Arc Suppression Technologies Named a Finalist in the 2015 Cleantech Open Midwest

Bloomington, Minn., October 9, 2015 — Minnesota-based Arc Suppression Technologies has been named a Finalist in the 13-state Cleantech Open Midwest region, winning $20,000 in cash and in-kind services. The company was selected by a judging panel of top cleantech business leaders at the two-day Cleantech Open Midwest Innovation Showcase in Minneapolis. Arc Suppression Technologies now moves on to compete for a grand prize of $200,000 at the Cleantech Open Global Forum in San Francisco on November 17-19.

Arc Suppression Technologies is focused on fundamentally improving the lifetime cost and sustainability of electrical power switching through the development and commercialization of NOsparc® arc suppression devices for both AC and DC applications. Every day, billions of relays are in operation, worldwide, and they all share one problem: When a relay or switch opens an electrical arc is generated between the metal-based contacts. This arcing generates heat, degrades the contact surfaces, causes electromagnetic interference, and emits ozone, carbon dioxide, and other pollutants.

According to CEO, Bob Thorbus, Arc Suppression Technologies solves these problems in a novel and extremely cost effective way. “NOsparc products suppress more than 99% of the arcing energy in a relay or automated switch,” says Thorbus. “This extends the life of the relay by at least 10 times, and protects the motors or electrical systems connected to the relay. We believe this simple, patented solution could save users billions of dollars across dozens of industries, including manufacturing, commercial heating and cooling, heavy-duty vehicles, railway operations and commercial motors.”

About Midwest Cleantech Open
The Cleantech Open runs the world’s largest cleantech accelerator. Its mission is to find, fund and foster entrepreneurs with big ideas that address today’s most urgent energy, environmental and economic challenges. A 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, the Cleantech Open provides the infrastructure, expertise and strategic relationships that turn clever ideas into successful global cleantech companies.

Fueled by a global network of more than 2,000 volunteers and sponsors, the Cleantech Open unites the public and private sectors in a shared vision for making the cleantech sectors a thriving economic engine around the world. For more information, visit www.midwest.cleantechopen.org, follow us on @mwcleantechopen or contact Jon Keimig, Program Manager at jkeimig@nullcleantechopen.org.