RESEARCH

I believe that research aimed at reducing carbon emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy in internal combustion engines— which remain widely used in both transport and stationary applications—is of utmost priority due to their significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. In parallel, electric and hybrid electric vehicles (EVs and HEVs) are gaining prominence, driven by concerns over energy security, depletion of fossil fuels, and environmental sustainability. However, the massive deployment of EVs and HEVs in our country demands sustained research efforts and significant infrastructure development.

As reflected in my research portfolio, I have been actively engaged in three major verticals:
(i) Development of gaseous-fueled spark-ignition and diesel engines,
(ii) Optical engine diagnostics for fundamental understanding of complex in-cylinder processes for different fuel types, and
(iii) Electric and hybrid electric vehicle technologies.

In the first vertical—gaseous-fueled engine development—our group investigates engine performance and safety when using renewable and low-carbon fuels such as biomethane, biogas, hydrogen, and hydrogen energy carriers. A major challenge we address is the lack of comprehensive literature on the safe operating limits and derating requirements of engines under varying fuel compositions—an issue critical to stationary power applications. To enable such studies, we carry out required modifications in engine design, develop in-house controllers, implement fuel adaptation and delivery strategies, and employ modeling and simulation approaches to analyze system behavior. 

To complement this work and deepen our understanding of how these alternative fuels behave inside the engine cylinder, the second vertical—optical engine diagnostics—plays a critical role. Our group is involved in the design and development of advanced (in-house) optical engines, with sophisticated control systems and custom-developed ECUs. These optical platforms are used to study in-cylinder flow, fuel-air mixing, and combustion processes across different fuel types. In-cylinder flow studies are conducted using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), which requires a 532 nm Nd:YAG laser and a double shutter CCD camera, and controllers to control fuel injection timing, duration, number of injections, and synchronization of laser and camera. Fuel distribution is analyzed using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) with a 266 nm laser and an ICCD camera, where controllers developed manage injection parameters and required synchronization. Combustion visualization studies require developing the setup with required receiving optics and high-speed camera, and development of engine control unit receiving crank and cam signals to process ignition and injection events and trigger the camera. 

In the third vertical—electric and hybrid electric vehicles—we explore real-time data acquisition and performance analysis of electric and hybrid electric vehicles, hardware integration, and development of AI/ML-based models of components involved. This research demands interdisciplinary skills across mechanical and electrical systems, including energy sources, electric machines, power electronics, and vehicle dynamics.

The following images provide an overview of the experimental facilities and test infrastructure that enable our research on engines, alternative fuels, optical diagnostics, and electric–hybrid powertrain systems. 

Note: Individuals working in electric and hybrid electric vehicles, engines, or related areas, with expertise in mechanical, electrical, and/or electronics engineering, and are interested in being part of our journey, on a full-time, part-time, or remote basis, are encouraged to contact me via email at mittal@smail.iitm.ac.in.