Emir Yılmaz

I am a co-PI of the Precision Engineering Research Group (PERG) at Sophia University, along with Professor Tanaka. My research explores the fundamental and applied aspects of tribology, surface engineering, and thermal-fluid science. We investigate the behavior of machine elements under extreme environments, including piston ring–cylinder liner interactions in ammonia-fueled engines and functional surfaces for enhanced boiling heat transfer. Our work combines custom-built experimental rigs, advanced surface characterization, and high-speed imaging to reveal mechanisms of friction, wear, lubrication, and bubble dynamics. With these insights, we aim to enable next-generation sustainable energy systems and durable engine technologies.

Prior to joining PERG, I completed my M.Sc. (2017) and Ph.D. (2020) degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Sophia University, supported by the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship. Before that, I worked as a maintenance engineer at Ford Otosan’s Yeniköy Plant in Türkiye, where I gained hands-on experience in automotive manufacturing and reliability. I also hold a B.Sc. in Mechatronics Engineering from Sabancı University, during which I studied abroad at Tokyo Metropolitan University, — an experience that first shaped my long-term academic career in Japan.

You can find a copy of my CV here.

news

Nov 05, 2025	Our latest paper has been accepted for publication in Applied Thermal Engineering 🎉
Oct 24, 2025	Our group hosted a lab tour at our techo center, during the visit of the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh state, which is located in the northeastern part of India.
Sep 28, 2025	Our research group will present three papers at the upcoming LEM21 conference scheduled for December 1-4, 2025 in Okinawa, Japan.
Sep 26, 2025	Sophia University hosted CM2025 between September 22-25, 2026. I acted as the local committee chair.
Aug 21, 2025	Our collaborative work called Tribological and Biological Performance Evaluation of Textured thermal spray coated TiO2/ZnO have been presented at the 6th MYTRIBOS International Symposium on August 20th.

selected publications

CIRP

Experimental study of electrical discharge-assisted turning for UD CFRP under low voltage condition

Ryuta Kuboshima, Hidetake Tanaka, and Emir Yilmaz

Procedia CIRP, 2025

DOI Bib

@article{kuboshima2025CIRP,
  bibtex_show = {false},
  title = {Experimental study of electrical discharge-assisted turning for UD CFRP under low voltage condition},
  author = {Kuboshima, Ryuta and Tanaka, Hidetake and Yilmaz, Emir},
  journal = {Procedia CIRP},
  volume = {131},
  pages = {37-43},
  year = {2025},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  doi = {10.1016/j.procir.2024.09.009},
}

SciRep

Investigation of Intake Air Temperature Effect on Co-combustion Characteristics of NH₃/gasoline in Naturally Aspirated High Compression Ratio Engine with Sub-chamber

Emir Yilmaz, Mitsuhisa Ichiyanagi, Qinyue Zheng, and 6 more authors

Scientific Reports, 2023

DOI Bib

@article{yilmaz2023Ammonia,
  bibtex_show = {false},
  title = {Investigation of Intake Air Temperature Effect on Co-combustion Characteristics of NH<sub>3</sub>/gasoline in Naturally Aspirated High Compression Ratio Engine with Sub-chamber},
  author = {Yilmaz, Emir and Ichiyanagi, Mitsuhisa and Zheng, Qinyue and Guo, Bin and Aratake, Narumi and Kodaka, Masashi and Shiraishi, Hikaru and Okada, Takanobu and Suzuki, Takashi},
  journal = {Scientific Reports},
  volume = {13},
  pages = {11649},
  year = {2023},
  publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},
  doi = {10.1038/s41598-023-38883-3},
  url = {https://www.nature.com/srep/},
}

IJTech

Analysis of the Spray Characteristics of Water and Water/Glycerin Mixtures using an Interferometric Laser Imaging for Droplet Sizing Technique

Emir Yilmaz, Takashi Suzuki, Kenji Ito, and 3 more authors

International Journal of Technology, Jan 2021

DOI Bib

@article{yilmaz2021ILIDS,
  bibtex_show = {false},
  title = {Analysis of the Spray Characteristics of Water and Water/Glycerin Mixtures using an Interferometric Laser Imaging for Droplet Sizing Technique},
  author = {Yilmaz, Emir and Suzuki, Takashi and Ito, Kenji and Gotama, Gabriel J. and Anggono, Willyanto and Ichiyanagi, Mitsuhisa},
  journal = {International Journal of Technology},
  volume = {12},
  issue = {1},
  pages = {101-112},
  year = {2021},
  month = jan,
  publisher = {Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia},
  doi = {10.14716/ijtech.v12i1.4188},
  url = {https://ijtech.eng.ui.ac.id},
}

IJAT

Development of Heat Transfer Model at Intake System of IC Engine with Consideration of Backflow Gas Effect

Emir Yilmaz, Mitsuhisa Ichiyanagi, and Takashi Suzuki

International Journal of Automotive Technology, Aug 2019

DOI Bib

@article{yilmaz2019Backflow,
  bibtex_show = {false},
  title = {Development of Heat Transfer Model at Intake System of IC Engine with Consideration of Backflow Gas Effect},
  author = {Yilmaz, Emir and Ichiyanagi, Mitsuhisa and Suzuki, Takashi},
  journal = {International Journal of Automotive Technology},
  volume = {20},
  issue = {5},
  pages = {1065-1071},
  year = {2019},
  month = aug,
  publisher = {Springer},
  doi = {10.1007/s12239-019-0100-1},
  url = {https://link.springer.com/journal/12239},
}