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NGK Spark Plug has developed new Multi Spark Ignition (MSI) system to improve fuel economy and engine cold start performance. Since engine ignition is the very first stage of reaction process, which leads to subsequent combustion and emission formations, it plays an important function to determine the efficiencies of power conversion and characteristics of exhaust gas. In addition to the conventional function of combustible gas ignition, the spark plug detects ion current surrounding the plug gap to analyze state of combustion. The developed MSI system demonstrated significant performance advantages on engine ignitions and detection of combustion characteristics for engine optimal control.

A new low cost, quick responding, and compact NOx sensor using ZrO2 thick film and the meter have been developed. The sensor is amperometric and consists of two cells: the first cell is an oxygen pumping cell; the second cell is also oxygen pumping cell extracting oxygen from NOx by dissociating it into O2 and N2 gas. The oxygen pumping current in the second cell is proportional to the NOx gas concentration in the second cell and the exhaust gas. The meter is small size, light weight and can measure NOx and A/F ratio at the same time. An unique electronic algorithm is also developed to optimize the electrochemical control system effectively.