The University Research Corridor, an alliance of Michigan’s three research universities, recently announced its first seed fund grants to provide startup support for two ‘revolutionary but feasible’ energy projects.

Incoming Wayne State University President Jay Noren, University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman, and Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon announced the awards at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference.

The seed investments will help launch two collaborations for efficient development of cheaper forms of electricity and fuel, one involving all three universities and the other involving MSU and U-M.  Out of 13 proposals, the following were selected:

Thermoelectric Materials for Power Generation:  Chemistry, chemical engineering and physics experts representing each of the universities are developing far more efficient low-cost thermoelectric materials.  The technology could be used for power generation and environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems. The project seeks to develop bulk thermoelectric materials containing nanostructure with enhanced thermoelectric properties.  Successful implementation will provide a direct route to a feasible methodology for improving the energy efficiency of industrial processes.

The team was awarded $523,282 covering a three year period.  Collaborators include Donald Morelli, MSU; Stephanie Brock, WSU; Jeffrey Sakamoto, MSU; and Ctirad Uher, U-M.

Improved Ethanol from Switchgrass, Corn Stovers:  An MSU/U-M project with Lansing-based Technova Corp to develop nano-biocarriers to rapidly and efficiently produce low-cost ethanol from switchgrass or corn stover (the leaves and stalks that make up about half a corn crop.) The team was awarded $283,231 over a two year period.  Collaborators include Ilsoon Lee, MSU; Jinsang Kim, U-M; Wei Liao, MSU; Lawrence Drzal, MSU.

 For the full press release, please visit: http://www.urcmich.org/news/energy2a.html .