The person who ignited the Rad Cam Revolution
Professor Antoni K. Oppenheim was more than a scientist—he was a visionary who reshaped the field of combustion engineering. His professional journey began in the 1940s, when he escaped war-torn Poland and contributed to advanced aircraft engine development in the UK. From the start, he tackled one of engineering’s greatest challenges: understanding the invisible interplay of flame fronts, pressure, and temperature inside the volatile chambers of internal combustion. While most accepted the limitations of the Otto cycle, Oppenheim saw its flaws clearly. He identified the hot flame front as the source of harmful NOx emissions, and the quenching layers as the cause of unburned hydrocarbons and CO. To him, solving these systemic issues—not masking them with catalytic converters or computer controls—was the true path to cleaner, more efficient combustion. Through groundbreaking research and influential publications, he offered solutions that challenged conventional thinking. Colleagues remember him as a quiet titan of innovation, always ready to provide multiple pathways forward when faced with complex problems. His insights became foundational to the design of the Earthstar Rad Cam engine, and ultimately shaped the development of Kamtech’s On Board Energy (OBE) unit. His legacy is profound. By liberating EVs from grid dependence and oversized batteries, Oppenheim’s influence continues to offer empowerment to manufacturers, drivers, and the future of transportation. Though deeply missed, his vision endures—illuminating the path toward independent, cleaner energy.
Maveric of motion!
Smokey Yunick’s career was legendary, spanning groundbreaking work with Hudson, Ford, and General Motors. More than an innovator, Smokey was a force of nature—known for bold ideas and relentless pursuit of performance. In 1991, when Duncalf set out to design the “ideal engine,” he turned to Smokey for guidance. While Professor Oppenheim had spent his life defining what needed to change in combustion and its environment, Smokey was uniquely qualified to show how to make it happen. Within days of hearing Oppenheim’s challenge, Smokey delivered a transformative insight for the shape of the cam: a constant acceleration profile. This radical design reduced initial force while increasing dwell time at both ends of the stroke, unlocking new levels of power, efficiency, and durability. It not only proved to greatly increase the efficiency of the spark ignition two-stroke version, but also promises to make managing the HCCI version much easier to accomplish. Smokey’s obsession with reclaiming waste heat and improving fuel economy directly shaped the Rad Cam engine. His recommendations—such as stainless steel pistons and heads with insulated coatings—became integral to its internal cooling system of the final design. More than his technical brilliance, it was his fierce, unwavering belief in the project that inspired the team. As one colleague recalled: “When Smokey believed in you, you had no choice but to rise to it.”
Engine designer/builder
Mark Beierle, owner of Earthstar Aircraft Company, was the first licensee of the Rad Cam engine. Leading his team through multiple prototype iterations, he played a crucial role in refining the design. The final prototype—a production-ready version—provided undeniable proof that Professor Oppenheim’s theories on combustion dynamics, documented in his papers and books, were correct. Together, Duncalf, Yunick, and Beierle transformed Oppenheim’s concepts into a functioning engine with a thermal efficiency approaching 50%—a groundbreaking achievement in powertrain innovation. Beierle’s expertise in engine design, his relentless dedication to building and testing, and his determination to see the Rad Cam succeed were instrumental in turning it into a practical and efficient power source capable of revolutionizing the EV sector. Had the economic crisis of 2008 not disrupted funding opportunities just as he was seeking seed capital, the project may have moved forward at an even faster pace. His efforts laid the groundwork for Kamtech's On Board Energy technology.