Dr. Adam Dempsey: Pioneering More Efficient Heavy-Duty Engines
Long before becoming an Assistant Professor at Marquette University, Dr. Adam Dempsey tinkered with engines and developed a passion mechanical engineering. This hands-on fascination took him from Bradley University, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering, to a PhD at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and then on to industry giant Caterpillar Inc.
Today, as a leading scientific researcher in the field of engine design, Dr. Dempsey aims to transform how we power large vehicles and vessels. At Marquette University, he leads a dynamic research program focused on developing advanced combustion systems for heavy-duty engines — the technologies that enable the global movement of goods, services, and people, from ships and tractors to construction equipment.
His work addresses a central challenge: How to make heavy-duty engines more effective and efficient
Innovating for the Tactical Edge
Among Dr. Dempsey’s current projects is a research effort – supported by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) — to develop a fuel-agnostic combustion system for naval vessels. This system operates on a wide range of fuels — including diesel, jet fuel, sustainable aviation fuel, methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia — while meeting the U.S. Navy’s operational resilience and performance standards. By designing a new and flexible combustion system powered by a wide range of fuel sources, naval vessels can achieve significant tactical advantages over peer and near-peer competitors.
Dr. Dempsey’s research also extends to land-based engine systems. With support from the Department of Energy (DOE), he is pioneering technology that retrofits existing engines into leaner, more efficient combustion systems, which helps reduce transportation, logistics, and operational costs for business.
Lessons from the Lab
None of Dr. Dempsy’s groundbreaking work would be possible without robust investments from the federal government. Grants from agencies like DOE and ONR enable the kind of basic scientific research that can transform entire industries and give the American military a considerable tactical edge on land and at sea.
As Dr. Dempsey describes it: “Federal investments in basic research help us develop new technologies and breakthroughs that enable American companies to thrive.”
Many of Dr. Dempsey’s grants require him to work hand-in-hand with industry partners from the start. Collaborations with companies like John Deere and MAHLE Powertrain ensure the research isn’t just academic — it’s designed for real-world impact.
Dr. Dempsey’s journey is powered by more than just technical expertise. He credits mentors in both academia and industry for teaching him how to navigate the world of research, and he’s passionate about paying it forward.
His advice? “Be curious. Be persistent. Research is a moving target, and there’s rarely a clear answer. But if you love the challenge, you’ll find your way.”
The Road Ahead
As Dr. Dempsey and his team scale their technology from truck engines to ship engines, one thing is clear: This is what federally funded research looks like at its best. It is bold in vision, transformative in application, and directly addresses some of our nation’s toughest challenges.
Some of Dr. Dempsey’s federally funded research has already generated intellectual property, for which Marquette University is actively pursuing patent protection. Securing these rights is critical not only to safeguard the innovations themselves, but also to incentivize further R&D investment by commercial partners, helping bring these promising technologies to market. This bridge from lab to launchpad ensures that public investments in science continue to yield real-world impact through industry-driven product development and deployment.
This is how basic research transforms society: one engine, one breakthrough, and one cleaner future at a time.