U-M and Fraunhofer Unite to Ignite Energy Innovations

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/ — 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 Prof. Hans-
Jorg 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
                                 www.fraunhofer.de
                                 www.fraunhofer.org

    Contact:  Sue Nichols, Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute,
               (734) 615-5678, suenic@umich.edu
              Frances Roland-Lee, Fraunhofer, (734) 354-4333

SOURCE Fraunhofer