The Grainger College of Engineering

Chia-Fon Lee

Chia-Fon Lee
Chia-Fon Lee
  • PROF EMERITUS

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Education

  • Ph.D. MAE Princeton University 1995
  • M.S. ME University of Houston 1989
  • B.S. Mech. Eng. National Central University 1982

Academic Positions

  • Professor, Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, UIUC, Aug. 2008-date
  • Visiting Associate Professor, Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C., Oct. 2002-Jan. 2003
  • Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, UIUC, Aug. 2002-2008
  • Fellow, Center for Advanced Study, UIUC, Fall Semester 2000
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, UIUC, Nov. 1, 1995-2002

Other Professional Employment

  • Assistant to Project Manager, PP Dept. at Head Quarter, Taipei, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Taiwan, R.O.C., 1985-1987
  • Assistant Engineer, Design Department, Kaoshiung, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Taiwan, R.O.C., 1984-1985
  • Second Lieutenant, R.O.C. Marine Corps., Taiwan, R.O.C., 1982-1984
  • Assistant, Design Department, Taiyu Industry Co., Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C., summers and Winters, 1980, 1981
  • Quality Control Assistant, King Fong Press Corp., Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C., Summer 1979

Research Statement

Professor Lee's research focuses on automotive combustion, particularly as it relates to engine performance and emissions. He is the Director of the Center for Advanced Automotive Bio-Fuel Combustion Engines, a Graduate Automotive Technology Education (GATE) Center of Excellence funded by the Department of Energy.

His research is building a basic scientific understanding of all that occurs during combustion within an engine. That knowledge will help automotive manufacturers meet emission standards. He focuses on diesel combustion, especially the elimination of two of the most difficult emissions to control: soot and nitrogen oxide. He developed a diagnostic process that facilitates real-time measurement of the amount of soot inside the cylinder. His computational models are among those that have enabled the automotive industry to make effective decisions about engine design without building and testing numerous prototypes.

He is currently helping to develop a Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engine, which relies upon low-temperature combustion to reduce emissions. He is also studying alternative fuels. Through the GATE Center of Excellence, he is conducting a comprehensive study of biodiesel-fueled engines under low-temperature combustion strategies. Working with Professor Alan Hansen of the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and MechSE colleague Dimitrios Kyritsis, Professor Lee plans to provide detailed information on the performance and emissions of biodiesel in low-temperature combustion engines through computational modeling of fuel sprays in combustion; experimental investigations of biodiesel in a metal engine running in HCCI mode; and visualization of combustion, soot evolution and nitrogen oxide formation in an optical engine. The study will improve understanding of such fundamental mechanisms as fuel-air mixing, low-temperature ignition and combustion chemistry processes, and will profoundly impact the commercialization of biodiesel in the United States.

Research Interests

  • Liquid atomization and spray systems
  • Internal combustion engines
  • Modeling of two-phase turbulent reacting flows

Research Areas

  • Chemistry
  • Computation and Applied Math
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Thermo and Heat Transfer
  • Transportation

Selected Articles in Journals

  • Wu, Y., R. Huang, C. F. Lee, and C. Huang, “Effects of the Exhaust Gas Recirculation Rate and Ambient Gas Temperature on the Spray and Combustion Characteristics of Soybean Biodiesel and Diesel,” PIMECH: D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 226:3, 372-384, 2012.
  • Gu, X., Z. Huang, J. Cai, J. Gong, and C. F. Lee, "Emission Characteristics of a Spark-Ignition Engine Fueled with Gasoline-N-Butanol Blends in Combination with EGR,” Fuel, 93:3, 611-617, 2012.
  • Lin, S. L., W. J. Lee, C. F. Lee, and Y. P. Wu, “Reduction in Emissions of Nitrogen Oxides, Particulate Matter, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon by Adding Water-Containing Butanol into a Diesel-Fueled Engine Generator,” Fuel, 93:3, 364-372, 2012.
  • Huo, M. and C. F. Lee, “Experimental Investigation of Droplet Dynamics and Spray Atomization inside Thermostatic Expansion Valves,” SAE International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing, 4:1, 195-203, 2011.
  • Shen, C., W. L. Cheng, and C. F. Lee, “Micro-Explosion Study of Butanol Biodiesel Diesel Blend Bio-Fuel Droplets,” SAE International Journal of Engines, 4:1, 1445-1454, 2011.
  • Fang, T. G., C. F. Lee, and J. Zhang, “The Boundary Layers of an Unsteady Incompressible Stagnation-Point Flow with Mass Transfer,” International Journal of Non-linear Mechanics, 46:7, 942-948, 2011.
  • Liu, H., C. F. Lee, M. Huo, and M. Yao, “Combustion Characteristics and Soot Distributions of Neat Butanol and Neat Soybean Biodiesel,” Energy & Fuels, 25:7, 3192–3203, 2011.
  • Jin, C., M. Yao, H. Liu, C. F. Lee, and J. Ji. “Progress in the Production and Application of n-Butanol as a Biofuel,” Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15:8, 4080-4106, 2011.
  • Wu, Y., R. Huang, C. F. Lee, and Z. Wang, “Study on Low Temperature Combustion Characteristics of Soybean Biodiesel,” Chinese Internal Combustion Engine Engineering, 32:1, 34-38, 2011.
  • Liu, H., C. F. Lee, M. Huo, and M. Yao, “Comparison of Ethanol and Butanol as Additive in Soybean Biodiesel Using a Constant Volume Combustion Chamber,” Energy & Fuels, 25:4, 1837-1846, 2011.
  • Lin, S. L., W. J. Lee, S. S. Chang, C. F. Lee, L. F. Lee, C. S. Lin, and H. Loong, “Energy Savings and Emission Reduction of Traditional Pollutants, Particulate Matter, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Using Solvent-Containing Water Emulsified Heavy Fuel Oil in Boilers,” Energy & Fuels, 25:4, 1537-1546, 2011.
  • Fang, T. and C. F. Lee, “Low Sooting Combustion of Narrow-Angle Wall-Guided Sprays in an HSDI Diesel Engine with Retarded Injection Timings,” Fuel, 90:4, 1449-1456, 2011.
  • Wu, Y., R. Huang, C. F. Lee, and Z. Wang, “Characteristics of Oxygen Entrainment during the Combustion of Soybean Biodiesel Sprays,” Journal of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Natural Science Edition), 38:11, 104-107, 2010.
  • McKnley, T. L., A. G. Alleyne, and C. F. Lee, “Mixture Non-Unifomity in SCR Systems: Modeling and Uniformity Index Requirements for Steady-State and Transient Operation,” SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 3:1, 486-499, 2010.
  • Lin, S. L., W. J. Lee, C. F. Lee, and S. J. Chen, “Energy Savings and Emission Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides, Particulate Matter, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Adding Water-Containing Acetone and Neat Soybean Oil to a Diesel-Fueled Engine Generator,” Energy & Fuels, 24:8, 4522-4533, 2010.
  • Qi, D. H., H. Chen, C. F. Lee, L. M. Geng, and Y. Z. Bian, “Experimental Studies of a Naturally Aspirated, DI Diesel Engine Fuelled with Ethanol−Biodiesel−Water Microemulsions,” Energy & Fuels, 24:1, 652-663, 2010.
  • Fang, T., R. E. Coverdill, C. F. Lee, and R. A. White, “Air-fuel Mixing and Combustion in a Small-bore Direct Injection Optically Accessible Diesel Engine Using a Retarded Single Injection Strategy,” Fuel, 88:11, 2074-2082, 2009.
  • Fang, T., R. E. Coverdill, C. F. Lee, and R. A. White, “Effects of Injection Angles on Spray Developments in an HSDI Optical Diesel Engine,” PIMECH: D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 223:D8, 1077-1092, 2009.
  • Fang, T., Y. C. Lin, T. M. Foong, and C. F. Lee, “Low-Temperature Premixed Combustion in an Optical HSDI Diesel Engine with Biodiesel Blends,” Fuel, 88: 11, 2154-2162, 2009.
  • Fang, T., R. E. Coverdill, C. F. Lee, and R. A. White, “Low Temperature Combustion within an HSDI Diesel Engine Using Multiple Injection Strategies,” Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 131: 6, 062803-1-8, 2009.
  • Fang, T., R. E. Coverdill, C. F. Lee, and R. A. White, “Influence of Injection Parameters on the Transition from PCCI Combustion to Diffusion Combustion Mode within a Small-bore HSDI Diesel Engine,” International Journal of Automotive Technology, 10:3, 285-295, 2009.
  • Fang, T. and C. F. Lee, “Fuel Effects on Combustion Processes in an HSDI Diesel Engine Using Advanced Injection Strategies,” Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 32, 2785–2792, 2009.
  • Lee, C. F., W. L. Cheng, and D. Wang, “Finite Diffusion Wall Film Evaporation Model for Engine Simulations Using Continuous Thermodynamics,” Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 32, 2801–2808, 2009.
  • Fang, T. and C. F. Lee, “Three Dimensional Wall Bounded Laminar Boundary Layer with Span-Wise Cross Free Stream and Moving Boundary,” Acta Mechanica, 204:3-4, 235-248, 2009.
  • Fang, T. and C. F. Lee, “A New Solution Branch for the Blasius Equation- A Shrinking Sheet Problem,” Computers and Mathematics with Applications, 56:12, 3088-3095, 2008.
  • Fang, T., R. E. Coverdill, C. F. Lee, and R. A. White, “Low Temperature Premixed Combustion within a Small Bore High Speed Direct Injection (HSDI) Optically Accessible Diesel Engine Using a Retarded Single Injection,” International Journal of Automotive Technology, 9:5, 551-561, 2008.
  • Ruan, D. F., W. L. Cheng, and C. F. Lee, “Comparison of Performance and Combustion Characteristics of Diesel Fuel and Vegetable Oils in DI Diesel Engine,” SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 1:1, 1049-1055, 2008.
  • Fang, T., R. E. Coverdill, C. F. Lee, and R. A. White, “Low-Sooting Combustion in a Small Bore High-Speed Direct-Injection Diesel Engine Using Narrow Angle Injectors,” PIMECH: D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 222:D10, 1927-1937 2008.
  • Fang, T., Y.-C. Lin, T. M. Foong, and C. F. Lee, “Reducing NOx from the Biodiesel-Fuelled Engine by Low-Temperature Combustion,” Environmental Science & Technology, 42, 8865-8870, 2008.
  • Fang, T., R. E. Coverdill, C. F. Lee, and R. A. White, “Effects of Injection Angles on Combustion Processes Using Multiple Injection Strategies in an HSDI Diesel Engine,” Fuel, 87, 3232-3239, 2008.
  • Lin, Y.-C., C. F. Lee, and T. Fang, “Characterization of Particle Size Distribution from Diesel Engines Fueled with Palm-Biodiesel Blends and Paraffinic Fuel Blends,” Atmospheric Environment, 42:6, 1133–1143, 2008.
  • Fang, T., R. E. Coverdill, C. F. Lee, and R. A. White, “Smokeless Combustion Within a Small-bore HSDI Diesel Engine Using a Narrow Angle Injector,” Journal of Engine, 116:3, 255-270, 2007.
  • McCrady, J. P., V. L. Stringer, A. C. Hansen, and C. F. Lee, “Computational Analysis of Biodiesel Combustion in a Low-Temperature Combustion Engine using Well-Defined Fuel Properties,” Journal of Engine, 116:3, 434-443, 2007.
  • Zeng, Y. and C. F. Lee, “Modeling Droplet Breakup Processes Under Micro-Explosion Conditions,” Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 31, 2185–2193, 2007.
  • Fang, T. and C. F. Lee, “Exact Solutions of Incompressible Couette Flow with Porous Walls for Slightly Rarefied Gases,” Heat and Mass Transfer, 42:3, 255-262, 2006.
  • Fang, T., F. Guo, and C. F. Lee, “An New Iteration Method of Cubic Convergence to Solve Nonlinear Algebraic Equations,” Applied Mathematics and Computation, 175:2, 1147-1155, 2006.
  • Fang, T., F. Guo, and C. F. Lee, “A Note on the Extended Blasius Equation,” Applied Mathematics Letters, 19:7, 621-625, 2006.
  • Martin, G. C., C. J. Mueller, and C. F. Lee, “Two-Photon Nitric Oxide Laser-induced Fluorescence Measurements in a Diesel Engine,” Applied Optics 45:9, 2089-2100, 2006.
  • Xu, Y. and C. F. Lee, “Forward-illumination Light-extinction Technique for Soot Measurement,” Applied Optics, 45:9, 2046-2057, 2006.
  • Xu, Y. and C. F. Lee, “Investigation of Fuel Effects on Soot Formation Using Forward Illumination Light Extinction (FILE) Technique,” Journal of Engines, 114:3, 538-549, 2005.
  • Fang, T. and C. F. Lee, “A Moving-Wall Boundary Layer Flow of a Slightly Rarefied Gas Free Stream over a Moving Flat Plate,” Applied Mathematics Letters, 18:5, 487-495, 2005.
  • Chang, D. L. and C. F. Lee, “Development of a Simplified Bubble Growth Model for Flash Boiling Sprays in Direct Injection Spark Ignition Engines,” Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 30, 2737-2744, 2005.
  • Zeng, Y. and C. F. Lee, “Computations of Air/Fuel Preparation Process in a Port-Injected Spark-Ignition Engine During Cold-Starting Phase,” Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 126:3, 635-644, 2004.
  • Wang, D., Y. Zeng, and C. F. Lee, “Modeling of Air Fuel Mixing in a Stratified Gasoline Direct Injection Engine Using Multicomponent Fuel Representation,” Journal of Engines, 112:3, 255-269, 2003.
  • Chang, D. L. and C. F. Lee, “Computational Studies of Air-Assisted Spray Impingement on a Flat Plate,” International Journal of Engine Research, 4:4, 331-345, 2003.
  • Trujillo, M. F. and C. F. Lee, “Modeling Film Dynamics in Spray Impingement,” Journal of Fluids Engineering, 125, 104-112, 2003.
  • Mathews, W. S., C. F. Lee, and J. E. Peters, “Experimental Investigations of Spray/Wall Impingement,” Atomization and Sprays, 13:2, 223-242, 2003.
  • Mathews, W. S., R. E. Coverdill, C. F. Lee, and R. A. White, “Liquid and Vapor Fuel Distributions in a Small-Bore High-Speed Direct-Injection Diesel Engine,” Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 111:4, 1059-1071, 2002.
  • Chin, S. T. and C. F. Lee, “Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Wall-Wetting on Hydrocarbon Emissions In Engines,” Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 29, 767-773, 2002.
  • Zeng, Y. and C. F. Lee, “Modeling of Atomization Under Flash Boiling Conditions,” Journal of Korean Society of Combustion, 7:1, 44-51, 2002.
  • Chang, D. L. and C. F. Lee, “Numerical Studies of Air-Assisted Sprays,” Atomization and Sprays, 12:4, 463-500, 2002.
  • Zeng, Y. and C. F. Lee, “A Model for Multicomponent Spray Vaporization in a High Pressure and High Temperature Environment,” Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 124, 717-724, 2002.
  • Zeng, Y. and C. F. Lee, “A Preferential Vaporization Model for Multicomponent Droplets and Sprays,” Atomization and Sprays, 12:1, 163-186, 2002.
  • Zeng, Y. and C. F. Lee, “An Atomization Model for Flash Boiling Sprays,” Combustion Science Technology, 169, 45-67, 2001.
  • Trujillo, M. F. and C. F. Lee, “Modeling Crown Formation Due to the Splashing of a Droplet,” Physics of Fluids, 13:9, 2503-2516, 2001.
  • Zeng, Y. and C. F. Lee, “Modeling of Spray Vaporization and Air-Fuel Mixing in Gasoline Direct-Injection Engines,” Journal of Engines, 109:3, 561-569, 2000.
  • Styron, J. P., P. L. Kelly-Zion, C. F. Lee, R. P. Lucht, J. E. Peters, and R. A. White, “Multicomponent Liquid and Vapor Fuel Distribution Measurements in the Cylinder of a Port-Injected, Spark-Ignition Engine,” Journal of Engines, 109:3, 111-127, 2000.
  • Trujillo, M. F., W. Mathews, C. F. Lee, and J. E. Peters, “Modelling and Experiment of Impingement and Atomization of a Liquid Spray on a Wall,” International Journal of Engine Research, 1:1, 87-105, 2000.
  • Kelly-Zion, P. L., J. P. Styron, C. F. Lee, R. P. Lucht, J. E. Peters, and R. A. White, “Atomization Quality in the Cylinder of a Port-Injected Spark-Ignition Engine,” Atomization and Sprays, 10:1, 1-23, 2000.
  • Zeng, Y. and C. F. Lee, “Multicomponent-Fuel Film-Vaporization Model for Multidimensional Computations,” Journal of Propulsion and Power, 16:6, 964-973, 2000.
  • Kelly-Zion, P. L., J. P. Styron, C. F. Lee, R. P. Lucht, J. E. Peters, and R. A. White, “Multicomponent Liquid and Vapor Fuel Measurements in the Cylinder of a Port-Injected, Spark Ignition Engine,” 27th Symposium (International) on Combustion, 2111-2117, 1998 (acceptance rate is 30%).
  • Lee, C. F. and F. V. Bracco, "Comparisons of Computed and Measured Hollow-Cone Sprays in an Engine," Journal of Engines, 104:3, 569-594, 1995.
  • Lee, C. F. and F. V. Bracco, "Initial Comparisons of Computed and Measured Hollow-Cone Sprays in an Engine," Journal of Engines, 103:3, 575-598, 1994.
  • Lee, C. F., R. Metcalfe, and F. Hussain, "Large Scale Structures in Reacting Mixing Layers," Turbulent Shear Flows, 7, Springer Verlag, 331-343,1991.

Professional Societies

  • Member, American Society of Engineering Education
  • Member, The Combustion Institute
  • Member, Institute for Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems
  • Member, American Society of Mechanical Engineers
  • Member, Society of Automotive Engineers

Teaching Honors

  • Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising, College of Engineering, UIUC, 2011
  • Listed in the Daily Illini “Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students” Spring 2010
  • Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising, College of Engineering, UIUC, 2010
  • Mentor Recognition Award, University of California at San Diego, 2007
  • Listed in the Daily Illini “Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students” Fall 2005
  • Listed in the Daily Illini “Incomplete List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent by Their Students” for Fall 2001
  • GE Scholar, UIUC, 1997
  • Engineering Council Award for Excellence in Advising, College of Engineering, UIUC, 1997, 1998

Research Honors

  • Distinguished Alumnus Award, Mechanical Engineering, at the Centenary Celebration of the National Central University, Taiwan, 2011
  • Chutian Chair Professor, School of Automobile Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China, 2010-2013
  • Fellow, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2009
  • Who's Who in the World, 2007-2008
  • Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 2006-2007
  • W. Robert Marshall (Best Paper) Award, Institute for Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems, 2004
  • Fellow, Center for Advanced Study, UIUC, 2000 Fall Semester
  • Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2000
  • NSF Faculty Early Development (CAREER) Award, 1998

Public Service Honors

  • Member Service Award, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2007

Recent Courses Taught

  • ME 200 ZJ1 (ME 200 ZJU) - Thermodynamics
  • ME 270 (TAM 270) - Design for Manufacturability
  • ME 290 - Seminar
  • ME 310 ZJ1 (ME 310 ZJ2, ME 310 ZJ3, ME 310 ZJU) - Fundamentals of Fluid Dynamics
  • ME 370 - Mechanical Design I
  • ME 403 - Internal Combustion Engines
  • ME 470 ZJ1 (ME 498 ZJ1) - Senior Design Project
  • ME 498 UG3 (ME 503) - Design of IC Engines
  • TAM 212 - Introductory Dynamics
  • TAM 335 ZJU - Introductory Fluid Mechanics

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