New generation sparkplug leads to revolution in petrol engine ignition systems

An official media statement by Frikkie Kotzé

The development of a new generation sparkplug that may lead to a fuel saving in petrol engines proved to be a winner in the innovation competition of the North-West University. The new sparkplug, which will be able to produce its own spark, will generally lead to more efficient petrol engines.

With this invention of the team of experts at the PUK campus of the North-West University the spark distributor, ignition coil and high-tension cables currently found in petrol engines are made redundant. The interference with high-technology electronics currently caused by the old sparkplug system in motor cars becomes something of the past. 

This unique invention won the first prize for Paulus Krüger, Barend Visser, Gerard Moerdyk and Prof. Okkie de Jager of the Space Physics unit of the North-West University's innovation competition which was announced during a gala event at the PUK campus.  A well-known motor car manufacturer and a racing parts dealer have already indicated a keen interest in the concept.

By making use of the "intelligent sparkplug" the timing of car engines no longer has to be set, as the timing will automatically be optimal. The concept should be able to work on any petrol engine with sparkplugs.

The award forms part of a countrywide search for the most innovative students.  The aim of the National Innovation Competition, which is sponsored by the Innovation Fund, is to promote entrepreneurship among young entrepreneurs through the commercialisation of their inventions.

The winning team received R50 000 for their invention. The second prize went to a team of researchers for a project on gliders, under the leadership of Uys Jonker, who received R30 000, and the third prize to a team under the leadership of Roelf Botha, with an invention of hardware random generators.

The competition is aimed especially at postgraduate students. The three winners of each participating institution in the country automatically proceeds to the national competition, where the prize money is substantially higher and where they are offered the opportunity to commercialise their ideas with the assistance of sponsors and the commercialisation office of the Innovation Fund.

For more information, contact Dr Rudi van der Walt at (018) 299 2857 or rksrvdw@puk.ac.za.

PHOTOGRAPH: Paulus Krüger and Barend Visser explain the revolution that the new generation sparkplug may lead to in petrol engines.