Show notes
This is a repost of Episode 51, shared again in April 2023 due to the importance and timeliness of the topics in this discussion.
Kelly and Felix join to talk about their new book Racing Toward Zero – The Untold Story of Driving Green. Kelly Senecal is a co-founder and owner of Convergent Science. Felix Leach is an Associate Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, a post held jointly with that of Fellow and Tutor in Engineering Science at Keble College
Order the book now: https://www.sae.org/publications/books/content/r-501/
About Racing Toward Zero:
In Racing Toward Zero, the authors explore the issues inherent in developing sustainable transportation. They review the types of propulsion systems and vehicle options, discuss low-carbon fuels and alternative energy sources, and examine the role of regulation in curbing emissions.
All technologies have an impact on the environment, from internal combustion engine vehicles to battery electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, and hybrids—there is no silver bullet. The battery electric vehicle may seem the obvious path to a sustainable, carbon-free transportation future, but it’s not the only, nor necessarily the best, path forward. The vast majority of vehicles today use the internal combustion engine (ICE), and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. Improving the ICE and its fuels—entering a new ICE age—must be a main route on the road to zero emissions.
How do we go green? The future requires a balanced approach to transportation. It’s not a matter of choosing between combustion or electrification; it’s combustion and electrification. As the authors say, “The future is eclectic.” By harnessing the best qualities of both technologies, we will be in the best position to address our transportation future as quickly as possible.
Kelly’s bio:
Linkedin page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/senecal/
Kelly Senecal is a co-founder and owner of Convergent Science. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a co-founder and director of the Computational Chemistry Consortium (C3), and an associate editor of the journal Transportation Engineering. Kelly is a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), a member of the executive committee of the ASME ICE Division, a member of the board of advisors for the Central States Section of the Combustion Institute, and the 2019 recipient of the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Award.
Kelly has long been an advocate of creating cleaner combustion engines, with particular focus on CFD and HPC to enable faster design. Starting with his TEDx talk in late 2016, he has been promoting a diverse mix of propulsion system technologies through invited talks, articles, and social media. Kelly is co-author of the new book “Racing toward zero: the untold story of driving green,” available in May from SAE.
Felix’s bio:
LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felix-leach-67713987/
Felix Leach is an Associate Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, a post held jointly with that of Fellow and Tutor in Engineering Science at Keble College. His research interests are in emissions and efficiency of thermal propulsion systems and air quality. He has focused particularly on particulate emissions from gasoline direct injection engines and developing a fundamental understanding of NOx emissions from diesel engines.
In addition to his work on thermal propulsion systems, Felix engages significantly with public policy on emissions from vehicles and their interaction with air quality. Felix founded the annual Oxford Air Quality Meeting which draws together experts in vehicle emissions, air quality measurement, public health, and policy.
Felix holds MEng and DPhil degrees in engineering science from the University of Oxford and is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
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