Anders Hultqvist
Professor of Combustion Engine Technology
Ever since the start of the industrial revolution, the combustion engine has been central to our daily lives. While the combustion engine contributes to social development its use also results in various emissions. Emissions of locally harmful substances such as oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates are regulated by law. Regulations governing greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are also in the pipeline.
The combustion engine technology is an interdisciplinary subject. Almost all engineering disciplines are used to develop components that are then assembled into a system – an engine and a propulsion system for a vehicle. One part of Anders Hultqvist's research focuses on reducing emissions of harmful substances. The other part focuses on increasing energy efficiency and on the sustainability of society, i.e. a move towards renewable fuels.
The research poses many interesting questions: What fuels will we have in 20 years, and what will their distribution systems look like? What will cars and buses look like, with new fuels in various hybrid configurations? Can the combustion engine be replaced by batteries or will it become relevant again with new properties? The knowledge that Hultqvist and his research group have produced contributes to the Swedish automotive industry's continued competitiveness in a global market.