EcoMotors, Inc.(EM), developer of opposed-piston opposed-cylinder (opoc) engine technology, has established a joint research and development center together with Hunan University (HNU) in Changsha to further develop and adapt their technology for the Chinese market.The announcement comes shortly after the company announced the formation of a joint venture with First Auto Works Jingye Engine Company (FAW JY) to develop, manufacture, sell and service the opoc engine technology in China.

The new center will be located at HNU’s Research Center for Advanced Powertrain Technology (RCAPT) and serve as a base for EM research and development in China. EM will provide funding to develop opoc engines and associated technologies, and adapt them to the local market. For its part, HNU will give EM use of the RCAPT’s engine testing and computational facilities, as well as other resources.

At this center we will fine-tune products to meet the specific needs of the Chinese market and provide support for our other partners in China.

Located in a province that serves as an industrial base for mechanical manufacturing, the center also will provide EM with access to local talent. As part of the partnership, EM will give scholarships to graduate students at HNU’s research center, funding their work on the opoc technology. The most promising students will be sent to work at EM’s Shanghai office or other EM facilities.

The opoc engine is designed to be 15 to 45% more efficient, smaller, lighter, and less expensive to manufacture than conventional internal combustion engines. Its “dual-module” configurations give the engine the versatility to offer peak power while significantly lowering emissions and enhancing operating efficiency and fuel economy. The reduced size and weight also allows automakers to fundamentally rethink the way they design vehicles, which holds the potential for further efficiencies through improved aerodynamics.