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The Combustion Institute
Quarterly newsletter for the advancement of combustion science
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Vol. 11, No. 1 - January 2026 |
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Update from the CI President |
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As we embark on a new year, let me take a moment to wish you a healthy and prosperous year ahead. We are excited for the 41st International Symposium on Combustion which is quickly approaching. The Program Co-Chairs are composing an amazing program based on the record number of submissions. The Local Host Team and the Japan Section of The Combustion Institute are planning amazing events for attendees and guests. And Kyoto promises to be a beautiful and lively location for the Symposium.
Our committees are meeting and working towards the future selection of Fellows of The Combustion Institute, Gold Medal Awardees, Candidates for the Board of Directors, and more. There is much to be excited about for 2026 and this is only the beginning.
Read on for some of our member and section highlights. And as always, we welcome news, events, job openings, or anything you would like to share. Just send your materials to communications@combustioninstitute.org. Our members are our priority, their science our message.
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Respectfully,
Hai Wang, President of The Combustion Institute
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Including calls for papers and nominations, CI awards, highlights of past events, and more
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Upcoming Board of Directors Election
Help shape the future of the CI through participating in the 2026 Board of Directors Election. You must have an active account in the CI database to vote. Take a moment to update your account. If you need assistance, contact the CI office at office@combustioninstitute.org.
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German Section of The Combustion Institute
In 2025, the German Section recognized outstanding contributions to combustion science and engineering through multiple awards honoring lifetime achievement, early-career excellence, and impactful applied research, while also celebrating the election of several German Section members as Fellows of The Combustion Institute in recognition of their long-standing scientific leadership and contributions.
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47th Meeting of the Italian Section of The Combustion Institute (ASICI)
The Italian Section successfully hosted its annual meeting, bringing together researchers to discuss combustion fundamentals, emissions reduction, and sustainable energy systems, while also recognizing excellence through the ASICI Young Researcher & Student Awards for outstanding oral and poster presentations by Ph.D. students and early-career researchers, the 2025 Antonio D’Alessio Award honoring exceptional doctoral research in combustion science, and the announcement of newly elected Fellows of The Combustion Institute for their sustained contributions to combustion modeling and theory.
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Women in Combustion Mentorship Program
The Women in Combustion Advisory Committee (WiCAC) launched their mentorship program on 1 October 2025. The program aims to build connections and resources for early and mid-career professionals in the combustion field. Currently, women from over 15 countries are participating in the program. If you are interested in participating or want more information, click here.
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Assembling a list of upcoming CI and CI-affiliated events
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Eastern States Section of The Combustion Institute (ESSCI)
The Eastern States Section of The Combustion Institute will hold its 2026 Spring Technical Meeting on 15–18 March 2026 at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, featuring sessions across a broad range of combustion research topics, with extended abstracts due by 29 January 2026. The Section also announced the inaugural ESSCI Research Fellows Program to support collaborative research among graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, with proposals due 1 May 2026, as well as the Irvin Glassman Early Career Investigator Award recognizing outstanding early-career contributions and including a featured lecture at the 2026 Spring Technical Meeting
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Western States Section of The Combustion Institute (WSSCI)
The Western States Section of The Combustion Institute will hold its 2026 Spring Technical Meeting on 23–24 March 2026 at Oregon State University, Portland, Oregon. Submissions and registration opened 2 December 2025, with extended abstracts due 5 February 2026. The in-person meeting will cover a broad range of combustion topics, from laminar and turbulent flames to numerical methods and machine learning.
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Co-Organized by the British and French Section of The Combustion Institute, this event is taking place 26-27 March 2026.
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International Symposium on Combustion
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Providing updates about the upcoming International Symposium on Combustion
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41st ISOC Invited Lecturers Announced
The 41st ISOC Program Co-Chairs (PCCs), Osamu Fujita and Venkat Raman have completed the line up of Invited Speakers for the Symposium. Building upon the themes developed to guide the Symposium Program, the PCC's have selected four experienced lecturers to present Topical Reviews during the week. Each of these lectures will be followed by a mini-symposium related to the topic or theme. These mini-symposium will include presentations and panel discussions to expand upon these topics and engage the attendees. More information about the Invited Lectures and their topics can be found on the Symposium website.
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Record number of submissions for the 41st ISOC
Illustrating the ingenuity of our combustion community, there were a record number of submissions to the 41st International Symposium on Combustion (ISOC). The Program Co-Chairs have assembled an experienced group of scientists to serve on the colloquium teams and assess the submissions.The increased number of submissions aligns with the PCC's vision to increase the number of presentations at the Symposium.
The colloquium teams are working tirelessly to assist the PCCs in developing an exceptional and exciting technical program. Authors can expect to receive decisions regarding presentations at the symposium around the start of February, and the presentation format will be communicated around mid-February. These authors will also receive an invitation to submit a revised manuscript to be considered for publication in PROCI.
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Important Information for ISOC Authors
Authors who have papers accepted for presentation at the Symposium will receive a separate letter from Elsevier's Editorial Manager (EM) System inviting them to submit their revised manuscript for potential publication in PROCI. In order to submit a paper to be considered for publication in Volume 42 in PROCI, the following steps must occur:
- Your submission must be accepted for presentation at the Symposium
- You must confirm in writing your intent/commitment to present in person at the Symposium (use the Affirmation to Present link found in your acceptance letter)
- You must respond (or RSVP) using the link in the Elsevier/PROCI invitation letter
- You must submit your completed manuscript in EM by 15 March 2026
The PROCI Editors have prepared guidelines and templates for your assistance. In addition, the editors will hold Town Hall meetings to review the process and answer any questions. Two meetings will be scheduled to accommodate all regions.
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Town Hall Meetings scheduled to assist authors submitting to PROCI
The PROCI Editors have scheduled two Town Hall meetings to review the format and process for submission to PROCI, Volume 42. Only those authors who have papers accepted for presentation at the Symposium will be eligible to submit for PROCI consideration. The submission portal in Elsevier's Editorial Manager System will open after accept decisions are emailed and remain open until 16 March 2026.
To attend a Town Hall meeting, please register using one of the links below.
These meetings will be preserved and a recording, as well a frequently asked questions document will be available on the CI, ISOC, and EM websites. Questions regarding the meetings should be directed to office@combustioninstitute.org
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New ISOC Website Launching
We’re excited to share that the new International Symposium on Combustion (ISOC) website will launch in early February! The redesigned site will offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience, making it easier than ever to find key information about the 41st ISOC, including program updates, important deadlines, travel planning, and on-site details. Be sure to visit often as fresh content and updates roll out in the lead-up to Kyoto.
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Kyoto Fact Friday: Countdown to the 41st ISOC
As we count down to the 41st International Symposium on Combustion in Kyoto, we’re highlighting the host city through our social media series #KyotoFactFriday. Each week, we’ll share fun facts, cultural insights, and practical tips to help attendees get to know Kyoto and plan their visit. Follow along and join us as we build excitement for an unforgettable symposium experience in Japan
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Highlighting combustion resources and the accomplishments of CI members
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Hasse Named 2026 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize Winner
CI Board of Directors member, Professor Christian Hasse, was awarded the 2026 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The German Sections' most prestigious research award recognizes his groundbreaking contributions to climate-neutral combustion technologies, including advances in mathematical modeling and high-performance computing simulations that enable sustainable energy systems. Hasse’s work has laid key foundations for hydrogen gas turbines and metal combustion technologies, bridging fundamental research and real-world application.
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Valedictory Lecture Program of Prof. Philip de Goey
Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands, held a Valedictory Lecture which featured Prof. Philip de Goey on 12 December 2025. The lecture series allowed professors who had been accorded emeritus status an opportunity to present a valedictory lecture. Several other lecturers spoke throughout the program, which culminated in de Goey's lecture entitled "Towards a New Iron Age."
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de Goey Knighted in the Netherlands
Professor Philip de Goey of Eindhoven University of Technology has been appointed Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion, one of the Netherlands’ highest national honors. The distinction recognizes his lifetime contributions to combustion science, including foundational work on flame dynamics, diagnostics, and sustainable energy technologies such as metal fuel combustion.
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Mastorakos Receives Fluid Science Research Award
Professor Epaminondas Mastorakos received the Fluid Science Research Award at the 22nd International Conference on Flow Dynamics in Sendai, Japan, recognizing his outstanding contributions to fluid mechanics and combustion science.
CI-affiliated researchers Dr. Victor Lafaurie and Dr. Hao Shi also attended the conference, noting strong international momentum toward cleaner combustion technologies and advanced CFD methods. During their visit, they established new collaborative projects with Professor Kaoru Maruta’s group at Tohoku University, focusing on knocking combustion, plasma-assisted combustion, and renewable fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.
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O’Connor Receives Aerospace Educator Award
Dr. Jacqueline O’Connor received the Aerospace Educator Award (Higher Education) at the 40th Annual Women in Aerospace Awards Ceremony, recognizing her exceptional contributions to education, mentorship, and leadership in aerospace engineering.
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Professor Henry Curran and Professor Ines Thiele have been named to the Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list, placing them among the world’s most influential researchers. Professor Curran is recognized in the Engineering category for his work advancing combustion chemistry to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Professor Thiele is recognized in the Cross-Field category for her pioneering research on digital metabolic twins. This distinction highlights the global impact of combustion-related research across disciplines.
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Professor Angela Violi was selected as a Senior Fellow of the Michigan Society of Fellows. She will serve a four-year term supporting interdisciplinary collaboration, seminars, and postdoctoral mentorship.
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Have Combustion News to Share?
We welcome news about advancements in combustion research and major scientific awards bestowed upon members of our international community. To have your news featured, complete this form or send the information to Lillee at communications@combustioninstitute.org.
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Learn more about upcoming events hosted by CI Sections and other affiliated organizations. |
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The CI's Instagram highlights significant achievements and events within our international combustion community. |
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The CI lists combustion job opportunities from industry, universities, governments, and other organizations. |
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Follow The Combustion Institute
Follow CI and share posts! Make sure to tag your posts to expand their reach.
#thecombustioninstitute #combustion #combustioncommunity #energytransition |
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