Gupta received the Silver Combustion Medal from The Combustion Institute for research showing that chemically enhanced water mist is more effective than water alone at suppressing large fires.
The recognition is highly prestigious for fire research, as this field has rarely received the award.
The award was based on the paper Joint OH-PLIF and Mie scattering imaging of enhanced water mist suppression of buoyant fires, which was presented in Milan back in 2024. The paper was an international collaboration with researchers at the University of Sydney.
"This recognition reflects the strength of the collaboration and the importance of fundamental research in addressing real-world problems," Gupta says. "Ultimately, our goal is to develop knowledge that leads to safer and more effective fire protection technologies."
Get the rest of the story in Researcher earns prestigious international prize for fire suppression breakthrough in Engineering News.
Curious about Fire Research at the University of Waterloo? Check out the University of Waterloo Fire Safety Lab housed within the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering.