In 2018, the United States National Science Foundation awarded John a Phase I SBIR, followed by a Phase II SBIR totaling $1.2 million to support his research. This led to the development of REV Force Engine Architecture, a novel approach for enhancing the efficiency of the reaction process within a traditional two-cycle reciprocating engine. This new approach also eliminated all the drawbacks of a conventional two-cycle engine, significantly increasing power output and enabling the engine to run on nearly any gaseous or liquid fuel. This includes clean and net-zero emissions fuels like ethanol, methanol, syngas, ammonia, and hydrogen. In fact, Alpha-Otto has potentially developed the most efficient hydrogen reaction process ever created for a reciprocating engine.

In late 2021, John Krzeminski teamed up with David Dusseau, an experienced entrepreneur with a background in the energy industry, to develop strategies for bringing this technology to market and disrupting a century-old industry in desperate need of innovation. Together, John and David launched Alpha-Otto Technologies and began the challenging process of commercializing a new powertrain technology.