High-energy X-rays help fuel injectors
Published: Feb. 25, 2008 at 9:32 AM
ARGONNE, Ill., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Scientists at Illinois' Argonne National Laboratory have developed a technique that uses high-energy X-rays to peer through dense liquids.
The researchers said standard microscopy and visible light imaging techniques cannot peer into the center of dense liquid jets, thereby limiting understanding of liquid breakup in devices such as automobile fuel injectors.
To improve injector design, it is critical to understand how fuel is atomized as it is injected. However, the scientists said, standard laser characterization techniques have been unsuccessful due to the high density of the fuel jet near the injector opening.
"Research in this area has been a predicament for some time, and there has been a great need for accurate experimental measurement," physicist Kamel Fezzaa said. "Now we can capture the internal structure of the jet and map its velocity with clarity and confidence, which wasn't possible before."
Fezzaa and his colleagues, along with collaborators from the Visteon Corp., developed a new ultrafast synchrotron X-ray full-field phase contrast imaging technique and used it to reveal instantaneous velocity and internal structure of the optically dense sprays.
The work is highlighted in the advance online issue of the journal Nature Physics.
The researchers said standard microscopy and visible light imaging techniques cannot peer into the center of dense liquid jets, thereby limiting understanding of liquid breakup in devices such as automobile fuel injectors.
To improve injector design, it is critical to understand how fuel is atomized as it is injected. However, the scientists said, standard laser characterization techniques have been unsuccessful due to the high density of the fuel jet near the injector opening.
"Research in this area has been a predicament for some time, and there has been a great need for accurate experimental measurement," physicist Kamel Fezzaa said. "Now we can capture the internal structure of the jet and map its velocity with clarity and confidence, which wasn't possible before."
Fezzaa and his colleagues, along with collaborators from the Visteon Corp., developed a new ultrafast synchrotron X-ray full-field phase contrast imaging technique and used it to reveal instantaneous velocity and internal structure of the optically dense sprays.
The work is highlighted in the advance online issue of the journal Nature Physics.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
A crane lowers space shuttle Discovery toward the external tank and solid rocket boosters already stacked on the mobile launcher platform in high bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center, Flordia. The stacking and mating took place in preparation for the launch on the STS-124 mission to the International Space Station, targeted to launch on May 31, 2008. (UPI Photo/Jim Grossmann/NASA)
Space Shuttle Discovery set to launch on May 31
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
- Huckabee jokes about Obama gunman
- Flights at N.Y.-area airports to be capped
- Strike closes five Norwegian airports
- Senator: McCain's military roots limit him
- Study: Fish underwent 'reverse evolution'
- Most don't understand healthcare coverage
- British couple go at it on plane
- Students, faculty protest Schlafly honor
Most Popular
- Metastatic breast cancer test being tested
- Claim: World bullies caused food crisis
- British couple go at it on plane
- Vendors hawk racially insensitive duds
- Canadian actress to join 'CSI' cast
- Coach fighting for prayer loses again
- Students, faculty protest Schlafly honor
- Study: Fish underwent 'reverse evolution'