U Michigan and Ben-Gurion University form research partnership on vehicle fuels, solar energy, and thermoelectrics

8 March 2013

The University of Michigan and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel will create a research partnership to collaborate on developing renewable technologies. The partnership aims to make progress toward solving major challenges in the areas of advanced vehicle fuels, solar energy and thermoelectric materials.

Each university has pledged half of the $1 million that will jumpstart the three-year program. At U-M, the funding is provided by the Office of the Vice President for Research and the U-M Energy Institute.

Beginning this month, collaborative faculty teams can apply for grants to start projects in one of the three areas.

BGU has been at the forefront of the energy research for more than 30 years, said BGU Vice President and Dean for Research and Development Moti Herskowitz. The university has previously hosted a joint workshop with U-M on renewable energy with an emphasis on solar energy, liquid fuels and thermoelectricity.

Up to six projects will be funded during the first year. An annual technical workshop will showcase the research outcomes.

Globalization of research is a priority at U-M, which also holds research agreements with several Chinese institutions, most notably the Shanghai Jiao Tong University.