why invest?
a better engine - by the numbers
Get your hands dirty with all the science behind our engine here…82
Patents
2
Primary moving parts
10x
Up to 10x smaller and lighter
18
Contracts signed totaling over $30M (4 commercial R&D contracts and 14 DoD contracts)
100
First major disruption in engines in 100+ years
$400B
Addressable market size for engines and hybrid power systems
Small gasoline engines are inefficient. diesel engines are big and heavy. WE ASKED OURSELVES WHY?
LPI has developed two core technologies, a patented thermodynamic cycle and our patented X-Engine™.
XTS-210 engine core compared to 25 hp Kohler KDW1003
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Father and Son Reinvent the Engine
Dr. Alexander Shkolnik and his father Dr. Nikolay Shkolnik founded LiquidPiston with a radical idea: Instead of trying to make a slightly better engine, what if they created a completely new thermodynamic cycle? That’s exactly what they did. Their patented thermodynamic cycle unlocks up to 10X the power of a traditional engine while being able to run on a variety of fuels like hydrogen.
Get your hands dirty with all the science behind our engine here…
Liquidpiston Innovations
HEHC™ CYCLE
LiquidPiston has rethought the engine starting with first principles - revisiting the thermodynamic cycle - and innovating in a space that hasn't changed in over 100 years! This cycle has the potential to be up to 30% more fuel efficient than traditional Otto or Diesel cycles.
LiquidPiston has patented the High-Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC), which includes:
High Compression Ratio (i.e. Diesel cycle): For maximum efficiency, air is compressed to a high compression ratio, fuel is injected and compression is ignited (CI-HEHC). Our initial prototype - the "X-Mini" - utilizes a spark-ignition (SI-HEHC) version of the cycle with a lower compression ratio standard for gasoline engines. The advantage of SI-HEHC is compatibility with a range of fuels including Diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, propane, and even hydrogen
Constant-Volume combustion (i.e. Otto cycle): A dwell near top-dead-center (TDC) allows more time for fuel-air mixing and forces combustion to occur at nearly constant-volume conditions.
Over-expansion (i.e. Atkinson cycle): Combustion products are over-expanded using a larger expansion volume than compression volume, as in the Atkinson Cycle.
Cycle-skipping power modulation may also be utilized, which allows high efficiencies at low power settings while simultaneously cooling the engine’s walls internally and providing partial heat recovery.
X-Engine vs. Wankel
Our patented X-Engine solves the problems of the rotary engine without sacrificing the benefits. It’s simple - having only two moving parts, has practically zero vibration, is extremely compact and lightweight, and can run on heavy fuel, gasoline, and even gaseous fuels like propane and hydrogen.
Wankel
X-Engine
We turned the traditional Wankel inside out. Traditional Wankels have a triangular rotor in a "peanut" shaped (trochoidal) housing. We have a peanut-shaped (trochoidal) rotor within a tri-lobed-shaped housing. By turning the rotary "inside out", the X-Engine has stationary apex (tip) seals that can be directly lubricated. Furthermore, the long, skinny, rotating combustion chamber of the Wankel - becomes a stationary combustion chamber within the housing that can be optimized for better fuel-air mixing and combustion. In this way, we address many of the challenges of the old Wankel rotary including sealing, cooling, lubrication, emissions, and efficiency.
LiquidPiston Was Featured On…
The Discovery Channel / Daily Planet Show
Footage is provided courtesy of Exploration Distribution Inc. (C)2020. All rights reserved.
Warped Perception
May 14th, 2021
INVEST NOW
How It’s Made
Science Channel
Season 31 Episode 09
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LIQUIDPISTON IS TACKLING THE GLOBAL INTERNAL COMBUSTION MARKET.
Military & Aerospace¹
Whether it’s a drone that can fly faster and farther or the ability to fit 11 generators on a pallet instead of two, our small, versatile engines are solving some of the biggest problems for the military. No wonder the Department of Defense has awarded us over $30M to date.
Automotive¹
Demand for electric vehicles is off the charts, with an expected growth of 380% more EVs on the road by 2030. That’s creating a problem. The demand for EVs is causing a shortage in precious metals like lithium. By using our engine we can make hybrid electric cars with 80% smaller batteries.
Urban Air Mobility (UAM)¹
Planes are typically painted white because it weighs less than darker colors. If the color of the paint matters this much, imagine how important the weight of the engine is. By getting the same power with up to a 10X smaller engine, we’re opening up possibilities for air taxis.
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS)2
One of the key features of our Hybrid Electric X-Engine propulsion system powering drones is the ability to turn the engine on and off mid-flight while leveraging an electric motor for quiet cruise or electric-assist sprint and climb modes. Not only does that save fuel, but lets the drone quietly move into sensitive areas with advanced capability. The innovation made us an award winner in the US Army xTechSearch 3.0 competition.
MOBILE / BACKUP / DISTRIBUTEDPOWER GENERATION3
Whether it’s bringing electric power to the front lines or to a city recovering from a natural disaster, today’s bulky generators don’t make it easy. Current 10kW diesel generators weigh nearly 1,000 pounds. But by using our engine we can make equally powerful gensets that can be carried by hand.
$5.8B*
Hydrogen-fueled engines¹
Our engines have been demonstrated on a variety of fuels, including diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, and recently even hydrogen. The exhaust from hydrogen combustion is primarily water. This unlocks a 100% green energy solution for the combustion engine market.
[1] Image for reference, showing future potential market
[2] LiquidPiston Hybrid Electric X-Engine (HEXE) Army Demonstrator vehicle
[3] LiquidPiston Compact Artillery Power System (CAPS), 2 kW Jet-fueled hybrid generator
$30M IN DOD, DARPA, AND ARMY CONTRACTS
When it comes to engines, bigger doesn’t mean better. Imagine moving 1,000 pound generators (and the fuel to power them) to a desert base. Or powering an unmanned aircraft where weight comes at a premium. We’re actively solving these problems for the military.
Drones, UAV
Demonstration of Hybrid Electric X-Engine using jet fuel in 55lb UAV for the Army which led to multiple contract awards.
Mobile Generators
LiquidPiston 30kW Generator concept (11 on left) vs. 30kW AMMPS genset (2 on right) means more generators per pallet - a game changer for the military
We Make the Cars of the Future Possible
Electric vehicles use big, expensive batteries. By integrating LiquidPiston’s X Engine, they can reduce the amount of battery needed, decreasing the production cost and weight of the vehicle.
Hybrid Electrification
Battery-powered electric vehicles have challenges on the path to a renewable future. A typical electric battery weighs over 1,000 pounds and the amount of lithium, cobalt, and nickel currently needed to make them is unsustainable. Our small, efficient engines in a hybrid-electric car can make it possible for the battery to be up to 5X smaller.
36lbs of fuel can displace 1,000 pounds of battery.
LPI Hybrid Power System eliminates up to 80% of the battery pack.
LPI engines allow more range for an electric vehicle by combining a smaller, lighter, more cost-effective battery, with the ease of rapid refueling for longer journeys when required.
LPI's technology could be critical in addressing a possible lithium shortage.
Electric vehicles use big, expensive batteries. By integrating LiquidPiston’s X Engine, they can reduce the amount of battery needed, decreasing the production cost and weight of the vehicle.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the sixth fuel variation that has been proven to power the X-Engine along with gasoline, propane, kerosene, diesel, and jet A fuel.
The primary emission of an Engine running on hydrogen fuel is water, making it a potentially zero carbon-emission, green engine.
Hydrogen may be generated by renewable sources such as solar energy, making it overall a cleaner alternative than batteries on a well to wheel basis
Lightweight & Compact
Up to 80% smaller and lighter than the traditional piston Diesel engines.
Simplicity
Only two primary moving parts, optimally balanced.
High-Efficiency and Lower Fuel Consumption
The optimized thermodynamic cycle has the potential to decrease fuel consumption by 30%, thereby lowering CO2 emissions and the cost of running an engine
Quiet and Near-Zero Vibration
With lower pressure exhaust and just two moving components that are optimally balanced, the engine is inherently quiet, and offers exceptionally low vibration.
We have 64 patents, 44 Issued and 20 Pending
We have 64 patents, 44 Issued and 20 Pending
Future revenue streams
LiquidPiston is presently developing its 5th generation engine architecture, with prototype development of the X-Engine and application demonstrators, largely funded by DoD contracts. We aren’t stopping there. We envision three future revenue streams while we expand our footprint into various commercial as well as military application markets:
Funded Engineering and Research
Design as a service
Custom design and development of engines for clients
Licensing
License to OEMs to make engines using IP
Upfront fees plus royalties
Manufacturing
Industrialize, manufacture, and sell core engines
LPIstock price over time
On March 09, 2022 we effected a ten-for-one (10:1) forward “stock split.” As a result of this split, each share of the Company’s Common Stock was split into ten (10) shares of Common Stock. This 10:1 stock split means that effectively the share price is reduced by 10x (while the number of shares is increased by 10x). Therefore, if you paid $54 per share in the last reg A campaign, this means that post-split, you will hold 10x as many shares, but at an effective share price of $5.40 per share.
Get your hands dirty with all the science behind our engine here…
Company updates
LiquidPiston Introduces XTS-210: a 25-Horsepower Heavy-Fueled Rotary Engine in a Basketball-Sized Package
LPI advances patented X-Engine™ technology with an engine that is 1/5th the size and weight of current diesel piston engines of the same power rating
Read More
LiquidPiston Expands Facilities and Acquires R&D Assets
New machining center expands space by one third; additional testing assets to double R&D capacity
Read More
PRESS
Investor Perks
Tier 1
Investment
$2,000
T-shirt
Tier 2
Investment
$5,000
T-shirt
5% Bonus Shares
Tier 3
Investment
$10,000
T-shirt
7.5% Bonus Shares
Tier 4
Investment
$25,000
T-shirt
10% Bonus Shares
Tier 5
Investment
$50,000
T-shirt
15% Bonus Shares
THE TEAM
Alexander Shkolnik
Co-Founder & CEO
PhD in Computer Science / Artificial Intelligence from MIT
Technical focus on leading teams in modeling dynamic systems, optimization and controls
70+ patents; 30 conference and journal papers
PI on $20M in government R&D programs
Nikolay Shkolnik
Co-Founder & CTO
PhD in Physics from University of Connecticut (UConn)
Former Clean Energy Program Director, GEN3
Motorola award for Creativity
80+ patents: engines, fuel cells, super capacitors, and other fields
TRIZ specialist
Per Suneby
SVP of Corporate Development and Board Director
MBA, Harvard; BASc Electrical Engineering, U. British Columbia
Seasoned Cleantech startup executive
Former Venture Capital Executive in Residence
New England Clean Energy Fellow
FAQ
What is the difference between the X Engine and a traditional Wankel engine?
Our patented X-Engine solves the problems of the rotary engine without sacrificing the benefits. It’s simple - having only two moving parts, has practically zero vibration, is extremely compact and lightweight, and can run on heavy fuel, gasoline, and even gaseous fuels like propane and hydrogen.
We turned the traditional Wankel inside out. Traditional Wankels have a triangular rotor in a "peanut" shaped (trochoidal) housing. We have a peanut-shaped (trochoidal) rotor within a tri-lobed-shaped housing. By turning the rotary "inside out", the X-Engine has stationary apex (tip) seals that can be directly lubricated. Furthermore, the long, skinny, rotating combustion chamber of the Wankel - becomes a stationary combustion chamber within the housing that can be optimized for better fuel-air mixing and combustion. In this way, we address many of the challenges of the old Wankel rotary including sealing, cooling, lubrication, emissions, and efficiency.
How does the engine scale to fit different size/power requirements?
Very well. We can combine up to three rotors and we can scale the rotors to larger size. We are focusing on small package because there is strong demand for a very small compression ignition engine.
How many patents do you have?
We currently have 79 patents covering a wide variety of subjects and applications.
How many horsepower can your engines scale up to?
We are currently focusing on the vast < 500 HP market segments, but we have done conceptual designs up to 2000 HP. The platform architecture is scalable.
What are the tax implications of an equity crowdfunding investment?
We cannot give tax advice, and we encourage you to talk with your accountant or tax advisor before making an investment.
What industries are you currently focused on?
We are focused on military, aerospace, and industrial/commercial application markets.
Can the engine be used in aircraft?
Yes, for direct or hybrid electric propulsion for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and as Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) or Supplemental Power Units (SPUs) for larger manned fixed-wing aircrafts and rotorcrafts.
Are you targeting the nascent vtol passenger vehicle market, i.e. flying taxis?
Absolutely! This is a key emerging target market and we believe that our engine architecture is uniquely suited for these applications, particularly to enable range extension and hybrid electric propulsion systems using a variety of fuels, including low-carbon fuels. The energy density of hydrocarbon fuels is 40-50X that of today's most advanced batteries.
Do you plan on licensing your technology?
Yes, that is one of several potential revenue streams.
What is the exit plan for the company?
The plan is to build a successful, valuable company. Exit opportunities like an acquisition or IPO could follow in due course.
What are the roadblocks to automotive adoption?
The biggest obstacle to penetrating the automotive market is the emissions certification cycle. We can get products out to the military market because of their national security power requirements and we expect to leverage those application use cases and X-Engine designs to participate in a variety of vehicle (including land vehicles) hybrid electric propulsion applications using a range of fossil and low carbon fuels in the future.
What types of fuels can the LiquidPiston engine run on?
LiquidPiston is compatibile with a range of fuels including Diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, propane, and even hydrogen. We fully expect the X-Engine will be able to burn low-carbon fuels, such as bio-fuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Why Diesel?
Many diesel and heavy fuel applications require a small compact engine. Especially military and aerospace applications.
How do you plan to use the proceeds from this funding round?
We are undertaking this capital raise to fund R&D and other initiatives not funded by our current DoD contracts, such as Hydrogen as a future fuel for commercial applications and the expansion of our engineering, test cell, and machine shop facilities.
What is the current valuation of the company?
LiquidPiston is currently valued at $184M.
What is the minimum investment size?
The minimum investment size for this current round is $1,000.
How many investors do you have already?
Over 9,000 and growing!
How has the stock price changed over time?
On March 09, 2022 we enacted a stock split, we effected a ten-for-one (10:1) forward “stock split.” As a result of this split, each share of the Company’s Common Stock was split into ten (10) shares of Common Stock. This 10:1 stock split means that effectively the share price is reduced by 10x (while the number of shares is increased by 10x). Therefore, if you paid $54 per share in the last reg A campaign, this means that post-split, you will hold 10x as many shares, but at an effective share price of $5.40 per share.
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