I was sent a link to someones blog entry about the future possibility of replacing spark plugs in engines with laser ignition modules. blog link (http://weekendpundit.blogmosis.com/lastweekend/026438.html). This was an Oct. '04 post so a brief search shows that there seems to be quite a bit of research in this area, such as this one:NETL ARES Activities: Laser Spark Ignition and Knock Modeling (http://www.energetics.com/meetings/recip/pdfs/presentations/mcmillian.pdf)

This is an intriguing idea and, of course, just sounds too cool. This sounds like the kind of thing that could provide more precise control over the combustion process in the rotary's chambers in either enrichened or a lean state. I just thought it was interesting and hadn't heard of it before.