Plasma technology to clean up diesel engines

Following the announcements of Honda's plans to introduce diesel engines in the U.S., Bloomberg is reporting on how Honda has patented a new method to curb nitric oxide emissions. In the new aftertreatment system, exhaust flows through a plasma reactor which separates nitrogen oxides and forms nitrogen dioxide that's then reduced or absorbed by alkali metals and silver. The system uses electricity to generate and maintain the plasma, which is drawn from the engine. Combine this reduction in fuel economy with the cost of the system, and it should be clear this system needs further development, but it seems to be a promising alternative to urea injection.
[Source: Bloomberg]