Vinod Khosla, one of the original founders of Sun Microsystems, is investing heavily in alternative energy. One of his recent investments is Transonic Combustion.  He wants to make the internal combustion engine 50% more efficient.

While Ford, GM and Daimler have been working on incremental improvements in the combustion engine, Khosla believes that only a startup can take the leaps necessary for radical change.

In May, Transonic received its C round of funding to improve upon its TSCi™ fuel injection system and get its technology to market.

EPA Cycle Testing of Transonic's Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (left) and TSCiTM R&D Prototype Injectors (right)

According to the company, “Transonic Combustion is on course to directly supply global automotive manufacturers with its high efficiency fuel injection systems. Transonic’s TSCi fuel injection system has demonstrated extraordinary fuel economy and lower emissions, while also running gasoline effectively within diesel architectures. To date, testing on several different engine platforms with multiple customers and multiple fuels has regularly achieved air-to-fuel ratios in excess of 80:1 at cruise conditions, with engine-out NOx at just 50% of comparable standard engines. These promising results have led to significant engagement with leading global automotive and engine makers.”

Fifty percent reduction in nitrous oxide exhaust. Fifty percent increase in efficiency.

Those are some nice numbers — and big promises.

Today’s engines transform about 15% of fuel into energy. Transonic promises 30%. What’s more, the company claims that major auto manufacturers don’t need to replace current engines wholesale but can adapt current designs to include the technology. The company also claims to have three of the top global car companies ready to use the technology.

Transonic expects it’s fuel injectors to be included in millions of engines over the next few years. Keep an eye out for this Khosla venture.