An Overview of the Combustion Division of the
Center for Energy Research,
UCSD
History
The UCSD Energy Center commenced operation informally during the fall
of 1973 under the impetus of Professor Stanford S. Penner. Formally
designated as an organized research unit on July 1, 1974, the Energy
Center has addressed application foci that vary in response to
societal, university and student needs. This center was given its new
name, Center for Energy and Combustion Research (CECR), in 1986 to
underscore the close link between energy and combustion
research. Professor Forman A. Williams, an internationally renowned
combustion specialist, succeeded S.S. Penner as director in 1990.
In the summer of 2000, the Center for Energy and Combustion Research (CECR)
has joined with the Fusion Energy Research Program (FERP) and the Virtual
Laboratory for Technology (VLT) to form a broader entity, the Center for
Energy Research (CER). What was formerly known as the Center for Energy
and Combustion Research, is now the Combustion Division of the Center for
Energy Research.
Focus
Since its origins, the center has focused on basic problems in finding
new sources of energy and the social, environmental, economic and
political consequences of energy consumption, including
combustion. Studies range from investigations into the fundamental
nature of energy and combustion to practical applications in energy
conservation and production, as well as pollution control. Today,
under the direction of Professor Williams, the studies in energy serve
to further understand
basic scientific and other wide-ranging applications of energy
resources, including both fossil and non-fossil fuels. There are
investigations related to the safe exploitation of nuclear energy and
to reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases in combustion
processes. Studies are in progress concerning the minimization of
emissions of soot and oxides of nitrogen from flames of both gaseous
and liquid fuels, including sprays in Diesel and gas-turbine engines,
as well as systems employing natural gas and coal. Researchers also
pursue investigations of the stability of combustion chambers for
propulsion applications, for example, applying the strong CER
expertise in fluid mechanics, reacting flows and turbulent
combustion. In addition, there are fundamental studies in microgravity
combustion science, involving droplet-burning experiments in Spacelab
and in other NASA facilities.
CER brings together faculty, researchers, and students from across a
broad range of disciplines: applied mathematics, physics, chemistry,
oceanography, meteorology and economics, as well as mechanical,
aerospace, civil and chemical engineering. Experimental, analytical
and computational research methods are used to study chemical and
physical aspects of combustion phenomena. Application of all three of
these basic methods to achieve definitive advances is a particular
goal of the center. Examples of ongoing research are projects in
mitigation of combustion-generated air pollution, propellant
combustion and combustion instability, incineration of toxic and
non-toxic waste materials, as well as finding replacements for
halogen-containing fire suppressants to reduce ozone depletion.
The work of students at the Combustion Division of CER
Our students generally enroll in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Department in
which the graduate program has no specific course requirements. A
program of study is selected by each student, with his or her faculty
adviser, to meet the needs and goals of the student and to account for
the strengths and deficiencies of prior education.
Graduate study consists of both courses and research. Students
are encouraged to pursue research along with their classes. Research
topics are selected in consultation with the faculty advisor.
Address:
Center for Energy Research
University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
EBU II
La Jolla, CA 92093-0417
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