Many moons ago (mid '80's) when I was at UBC they were working on plasma ignition. They could shoot the plasma out the end the better part of 1 cm. Made quite a crack. Very cool. They were also working on different piston / cylinder head designs to shoot (squeeze) the gas/air mixture to the center of the cylinder when the piston approached TDC. This was in an effort to create high speed turbulence. IIR= C the conflagration in the cylinder didn't radiate outward from the ignition source in a hemispherical shape but rather moved preferentially outward along "threads" and expanded into the area between the threads. Both things were examined to create a faster pressure rise in the cylinder. Regards, Gordon Williams ----- Original Message -----=20 From: "Matt Rhys-Roberts" To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." Sent: Monday, April 04, 2011 3:40 AM Subject: [EE] seeking introductory notes on DIY plasma ignition > Could anyone recommend a primer on designing plasma ignition, i.e. very > high energy spark ignition systems? My idea is to seriously improve the > tired old ignition system on a 2-cylinder 4-stroke motorcycle, and I'd > like to experimentally create the fiercest spark that's reasonably possible. > > I notice that a few plasma ignition experimenters appear to be chasing > after running traditional IC engines on water, given that plasma > sparkplugs do make a heck of a crack when you squirt water vapour past > them. Not me in this case, I'm still entirely petrol/gasoline based here > for now. > > Thanks > Matt > > --=20 > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .