Dana Corporation's AtmoPlas™ Technology Uses Pulsed Microwave Energy to Initiate Engine Combustion

FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dana Corporation (NYSE: DCN) announced today that it has recently demonstrated that its AtmoPlas™ microwave atmospheric plasma technology can be used to initiate combustion in an internal combustion engine.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA)

Dana is highlighting the technology during the 61st International Motor Show (IAA), which runs through Sept. 25 in Frankfurt, Germany.

As part of Dana's proprietary process, a synchronized microwave source feeds short microwave pulses into the engine through a modified spark plug to ignite the fuel/air mixture. No additional modifications are required to run the engine. The modified spark plug not only ignites the fuel/air mixture, but also radiates microwave energy into the cylinder for enhanced, more complete combustion to improve efficiency. The presence of the microwave field during the combustion process can also modify chemical reactions to reduce engine emissions.

"This recent application of Dana's AtmoPlas technology is just the latest of many exciting possibilities we have discovered for this program," said Chuck Heine, president of Technology Development at Dana. "This novel method for using microwave energy to enhance fuel ignition has the potential to substantially change the internal combustion engine."

AtmoPlas generates and sustains plasma at atmospheric pressure to effectively harness microwave energy. Within seconds, plasma temperatures can reach 1,200 degrees Celsius, and there is no known upper temperature limit. While the initial focus for the AtmoPlas technology was the heat treatment and coating of metals and other materials, Dana scientists have expanded the focus to include emerging applications such as synthesis of carbon nanostructures, hydrogen production, and exhaust gas treatment.

About Dana Corporation

Dana people design and manufacture products for every major vehicle producer in the world. Dana is focused on being an essential partner to automotive, commercial, and off-highway vehicle customers, which collectively produce more than 60 million vehicles every year. A leading supplier of engine, drivetrain, chassis, and structural technologies, Dana employs 46,000 people in 28 countries. The company is based in Toledo, Ohio, and reported sales of $9.1 billion in 2004. Dana's Internet address is http://www.dana.com/.

Note to Editors: Dana will host a press conference at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in Hall 6.1, Stand B30, at the 61st International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany. A reception for members of the media will take place immediately afterward.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Dana Corporation

Web site: http://www.dana.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/226839.html