Plasma Igniter, LLC

IMPACT

The Plasma Ignition System

Plasma Igniter, LLC

The Plasma Ignition System supercedes current spark

ignition systems in Internal Combustion Engines.

Basic Spark Ignition System

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Distributor-less Ignition System

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Plasma Igniter’s Ignition System

Plasma Igniter, LLC

One-for-one component replacement

Plasma Ignition System is composed of:

• Plasma plugs• RF Generator / Amplifier• Shielded cabling• Control module

How It Works

The Plasma Ignition Technology

• Plasma Plug is a Quarter Wave Coaxial Cavity Resonator– Electromagnetic waveguide– Magnifies a small RF signal into a cylinder-

sized coronal discharge– Can be built and tuned for any frequency,

any operating condition

Plasma ignition results in nearly complete, high-speed combustion…

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Timed Discharge Pattern

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Stoichiometric Condition Burn (φ=1.0)

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Spark Plug

Plasma Plug

Lean Condition Burn (φ=0.8)

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Spark Plug

Plasma Plug

Why It’s Better

PI’s Plasma Ignition System is a dramatic improvement over existing ignition systems. • Increases fuel economy (more complete combustion)• Reduces emissions (cooler combustion)• Combusts multiple fuel types and mixtures

Requires minimal change to existing engine designs while providing retrofit capabilities

The Plasma Ignition System also has a profound additional advantage…

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Game Changing Technology

Our Plasma Ignition System provides in-cylinder feedback that creates

Integrated IntelligenceReal-time, cycle-to-cycle performance data

under all operating conditions will revolutionize engine design and capabilities!

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Underlying Science

• The result of a 20 year on-going R&D program at WVU– 2 Patents Issued, 1 continuation-in-part, plus 3 additional invention

disclosures for global submission

• Produces a true microwave plasma, not spark ignited ionized gases– Magnified radio frequency (RF) resonance and acoustic wave

propagation drives energy into the cylinder

• Allows customization for specific engines and load conditions– Responds to operating conditions cycle-to-cycle, maximizing

performance/efficiency

Real-time combustion data will be a game changer!

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Existing Market

• The market for automotive ignition systems is nearly $4 billion

• Industrial, stationary, recreational, etc. engines all have ignition systems and are all multi-billion markets

• PI offers greater performance, plug & play technology at similar cost

• Should command a premium price vs. current systems

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Competition

A number of small niche spark plug companies have emerged but they just modify existing technology• Pyrotech uses domed electrode to spread spark• Enerpulse (2010) uses pulse power to increase spark discharge

from 500w to 5MW.– Has raised over $20m in four investment rounds– Plans $30m IPO late 2013– Sells under Pulstar brand as a Premium replacement spark plug

Independent testing at Wright Patterson AFB has proven the superior performance of Plasma Igniter’s technology

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Competition

Others are working on corona discharge plugs:• Champion: Advanced Corona Ignition System• Borg-Warner/BERU: Electrically Controlled Combustion Optimization

System (ECCOS) was purchased from Etatech in 2009 for $15m• Both use different technology than Plasma Igniter

– Both systems use an electrical voltage, not RF/acoustic wave– Produce ionized gas that ignites fuel mixture– Have more parts and are more complex– No in-cylinder sensor capability

Major ignition system producers will need competitive technology, and will need licenses from PI

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Market Acceptance

• New Product introduction in the ICE and vehicle markets is costly

• Existing vendors and tier suppliers have well established relationships and product pathways

• OEMs have recognized the need for improvement• Traditional and current solutions will not meet future

needs (regulations, emissions, energy security, etc.)• Plasma Igniter, LLC has a defined licensing strategy

The timing is right…

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Fuel Economy

Energy Security

Technology

Plasma Igniter

The Perfect Storm

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Business Model

• Plasma Igniter, LLC will have an exclusive license assignment – Technology developed at West Virginia University– Licensed by ATA, LLC (Jim Smith, principal)

• PI, LLC will sub-license to OEMs and Tier suppliers• Sub-licenses could be based on market segments– Construction & agricultural equipment– Recreation vehicles − Automotive– Marine vehicles − Aircraft– Stationary industrial engines

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Key Take Aways

Plasma Igniter’s Ignition System provides:1. Superior Performance to all known competitors:

better fuel economy, lower emissions, multi-fuel combustion

2. Fine ignition control based on real-time data3. Customizable ignition system using software4. In-cylinder data will unleash new creativity5. Potential market is multi-billion6. Replacement of the current ignition system is

inevitable

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Call to Action

In 2013, PI, LLC will complete development; conduct independent, EPA recognized performance testing; market and negotiate sub-licenses.• Asking $2m in return for 30% ownership• PPM and related documents were issued

March 2013• $260k raised to date

Plasma Igniter, LLC

This is our opportunity to have an enormous…

IMPACTIt’s In Your Hands!

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Use of Proceeds (ROM)ATA License / Assignment Fee $100,000

Intellectual Property, patents, legal fees $250,000

Development $950,000 Personnel $700,000 Equipment and supplies $220,000 Travel $30,000

Vehicle and Field Testing $250,000

Administrative, marketing, and operating costs $450,000 Marketing $85,000 Consulting and Professional fees $73,000 Administrative $59,500 Operating expenses $57,500 Personal Services $185,000

Total $2,000,000

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Development Plan

• Task 1: Plasma Plug Prototype ($100k)– Identify manufacturers, fabricate suitable plugs,

verify proper operation• Task 2: Ignition Support Electronics ($100k)– Identify industry suppliers, select and acquire

electronic systems, verify proper operation• Task 3: Integration into Test Engine ($300k)– Acquire test engine and interfaces, develop fueling

and ignition interface, verify baseline operation

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Development Plan

• Task 4: Plasma Ignition System Engine Testing ($375k)– Install and tune plasma ignition system – perform lean-limit and multi-fuel tests– compare to conventional systems

• Task 5: Complete Documentation, Prepare Commercial Report ($75k)– Report will be used to formalize and complete licensing efforts

• Task 6: System integration for vehicle and field testing ($250k)– Acquire commercial partner for product integration / field

testing

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Team

• James Smith, Ph.D.—inventor, co-founder, President, PI LLC. Has refined the technology over 20 years.

• Tom Mahoney—co-founder, CEO, PI LLC. 15 years as President of successful industrial consultancy.

• Andrew Lowery, Ph.D.—10 years experience improving PI technology. Knows underlying science.

• Advisory Board will include strong automotive, engine maker experience and contacts.

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Plasma Igniter, LLC

IMPACT

National / Global Realities

Growth in ICE demand will maintain pressure on global energy supplies and emission reductions• US CAFE standards: 54.5 mpg by 2025• EU emission standards tighten again in 2014• In China, 40% of passenger vehicles must have

engines 1.5 liters or less by 2020• California has implemented emission control

standards on Small Off-Road Engines

Plasma Igniter, LLC

National / Global Realities

Countries are not meeting carbon emission reduction goals; trend is up, not down• The average passenger vehicle produces 5.1

metric tons of CO2 annually, almost 10

grams/gallon of petrol• Global carbon emissions rose 2.6% in 2012• Shift from coal to natural gas for electricity

production helps, but methane has 25x more Greenhouse Warming Potential than CO2

Plasma Igniter, LLC

National / Global Responses

Tighter emission standards, higher fuel prices, and CAFE are driving huge investments in new technologies, including:• Hybrids and all electric vehicles (EVs)• Alternative fuels, especially bio-fuels and

mandated ethanol use• Growing use of natural gas to fuel industrial

engines and vehicles

Plasma Igniter, LLC

National / Global Responses

All of these responses have serious drawbacks!• EV technology is not yet good enough• Alternate fuels remain costly, supply is minimal,

and distribution very constrained• LNG/CNG use is growing in response to price

and supply advantages, but distribution infrastructure is poor

• Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and combusts poorly using standard spark ignition

Plasma Igniter, LLC

National / Global Responses

Most Importantly,None of these responses impacts the millions, maybe billions, of existing engines and the millions still to be introduced.

Plasma Igniter, LLC

Development Plan

Plasma Igniter, LLC