Laser Sparks Revolution in Internal Combustion Engines

They don't claim that it's going to work. I would agree that it would be premature if it was in some journal of automotive technology, but the Optical Society?

I think you're being a little tough on them. You do bring up some good points though.

Kinda like puttin' earrings on a pig. In the end, it's still a pig.

I think you'll see them.

I can't even be bothered to read the article, because combustion is still combustion whichever way you ignite it.
Over the years we've tried multiple sparks, multiple plugs and all sort of other stuff, but at the end of the day you are still igniting a mass of compressed air and fuel.
Maybe if we ignite it with a as small nuclear fusion device it will burn cleaner?
Oh dear, it's going to be a cynical day.
Del

Yeah, and jet igniters were all the rage at one time, in the 60s if I remember right.

I think it will happen, maybe not today, but very soon.

I certainly do not think that "dirt" will be a problem, the required energy levels will clean that off in a microsecond or less.....

"Clean" is a relative term when you are talking about the inside of a conventional engine. If you have ever taken one apart you would know what I talking about. Like I said, the least bit of greasy grimy film that covers the lens will mess with the focal point of the laser, and there will be no ignition; and, without ignition, there is no high "energy level" to burn off anything. What people don't seem to realize, is that the focal point of a laser is what makes the magic happen. The laser itself will not burn off deposits of the outside surface of its lens. It simply will not get the concentrated energy required to do this. And, don't forget they said, that in these devices a single laser point was insufficient to cause ignition. If just one fails, then it the whole thing fails.

Ok, I read it.
I love the way they say all the reasons why single and multiple spark plugs don't work too well. Then they say a single laser focussed in the middle of the gas volume will give a lovely symetrical even wavefront.
But then they contradict all that by saying that multiple laser ignition points are better after all.
Remember what they used to say about lasers? 'A solution looking for a problem'.
Anyhow I don't believe their assertions about spark plugs, the darned thongs don't seem to wear out these days, I bet we create tons of waste throwing away perfectly good plugs.
Del

Why try to reinvent the C.I. engine?

Spencer.

What is a CI engine? Please elaborate, thanks in advance.

Usually its "Cubic Inch", just not this time

They are supported by the chart in slide 11 of this. Although, the chart does not show what happens to the sulfur monoxide and sulfur dioxide emissions in relation to the air to fuel ratio.