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Adam Dempsey

Adam Dempsey

Associate Professor

Dr. Adam Dempsey is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a principal investigator in the Engine Research Center. Prior to joining the faculty at UW-Madison, he was a faculty member at Marquette University, a Senior Research Engineer at Caterpillar Inc., and a postdoctoral researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Dempsey received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Madison in 2013, and his bachelors’ and master’s from Bradley University in 2007 and 2009, respectively. His research interests are centered on sustainable, clean energy research – specifically high efficiency internal combustion engines and alternative fuels. Due to its high-power density & low cost compared to competing technologies, the internal combustion engine will remain the primary mode of propulsion for the foreseeable future, especially in heavy-duty applications. Adam’s research focuses on advanced engine combustion strategies that allow the use of alternative fuels in heavy-duty engines while improving engine performance and dramatically reducing emissions.

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Contact

Mechanical Engineering Bldg
1513 University Ave
Madison, WI

  • PhD 2013, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • MS 2009, Bradley University
  • BS 2007, Bradley University

  • High efficiency internal combustion engines
  • Alternative fuels & fuel agnostic engines
  • Applying simulations & experiments to develop innovative combustion technologies

  • 2024 ASME, Internal Combustion Engine Division Best Track Paper
  • 2024 Marquette University Opus College of Engineering, Outstanding Faculty Researcher of the Year
  • 2023 SAE, Engineering Events Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award
  • 2022 Marquette University Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty Member of the Year Award
  • 2020 SAE, Engineering Events Forest R. McFarland Award
  • 2019 ASME, Internal Combustion Engine Division Best Overall Paper Award
  • 2018 SAE, Engineering Meetings Board Outstanding Oral Presentation Award
  • 2018 ASME, Internal Combustion Engine Division Best Paper Award
  • 2015 SAE, Engineering Meetings Board Outstanding Oral Presentation Award
  • 2014 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Postdoctoral Research Symposium, Honorable Mention, Oral Presentation
  • 2010 Summer Program on Combustion, Inaugural Princeton Combustion Energy Frontier Research Center
  • 2008 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Finalist, Youth Engineering Paper Contest
  • 2007 Bradley University, Caterpillar Master’s Fellowship for graduate research
  • 2007 Bradley University, Mechanical engineering faculty award for most outstanding undergraduate student

  • Zeman, J., Dempsey, A., Mellesmoen, A., Duke-Walker, V. O., & Srna, A. (2026). Insights on Prechamber Enabled Mixing-Controlled Combustion (PC-MCC) with Methanol in an Optical Heavy-Duty Engine. Applications in Energy and Combustion Science, 100479.
  • Chowdhury, M., Johnston, T., & Dempsey, A. (2025). Experimental Study of Mixing Controlled Compression Ignition of Gasoline-Ethanol Fuel Blends With Elevated Intake Temperatures at Low Load Conditions in a Heavy-Duty Engine. In Internal Combustion Engine Division Fall Technical Conference (p. V001T01A005).
  • Zeman, J., & Dempsey, A. (2025). Development of a two-zone zero-dimensional mixing model for actively fueled prechamber engines. International Journal of Engine Research, 14680874251386248.
  • Nsaif, O., & Dempsey, A. (2025). Development of prechamber enabled mixing-controlled combustion strategy for ultra-low methane emissions from lean burn natural gas engines. International Journal of Engine Research, 26(4), 544-566.
  • Valla, J., Ronsman, J., Nsaif, O., & Dempsey, A. (2025). Experimental comparison of open chamber and passive prechamber spark ignition on the combustion performance and emissions for a heavy-duty Natural gas engine. International Journal of Engine Research, 14680874261424828.
  • Ronsman, J., Valla, J., Nsaif, O., & Dempsey, A. (2025). Experimental investigation of prechamber enabled mixing-controlled combustion with natural gas--A pathway to ultra-low methane emissions. Fuel, 392, 134757.
  • Zeman, J., & Dempsey, A. (2025). Mixing-controlled combustion of ethanol enabled by prechamber ignition (PC-MCC): a preliminary experimental demonstration. SAE International Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, 18(2), 219-239.
  • Johnston, T., Zeman, J., & Dempsey, A. (2025). Mixing-controlled compression ignition of ethanol using exhaust rebreathe at a low-load operating condition—Single cylinder experiments in a heavy-duty diesel engine. International Journal of Engine Research, 26(5), 741-764.
  • Dempsey, A., Zeman, J., Chowdhury, M., Johnston, T., & Voice, A. (2025). Use of light naphtha in heavy-duty compression ignition engines--Analysis of engine performance, emissions, and economics. Fuel, 394, 134917.
  • Dempsey, A., Zeman, J., & Nsaif, O. (2024). Development of Prechamber Enabled Mixing-Controlled Combustion: A Fuel-Agnostic Combustion Strategy for the Future of Low-Carbon Reciprocating Engines. In Converge User Conference.