Dr Halim Mohammed Ali, 40, claims he can reduce fuel consumption by half with the Hydrogen Fuel Technology (HFT) or hydroxene.

Water molecules are split into hydrogen and oxygen through high compression nano-technology before being pumped into the fuel line, he said.

"The new fuel mixture of petrol or diesel, hydrogen and oxygen is then injected into the engine where combustion takes place," he said at the launch of hybrid cars by a dealer here.

Halim, who has a research centre in Putrajaya, said that he first patented hydroxene four years ago and would be re-filing the patent in the next two months.

He said that although he has received offers to sell the technology, some offers amounting to US$26 million (Bt988 million), he had no intention of letting foreign parties get hold of it.

As simple as it sounds, Halim is quick to add that the technology is difficult to copy, as it has a "secret recipe" which very few people know about.

Halim, who has a doctorate in Physics from Birmingham University, said over 12 million rinngit (Bt125 million) had been spent on hydroxene research and development in the last four years.

Halim said the technology had been tested on some 200 Proton cars, as well as on a vehicle used by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Star

Asia News Network

Johor Baru, Malaysia