The projects will focus on advanced combustion research in low-temperature combustion and lean-burn strategies, and in advanced modeling and control of vehicle emissions reduction (after treatment) devices.

The following projects were selected for award negotiation and will be cost shared at a minimum of 20%. Funding beyond 2009 is subject to annual appropriations.

• The University of Connecticut (Storrs, Connecticut) has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to develop three-dimensional composite nanostructures for lean NO_x emission control. The project will explore the synthesis, characterization, and modeling of a new class of vehicle emission control nanocatalysts based on a three-dimensional composite nanoarchitecture.

• Michigan Technological University (Houghton, Michigan) has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to develop experimentally validated Diesel Particulate Filter and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) models that support future vehicle On-Board Diagnostics and advanced control systems.

  Team members include Michigan Technological University (principle investigator), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Cummins Engine Company, John Deere Power Systems, Navistar International Corporation, Watlow, and Johnson Matthey.

• The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan) has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to explore new high-pressure lean burn combustion that can enable future gasoline engines to achieve 20-40% improved fuel economy. Research in a combination of lean burn, high-pressure, unthrottled operation using a stratified, highly dilute combustion system is planned.

  Team members include the University of Michigan (principal investigator), the University of California at Berkeley, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

• Michigan State University (Lansing, Michigan) has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to demonstrate a closed loop combustion controlled engine system with smooth combustion mode transition between spark-ignited and homogenous charged compression ignition operation.

  Michigan State is partnering with Chrysler LLC for this effort.

• The University of Houston (Houston, Texas) has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to develop coupled NO_x storage and reduction, and SCR that enables a high conversion of NO_x under the lean conditions typical to a diesel or lean burn gasoline engine.

  Team members include the University of Houston (principal investigator), BASF, University of Kentucky, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Ford Motor Company.

• The University of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin) has been selected for negotiation of an award for a project to perform research and development on advanced combustion technologies, including Premixed Charge Compression Ignition with transition to advanced Compression Ignition Direct Injection strategies, including lifted flame operation. Additional work on advanced fueling strategies and system technologies to reduce exhaust aftertreatment requirements is also planned.

  Team members include the University of Wisconsin (principal investigator), Caterpillar, Inc., Cummins Engine Company, the Diesel Emissions Reduction Consortium, General Motors Corporation, and Woodward.