| Dec 4, 2008 | Vol. 2. No. 20 |
IN THIS ISSUE: MMPEI IN THE NEWS, U-M IN THE NEWS, ENERGY NEWS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, AND UPCOMING EVENTS
MMPEI IN THE NEWS
State awards grants to alternative-energy operations with U-M ties
Ann Arbor-based lithium ion battery manufacturer A123Systems Inc. received $10 million in state funding for a battery manufacturing facility. Levi Thompson, director of the Hydrogen Energy Technology Laboratory, is a co-founder of T/J Technologies, which now is the Ann Arbor division of A123Systems. Adaptive Material Inc. will also recieve $3 million in funding. Adaptive Materials was co-founded by John Halloran, professor of materials science and engineering and an institute fellow. He oversees the ongoing development efforts surrounding Adaptive Materials' core technologies. The University of Michigan and Michigan State University will contribute research to bolster the companies' efforts. This marks the second Center of Energy Excellence this fall linked to U-M. In October, U-M spinout Sakti3, led by founder and U-M professor Ann Marie Sastry, was awarded $2.5 million. For Ann Arbor News' story ....
Ocean currents can power the world, say scientists
A revolutionary device that can harness energy from slow-moving rivers and ocean currents could provide enough power for the entire world, scientists claim. For U-M news release and video....
NextEnergy boss sees sharp job growth in renewables
Within a relatively few years, Keith Cooley believes that Michigan could see hundreds of thousands of new jobs in renewable energy technologies. And Cooley is in a place to help make that happen -- he's the new CEO of NextEnergy, the state's renewable energy industry accelerator and a member of the energy institute's external advisory board.
U-M researchers developing interactive tool to assess viability of transportation GHG reduction technologies and policies; PHEVs as test case
Researchers at the University of Michigan (U-M) are launching a project to develop a Web-based, interactive modeling tool that can be used to analyze the likely impact and potential viability of proposed technologies and policies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the light-duty vehicle sector. As a test case for the development of the tool, the researchers are using President-elect Barack Obama’s proposal to put a million US-made plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) getting 150 mpg on the road by 2015.
Energy symposium proceedings available
The complete proceedings of the symposium "Energy, Science, Technology and Policy: Facing the Challenge" has been released and is available online. Organized by the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute and the Office of the Vice President for Research and sponsored by DTE Energy, the February 2007 symposium engaged academia, industry and government in discussions about the multifaceted challenges to our energy future. It can be found at http://www.research.umich.edu/ESTPsymposium.pdf
U-M IN THE NEWS
U-M saves energy, cash with green computing
Spurred into action by a phone call from Google cofounder Larry Page, the University of Michigan is on its way to becoming a leader in green computing, hoping to save money and the environment. The campus-wide volunteer effort, which officially kicked off in March, involves a number of initiatives designed to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy used to power the school's 80,000 desktop computers, half a dozen data centers and more than 100 server rooms.
University of Michigan and GM partner to train alternative powertrain engineers
The University of Michigan's College of Engineering will train 50 engineers from General Motors on alternative powertrain technology - part of a commitment to work together to accelerate the electrification of the vehicle. The partnership illustrates the automaker's desire to find engineers with skills in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle technology.
Engineers create 'nanobamas'
President-elect Barack Obama's image looms larger than ever in the media these days, but now his face has been rendered in 3-D portraits smaller than a grain of salt, using nanotechnology. The mini-Barack Obamas were made by John Hart, an engineering professor at the University of Michigan, who dubbed them "nanobamas." For U-M news story ...
ENERGY NEWS
US Government releases 2007 greenhouse gas emissions report
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has released its 2007 Greenhouse Gas Emissions report today, outlining the the latest trends in US energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the highlights: Total greenhouse gas emissions in 2007 were 1.4 percent higher than in 2006; and 81 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States was related to energy usage in 2007.
DOE announces up to $29.3 million in projects for research, development, and demonstration of alternative vehicle technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced on Dec 3, the selection of six cost-shared research projects for the development and demonstration of alternative vehicle technology projects totaling a DOE investment of up to $14.55 million over three years, subject to annual appropriations.
Rivers looking attractive for energy
This New York Times articles looks at the renewed interest in harnessing the energy of the nations rivers and waterways. U-M's Mike Bernitsas's VIVACE (vortex creation induced by current flow around cylinders) work is also referenced in the article.
Polymer solar cells with higher efficiency levels created
Currently, solar cells are difficult to handle, expensive to purchase and complicated to install. The hope is that consumers will one day be able to buy solar cells from their local hardware store and simply hang them like posters on a wall.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
University Research in Advanced Combustion and Emissions Control - Due 01/16/2009
The Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Center (NETL) on behalf of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Vehicle Technologies Program (VT) is seeking applications from U.S. Colleges and Universities and University-Affiliated Research Institutions for cost shared technology development projects. (DE-PS26-09NT0001227) One goal of the technology development is to enable an increase in the efficiency of internal combustion engines while minimizing the energy penalty of meeting emissions regulations. Another goal is to develop fundamental science and engineering which will support the development and commercialization of clean, efficient internal combustion engine powertrains operating on both nonpetroleum-based and petroleum-based fuels. For application instructions ...
UM Frankel Commercialization Fund Seeking Applicants - Receive $60,000 - $80,000 to help launch your business - Due 01/05/09
If you are in the process of starting a business or have an idea for a new start-up, we want to hear from you. The Frankel Commercialization Fund is a student-run, pre-seed investment fund at the Ross School of Business that aims to increase the number of successful commercial ventures coming out of the University of Michigan and surrounding area. In addition to funding, we bring expertise, mentorship, contacts, and an advisory board consisting of executives with industry and early-stage company formation experience. We are looking for innovative ideas in the fields of clean tech. The Frankel Fund Clean Tech team was established last year to specifically fund technologies that provide solutions to global challenges while offering competitive returns for investors and customers. Clean Tech spans many industry verticals and is defined by the following eleven segments Energy Generation, Energy Storage, Energy Infrastructure, Energy Efficiency, Transportation, Water & Wastewater, Air & Environment, Materials, Manufacturing/Industrial, Agriculture, and Recycling & Waste. The next application deadline is January 5, 2009. To learn more about the program and to download an application, visit: http://www.frankelfund.com/. Please send questions to ffquestions@umich.edu and completed applications to frankelproposal@umich.edu.
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/info/funding.html for additional funding opportunities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Erb Colloquium: Judith Walls
Monday, Dec 8, 12:00pm to 1:30pm
University of Michigan, 1028 Dana Building, 440 Church Street
Judith Walls, an Erb Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, presents a lecture as part of the Erb Colloquium. Her research explores the relationship between corporate governance and environmental strategy, mechanisms of industrial symbiosis strategy, corporate strategic responses to renewable energy policies, and innovation in energy efficient technology. Details to be announced.
RESEARCH AND FACULTY POSITIONS
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/careers/facultypositions.html for information on University of Michigan open faculty positions exploring energy storage and social science and energy.
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