The California Air Resources Board approved more than $700,000 in grants to bolster the commercialization of three cutting-edge clean air technologies.


The projects, funded under CARB's Innovative Clean Air Technologies program, include demonstrations of a big-rig truck trailer aerodynamic device, a specialized drivetrain for commercial vehicles and a stationary biogas engine.

"Taking an entrepreneurial idea to commercial success is often the most challenging part of business," said CARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. "These grants are the seed money that will bring California new, green technologies that will enliven our economy and clean our air."

Three projects were selected for their potential to support CARB programs and initiatives, and lead to emission reductions in California. Two of them were relevant to heavy-duty vehicles:

* Advanced Transit Dynamics, Inc. (South San Francisco) will receive $249,194 to demonstrate its active flow control technology to improve the fuel economy of Class 8 tractor-trailers by 6-10 percent and cut greenhouse gas emissions. (ATDynamics' flagship product is the TrailerTail.)

* Eaton Corp. (Eden Prairie, Minn.) will receive $214,401 to demonstrate its series hybrid hydraulic drivetrain on a package delivery vehicle to cut greenhouse gas emissions generated from commercial vehicles.

At least 50 percent of a project's total cost must come from matching funds and 10 percent must be committed by the grantee. Criteria for project selection include: the potential air quality benefit, readiness for commercialization in California, project quality and synchronicity with ARB's existing programs.