, A. (2022). Linking operating conditions of a GDI engine to the nature and nanostructure of ultrafine soot particles. Combustion and Flame, 245, 112315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2022.112315

Sub-23 nm particulate emissions from internal combustion engines have become a topic of interest for research and legislative regulations in recent years. Many studies focused on electrical mobility measurements of soot particles, but few works emplo... Read More about Linking operating conditions of a GDI engine to the nature and nanostructure of ultrafine soot particles.

Plasma electrolytic oxidation thermal barrier coating for reduced heat losses in IC engines (2021)
Journal Article
Hegab, A., Dahuwa, K., Islam, R., Cairns, A., Khurana, A., Shrestha, S., & Francis, R. (2021). Plasma electrolytic oxidation thermal barrier coating for reduced heat losses in IC engines. Applied Thermal Engineering, 196, Article 117316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117316

The work involved the development and on-engine testing of a new “thermo-swing” barrier coating for reduced wall heat transfer and increased thermal efficiency in future diesel engines utilizing aluminium alloy pistons. Such swing coatings, of low th... Read More about Plasma electrolytic oxidation thermal barrier coating for reduced heat losses in IC engines.