A UW research group tries to mix diesel and gasoline for better engines - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) -- A University of Wisconsin-Madison research group is developing a diesel engine that combines the combustible components of fuel to significantly lower pollutant emissions.

Diesel and gasoline fuel sources bring unique assets and liabilities to powering internal combustion engines that could lead to an average of 20 percent greater fuel efficiency.

The novel technique Rolf Reitz describes as "fast-response fuel blending," in which an engine's fuel injection is programmed to produce the optimal gasoline-diesel mix based on real-time operating conditions.

Normally this type of blend wouldn't ignite in a diesel engine, because gasoline is less reactive than diesel and burns less easily. But in Reitz's strategy, just the right amount of diesel fuel injections provide the kick-start for ignition.