Highlights from the 14th U.S. National Combustion Meeting

The 14th U.S. National Combustion Meeting (USNCM) was held from 16-19 March 2025 at The Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. Drawing nearly 500 attendees, the meeting featured a Technical Program spearheaded by Program Chair Prof. Wenting Sun (Georgia Institute of Technology), with Dr. Paul Papas (RTX) serving as Host Committee Chair. Along with a list of colloquia, specific emphasis was placed on four additional “Emphasized Thematic Topics”:
  • Alternative Fuels and Sustainability
  • Advanced Propulsion
  • Fire and Explosion Safety
  • Emissions, Aerosols and Environment
Select papers from this meeting will be invited to go through a separate editorial process for consideration for publication in the first odd-year edition of Proceedings of The Combustion Institute (PROCI-oy).

Plenary Lectures were delivered by a distinguished slate of invited speakers, including (in alphabetical order):
  • Prof. Sili Deng, Massachusetts Institute of Technology - “Heterogeneous Reacting Flows for a Sustainable Future” (U.S. Early Career Combustion Investigator Award Lecture)
  • Dr. Timothy Ombrello, Air Force Research Laboratory - "The Linchpin of Scramjets – The Primary Flameholding Region"
  • Prof. Eric Petersen, Texas A&M University - "Beyond Ignition Delay Times and Laminar Flame Speeds: New Measurements to Further Resolve Ammonia Chemical Kinetics"
  • Prof. Brandon Rotavera, University of Georgia - "Chemical Kinetics Mechanisms: Elementary Reactions Governing Complex Phenomena"
  • Dr. Yi Wang, FM - "​Hazard Evaluation of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) – Multiscale Testing and Modeling"
Clockwise from top left: Host Committee Chair Dr. Paul Papas; Plenary Lecturers Prof. Eric Petersen, Dr. Yi Wang,
Dr. Timothy Ombrello (pictured with Dr. Jacqueline Chen and Prof. Wenting Sun), Prof. Brandon Rotavera, and Prof. Sili Deng.

In addition to the Plenary Lectures and over 300 research presentations, the Technical Program included more than 60 Work-in-Progress Posters (WiPPs), and several optional satellite workshops registrants could attend.
 
             

This event also hosted a Combustion Art Competition. You can view this year’s winning exhibitions here.

In tandem with the extensive Technical Program, there were many well-attended social events held during the meeting:

On Sunday, 16 March, a Welcome Reception was held for those who arrived in Boston prior to the meeting’s official start. Light refreshments were served, and many friends and acquaintances took the opportunity to socialize.
 

 
Proceedings on Monday, 17 March closed with the Early Career Mentoring Mixer, which was attended by over 130 mentors and mentees. Featuring a rotating table format, mentors and mentees were able to have stimulating discussions about the field of combustion research, career paths, and more. 
 

Mentors and mentees gather for the Early Career Mentoring Mixer.
 
On Tuesday, 18 March, the Women in Combustion Luncheon, now a mainstay at many CI events, was held in the Staffordshire Ballroom. The event brought together over 60 attendees, providing a platform to share their stories, experiences, and aspirations. Organized by Prof. Sili Deng, the luncheon offered a valuable opportunity to connect and recognize the significant contributions of women in the field of combustion research.


Sili Deng speaks at the 14th USNCM's Women in Combustion Luncheon.
 
Later that same day, the much-anticipated banquet was held in the America Ballroom, featuring food, drinks, and a performance by Northeastern University a capella group, The Downbeats.

 
Wednesday, 19 March was headlined by Prof. Sili Deng’s U.S. Early Career Combustion Investigator Award Lecture and featured the final set of research presentations. The meeting concluded that afternoon, with attendees bidding farewell and embarking on their journeys home.
 

 
We thank everyone who attended the 14th USNCM, as well as the organizing team that made the event possible. We hope everyone in attendance had a great experience and encourage you to share any photos from the event with us via email (office@combustioninstitute.org).