SmartPlugs Corporation Announces Hyper Lean Burn, No NOx Combustion

SANDPOINT, Idaho--Oct. 2, 20030, 2003--Researchers at the SmartPlugs Corporation announced today that they successfully operated an engine at an excess air ratio of LAMBDA 3 with no Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) and no misfire while testing the extreme lean burn limits of their patented SmartPlugs(TM) Catalytic Ignition Technology.

Researchers were able to ignite gasoline air/fuel ratios of 36.75 to 48.5:1 with no misfires (low hydrocarbon emissions) on a Waukesha ASTM CFR Fuels Rating Engine with no NOx in the exhaust. This promises a new realm of combustion operation on conventional fuels while maintaining low to no NOx. Lean burn has long been recognized as a method of lowering NOx since NOx is produced by high temperature combustion. Conventional ignition systems are unable to ignite mixtures lean enough to avoid NOx formation. SmartPlugs Corporation's patented catalytic ignition system can ignite such hyper-lean mixtures and avoid the formation of NOx due to this low temperature combustion process.

Commenting on this achievement, Gary Paquin, SmartPlugs Corporation's CEO, said, "This breakthrough promises higher fuel efficiencies and lower CO2 emissions. We believe it could provide the foundation for a new generation of high efficiency, clean burning internal combustion engines."

About SmartPlugs(TM)

SmartPlugs(TM) are a precision timed catalytic ignition system that ignites the fuel/air mixture with 6-8 precisely timed, powerful flame jets. No high voltage spark is used in this ignition system. SmartPlugs(TM) are a direct replacement for standard spark ignition systems and easily retrofit into existing engines.