Emissions and Fuels Research
The Emissions and Fuels research team at CE-CERT applies advanced technologies and methods to measure emissions from cars, light-duty trucks, heavy-duty freight trucks, construction equipment, marine vessels, and other engine systems.
CE-CERT connects laboratory testing with fieldwork, activity measurements, and portable emissions measurement system evaluations to understand performance under controlled conditions and during real-world operation.
Research Focus Areas
Light-duty Vehicle and Engine Research Evaluating emissions, fuels, and advanced technologies for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks.Learn more
Overview
AVL Test Systems Inc., in partnership with CE-CERT, is a state-of-the-art laboratory for measuring exhaust emissions under conditions that are representative of real-world driving conditions. The LDL facility supports advanced low-emissions vehicles, hybrids, and electric vehicle performance and is a leading research and training tool for Southern California.
Research Project Highlights
Evaluation of PM/PN emissions from LD GDI vehicles using PEMS
This study investigates particulate matter mass and particle number emissions from current-technology gasoline direct injection vehicles during on-road testing. Three vehicles representing different technologies and model years are tested with PM and PN portable emissions measurement systems over urban, rural, and highway driving conditions.
Lead Researcher: Georgios Karavalakis. Co-researchers: Kent Johnson and Thomas Durbin.
Evaluation of PM/PN emissions from LD GDI vehicles with GPF using PEMS
This study evaluates gaseous emissions, particulate matter mass, and particle number emissions from a current-technology gasoline direct injection vehicle retrofitted with a gasoline particulate filter. Testing is conducted over multiple on-road routes to validate tailpipe emissions.
Lead Researcher: Georgios Karavalakis.
Heavy-duty Vehicle and Engine Research Studying emissions, fuel use, and emerging technologies across trucks, buses, and other heavy-duty vehicles.Learn more
Overview
Heavy-duty vehicles represent one of the largest sources of NOx emissions and fuel consumption in North America. CE-CERT has conducted studies of yard tractors, hybrid vehicles, natural gas buses, refuse haulers, and diesel fleets using its heavy-duty chassis dynamometer, mobile laboratory, and in-use measurement systems.
Research Project Highlights
Medium and Heavy-Duty EV Deployment – Data Collection
This project collects operational and performance data from medium- and heavy-duty electric transit buses, school buses, trucks, and off-road equipment. Data include vehicle performance, charging activity, electricity consumption, facility information, climate conditions, and vehicle descriptors.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researchers: Kanok Boriboonsomsin and Thomas Durbin.
Optimized Hybrid Ultra-Low NOx Class 8 Heavy Duty Natural Gas Truck
The project develops and demonstrates an optimized natural gas plug-in hybrid-electric Class 8 truck. It integrates a near-zero NOx engine, electric drive, battery storage, regenerative braking, and advanced controls to reduce emissions and fuel use in drayage applications.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researcher: Thomas Durbin.
OSAR: Phase 1 Sensor Evaluation on Heavy Duty Trucks
The Onboard Sensing, Analysis, and Reporting project evaluates low-cost NOx and particulate matter sensing for continuous in-use emissions measurement. The work supports future compliance approaches based on real-world operation.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researcher: Thomas Durbin.
Advanced Off-Road NG Vehicle Demonstration and Evaluation
This project evaluates natural gas and renewable natural gas yard hostlers alongside electric and Tier 4 diesel technologies. Testing examines emissions, operational performance, fuel pathways, and engine response to fuel quality.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researcher: Chan Seung Park.
200 Vehicle Study
CE-CERT applies its Mobile Emissions Laboratory and portable emissions measurement systems to characterize in-use emissions from light- and heavy-duty vehicles, construction equipment, ships, port equipment, trains, and aircraft.
Lead Researcher: Thomas Durbin.
SOA Forming Potential from Heavy-Duty Diesel and Natural Gas Vehicles
This study characterizes primary emissions and secondary organic aerosol formation from modern heavy-duty diesel and natural gas trucks over realistic driving conditions using the chassis dynamometer, Mobile Emissions Laboratory, and a mobile environmental chamber.
Research team: CE-CERT Emissions and Fuels and Atmospheric Processes researchers.
Off-road Equipment and Engine Research Measuring emissions and activity from construction, agricultural, port, and cargo-handling equipment.Learn more
Overview
The Emissions and Fuels research team applies laboratory testing, fieldwork, activity measurements, data logging, and portable emissions measurement systems to construction, agricultural, cargo-handling, port, and other off-road equipment.
Research Project Highlights
Advanced Off-Road NG Vehicle Demonstration and Evaluation
The project tests the emissions and operational performance of natural gas and renewable natural gas yard hostlers alongside electric and diesel equipment.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researcher: Chan Seung Park.
Off-road Equipment Data Monitoring
CE-CERT supports data logging and potential PEMS testing for battery-electric top handlers, yard hostlers, fuel-cell equipment, and comparable diesel equipment at Port of Long Beach terminals.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researchers: Kanok Boriboonsomsin and Thomas Durbin.
Collection and Analysis of Agricultural Equipment Activity Data
This research collects engine-control-unit data from agricultural tractors to improve emissions inventories and future certification standards. The work examines activity, engine speed, torque, fuel rate, maintenance, and aftertreatment performance.
Lead Researcher: Thomas Durbin. Co-principal investigators: Kent Johnson and Kanok Boriboonsomsin.
Zero-and-Near-Zero Emissions Freight Facility Grant
CE-CERT provides data logging, PEMS testing, and chassis dynamometer testing for advanced freight vehicles and equipment. Analyses include activity patterns, state of charge, energy use, idling, speed, acceleration, and operational performance.
Lead Researcher: Thomas Durbin. Co-researchers: Kent Johnson, Kanok Boriboonsomsin, and Wayne Miller.
Activity Data of Off-road Engines in Construction
The study measures activity from a broad range of construction equipment types and engine power ratings to improve the representation of in-use operation in emissions inventories and certification procedures.
Lead Researcher: Thomas Durbin. Co-researchers: Kent Johnson and Kanok Boriboonsomsin.
Renewable Diesel for Off-Road Diesel Engines
This project compares emissions and performance from renewable diesel and NOx-mitigated biodiesel with California ultra-low sulfur diesel. Testing includes engines with and without selective catalytic reduction and diesel particulate filters.
Lead Researcher: Georgios Karavalakis. Co-researcher: Kent Johnson.
Zero and Near-zero Emissions Vehicle Testing Assessing electric, hybrid, fuel-cell, natural gas, and other advanced vehicle technologies.Learn more
Overview
CE-CERT applies laboratory testing, field measurements, vehicle activity analysis, data logging, and portable emissions measurement systems to electric, hybrid, fuel-cell, natural gas, and other zero- and near-zero emissions technologies.
Research Project Highlights
Medium and Heavy-Duty EV Deployment – Data Collection
The project collects at least 12 months of standardized operational data from electric transit buses, school buses, trucks, off-road equipment, and a smaller group of light-duty vehicles.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researchers: Kanok Boriboonsomsin and Thomas Durbin.
OSAR: Phase 1 Sensor Evaluation on Heavy Duty Trucks
OSAR evaluates onboard sensors that can continuously measure real-world NOx and particulate matter emissions and support future in-use verification.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researcher: Thomas Durbin.
Zero-and-Near-Zero Emissions Freight Facility Grant
CE-CERT supports advanced freight deployments with data logging, PEMS testing, and chassis dynamometer evaluation of emissions, energy consumption, charging, state of charge, idling, and work activity.
Lead Researcher: Thomas Durbin. Co-researchers: Kent Johnson, Kanok Boriboonsomsin, and Wayne Miller.
200 Vehicle Study
The study uses CE-CERT’s Mobile Emissions Laboratory and advanced PEMS configurations to evaluate real-world emissions across vehicles, equipment, ships, port sources, trains, and aircraft.
Lead Researcher: Thomas Durbin.
PEMS and In-use Testing Measuring real-world emissions with portable systems during actual vehicle and equipment operation.Learn more
Overview
CE-CERT was the primary contractor for the in-use validation of portable emissions measurement systems evaluated through the Measurement Allowance program for gaseous pollutants and particulate matter. The team helped identify technical limitations and worked with manufacturers through multiple generations of PEMS technology.
Research Project Highlights
Medium and Heavy-Duty EV Deployment – Data Collection
Operational data collection for electric buses, trucks, off-road equipment, charging systems, energy use, and facility activity.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researchers: Kanok Boriboonsomsin and Thomas Durbin.
OSAR: Phase 1 Sensor Evaluation on Heavy Duty Trucks
Evaluation of low-cost onboard NOx and particulate matter sensing for continuous in-use measurement and reporting.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researcher: Thomas Durbin.
Advanced Off-Road NG Vehicle Demonstration and Evaluation
PEMS-supported evaluation of natural gas, renewable natural gas, electric, and diesel yard hostler technologies.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researcher: Chan Seung Park.
Off-road Equipment Data Monitoring
Data logging and potential PEMS evaluation of zero-emission and conventional cargo-handling equipment.
Lead Researcher: Kent Johnson. Co-researchers: Kanok Boriboonsomsin and Thomas Durbin.
Evaluation of Technologies to Reduce Emissions in Freight Movement
Measurement and evaluation of emissions-control technologies and operating strategies for goods movement.
Research team: CE-CERT Emissions and Fuels researchers.
Collection and Analysis of Agricultural Equipment Activity Data
Collection of real-world engine and activity data to improve agricultural equipment emissions inventories.
Lead Researcher: Thomas Durbin. Co-principal investigators: Kent Johnson and Kanok Boriboonsomsin.
Activity Data of Off-road Engines in Construction
Activity monitoring across construction equipment types, power ratings, operating modes, loads, and exhaust temperatures.
Lead Researcher: Thomas Durbin. Co-researchers: Kent Johnson and Kanok Boriboonsomsin.
200 Vehicle Study
In-use characterization using the Mobile Emissions Laboratory and specialized gas and particulate PEMS configurations.
Lead Researcher: Thomas Durbin.
Evaluation of PM and PN Emissions from Light-duty GDI Vehicles Using PEMS
On-road measurement of particulate matter mass and particle number from gasoline direct injection vehicles over multiple driving conditions.
Lead Researcher: Georgios Karavalakis. Co-researchers: Kent Johnson and Thomas Durbin.
Evaluation of PM and PN Emissions from Light-duty GDI Vehicles with GPF Using PEMS
On-road evaluation of a gasoline direct injection vehicle equipped with a gasoline particulate filter.
Lead Researcher: Georgios Karavalakis.
Particles and Secondary Aerosols Characterizing particulate matter and secondary aerosol formation from engines, vehicles, fuels, and controls.Learn more
Overview
Research in this area characterizes particulate matter mass, particle number, size distributions, chemical composition, toxic pollutants, optical properties, and secondary aerosol formation from vehicles, engines, fuels, and aftertreatment systems.
Research Project Highlights
Renewable Diesel for Off-Road Diesel Engines
Detailed engine-dynamometer testing compares renewable diesel and NOx-mitigated biodiesel with California ultra-low sulfur diesel. Measurements include particulate and gaseous toxic pollutants.
Lead Researcher: Georgios Karavalakis. Co-researcher: Kent Johnson.
Evaluation of PM and PN Emissions from Light-duty GDI Vehicles Using PEMS
The study measures particulate matter mass and particle number during urban, rural, and highway operation using state-of-the-art PEMS.
Lead Researcher: Georgios Karavalakis. Co-researchers: Kent Johnson and Thomas Durbin.
Evaluation of PM and PN Emissions from Light-duty GDI Vehicles with GPF Using PEMS
This project evaluates the effectiveness of a gasoline particulate filter during real-world operation using gaseous, PM, and PN measurement systems.
Lead Researcher: Georgios Karavalakis.
SOA Forming Potential from Heavy-Duty Diesel and Natural Gas Vehicles
Primary exhaust is characterized and photochemically aged in a mobile environmental chamber to evaluate secondary organic aerosol formation from modern diesel and natural gas trucks.
Research team: CE-CERT Emissions and Fuels and Atmospheric Processes researchers.
Freight-related Activities Evaluating emissions and technologies across ports, ships, trucks, rail, and cargo-handling operations.Learn more
Explore EFR Testing Facilities
CE-CERT provides emissions measurement, vehicle and engine evaluation, mobile testing, sensor development, and real-world data collection for government, industry, and academic partners.
Faculty List
- Kent Johnson, Research Faculty
- Tom Durbin, Research Faculty
- Wayne Miller, Research Faculty; Adjunct Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering
- Georgios Karavalakis, Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering
- Heejung Jung, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
- David Cocker, Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering
- Zisimos Toumasatos, Research Faculty
- Thomas Eckel, Project Scientist
- Fudong Liu, Associate Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering; CE-CERT Affiliate Faculty
Connect With Emissions and Fuels Research
Contact CE-CERT to discuss laboratory testing, field measurements, research partnerships, or the capability best aligned with your needs.