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 Prof. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, President of Fraunhofer USA.
The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute (MMPEI) will work with U-M's Office of the Vice President for Research and Fraunhofer to select and evaluate projects. MMPEI 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: www.energy.umich.edu
Contact: Sue Nichols, Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute, (734) 615-5678, suenic@umich.edu
Frances Roland-Lee, Fraunhofer, (734) 354-4333