Academic Qualifications:
| SNO | Degree | Subject | CGP/Marks | Year | University | Additional Particular |
| 1 | B.E. | Mech. Eng. | 69.98% | 1994 | University of Rajasthan | Malviya Regional Engg. College, Jaipur |
| 2 | M.Tech. | Energy | 9.2 CGPA | 1996 | Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi | Centre for Energy Studies |
| 3 | Ph.D. | Mech. Eng. | -- | 1999 | Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi | Centre for Energy Studies |
| 4 | Post Doctorate Research | Engine Research | -- | 2001 | University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA | Engine Research Center |
| | | | | | | |
Thesis and Guide details:
| SNO | Title of Ph.D. Thesis | Name of Guide |
| 1 | Performance Evaluation and Tribological Studies on A Biodiesel Fuelled Compression Ignition Engine | Prof. L M Das |
| | | |
Details of CSIR Fellowship/ Associateship held, if any or from other sources/ agencies.
Significant foreign assignments:
(a) Significant contributions to science and/ or technology development by the nominee
based on the work done in India during most part of last 5 years:
Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal has done significant and innovative research related to IC
engines, combustion, alternate fuels and emission control with Industrial outlook in last five
years. His major contributions are:
Optical Engines: He has setup two unique Single Cylinder Optical Research Engines (GDI
and CRDI), wherein fundamental Science based research on engine combustion is
carried out in transparent engines for the first time in India. Optical diagnostics techniques
such as time-resolved 2D, 3D, and Tomographic PIV, and engine endoscopy are
customised and deployed to understand in-cylinder flows with an objective of improving
combustion and reducing emissions. Phase Doppler Interferrometry (PDI) is employed to understand the science of spray dynamics (Diesel, Biodiesel and SVOs), improve injector
nozzle designs, and develop new injection strategies for Indian Automotive Sector.
Alternate Fuels: He carried out extensive research on engine combustion, performance,
emissions, wear and durability aspects of various alternative fuels such as biodiesel, alcohols,
gasohols. Laboratory tests were followed by successful field-trials of biodiesel (B100)
fuelled SUV. This was a major milestone for biodiesel‘s acceptance in India. He designed, and
patented a biodiesel pilot-plant for KVIC, Mumbai and an innovative hardware for utilising
straight vegetable oils (SVOs) as fuel in gensets and agricultural engines directly. These
studies were used in making National Biofuels Policy of India, in 2009-10. He wrote a
single authored paper on ‗biofuels‘ published in Progress in Energy and Combustion Science
(I.F. 20.320), which is one of the highest cited (1100+ times) paper of the journal.
Locomotive Research: He developed first prototype of ALCO-DLW locomotive using
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system for Indian Railways in 2011, which delivered > 4% fuel
savings and > 70% lower particulate emissions in commercial service. India is the forth
region in the world to develop and use EFI locomotives and this technology has been accepted
by Indian Railways for serial production (Letters from Indian Railways attached: Page 132, 133).
Further development of CRDI locomotive and LNG fuelled locomotive technology is
underway.
Laser Ignition: Fundamental science based investigations of laser ignition in a
constant volume combustion chamber led to development of next generation hydrogen/ CNG
engine fuelled laser ignited engine prototype. He implemented ―laser ignition‖ of
combustible mixtures in automotive engine by generating extremely intense plasma (106 K,
104 bar) using customised laser spark plug and achieved >70% NOx reduction without
after-treatment.
Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) Combustion and Engine
Tribology: Close-loop control of HCCI engine is one of the most challenging automotive
problem. Close-loop control of methanol, ethanol, gasoline and diesel fuelled HCCI engine
with > 95% reductions in PM and NOx was achieved in his laboratory. His research
studies on engine tribology, wear and effect of fuels on lubricating oil quality, health and
residual life are vital for developing next generation efficient/ durable engines.
Particulate Emissions and Control: He extensively investigated the scientific aspects
of relative toxicity of primary and secondary particulates emitted by diesel/ biodiesel
fuelled engines, which include nano-particulate size-number distribution, composition,
toxicology, morphology, and PAH determination. He then developed an innovative nonnoble
metal based low-cost diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) to control particulate
emissions and reduce their toxicity.
(b) Impact of the contributions in the field concerned:
Prof. Avinash Kumar Agarwal has carried out both, fundamental as well as innovative,
industrially relevant applied research in the area of IC engines, alternative fuels and emission
control.
Basic Research
Optical Diagnostics: Prof. Agarwal developed two modern optical research engine test
facilities, one having common rail direct injection (CRDI) engine and the other one having
gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine. These engines have glass liner so that one can
visualize the combustion in the engine combustion chamber. These are unique research
engines in the country. Fundamental research is carried out in these engines for improving
fuel economy, and reducing emissions for the Indian Automotive Industry as well as
answering some fundamental questions based on scientific approach and advanced physics
based optical techniques. Prof. Agarwal has carried out experiments for developing
fundamental understanding of in-cylinder flows and fuel spray droplet distribution in the
combustion chamber using these optical research engines, by employing 2D, 3D and
tomographic particle imaging velocimetry (PIV) technique. Extremely high rep rate lasers (20
KHz), high speed cameras and data acquisition systems were used for these fundamental
scientific studies for accurate flow measurement for engine optimization i.e. for enhancing
power output, fuel economy, and emission control. Air-flow structures in the engine
combustion chamber significantly influence fuel-air mixing. In these experiments, highly
swirling air-flow patterns were discovered, which were dominant in the vicinity of valves.
Swirling patterns were significantly influenced by the engine speed. Average structure of the
flow field was analyzed, which showed a clear orientation of the average velocity that
changed in different phases of the thermodynamic cycle. Engine speed affected all velocity
components (Vx, Vy and Vz) as well. Vorticity analysis showed that higher vorticity beneath
the intake valve affected the turbulence.
Laser Ignition: Prof. Agarwal carried out fundamental scientific research to understand the
‗laser ignition‘ of methane-air or hydrogen-air mixtures in a customized constant volume
combustion chamber (CVCC). Laser was used to generate plasma, which has the potential to ignite extremely lean fuel-air mixtures, which were otherwise un-ignitable by conventional
spark plugs, thus pushing the lean limits of an engine, and bringing it closer to ideal cycle
thermal efficiencies. Combustion of very lean fuel-air mixtures lead to highly efficient
combustion and extremely low NOx emissions, thus eliminating the need for exhaust gas
after-treatment. He captured the laser ignited flame-front evolution from lean fuel-air
mixtures using Schileren/ Shadowgraphy techniques and analyzed these images for flame
velocities in different directions and studied scientific aspects of the ―Laser Ignition‖.
Fundamental understanding of flame evolution and flame propagation rates is important for
developing a prototype engine deploying laser ignition technology. Finally, this fundamental
science based study led to development of a customized laser spark plug and a prototype
technology demonstrator engine using laser ignition of hydrogen-air and methane-air
mixtures. This demonstration paved way for development of next generation hydrogen engine
for the automotive sector, which will be able to comply with Euro-VI and higher future
emission norms and realize the dream of hydrogen economy.
Applied Research
Biofuels: Prof. Agarwal carried out extensive studies on biodiesel produced from different
Indian feedstocks.
Places where work of last 5 years has been referred/ cited in Books, Reviews:
Names of the industries in which the technology (ies) has (have) been used :
The achievements already been recognised by Awards by any learned body:
The Awardee a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy/Indian Academy of Sciences/National
Academy of Sciences/Others:
FNAE
The Awardee delivered invited lecture(s) in India/abroad and/or chaired any scientific
Internatiional Conference Symposium:
List of Awardee's 10 most significant publications.
List of Awardee's 5 most significant publications during the last 5 years
List of Awardee's 5 most significant publications from out of work done in India
during the last five years:
Complete list of publications in standard refereed journals:
Complete list of publications with foreign collaborators (indicating your status
as author):
List of papers published in Conferences /Symposia/ Seminars, etc:
List of the most outstanding Technical Reports/ Review Articles:
Statement regarding collaboration with scientists abroad:
Total number of patents granted in last five years.
Details of Books published: