Sandia combustion researcher Mark Musculus (8362) has been named a Fellow of SAE International, formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Established in 1975, the Fellow designation honors long-term SAE members who have made a significant impact on society’s mobility technology through leadership, research, and innovation. About 20 of SAE’s more than 138,000 members are elected Fellows each year.

According to the citation from SAE, Mark is being recognized for “his pioneering research on in-cylinder processes of conventional and low-temperature combustion direct-injection engines and the international leadership he has brought to the field. His contributions are providing both a new understanding of the fundamental in-cylinder processes of low-temperature combustion as well as new laser/imaging diagnostic techniques for optical engine research.”

Since 2000, Mark has been the principal investigator for the heavy-duty, optical diesel engine project in the Combustion Research Facility (CRF) at Sandia’s California site. Mark’s research focuses on providing a detailed understanding of new clean-combustion strategies for high fuel-efficiency internal-combustion engines. He uses advanced optical and laser-based diagnostic techniques coupled with high-speed cameras to probe real-time combustion processes in operating engines.

Working with giants in the field

Mark says he is honored by his selection and proud to work with a world-class group of scientists, engineers, and technical staff in the CRF.

“The staff and research capabilities at the Combustion Research Facility are among the most highly regarded in the world,” Mark says. “Working with so many giants in engine research at Sandia, many of whom are also SAE Fellows, enabled me to learn and grow in the field. The CRF hosts numerous students, faculty, postdocs, and visitors from around the world year-round, and the opportunities this provides for collaboration and fresh perspectives on our work have been invaluable to me.”

Sandia has six other SAE Fellows: John Dec (8300), Dennis Siebers and Pete Witze (retired), all named in 1998; Paul Miles (8362), named in 2005; Chuck Mueller (8362), named in 2011; and Lyle Pickett (8362), named in 2013.

Mark will be honored as a new SAE Fellow April 11 at the SAE World Congress in Detroit.