Past news releases
Alternative Energy Technologies for Transportation (AETT) awards first seed grants, issues second call for proposals
May 01, 2009
With three winning projects underway, the international university/industry partnership is now gearing up for a second round.
A total of $1.2 million has been awarded to research projects on alternative energy technologies for transportation.
The Alternative Energy Technologies for Transportation program, a joint initiative by the University of Michigan, Fraunhofer USA, and Fraunhofer Germany, is intended to foster innovative early-stage collaborations between the initiating parties that are likely to secure follow-on external funding or commercialization after the initial project phase.
Depending on the specifics of the proposal, the grants last anywhere from six months to two years. Research objectives of interest range from advanced batteries for hybrid electric vehicles and catalytic processes for fuel cells and exhaust gas cleaning, to advanced durable solar cells, new technologies for harvesting energy in mobile platforms, as well as to associated best manufacturing practices to minimize production costs.
In the first round of seed grants, eight submissions by joint University of Michigan and Fraunhofer teams were received and peer-reviewed. Three selected winners, all of whom have been awarded a two-year grant, are working on:
Three-dimensional dynamic diagnostics of combustion processes with the objective to enable more fuel-efficient internal combustion engine concepts.
Novel electrode materials for the improved charge capabilities and life cycle of lithium-ion batteries by laser-surface modification.
Design of a high-performance supercapacitor prototype by integrating high-surface area carbide/nitrides with 3-D metal foams.
"We are confident that the second call for proposals will once more be answered by impressive propositions, innovative thinkers, and interdisciplinary ideas," said Gary S. Was, AETT program manager. Anke Hellwig of Fraunhofer, second manager of the program, agreed.
Second-round application deadline: June 10. Winners will be announced by mid-July.
For applications and further information, please see the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute Web site: http://energy.umich.edu/info/umf-rfp.html
Recipients of AETT First round seed grants, April 2009:
3-D dynamic diagnostics of combustion processes
Almantas Galvanauskas, University of Michigan, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Volker Sick, University of Michigan, Mechanical Engineering
Stefan Heinemann, Fraunhofer Center for Laser Technology
Laser surface mnodification for production of high performance lithium-ion batteries
Anton Van der Ven, University of Michigan, Materials Science and Engineering
Arnold Gillner, Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology
Integration of high surface area carbide/nitrides with 3D metal foams for high performance supercapacitors
Levi T. Thompson, University of Michigan, Chemical Engineering
Paul G. Rasmussen, Professor Emeritus, Department of Chemistry
Gunnar Walther, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials Research
Burghardt Kloeden, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials Research
U-M and Fraunhofer unite to ignite energy innovations
Dec. 18, 2008
Contacts: Sue Nichols, (734) 615-5678, suenic@umich.edu
Frances Roland-Lee, Fraunhofer, (734) 354-4333
[PDF]
ANN ARBOR, Mich.---International research collaborations seeking new ways to fuel transportation will get kick-started by a $2.2 million program sponsored by the University of Michigan and Fraunhofer.
The program will award seed money grants of up to $200,000 annually for two years to projects that explore alternative energy innovations for transportation. Each project must have researchers from both U-M and Fraunhofer, have strong potential to eventually attract external funding and ultimately be good candidates for commercialization.
“Partnerships between U-M and a world-class research and development organization like Fraunhofer will create an environment that can quickly move innovations out into the marketplace,” said Stephen Forrest, U-M vice president for research. “We have great confidence that this will be an exciting research opportunity to get technology quickly into the hands of business and industry, especially in Michigan.”
"Fraunhofer looks forward to this collaboration because of the outstanding research expertise and the global importance of the subject," said Hans-Jörg Bullinger, President of Fraunhofer USA.
The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute will work with U-M’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Fraunhofer to select and evaluate projects. The energy institute is dedicated to expanding energy research activities on campus and translating them into business opportunities for Michigan.
Projects will be awarded in 2009 and must be finished within two years.
Fraunhofer promotes and undertakes applied research in an international context, of direct utility to private and public enterprise and of wide benefit to society as a whole. By developing technological innovations and novel systems solutions for their customers, Fraunhofer promotes economic development, with particular regard for environmental compatibility.
Fraunhofer USA, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraunhofer with its headquarters in Plymouth. Two of its research centers are located in Michigan and are partnered with a Michigan university and have received funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute develops, coordinates and promotes multidisciplinary energy research and education at the U-M.
The AETT Program is planning an informational and signing event in January on the U-M campus. For more information, visit
ww.energy.umich.edu
www.fraunhofer.de
www.fraunhofer.org