About this Research Topic

Background

The field of Heat Engines has seen remarkable progress in recent years, driven by the need to convert heat energy into mechanical energy efficiently. As the most widely used engineering systems for this purpose, Heat Engines play a crucial role in various applications. However, they face significant challenges in meeting societal demands for reduced environmental impact and enhanced sustainability.

Recent studies have focused on improving the efficiency and reducing the emissions of these engines, with innovative technologies and alternative fuels being explored. Despite these advancements, there remain gaps in understanding the full potential of new combustion concepts and the integration of sustainable fuels. Ongoing debates focus on the best strategies for emission control and the feasibility of electrification and hybridization in traditional engine systems. There is a pressing need for further investigation into these areas to ensure that Heat Engines can meet future energy demands sustainably.

This Research Topic will explore the latest advancements in Heat Engines, focusing on new insights, novel developments, current challenges, and future perspectives. The primary objectives include addressing key questions about innovative engine architectures, evaluating advanced combustion concepts, and exploring emission control strategies. Additionally, the Research Topic will explore the integration of biofuels and no-carbon gaseous fuels and the potential for electrification and hybridization. This Topic seeks to contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable energy solutions.

To gather further insights in the field of Heat Engines, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Innovative architectures and technological solutions
• Simulation, analysis, and optimization of engine systems
• Evaluation of advanced combustion concepts
• Emission control strategies and systems
• Integration of biofuels, e-fuels, and no-carbon gaseous fuels (e.g., hydrogen, ammonia)
• Electrification and hybridization
• Fault diagnosis
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis of decarbonization solutions

A brief discussion of some of these topics can be found in this Specialty Grand Challenge article.

All manuscript types are welcome and new articles will be added to this collection as they are published.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Combustion Systems, Pollutant Emissions, Engine Efficiency, Advanced Fuels, Decarbonization, Simulation, Fault diagnosis, Heat Engine Cycles, Thermodynamic Processes

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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