An assessment of the performance and requirements for "adiabatic" engines.

A review of research on low heat rejection engines, on cooperative efforts in the United States and abroad to incorporate ceramics in intermittent combustion engines, and on the use of ceramics in these engines is presented. The reduction of heat loss from the combustion chamber of diesel engines improves fuel efficiency only 3 or 4 percent. Some other gains may be possible from a smaller cooling system, recovery of exhaust energy, and improvements in aerodynamics. It is judged that designs of low heat rejection engines will have the greatest initial impact on armored combat vehicles. Organization, coordination, planning, and cooperation on R&D for the use of ceramics in intermittent combustion engines appear to be greater abroad than in the United States.