Dhananjay Kumar, PhD

The world still runs on combustion — and it will for decades to come. My work is about making that transition to cleaner energy as intelligent and science-driven as possible.

At the Engine Research Center, University of Wisconsin–Madison, I investigate two frontiers of sustainable propulsion: hydrogen and alternative fuel combustion in internal combustion engines, and thermal runaway in Li-ion batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. On the combustion side, I probe how hydrogen burns differently from conventional fuels — its wide flammability limits, high flame speeds, and tendency to knock — developing strategies to harness its potential without compromising engine efficiency or emissions performance. On the battery side, I study the cascade of exothermic reactions that turn a failing cell into a safety hazard, working to understand and ultimately prevent thermal runaway events in real-world EV conditions.

My research bridges experiments and high-fidelity CFD simulations, combining laser diagnostics, constant-volume combustion chambers, and tools like CONVERGE to resolve phenomena from flame kernel inception to full-scale jet dynamics. The goal isn't just cleaner engines or safer batteries in isolation — it's a cohesive, science-first path toward decarbonized transportation.