DEKA Research & Development Corporation Named December “Innovation Rocks!” Award Winner

MANCHESTER – The development of the world’s first Stirling engine hybrid electric car has led to DEKA Research & Development Corporation being named the “Innovation Rocks!” Award winner by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center for the month of December.

The 2008 DEKA Revolt is actually a version of the Ford Think, an electric car that was discontinued in 2000 but has since been resurrected in Europe by a company named Think Global. The key to the Revolt is a Stirling engine that increases the vehicle’s efficiency and allows it to run on any fuel from biodiesel to natural gas.

Rather than powering the wheels, the Stirling engine instead provides heat and defrosting as well as powering accessories to avoid running down the batteries. It can also “trickle-charge” the battery pack so that driving range can be greatly extended. Perhaps best of all, the Stirling is able to recharge batteries at the same rate as they’re being depleted when the vehicle is operating at speeds below 40 miles an hour. 

“Once again, Dean Kamen and his team at DEKA Research have created an invention that will change our world for the better,” said New Hampshire Business Resource Center Director Roy Duddy. “Dean has long been regarded as a global thought leader and we in New Hampshire are thrilled that he is continuing to innovate right in our own backyard.” 

For more information about DEKA Research, visit www.dekaresearch.com.  

“Innovation Rocks!” is an initiative sponsored by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center in coordination with Rock 101 (WGIR-FM) and the The Pavilion at the Hilton Garden Inn Manchester Downtown to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of New Hampshire innovators.