Future Combustion Fuels for Mobility

1. Comparing Alternatives
2. Combustion Thermodynamics
3. Combustion Chemical Kinetics
4. Sprays
5. Motor Fuel Characteristics
6. Matching to Combustion Systems
7. Statistics
8. EROI and Economic Growth
9. Delivery Pathways
10. Negative Externalities
11. Implications for the Future

Registration Date/Time:
10/21/2025 7:30am Central Time

Event Dates/Times:

• 10/21/2025  8:00am - 4:30pm Central Time
• 10/22/2025  8:00am - 4:30pm Central Time
• 10/23/2025  8:00am - 4:30pm Central Time

• Instructors

  Blake Suhre

  Program Director

  Blake Suhre is Program Director, Power Engineering in Interdisciplinary Professional Programs (InterPro) at UW-Madison. He has over 30 years of experience in many aspects of vehicle and powertrain systems, engine systems, and controls development. He was involved in the initial development of model-based controls for internal combustion engines and has experience applying these techniques to all varieties of combustion system in use today. He was co-founder of the MotoTron Corporation and has held a variety of leadership roles in engine systems development and R&D. Suhre holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

  Kevin Hoag

  instructor

  Kevin L. Hoag holds Emeritus status with the University of Wisconsin and retired as an Institute Engineer from the Southwest Research Institute. Throughout his career which began at Modine Mfg. and then Cummins, Inc. he has focused on internal combustion engines, with emphases in thermodynamics, combustion and heat transfer. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He is a Fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Today, Mr. Hoag resides in San Antonio, where retirement allows additional time to enjoy seven grandchildren and a passion for wildlife photography.

  David Foster

  Professor Emeritus, Senior Lecturer

  Dr. David Foster is the Phil and Jean Myers Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and former director of the UW Engine Research Center. With over 40 years of experience in diesel and spark-ignition combustion research, he continues to consult for the internal combustion engine community, both domestic and international, as well as the U.S. National Laboratories. Dr. Foster holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has taught courses in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and combustion. His research focused on improving the understanding of combustion and emissions processes to develop cleaner, more efficient engines. His work has included applying optical diagnostics to engine systems, developing sub-grid scale models for CFD simulations, as well as phenomenological models for engineering simulations. Dr. Foster has received numerous awards for his teaching and research contributions and remains active in advancing propulsion technologies.

  Todd Fansler

  Honorary Associate/Fellow

  Todd Fansler received a PhD. in physics from Princeton University. He joined the Engine Research Center as an Honorary Fellow in 2012 after retiring as Director of the Propulsion Systems Research Laboratory at General Motors Research & Development. Most of his 33-year GM career was devoted to developing and systematically applying optical diagnostics for internal-combustion-engine flow fields, fuel sprays, combustion, and emissions. His research, publications, and presentations have been recognized with awards from SAE, GM, and the Combustion Institute, among other organizations. A Fellow of SAE and of the Institute of Physics, Todd currently serves as Reviews Editor of the International Journal of Engine Research.

  Barb Goodrich

  Barbara E (Barb) Goodrich is a Consultant with B.E. Goodrich Consulting. Barb has over 45 years’ experience in the automotive fuel and lubricant industry. Her expertise is in fuels, alternative fuels, lubricants, additives, automotive fuel and lubrication systems, and alternative energy. She retired from John Deere in June 2024 after 18 years. At John Deere, Barb had global technical responsibility for fuels (conventional and alternative), fuel issues, fuel additive products, engine oil formulations and products, and engine oil issues. A major industry issue she was heavily involved in were internal diesel injector deposits (IDID) found in compression-ignition high-pressure common rail fuel systems.

  Prior to joining John Deere, Barb held technical positions at various companies including two oil companies, a fuel additives company, an independent lubricants manufacturer company and an automotive research institute. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a MS in Chemical Engineering both from Michigan State University. 

  Barb is an active member of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Coordinating Research Council (CRC) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). She holds two patents.

• Program Director

  Blake Suhre

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of:

• Chemistry
• Thermodynamics
• IC Engines

This course has two attendance options, face-to-face or online.

Face-to-face attendance fee includes morning and afternoon breaks, scheduled lunches, and course materials.

Online attendance fee includes online instruction and course materials.  Online attendees will access course sessions via the Zoom web conferencing platform.

If you are planning to attend an Interdisciplinary Professional Programs course, payment is required at the time of registration. Below are the payment options:

Pay by Credit Card

Enroll online and pay by credit card.

• Search for the course on the website and then click on the Enroll Now button from the course webpage.
• Enter all necessary course attendee information and payment information on the course enrollment page.
• You will receive an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Enroll over the phone and pay by credit card.

• Call CERC Registrations at 608-262-2451.
• Provide the registrations representative with:
  • the course name, dates, and/or course number.
  • the necessary course attendee information and payment information.
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment payment.

Pay by Check

Mail in a completed registration form and check payable to UW Madison.

• Fill out a registration form (found either in the back of the course brochure you received in the mail or here).
• Prepare a check, made payable to UW Madison.
• Mail the registration form and check to: CERC Registrations 21 N Park St, Ste 7101 Madison, WI 53715
• You will receive either a mailed document or an email to confirm successful enrollment and payment.

Pay by Purchase Order

• Request Purchase Order information from interpro@union.wisc.edu
  • If a fee quote is needed, contact custserv@interpro.wisc.edu first
• You will receive an invoice from UW–Madison Business Services for payment, usually within 3–5 business days

Military

If using SF-182 form, please call our registration number at 608-262-2451 or email interpro@union.wisc.edu for details and instructions.

Event Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen events. If we cancel a course, participants will be notified via email or phone and will be given the option for a full refund or to transfer their registration and any fees paid to another course. We are not responsible for non-refundable plane tickets, hotel reservations, and other travel related expenses. For enrollee Course Cancellation, refer to notes on course page.

If you cannot attend, please notify us no later than one week before your course begins, and we will refund your fee. Cancellations received after this date and no-shows are subject to a $150 administrative fee. You may enroll a substitute at any time before the course starts.