Academic Journal
Q1Progress in Energy and Combustion Science
About Progress in Energy and Combustion Science
Progress in Energy and Combustion Science is a scholarly journal published by Elsevier B.V.. SCImago 2025 places it in Q1 with an SJR of 8.013 and an H-index of 257.
Its listed coverage is 1975-2026 and its research categories include Chemical Engineering (miscellaneous) (Q1); Energy Engineering and Power Technology (Q1); Fuel Technology (Q1). The 2025 dataset reports 23 documents and 4463 citations across the latest three-year reporting window.
Progress in Energy and Combustion Science has become a cornerstone of global efforts to create cleaner, more sustainable, and more efficient energy systems. As the world grapples with climate change and increasing energy demands, advancements in combustion science and energy technologies are playing a critical role in transitioning to a greener future.
Understanding Energy and Combustion Science
Energy and combustion science focuses on the generation, transformation, and utilization of energy through combustion and related processes. It encompasses everything from fossil fuel combustion in engines and power plants to advanced renewable energy systems like biofuels and hydrogen combustion. Researchers in this field aim to improve energy efficiency, reduce harmful emissions, and discover cleaner alternatives to traditional fuels.
Key Areas of Progress
-
Low-Emission Combustion Technologies
One of the most notable areas of progress is the development of low-emission combustion systems. Advanced technologies such as premixed combustion, lean burn engines, and flameless combustion are significantly reducing emissions of NOx, CO, and particulate matter. These innovations contribute to cleaner air and improved public health. -
Alternative Fuels and Sustainable Energy
Progress in alternative fuels like hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels is transforming the energy landscape. Hydrogen combustion, for example, produces only water vapor as a byproduct, making it a promising option for zero-carbon energy. Researchers are also optimizing biofuels to be more energy-dense and compatible with existing infrastructure. -
Advanced Computational Modeling
High-performance computing and machine learning are revolutionizing the way scientists study combustion. Detailed simulations help researchers better understand flame dynamics, pollutant formation, and energy transfer at the molecular level. This leads to faster innovation and more efficient designs for engines and power systems. -
Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU)
Integrating combustion science with carbon capture technologies is crucial for achieving net-zero emissions. Recent progress in post-combustion carbon capture and direct air capture systems shows promise in reducing the carbon footprint of traditional energy sources while transitioning to renewables.
Why This Progress Matters
Progress in energy and combustion science is essential for addressing the dual challenge of energy security and environmental sustainability. As global energy consumption rises, there is an urgent need for technologies that provide reliable power without exacerbating climate change. Breakthroughs in this field are key to supporting industrial growth, reducing carbon emissions, and meeting international climate goals like those set by the Paris Agreement.
Journal Metrics
Metrics can change by reporting year. Verify time-sensitive values with the publisher or indexing service.
Aims & Scope
Energy and combustion science is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field that plays a critical role in addressing today’s global energy challenges. With the rising demand for clean and efficient energy sources, the scope of energy and combustion research has expanded significantly. This area of science focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of combustion, improving fuel efficiency, reducing emissions, and developing alternative energy solutions.
Evolving Scope of Energy and Combustion Science
Traditionally, combustion science was primarily concerned with the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. However, the increasing concerns about climate change and air pollution have pushed the boundaries of this field. Researchers now explore sustainable alternatives including biofuels, hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and advanced nuclear energy systems.
The scope also extends into the development of high-efficiency combustion engines, industrial burners, and propulsion systems. Applications span across sectors such as automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and power generation. With the rise of renewable energy, combustion science is also integrating with fields like thermochemistry, fluid dynamics, and materials science to innovate hybrid systems that combine conventional and renewable technologies.
Recent Progress and Innovations
One of the key areas of recent progress is low-emission combustion technologies. Techniques like flameless combustion, homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), and lean-burn combustion are being developed to reduce NOx and particulate emissions. These innovations are critical for meeting stringent environmental regulations across the globe.
Another major advancement is the modeling and simulation of combustion processes. High-performance computing and machine learning are enabling scientists to simulate complex chemical reactions at microscopic levels, leading to better understanding and optimization of combustion systems. These tools help design cleaner engines and fuels, while also reducing the cost and time of experimentation.
The field is also seeing growth in alternative fuels research. Biofuels derived from agricultural waste, algae, and other renewable sources are being engineered for compatibility with existing combustion engines. Hydrogen combustion, in particular, is gaining attention for its potential as a zero-emission fuel. However, challenges related to storage, safety, and infrastructure must be addressed.
In aerospace and defense, supersonic and hypersonic propulsion systems are pushing the frontiers of combustion research. Scramjet engines, which rely on high-speed combustion processes, are being tested for future space missions and high-speed travel.
The Future of Combustion Science
The future of energy and combustion science lies in sustainable innovation. Researchers aim to develop carbon-neutral combustion systems by integrating carbon capture technologies, using synthetic fuels, and optimizing energy conversion processes.
As the world transitions towards a low-carbon economy, combustion science will continue to evolve and adapt. Universities, industries, and research institutions are collaborating globally to share knowledge, standardize practices, and accelerate breakthroughs.
Recent Research Articles
Latest publications matched automatically by ISSN.
Integrated CO2 capture and conversion (ICCC): Advancing dual-function materials with techno-economic perspectives for sustainable fuels
Suthajini Thiruketheeswaranathan, Bofan Wang, Edward J. Anthony, Arun K. Vuppaladadiyam et al.
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2026.101303Editorial Board
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/s0360-1285(26)00031-6Next-generation pathways for rapid graphene synthesis: Mechanisms, structural control, and energy storage applications
Faisal Mahmood, Haiping Yang, Bin Li
2026-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2026.101302Editorial Board
2026-07 · DOI: 10.1016/s0360-1285(26)00023-7Particle emissions from internal combustion engines utilizing hydrogen and hydrogen-enriched fuels
L. Tartakovsky, P. Dimitriou, E. Sher, M. Shapiro et al.
2026-07 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2026.101295Recent advances in sorbent materials for direct air capture of CO2
Krishnendu Maity, D. Yogi Goswami
2026-05 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101263Editorial Board
2026-05 · DOI: 10.1016/s0360-1285(26)00012-2Editorial Board
2026-03 · DOI: 10.1016/s0360-1285(26)00004-3Explosion behavior of hybrid mixtures
Stefan H. Spitzer, Paul Amyotte, Ernesto Salzano
2026-03 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101276Biomedical applications of nanoparticles made by flame spray pyrolysis
Haipeng Li, Eirini Goudeli, Alexandra Teleki, Georgios A. Sotiriou et al.
2026-03 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101272Advances in ion current detection technology for engine applications
Xinke Miao, Denghao Zhu, Jun Deng, Robert Dibble et al.
2026-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101253Thermocatalytic ammonia synthesis beyond conventional Haber-Bosch: Principles, advances, challenges and opportunities
Tianbao Gu, Matej Huš, Samuel Simon Araya, Blaž Likozar et al.
2026-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101262Sustainable conversion of wet biomass, algae, and food waste to fuels in hot compressed water: Multi-Scale analysis
Morteza Hosseinpour, Mohammad Fakhroleslam, Mohsen Salimi, Michael Short et al.
2026-01 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101264Editorial Board
2026-01 · DOI: 10.1016/s0360-1285(25)00060-7Editorial Board
2025-11 · DOI: 10.1016/s0360-1285(25)00049-8Dynamics of binary droplet collisions
Chengming He, Peng Zhang, Chung K. Law
2025-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101252Flame spread over solid materials under reduced buoyancy/gravity
Yuxuan Ma, Shangqing Tao, Zhengda Guo, Yan Gu et al.
2025-11 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101251Future of internal combustion engines using sustainable, scalable, and storable E-fuels and biofuels for decarbonizing transport and enabling advanced combustion technologies
Avinash Kumar Agarwal, Christine Mounaïm-Rousselle, Pierre Brequigny, Atul Dhar et al.
2025-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101236Techniques for measuring flare combustion efficiency and destruction removal efficiency: A review
Kyle J. Daun, Jennifer P. Spinti
2025-09 · DOI: 10.1016/j.pecs.2025.101235Editorial Board
2025-09 · DOI: 10.1016/s0360-1285(25)00040-1Reviews
Community Reviews
Version History
April 20, 2025 at 4:25 am
April 20, 2025