Prometheus Applied Technologies: Engineering a Cleaner Tomorrow

Every great innovation begins with a question. For Prometheus Applied Technologies, that question was: Can we power the world differently?

Founded in 2010 by Luigi Tozzi and Emmanuella Sotiropoulou, the company set out with a clear mission to reimagine internal combustion engines for a more sustainable world. From the start, the vision was bold: cleaner, more efficient engines capable of running on alternative fuels that align with the future of energy.

Prometheus began by supplying prechamber spark plugs and combustion solutions for stationary natural gas engines for power generation and gas compression. As its expertise deepened and the demand for cleaner, more efficient systems expanded, so did its reach. Today, the company delivers advanced prechamber technologies, full-scale combustion system development, engineering consulting, and hands-on technical training, partnering with clients to push boundaries rather than accept limits.

What distinguishes Prometheus is its integrated approach to combustion. Rather than treating ignition, fuel mixing, and combustion as separate problems, the team views the engine as a unified system. Proprietary computational models and advanced simulation tools allow the company to capture the actual physics of combustion.

The result is a suite of solutions that are not only innovative but also grounded in scientific precision. Prometheus works closely with OEMs and Tier 1 providers in sectors ranging from marine propulsion and automotive to racing and UAVs. Each solution is designed to make engines cleaner without compromising performance and validated through rigorous modeling and lab testing. Using alternative fuels like hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, biogas, and natural gas, Prometheus helps manufacturers meet the evolving demands of mobility and power, bridging today’s challenges and tomorrow’s cleaner energy solutions.

“At Prometheus, we don’t just adapt engines to cleaner fuels; we reengineer combustion from the inside out, uniting science and strategy to power the future,” says Dr. Luigi Tozzi, Founder and President.

Engineering the Impossible into Power

The company’s pursuit of innovation has led to a portfolio of patents and proprietary technologies that enable system-level optimization. The result? Engines that achieve diesel-like efficiency with zero emissions, a feat previously thought unattainable. Prometheus doesn’t just modify engines: it reinvents them, uniting every moving part into a symphony of power, precision, and planet-conscious performance. The past few years have seen a surge in demand for hydrogen-powered solutions, driven by the global push for decarbonization. While hydrogen is promising, it poses technical challenges because of its wide flammability limits and fast combustion. Prometheus meets these challenges by developing advanced strategies for air-fuel mixture distribution, referred to as “lambda,” and creating homogeneous and stratified combustion techniques.

The company’s latest innovations include direct injection systems and specifically designed intake ports and pistons. These advancements enable precise control over the stratification of the fuel-air mixture. As a result, engines can achieve maximum power density and efficiency, competing with or exceeding fuel cell technology in terms of reliability, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

Reinventing Heavy-Duty, The Hydrogen Way

One of Prometheus Applied Technologies’ flagship initiatives centers on retrofitting heavy-duty off-road engines, such as those found in bulldozers and excavators, which traditionally rely on diesel. While hydrogen has long been considered a promising alternative, conventional conversion methods often lead to significant losses in power density and thermal efficiency, creating major obstacles to adoption.

Rather than replacing diesel with hydrogen and adding a spark plug—a method that typically cuts engine performance in half—the company deploys an advanced pre-chamber ignition system. This system features specially engineered electrodes and customized flow dynamics to ensure stable and consistent combustion across every cycle. The result is a hydrogen-powered engine that maintains high power density and efficiency without the emissions associated with diesel. This breakthrough makes hydrogen a viable replacement for fossil fuels in demanding applications and positions internal combustion engines as a key player in the clean energy transition.

Prometheus Applied Technologies isn’t just a technology provider, it’s redefining how engines think, breathe, and perform. It creates innovative and practical solutions using deep scientific knowledge and focusing on customer needs. As the world moves towards zero emissions, Prometheus guides the way, one engine at a time.