University of Central Florida researchers use particle accelerator on DIB

In Florida, researchers at the University of Central Florida used the Advanced Light Source, a powerful particle accelerator at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, to identify 46 molecules that are present in the flames of biofuel diisobutylene (DIB), a natural byproduct of sugar, during ignition. This is the first time that DIB has been studied with this equipment.

The researchers investigated the two most common sources of DIB, which are the alpha and beta strands. They created a combustion event in a jet-stirred reactor, a volume that is continuously stirred, at fixed conditions. The chemical reactions were then inhibited to create a molecular beam that was bombarded with ultraviolet light from the ALS to generate ions.

This model may be readily implemented by any agency, and the knowledge will help fuel developers manufacture a product much quicker.