Mechanically inclined, Kevin grew up fixing cars. He received his GED at the age of 15 and eventually ventured into computers. He soon landed a contract job with Unocal, quickly learning the oil company game. "An employee told me the gas they were drilling and storing in the wells would not be sold until prices got to be six to seven dollars a gallon," Kevin recalls. Not surprisingly, it was during this time that he became inspired to research alternative fuels.

In 2000, Kevin built a small HHO booster for his race car; a wet cell with stainless steel plates using an electrolyte of salt or baking soda. Adding the booster garnered him a six to eight mile increase in fuel efficiency - impressive results for the fast vehicle. But, the cell was constantly overheating and boiling the water. Kevin worried he would cause damage to his engine, so he stopped using the booster and started doing some Internet research on HHO.

"The groups and individuals I came across online were amazingly intelligent, yet no one could figure out how Stan was able to do it," Kevin explains. So, he began to look into Meyer's research, patents and books to see if he could unlock the secrets of running a vehicle on water. (photo of Stanley's water-powered dune buggy appears in the EBN story, below.)

"Around 2006 is when I really got serious," says Kevin, immersing himself in the theories and applications of Stanley Meyer's work. "A key part of his success was using a high voltage/low amp alternator," Kevin concludes. However, this configuration was impossible to find, so he created his own alternator based on Meyer's theory, a design he now offers for sale. "As far as I know, I'm the only the person on the planet who sells a high voltage alternator," says Kevin. He adds that each one is custom made and hand wound.

After developing the alternator, Kevin began work on the impedance matching circuit. Meyer's patent information for this component was vague causing Kevin to improvise his own version. Extensive details, facts, formulas and definitions covering the impedance matching circuit are available on his site.

Following up on these components, he quickly learned that nobody was using a two-phase alternator or an impedance matching network. "The key component of Stanley Meyer's design was the VIC (rotary voltage intensifying circuit)," explains Kevin, "Instead of sending a pulsed signal to the HHO cell like most do with their pulse width modulators (PWM's), you pulse the alternator."

Stanley Meyer's design also involved a high voltage spark setup, and misting water into the intake on the engine. So, in 2008, Kevin began researching plasma spark technology, downloading a basic set of plasma spark generator plans from the Internet, and experimenting with water mist. "This is where my experiments are different from most pursuing HHO," says Kevin. "While they're trying to run the engine on only HHO gas, my plans combine HHO gas with water mist and utilize a plasma spark setup to split the water vapor in the engine."

Kevin's made some impressive headway into running his Dodge on water. He's built in all of the necessary electrical components and has fabricated an air ionizer that attaches to the carburetor. He's using standard water mist injectors from CoolingMist.com, and a large water tank has been mounted in the back of the Dodge to hold the main water supply.

Now in the final stages of prepping the engine, Kevin hopes to be testing with water very soon. He warns that working with this stuff can be very dangerous - he's been badly shocked a few times. As always, exercise extreme caution when attempting experimentation with HHO and components.

Video of Kevin's testing can be found here. For additional information on Kevin West's water-car experiment, please visit his website.

Not knocking stainless steel - Sean believes the material was a good start towards well designed HHO generators - but the issues with current HHO generators: corrosion, electrical resistance, excessive heat and the problem of leeching hexavalent chromium, are non-existent with titanium units.

Sean uses a specialized titanium substrate coating on his plates that create a surface area 20 times that of stainless steel. This massive surface area allows for a smaller cell of three plates which never heat up to the point of similar units using stainless steel.

Other unique features of the cells include: no metal breakdown, which means the water stays perfectly clear, and the units seem to take less HHO gas to get the same results as a standard stainless steel cell using larger volumes.

Because they are dealing with lower volumes of gas, Hydrogen Assist Development has found they can achieve mileage gains without having to modify or "fool" the car's computer. As Smack, of Smack's Boosters explains, there is still a lot of testing to be done, but it appears that the gas produced with Sean's titanium cell is actually more potent, allowing you to use much less to achieve the same results. Smack hypothesizes that because less gas is being used, it flies under the radar of the vehicle's computer sensors, eliminating the need for electronics like EFIE's and MAP/MAF sensor controllers.

Accroding to Sean, placement of the generator and its components is very important. He warns that maximum efficiency will not be obtained if the flow of water and gas are incorrectly set up.

So, what's the bottom line? Hydrogen Assist Development's three plate cell, garnered a 20-23% mileage improvement in big rigs with 14-16 liter engines, in Australia. Using their double, six-plate system resulted in 30% mileage gains.

Tests performed using a Corvetter Z06-505 hp, resulted in a 60% increase in mileage, with under two liters per minute of HHO. Click here for video.

Major Skeptic Changes Tune

Will titanium coated cells replace stainless steel? Sean Drazen is so sure that he contacted HHO skeptic, Eric Krieg, to test Hydrogen Assist Development's three plate unit.

Some of you may remember Eric from a Dateline story lambasting Dennis Lee for some of his more spurious claims about HHO. Eric, by far one of the loudest voices decrying HHO technology, expertly ripped Lee and his claims, seemingly proving consumer fraud.

Yet, confident that his cell would turn Eric into a believer, Sean convinced him to test it out, surrendering the keys to his own personal vehicle for unconditional experimentation.

Eric's test consisted of basic mileage runs on the same route: first with the HHO generator turned on and then with the unit off. After several runs, the car showed an improvement from 22 to 33 mpg. Eric was perplexed and impressed, admitting the technology does indeed seem to work. Click here to watch the video of Eric's tests.

Since the testing, Eric has agreed to install one of Sean's HHO generator's in his Hyundai for further testing. This could lead to good news for the HHO community. Stay tuned for results!

With headquarters in both San Jose, California and Germany, Nanosolar, Inc., has made impressive headway into greater solar efficiency at reduced costs. Utilizing nanoscience, the printing press and robotics, Nanosolar's engineers and scientists have created a manufacturing process that produces a semiconductor film 100x thinner than a silicon wafer.

Using a modified printing press, this micro-thin film is coated with a propriety ink containing nanoparticles developed specifically for solar cell optimization. This semiconductor layer of film is pressed onto an alloy of metal foil creating solar-electric foil sheets. These sheets roll off the presses to be cut into individual cells of varying sizes.

Nanosolar's use of robotics creates an automated panel assembly that produces one solar panel every ten seconds! Overall, the efficiency of the process is even more impressive when you consider that Nanosolar's solar cells are comprised of more than fifteen material layers and components, some of which are just a few hundred atoms thick.

Nanosolar's product is based on a model of low-cost, medium efficiency panels that provide optimum customer value. And, it's been quite an effective model with orders streaming in and panels selling out quickly.

There's no doubt, Nanosolar is leading the way to next generation, consumer friendly solar panels. To learn more about their process and philosophy, check out their informative website.

"What year did you say this was?" Mike inquired of his friend's old mini-van as they slowly traversed L.A. commuter traffic. "I've had it a while now," his friend replied, "but I'm getting better gas mileage and the engine idles smoother than ever." Wondering aloud how that could possibly be true, Mike's friend popped the hood upon their arrival and exposed his secret: A crude hydrogen generator made out of a Mason jar and some stainless steel wire.

Checking out the installation, Mike recalls, "I was completely unimpressed and really didn't take it very seriously at all." Still, his curiosity got the better of him and Mike set out on a quest for information. "A quick Internet search on hydrogen generators and the hydroxy process in general resulted in days of watching videos, reading forums and eventually gathering materials so I could try it myself."

Following the open-source guidelines, Mike roughly cut a couple of stainless steel "plates," wired them up to a battery charger, submerged them in a bath of water and baking soda, and started producing bubbles. "The first time I lit those bubbles and heard the loud 'pop' from the HHO gas exploding, I knew I was on to something and was instantly hooked."

With new ambition, Mike went back to the Internet, hoping to find people who had taken the technology to the next level. "That's when I began corresponding with ZeroFossilFuels and D3, members of The Energy Builder's Network (EBN)," he said. "I learned so much from their videos, their open-source designs and mistakes they had already encountered and resolved."

Today, Mike is proud to be an official EBN member, joining the ranks of these alternative energy researchers and developers who go by their YouTube monikers: IronHead, Raptor, SmartScareCrow, GenOlizer, and many more. The broad scope of this international group's membership includes engineers, electricians, machinists and manufacturers that appreciate its thoughtful approach to alternative energy. "EBN initially came together to introduce better and safer ways of experimenting with HHO," explains GenOlizer. "I was impressed with this and saw that this was a group that truly had the consumer's well-being at heart and not just money. I became involved for this reason."

EBN's Beginnings

EBN's founder, IronHead, has a well-established, online presence with those pursuing new energy concepts as Raptor explains, "I got to know IronHead back on the OverUnity.com website in early 2006. He stood out from all the other experimenters in the sense that when I asked him questions about an experiment I was working on, he never provided the answers. Rather, he would give me clues and hints to help figure out the problem or next step on my own."

As interest for HHO developed within the OverUnity.com community, IronHead produced a video explaining the electrolysis process and created a tutorial on how to build an HHO generator. These plans and guidelines were greeted with great enthusiasm, encouraging IronHead to create his own forum, "Building for Tomorrow," whose contributors eventually formed the founding membership of EBN in 2007.

Since then, EBN's membership has grown substantially, attracting the best and brightest of garage tinkerers, patent holders and techno-geniuses, worldwide. "We all possess such a diverse skill set," explains Raptor. "Each member represents a piece of the puzzle that completes the bigger picture. That's what makes EBN a great group - there are lots of connections and sources that become available."

Members' locales are as diverse as their skills: California to Maryland, U.K. to Norway, and places in-between, yet communicating is never an issue. On any given day, EBN members can be found online in their forum discussing a plethora of technologies with each other and those eager to learn more. Voice connections are made through Skype, and techniques, research and developments are shared through YouTube videos. “I believe we are standing on the brink of a new technology revolution, fueled by the information age and the power of networking through the Internet and modern communications,” said Thomas Allgood, EBN’s Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Technological Advances

Drawing upon the endless resources of its membership, EBN has made inroads into both established and fledging alternative energies: HHO, solar, aerothermal engines, plasma, electromagnetic and battery technology, as well as electronic control systems and energy storage devices. "We're interested in researching any and all alternative energy systems," said IronHead. "The very interesting thing is how these technologies will be combined to realize future systems."

EBN's most prolific advances into clean air solutions have occurred through the hydrogen and oxygen electrolysis process that creates HHO gas. "In just two years, we have gone from small, one to two liter per minute (LPM) outputs in the electrolysis process to now ten to 15+ LPM," said IronHead. "This kind of success is across the board in much of the research that we do."

EBN's Influences

HHO, water fuel cell technology, was a favorite endeavor of the late Stanley Meyer, a businessman, freelance inventor and alternative energy pioneer from Ohio. His technological advances earned him "Who's Who of American Inventors" honors four years in a row in the early 1990's, and over 20 patents in the development and production of hydrogen generator systems.

Stanley posited that water would one day be used to power our cars, heat our homes, fly our planes and propel spaceships. A man of faith, he cited that, "Biblical prophesy foretells this event." But to Stanley, God and science were not mutually exclusive: "Without scientific progress, we can not hope to cope with, nor solve, the needs of the world," he once wrote.

Water fuel cell technology blossomed under Stanley's direction. His Hydrogen Fracturing Process, Gas Management, and Water Fuel-Gas Injection Systems led to him running a vehicle entirely on water; a feat rarely duplicated to this day.

Stanley heartily encouraged others to follow suit and experiment with his electric cell. "If this invention can be installed in your existing car you would not have to spend another dime on gas!" He proclaimed in a letter dated January 2, 1991, circulated to his followers. He also implored those experimenting to share their results, "Holding on to information like this only hurts all of us!"

Stanley Meyer's sudden death on March 21, 1998, stunned the HHO community, but not its spirit. Over a decade later, members of EBN remain true to his legacy of environmental concern, reducing dependency on fossil fuels, and capping greed by freely distributing a majority of their work as open-source. As ZeroFossilFuel explains, "Keeping information private, using patents and then trying to sell and profit from them, has not worked in the past. Many good ideas, that have been patented, have subsequently been buried and long forgotten. We can't let that continue to happen; we can't make our own profiteering our primary concern."

EBN HHO Developments

While a variety of HHO generator "cells" had cropped up since Stanley Meyer's first electrolyser, not all met EBN's high standards for well-made, cost-effective and safe products. "Most of us had been playing with cell ideas for decades. None of which worked particularly well," according to SmartScareCrow.

Ultimately, the group's collective experimentation concluded that, "The dry cell prototype met our criteria for ease of manufacturing, assembling and cleaning," SmartScareCrow continued, " so a few of us began working on expanding its capacity for gas output and its commercialization."

A committee of 20 was appointed to design and market what would become the EBN Dry Cell. "What makes the dry cell competitive is that anyone can put it together and get reasonable performance at an affordable price for experimenters," remarked SmartScareCrow.

HHO Uses: Pros and Cons

While EBN members believe that HHO gas is a viable fuel alternative and supplement, they do feel that too much emphasis is being steered towards running an internal combustion engine (ICE) on it. As SmartScareCrow asserts, "You have an engine with 100 years of development behind it to run as efficiently and cleanly on gasoline as possible. To get it to run properly on HHO, we basically have to undo a lot of that work and re-optimize that ICE to run properly on a different fuel, or a combination of both.

"When you add HHO to a gasoline engine, you change its character dramatically. Changes have to made in both the emission control system and the onboard computer to help it accommodate this duel fuel." He continues, "The guys I'd like to see working on these developments are the really good auto mechanics - people who know engine internals because they're the ones who have the best shot at being able to overcome the relevant issues."

SmartScareCrow speaks for the EBN membership when he expresses exasperation over spurious claims. "We get concerned when the average consumer goes out there and tries to strap an HHO generator under their hood, expecting to get a zillion miles to the gallon of gas. Frankly, I don't know who to kick in the butt, the consumer for wasting his time and money, or the vendor for actually promoting the product with that promise," he said.

EBN members contend that both consumer and vendor are missing the point of HHO: This is an experimental technology of which there's still much that is not understood or known. People who get their hands on generators should be experimenters who understand what they're doing, and in particular, know that there is no guarantee - no promise. And, whether they get good or bad results, they need to publish them, letting the rest of the world know what they did and how they did it, so the same mistakes won't be repeated.

While HHO results for passenger vehicles can be dubious, EBN points to significant advances for its use in Stationery Engines and torches:

Oxyhydrogen (HHO) torches, capable of cutting and welding metals, glass and thermoplastics, as well as "fire polishing" glass, have existed since the early 19th century. Many incarnations of the "water torch" have been created, patented and trademarked throughout history, in part because its simple design, using readily available materials, is an easy, do-it-yourself enterprise. In fact, there are over 600 YouTube videos on how to create and use an HHO Torch.

While propane is the predominant fuel used in construction welders, EBN members believe its rising costs will create a resurgence of HHO torches. "These torches are killer!" exclaims SmartScareCrow. "If we could get one in the hands of construction workers right now, they'd be thanking God for how much easier, productive and affordable it makes their lives."

EBN members have made significant strides in powering Stationery Engines with HHO gas. "Some of the work being done right now is very encouraging," said SmartScareCrow. "I suspect by the end of 2009, we'll have conquered most of the major hurdles and will not only have them running, but we'll have them running well on HHO."

Future of HHO

HHO experimenters feel a strong calling - if not an addiction - to promote clean air technology and lessen oil dependence. Many speak of a willingness to risk it all to see the technology through. D3 sums up the sentiment: "I want to help get this technology into the hands of people to spark their minds that anything is possible, and that we can find the answers ourselves. We don't need to wait for some big corporation to give us the answers."

EBN feels those answers are close at hand. As SmartScareCrow explains, "We're starting to see a diversification where new uses for HHO gas are being found, and who knows? There's probably a great application for this fuel that no one's even considered yet. I think we're just going to have to keep an open mind and continue experimenting to see how it all plays out."

Other EBN Technologies

Members are researching the potential of a solar energy/HHO partnership, as GenOlizer explains, "Solar energy can provide a way of generating and collecting the electricity required for the electrolysis process in HHO cells." EBN projects that individuals will one day heat and energize their homes through this powerful combination of sun and water.

While emphasis is placed on expanding HHO fuel capabilities, EBN members are experimenting with a host of technologies, including: magnetics, kinetics, gravity, thermal, and hydraulics. Increasing the efficiency of internal combustion engines and researching the potentials of magnet motors, aerothermal engines, and battery, pulse and plasma technology, are additional pursuits.

Future of EBN

As membership grows, EBN's open-source, open-minded approach to alternative energies expands to include any and all ideas. "It's crucial that we include new people into the mix," said member dlwammo. "They bring a different perspective and ideas to throw into the discussion. Even if their ideas are not used, they sometimes sprout new trains of thought and experimentation that can lead to progress in all sorts of areas."

Each member has their pet projects that they'd like to see developed for clean air solutions, but time and money are in short supply for the all-volunteer network. "Progress is impeded when you need parts and raw materials for prototyping but no capital to get them,” remarked Raptor. “But, it's amazing how diverse and resourceful one can get when faced with these types of setbacks."

Resources for the group are often found through their affiliations. The recently established International HHO Institute (IHHOI) was organized to provide standards for quality, safety, installation and integrity of HHO. Their goal is to become recognized as the "UL" for the HHO industry, providing product registration and performance certifications. Many EBN members regularly join in weekly conference calls and head up committees established by the IHHOI.

Other entities recognized by and affiliated with EBN are: Green Gas Fuel, HHO Connection, Alt-nrg.org, Allgood Automation, ScareCrow Labs, and International Hydroxy.

Members of the Energy Builder's Network and their affiliates understand the quest for energy independence is an uphill battle. Naysayers and scam artists, political and corporate concerns, are all big hurdles to overcome for this under-funded, independent group of people with day jobs. Yet, optimism and interest continue to run high with those willing to step-up and share their vision of a cleaner, greener future. As Raptor explains, "Our group could never be too well-rounded, there are always gaps to fill, and with us, it just seems to happen organically."