Date of Award

Spring 2026

Access Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Systems Engineering

Department

Electrical, Computer, Software, and Systems Engineering

Committee Chair

Richard S. Stansbury

Committee Chair Email

stansbur@erau.edu

Committee Advisor

Daniel Penny III

Committee Advisor Email

pennyd@erau.edu

Committee Co-Chair

Kyle Collins

Committee Co-Chair Email

collink9@erau.edu

College Dean

James W. Gregory

Abstract

The thesis addresses the persistent inefficiency and environmental degradation caused by internal combustion engines in modern vehicles, a major issue as the automotive industry faces increasing pressure to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Internal combustion engines, which power most cars today, convert only about 20-30% of fuel energy into useful work, with the remainder lost as heat and exhaust waste, including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO₂), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). This inefficiency contributes to global carbon emissions, with transportation accounting for approximately 29% of U.S. greenhouse gases in 2021 [1]. As regulatory standards tighten (e.g., Euro 7, CAFE standards) and consumer demand shifts toward sustainability, traditional internal combustion engines require innovative retrofits to remain viable. The problem is compounded by the slow transition to electric vehicles (EVs), which face challenges like high costs, limited infrastructure, and battery production emissions, leaving a gap for improving existing internal combustion engine technology. This thesis investigates the feasibility and sustainability of a thunderstorm/plasmoid generator retrofit to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions in modern cars, offering a bridge between current internal combustion engine reliance and future zero-emission goals.

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