Project: Development of a soot-free engine for heavy-duty transportation

Johnson earned a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Stanford University where he worked in the Advanced Energy Systems Lab. His research focused on developing ways to significantly improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines for heavy-duty transportation. Key elements included reduction of heat transfer losses by a factor of two and development of a high-temperature combustion system that both reduces entropy generation and meets stringent emissions standards.

Since 2015, Johnson has been working to transition his graduate work to a new startup company, ClearFlame Engines, which provides clean, efficient, and powerful engines for heavy-duty transportation.