Plasmatron Fuel Converter
The microplasmatron fuel converter (plasmatron) is a device that would be used on a vehicle to transform gasoline or other hydrocarbons into hydrogen rich gas. It uses an electrically conducting gas (a plasma) to accelerate reactions which generate hydrogen rich gas. This hydrogen gas is then used as a fuel in the engine resulting in greatly reducing pollution. . The small size and rapid response of the plasmatron make it suitable for use onboard vehicles.

The Technology
A special type of plasma electrical
discharge boosts partial oxidation reactions
between gasoline and air, producing
hydrogen-rich gas. This facilitates the realization of a rapidresponse,
compact and robust fuel converter device. conversion of a fraction of
the gasoline, produces enough hydrogen gas which is fed into the vehicleâ„¢s
gasoline engine where it promotes more
efficient combustion. The fuel converter is as small as a wine bottle and can operate on just 500w of electricity. This technology could provide a viable
means for reducing emissions of greenhouse
gases and urban air pollutants (such
as nitrogen oxides) in the transportation
sector. Also , the
performance of after-treatment catalysts
for diesel exhaust emissions also improves. hydrogen-enhanced, spark ignition
engines can also be developed to improve the efficiency.

Commercialization:
An agreement
focusing on commercializing advanced
emissions-after-treatment technologies
and other systems for the automotive
industry was signed with MIT by ArvinMeritor.

For more details, refer these links:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandf...-dec01.pdf
www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/pdfs/success/plasmatron_2004.pdf
http://freeenergynewsDirectory/FuelEfficiency/Plasmatron/
http://osti.gov/bridge/servlets/purl/827...827860.pdf