2026 Silver Medal of The Combustion Institute
The Silver Combustion Medal recognizes an outstanding distinguished paper from the previous International Symposium on Combustion. This year's recipients; Tony Xiao, Vinny Gupta, Matthew J. Dunn, and Assaad R. Masri, were honored for their paper, “Joint OH-PLIF and Mie Scattering Imaging of Enhanced Water Mist Suppression of Buoyant Fires,” presented at the 40th International Symposium on Combustion in 2024. For these four researchers, the award celebrates work that could help shape the future of fire suppression in some of the world's most challenging environments.
“Fires are difficult to control and cause thousands of fatalities and billions of dollars in financial losses on an annual basis,” explains co-author Vinny Gupta. “Our research aims to improve our understanding of how suppressing agents such as water droplets or chemical additives interact with fires so that we can optimize suppression strategies for realistic fire scenarios.”
The research team set out to better understand whether water mist could be enhanced to attack a fire in another way: by interfering with the chemical reactions that sustain combustion. Using advanced high-speed laser diagnostics, the researchers studied how chemically enhanced water droplets interact with buoyant fires. Their findings showed that adding small amounts of metal salts to water mist can allow the suppression agent to do more than cool the flames, it can also chemically interfere with the combustion process. The results could have important consequences for the development of future suppression technologies.
The research is particularly relevant in high-risk environments where fires can grow quickly and are difficult to contain. Tall buildings, tunnels, industrial facilities, and transportation infrastructure all present unique challenges for fire protection systems. “The main beneficiaries are people and industries that rely on fast, effective fire protection in high-risk contexts,” Gupta says.
Looking ahead, the team believes the findings could help improve fire suppression models and support the development of new water mist systems designed specifically for demanding environments.
The award-winning research brings together expertise spanning fire dynamics, combustion science, laser diagnostics, and emerging fire hazards.
Dr. Tony Xiao is a Senior Research Scientist in FM's Fire Hazards and Protection group, where his research focuses on lithium-ion battery fire hazards, fire dynamics, and material flammability. He earned his BEng in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Sydney in 2020 and completed his Ph.D. there in 2025 in the Clean Combustion Laboratory.
Dr. Vinny Gupta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo, where he leads the Fire Research Group and the Live Fire Research Facility. He received his Ph.D. in 2021 and his BEng in 2015 from The University of Queensland in Australia; and completed his postdoctoral research in the Clean Combustion Laboratory at the University of Sydney.
Dr. Matthew J. Dunn is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at the University of Sydney. He received his Ph.D. and Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) Honours from the University of Sydney and completed postdoctoral studies at Sandia National Laboratories in California.
Professor Assaad R. Masri Please include his current position/title. He received his Ph.D. and BE Honours with the University Medal from the University of Sydney. And one sentence of field of study, or focus of current lab’s research and accomplishments if they fit.
Please join The Combustion Institute in congratulating the Silver Combustion Medal recipients, along with the other scientists honored for their achievements in combustion research.
Questions regarding awards may be directed to office@combustioninstitute.org.