James Turner, Ph.D.

Research Interests

Prof. Turner's research interests are primarily in the field of spark-ignition combustion, pressure charging, alternative low-carbon fuels, e-fuels, and novel engine and powertrain concepts, all with a particular emphasis on transport. This emphasis has been driven by many years working in the automotive industry and hence gaining a clear understanding of the challenges facing it. A major current research direction is the employment of hydrogen for motive power generation, both in combustion engines and fuel cells. The latter includes investigation of their integration into cycles with engines in order to improve overall efficiency and to provide new routes to fossil CO2 mitigation and sequestration.

Selected Publications

Further Investigations into the Benefits and Challenges of Eliminating Port Overlap in Wankel Rotary Engines
Turner, J.W.G., Turner, M., Islam R., Shen, X., and Costall, A.W.
SAE technical paper 2021-01-0638, SAE 2021 World Congress, Detroit, Michigan, USA, 13th-15th April, 2021
Alcohol fuels for spark-ignition engines: performance, efficiency, and emission effects at mid to high blend rates for ternary mixtures
Turner, J.W.G., Lewis, A.G.J., Akehurst, S., Brace, C.J., Verhelst, S., Vancoillie, J., Sileghem, L., Leach, F., and Edwards, P.P.
Energies Special Issue on Alternative Engines and Alternative Fuels, Vol. 13, No. 6390, 3rd December, 2020
Methanol as a fuel for internal combustion engines
Verhelst, S., Turner, J.W.G., Sileghem, L., and Vancoillie, J.
Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, Vol. 70, pp. 43–88, January 2019
2-Stroke Engine Options for Automotive Use: A Fundamental Comparison of Different Potential Scavenging Arrangements for Medium-Duty Truck Applications
Turner, J.W.G., Head, R.A., Wijetunge, R., Chang, J., Engineer, N., Blundell, D., and Burke, P.,
SAE technical paper 2019-01-0071, SAE 2019 Powertrain, Fuels, and Lubricants Meeting, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 22nd-24th January, 2019
Ultra Boost for Economy: Extending the Limits of Extreme Engine Downsizing
Turner, J.W.G., Popplewell, A., Patel, R., Johnson, T., Darnton, N.J., Richardson, S., Bredda, S.W., Jackson, R., Bithell, C., Tudor, R., Fernandes, J., Remmert, S., Cracknell, R., Lewis, A.G.J., Akehurst, S., Brace, C.J., Copeland, C., Martinez-Botas, R., Romagnoli, A. and Burluka, A.A.
SAE technical paper 2014-01-1185, SAE 2014 World Congress, Detroit, Michigan, USA, 8th-10th April, 2014 and SAE Int. J. Engines 7(1):2014
Octane Response in a Downsized, Highly Boosted Direct Injection Spark Ignition Engine
Remmert, S.M., Cracknell, R., Head, B., Schuetze, A., Lewis, A.G.J., Akehurst, S., Turner, J.W.G. and Popplewell, A.
SAE technical paper 2014-01-1397, SAE 2014 World Congress, Detroit, Michigan, USA, 8th-10th April, 2014 and SAE Int. J. Fuels Lubr. 7(1):2014
Extending the role of alcohols as transport fuels using iso-stoichiometric ternary blends of gasoline, ethanol and methanol
Turner, J.W.G., Pearson, R.J., Dekker, E., Iosefa, B., Dolan, G., Johansson, K. and Bergström, K.
Journal of Applied Energy, Vol. 102, pp. 72-86, February 2013
The Lotus Range Extender Engine
Turner, J.W.G., Blake, D., Moore, J., Burke, P., Pearson, R.J., Patel, R., Blundell, D.W., Chandrashekar, R.B., Matteucci, L., Barker, P. and Card, C.A.
SAE technical paper 2010-01-2208, SAE Powertrains, Fuels, and Lubricants Meeting, San Diego, California, USA, 25th-27th October, 2010
Project Omnivore: A Variable Compression Ratio ATAC 2-Stroke Engine for Ultra-Wide-Range HCCI Operation on a Variety of Fuels
Turner, J.W.G., Blundell, D.W., Pearson, R.J., Patel, R., Larkman, D.B., Burke, P., Richardson, S., Green, N.M., Brewster, S., Kenny R.G., and Kee R.J.
SAE technical paper 2010-01-1249, SAE 2010 World Congress, Detroit, Michigan, USA, April 2010

Education

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Loughborough University, UK, 2011
M.Eng., Mechanical Engineering, City, University of London, UK, 1987

Professional Profile

2021-Present: Professor of Mechanical Engineering, CCRC, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
2015-2021: Professor of Engines and Energy Systems, University of Bath, UK
2012-2014: Manager of Spark-Ignition Engine Research, Jaguar Land Rover, UK
2002-2012: Chief Engineer, Powertrain Research, Lotus Engineering, UK
1994-2002: Various Engineer Positions, Powertrain Department, Lotus Engineering, UK
1991-1994: Project Engineer, F1 and IndyCar Departments, Cosworth Engineering, UK
1988-1991: Development Engineer, Powertrain Department, Lotus Engineering, UK
1987-1988: Project Engineer, Engine Department, Norton Motorcycles, UK

Scientific and Professional Membership

Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers
Member of the Combustion Institute

Awards

2020 Viscount Weir Prize, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
2015 Harry L. Horning Memorial Award, Society of Automotive Engineers
2015 Arch. T. Colwell Award, Society of Automotive Engineers
2010 Lloyd L. Withrow Distinguished Speaker Award, Society of Automotive Engineers

KAUST Affiliations

Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC)
Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering (PSE)

Research Interests Keywords

Spark-ignition Engines Pressure Charging e-Fuels Powertrain Concepts Fuel Cells

James Turner, Ph.D.

James Turner, Ph.D.

Research Interests

Selected Publications

Education

Professional Profile

Scientific and Professional Membership

Awards

KAUST Affiliations

Research Interests Keywords

CCRC Faculty Websites

KAUST Research Centers

KAUST Main Website