We fell short of our Fall Fundraiser goal of 2,500 donations. Help us catch up ⏩ Give Now
Codebreaker

Lasers to replace sparkplugs

John Moe Apr 21, 2011

You guys!

At the Conference on Lasers and Electro Optics in Baltimore this May, Japanese researchers will announce a new laser system that can replace sparkplugs in internal combustion engines. It’s the first laser system small enough to do that. Plus, it’s made from ceramics and therefore can be made in large volumes at cheap prices. Using lasers as opposed to sparkplugs could help lessen the amount of nitrogen oxides released into the air and making smog. Plus, they can help with fuel efficiency. They’re not actually putting these lasers in cars yet, but they’re working with a sparkplug company and a part of the Toyota Group to get things moving forward.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.