A. S. (Ed) Cheng

Ph.D.         University of California, Berkeley
Mechanical Engineering, May 2002

Effect of Oxygenates Blended With Diesel Fuel on Particulate Matter Emissions From a Compression-Ignition Engine
Dissertation committee: Robert W. Dibble (chair), Jyh-Yuan Chen, Robert A. Harley

Major field: Thermodynamics / Combustion
Minor fields: Fluid Mechanics, Air Quality Engineering

M.S.          Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mechanical Engineering, February 1994

The Head Gasket Ionization Probe as a Combustion Diagnostic for Spark-Ignition Engines
Thesis advisors: Wai K. Cheng, John B. Heywood

M.S.          Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Technology and Policy, February 1994

B.S.           University of California, Los Angeles
Mechanical Engineering, cum laude, June 1991
 

Experience

San Francisco State University, School of Engineering, San Francisco, CA

Assistant Professor, August 2004 to present
Assistant Director, Industrial Assessment Center, August 2008 to present

ENGR 300: Engineering Experimentation, F04, S05, S08
Engineering experimentation. Characteristics of instrumentation and computerized data acquisition. Design, planning, and documentation of experiments. Common methods of probability and statistics.  Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 1 unit.

ENGR 302: Experimental Analysis, S05, F06, F07
Application of thermodynamics to a variety of energy exchanging devices; properties of the pure substance, ideal gases, and mixtures; power and refrigeration cycles.  Laboratory, 1 unit.

ENGR 303: Engineering Thermodynamics, F06, S07, F07, S08
Application of thermodynamics to a variety of energy exchanging devices; properties of the pure substance, ideal gases, and mixtures; power and refrigeration cycles.  Lecture, 3 units.

ENGR 304: Mechanics of Fluids, F04, S05, F05, S07, F07, S08
Statics and dynamics of incompressible fluids, dimensional analysis, and similitude; fluid friction, laminar, and turbulent flow in pipes; forces on submerged structures; fluid measurements.  Lecture, 3 units.

ENGR 463: Thermal Power Systems, S06
Application of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer to design of energy systems.  Economic and environmental aspects stressed as design criteria.  Lecture, 2 units; laboratory, 1 unit.

ENGR 467: Heat Transfer, F05, F08
Fundamental principles of heat transfer with applications to design.  Conduction, transient and steady state; free and forced convection; radiation.  Heat exchangers.  Lecture, 3 units.

ENGR 690: Alternative and Renewable Energy Systems, F07, F08
Experimental new course offering.  Practical and theoretical aspects of energy conversion systems, including wind, geothermal, and solar power systems.  Environmental, social, and economic implications of energy conversion processes.  Lecture, 3 units.

ENGR 696: Engineering Design Project I, F06
Selection of design project, methods of research, time management, engineering professional practice and ethics.  Lecture and project supervision, 1 unit.

ENGR 697: Engineering Design Project II, S07
Continuation of design project with maximum independence under supervision of a faculty advisor.  Oral and written project reports required.  Lecture and project supervision, 2 units.

University Service

• Faculty Advisor, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Student Branch, Fall 2008 to present

• Faculty Advisor, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Student Chapter, Fall 2005 to present

• Faculty Advisor, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Fall 2006 to present

• Chair, School of Engineering Outcomes and Assessment Committee, 2008-09

• Member, College of Science and Engineering Research and Program Development Committee, 2004-05, 2008-09

• Member, School of Engineering Graduation Planning Committee, 2008-09

• Member, School of Engineering Outcomes and Assessment Committee, 2007-08

• Member, School of Engineering Curriculum Committee, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08

• Member, School of Engineering Ad-Hoc Committee on Engineering Design Project Courses (ENGR 696/697), 2006-07, 2007-08

• Chair, School of Engineering Ad-Hoc Committee on Academic Dishonesty, 2005-06

Sandia National Laboratories, Combustion Research Facility, Livermore, CA

Visiting Researcher, June 2003 to December 2005, Summer 2008

Investigation of alternative fuels combustion in an optically-accessible compression-ignition engine via imaging of natural luminosity and laser scattering, along with conventional engine diagnostic techniques.

California State University, Sacramento, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sacramento, CA

Assistant Professor, August 2002 to August 2004

Thermodynamics (ENGR 124), Fall 2002, Spring 2003
Study of thermodynamic principles and their applications to engineering problems.  Includes a study of the first and second laws, the properties of pure substances and ideal gas, gas/vapor mixtures, and an introduction to thermodynamic cycles.

Mechanical Engineering Measurements (ME 125), Fall 2002 through Spring 2004
Theory and practice of instrumentation for basic temperature, acceleration, pressure, flow, force, and strain applied to mechanical engineering problems.

Intermediate Thermodynamics (ME 127), Spring 2003, Fall 2003
Advanced topics in thermodynamics, including compressible flow in ducts and nozzles, reactive systems, homogeneous equilibrium.

Measurements for Engineering Technology (MET 151), Spring 2004
Theory and practice of the application of basic temperature, acceleration, pressure, flow, force, and strain instrumentation to engineering technology problems.

University Service

• Member, Department Curriculum Committee, 2002-03, 2003-04

• Member, Department Graduate Studies Committee, 2003-04

• Member, College of Engineering and Computer Science Academic Council, 2002-03

University of California, Berkeley, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Berkeley, CA

Combustion Analysis Laboratory, Research Assistant, August 1996 to May 2002

• Experimental investigations of oxygenated fuels for reducing diesel engine exhaust emissions
• Chemical kinetic modeling of soot precursor formation with oxygenated diesel (using Chemkin-II)
• Fuel-specific carbon tracing of ethanol-diesel blends using the C-14 radioisotope and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS)

Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, Instructor, Spring 2002, Fall 1998
Upper division: Experimental investigation of a gas turbine combustor / spark-ignition engine with focus on thermodynamic and combustion phenomena.  Experimental design and modeling of systems.

Teaching of Mechanical Engineering at the University Level, Teaching Associate, Fall 2001
Graduate level:  Introduction to pedagogy with emphasis on issues related to mechanical engineering curricula.  Effective teaching methods and theories of learning.

Experimentation and Measurement, Teaching Assistant, Fall 2000, Spring 1999
Upper division:  Methods and procedures for experimental investigation of mechanical engineering systems.  Measurement techniques, data acquisition, and data analysis.  Laboratory assignments on phenomena in acoustics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and mechanical vibrations.

SUPERB Mentor, Summer 1998
Graduate mentor in Summer Undergraduate Program in Engineering Research at Berkeley (SUPERB).  SUPERB gives underrepresented engineering students the opportunity to gain research experience by participating in research projects at the University of California, Berkeley.  The program is targeted to students of color, first-generation college students, educationally disadvantaged students, or students from historical minority institutions.

Thermodynamics, Teaching Assistant, Spring 1997, Fall 1996
Upper division:  Fundamental principles of thermodynamics.  Application to design and analysis of engineering systems.

Acurex Environmental Corporation, Mountain View, CA
(now TIAX LLC and located in Cupertino, CA)

Transportation Technology Program Area, Staff Engineer, August 1994 to July 1996
Management and engineering support of projects related to alternative-fueled vehicles and mobile source emissions.

• Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) demonstration vehicle development, field support, and technology assessment
• Implementation and analysis of emissions inventory models
• Policy analysis related to emissions standards and emissions reduction programs
• Safety assessments of alternative-fueled vehicle facilities and vehicle fueling systems
• Management and support of proposal and business development efforts

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge, MA

Sloan Automotive Laboratory, Research Assistant, June 1992 to December 1993
Study of flame propagation in spark-ignition engines using a head gasket instrumented with flame ionization detectors.

Thermodynamics, Teaching Assistant, Spring 1992, Fall 1991
Upper division:  Fundamental principles of thermodynamics.  Application to design and analysis of engineering systems.

International Business Machines Corporation, San Jose, CA

Storage Systems Products Division, Summer Pre-professional Engineer, Summers of 1989 through 1991

• Best Scientific Poster Award, 9th International Conference on Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, 2002

• Teaching Effectiveness Award, University of California, Berkeley, 2001

• Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award, University of California, Berkeley, 2000-2001

• Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society induction, 1990

• IBM Thomas J. Watson Memorial Scholarship, 1987-1991

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
• The Combustion Institute
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)

1. A. S. Cheng, A. Upatnieks and C. J. Mueller. “Investigation of Fuel and Oxygen-Concentration Effects on Combustion and Emissions Using an Optical Direct-Injection Diesel Engine,” Energy & Fuels, Vol. 21, No. 4, pp. 1989-2002, July 2007.
2. A. S. Cheng, A. Upatnieks and C. J. Mueller. “Investigation of the Impact of Biodiesel Fueling on NOx Emissions Using an Optical DI Diesel Engine,” International Journal of Engine Research, Vol. 4, 2006.
3. B. A. Buchholz, C. J. Mueller, G. C. Martin, A. S. Cheng, R. W. Dibble and B. R. Franz.  "Tracing Fuel Component Carbon in the Emissions from Diesel Engines," Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B, Vol. 223-224, pp. 837-841, August 2004.
4. A. S. Cheng, B. A. Buchholz and R. W. Dibble.  “Isotopic Tracing of Fuel Carbon in the Emissions of a Compression-Ignition Engine Fueled With Biodiesel Blends,” SAE 2003 Transactions Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, pp. 2015-2020, September 2004.
5. B. A. Buchholz, R. W. Dibble, D. Rich and A. S. Cheng. “Quantifying the Contribution of Lubrication Oil Carbon to Particulate Matter Emissions From a Diesel Engine,” SAE 2003 Transactions Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, pp. 1874-1879, September 2004.
6. B. A. Buchholz, A. S. Cheng, R. W. Dibble, C. J. Mueller and G. C. Martin. “Isotopic Tracing of Fuel Component Carbon in the Emissions from Diesel Engines,” SAE 2002 Transactions Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, pp. 927-938, September 2003.
7. A. S. Cheng, R. W. Dibble and B. A. Buchholz.  "The Effect of Oxygenates on Diesel Engine Particulate Matter," SAE Technical Paper 2002-01-1705, 2002.
8. B. A. Buchholz, A. S. Cheng and R. W. Dibble.  "Isotopic Tracing of Bio-Derived Carbon From Ethanol-In-Diesel Blends in the Emissions of a Diesel Engine," SAE Technical Paper 2002-01-1704, 2002.
9. A. S. Cheng and R. W. Dibble. “Emissions from a Cummins B5.9 Diesel Engine Fueled with Oxygenate-in-Diesel Blends,” SAE Technical Paper 2001-01-2505, 2001.
10. A. S. Cheng and R. W. Dibble. “Emissions Performance of Oxygenate-in-Diesel Blends and Fischer-Tropsch Diesel in a Compression-Ignition Engine,” SAE Technical Paper 1999-01-3606, 1999 SAE 1999 Transactions Journal of Engines, pp. 927-938, September 2000.
11. K. D. Vertin, J. M. Ohi, D. W. Naegeli, K. H. Childress, G. P. Hagen, C. I. McCarthy, A. S. Cheng and R. W. Dibble. “Methylal and Methylal-Diesel Blended Fuels for Use in Compression-Ignition Engines,” SAE Technical Paper 1999-01-0508, 1999.
12. O. P. Salvat, A. S. Cheng, W. K. Cheng and J. B. Heywood. “Flame Shape Determination Using an Optical Fiber Spark Plug and a Head Gasket Ionization Probe,” SAE Technical Paper 941987, 1994.

Conference Papers and Presentations

13. C. J. Mueller, B. T. Fisher, G. C. Martin, D. Milam, C. Gehrke and A. S. Cheng. “Fuel-Volatility Effects on an Early Direct-Injection, Low-Temperature Combustion Strategy in an Optical Engine Using a 15-hole, Dual-Row, Narrow-Included-Angle Nozzle,” presented at the Advanced Engine Combustion Work Group Meeting, Auburn Hills, MI, August 19, 2008.
14. A. S. Cheng, A. Upatnieks and C. J. Mueller. “Investigation of Fuel Effects on Dilute, Mixing-Controlled Combustion in an Optical Direct-Injection Diesel Engine,” presented at the SAE 2007 Powertrain & Fluid Systems Conference, Rosemont (Chicago), IL, October 30, 2007.
15. A. S. Cheng, A. Upatnieks and C. J. Mueller. “Investigation of the Impact of Biodiesel Fueling on NOx Emissions Using an Optical DI Diesel Engine,” presented at the SAE 2006 Powertrain & Fluid Systems Conference, Toronto, Canada, October 17, 2006.
16. C. J. Mueller, A. S. Cheng, G. C. Martin and A. Upatnieks. “Investigation of Fuel and Oxygen-Concentration Effects on Combustion and Emissions,” presented at the Advanced Engine Combustion Work Group Meeting, Detroit, MI, June 27, 2006.
17. C. J. Mueller, A. S. Cheng, G. C. Martin and A. Upatnieks. “Fuel Effects on Mixing-Controlled Combustion and Emissions under High-EGR Conditions,” presented at the Advanced Engine Combustion Work Group Meeting, Livermore, CA, February 8, 2006.
18. A. S. Cheng, A. Upatnieks and C. J. Mueller. “An Investigation into the Causes of Increased NOx Emissions with Biodiesel Fueling,” invited talk, presented at the California Air Resources Board Biodiesel Work Group Meeting, Sacramento, CA, June 8, 2005.
19. A. S. Cheng. “Further Insights into the Biodiesel NOx Problem Based upon Engine Tests with Matched Combustion Phasing,” 2005 Biodiesel Technical Workshop, Chicago, IL, January 12-13, 2005.
20. B. A. Buchholz, C. J. Mueller, G. C. Martin, A. Upatnieks, R. W. Dibble and A. S. Cheng.  “Measuring the Effect of Fuel Chemical Structure on Particulate and Gaseous Emissions Using Isotope Tracing,” American Flame Research Committee International Symposium, Livermore, CA, USA, October 2003.
21. C. J. Damm, A. S. Cheng, R. W. Dibble, D. Lucas, R. F. Sawyer, and C. P. Koshland.  “The Effect of Low Sulfur Diesel, Oxygenate-in-Diesel Blends, and Fischer-Tropsch Diesel on Particulate Matter Emissions from a Compression-Ignition Engine,” 8th International Congress on Toxic Combustion Byproducts, Umea, Sweden, June 17-19, 2003.
22. A. S. Cheng, D. Rich, R. W. Dibble and B. A. Buchholz.  "Quantifying the Contribution of Lubrication Oil to Particulate Emissions from a Diesel Engine," Third Joint Meeting of the U.S. Sections of the Combustion Institute, Chicago, IL, March 16-19, 2003.
23. C. J. Damm, A. S. Cheng, R. W. Dibble, D. Lucas, R. F. Sawyer, and C. P. Koshland, “Particulate Matter Emissions Monitoring from a Compression-Ignition Engine Fueled with Low Sulfur Diesel, Oxygenate-in-Diesel Blends, and Fischer-Tropsch Diesel,” Third Joint Meeting of the U.S. Sections of The Combustion Institute, Chicago, IL, March 16-19, 2003.
24. B. A. Buchholz, C. J. Mueller, C. G. Martin, A. S. Cheng and R. W. Dibble.  “Tracing Fuel Component Carbon in the Emissions From Diesel Engines,” poster presentation, 9th International Conference on Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, Nagoya, Japan, September 9-13, 2002.
25. C. J. Damm, A. S. Cheng, D. Lucas, R. W. Dibble, R. F. Sawyer and C. P. Koshland. “Photofragmentation-fluorescence Measurement of Particulate Emissions from a Diesel Engine Fueled by Oxygenate-in-Diesel and Fischer-Tropsch Diesel Blends,” 7th International Congress on Toxic Combustion Byproducts, Research Triangle Park, NC, June 4-6, 2001.
26. A. S. Cheng, C. J. Damm, R. W. Dibble, D. Lucas, R. F. Sawyer and C. P. Koshland. “The Effect of Oxygenate-in-Diesel Blends and Fischer-Tropsch Diesel on Particulate Matter Emissions From Compression-Ignition Engines,” 2nd Joint Meeting of the U. S. Sections of the Combustion Institute, Oakland, CA, March 25-28, 2001.
27. A. S. Cheng, R. W. Dibble and B. A. Buchholz. “Isotopic Tracing of Particulate Matter From a Compression-Ignition Engine Fueled With Ethanol-in-Diesel Blends,” 219th American Chemical Society National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, March 26-30, 2000.
28. A. S. Cheng, J. R. Torres and R. W. Dibble. “Reduced Emissions From a Compression-Ignition Engine Through Blending of Oxygenates with Diesel Fuel,” poster presentation, 27th International Symposium on Combustion, Boulder, CO, August 2-7, 1998.

Selected Reports

29. A. S. Cheng. “Numerical Modeling of Biodiesel Combustion in Diesel Engines,” 2006 Summer Stipend Award Report, prepared for the San Francisco State University Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, September 2006.
30. A. S. Cheng. “Evaluation of Biodiesel as a Low Temperature Combustion Fuel for Diesel Engines,” 2005 Summer Stipend Award Report, prepared for the San Francisco State University Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, September 2005.
31. A. S. Cheng. “Combustion and Emissions Performance of Biodiesel as a Compression Ignition Fuel,” prepared for the California State University, Sacramento Research and Creative Activity Subcommittee, September 2004.
32. L. H. Browning, A. S. Cheng and E. A. Devino. “Estimated Economic Impact of New Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty On-Highway Engines,” prepared for the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Mobile Sources, January 1996.
33. C. J. Pera, A. S. Cheng, W. A. Wool, M. C. Montano, and D. R. Luscher. “Reducing NOx emissions from Nonroad Equipment in the Sacramento Area: Analysis and Recommended Program Strategy,” prepared for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, December 1995.
34. A. S. Cheng. “Demonstration of a 7.3 Liter Natural Gas Engine for Heavy-Duty Vehicles,” prepared for the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, August 1995.
35. C. B. Moyer, L. H. Browning and A. S. Cheng. “Sulfur Effects on California OBD-II Systems,” prepared for Sun Oil Company, Inc., June 1995.

last updated: 01/28/2009