ANN ARBOR - Using building blocks that make up ordinary plastics, but putting them together in a whole new way, University of Michigan researchers have created a class of lightweight, rigid polymers they predict will be useful for storing hydrogen fuel. The trick to making the new materials, called covalent organic frameworks (COFs), was coaxing
DETROIT There?s a lot less hype from automakers at the 2006 North American International Auto Show about alternative energy-powered vehicles, but David Cole, Chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor said not to worry, the focus now is on action, not talk. What?s happening now is Ford, General Motors and DaimlerChrysler are
DETROIT General Motors unveiled two new SUV hybrids Sunday at the North American International Auto Show, including the Saturn Vue Green Line, which goes on sale this summer priced under $23,000. The other GM hybrid announced Sunday was the Chevrolet Tahoe, powered by a hybrid engine developed jointly by GM, BMW of Germany, and DaimlerChrysler.
DETROIT NextEnergy, Michigan?s alternative energy business accelerator in downtown Detroit, has appointed four new members to its board of directors. Michael Boulus, Executive Director of Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan. Boulus has held positions with Michigan?s Department of Treasury, Epylon Corporation, Middle Cities Education Association, Michigan Schools Energy Corporation, Michigan State University and the
DETROIT NextEnergy, Detroit?s alternative energy R&D incubator, has signed agreements with DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors to deliver a comprehensive Codes and Standards Project to help build a critical part of the hydrogen future ? delivering hydrogen fuel to vehicles. The project is a part of the broader U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
TROY - ECD-Ovonics is working on a unique, non-PEM fuel cell design which could end up being cheaper and easier to produce than current PEM stacks, and which could also replace conventional batteries as energy storage devices. Claims like this may sound like pie-in-the-sky, but dissenters hardly faze this group, because they?ve heard it all
ANN ARBOR - While Shell Hydrogen has taken some baby steps toward the coming hydrogen economy, it has yet to make that big leap of faith. And although caution may be the watchword right now, the underlying message is one of extreme optimism, especially coming from an energy giant like Shell. Created as a wholly-owned
ANN ARBOR ? Volkswagen?s technology chief, Wilfried Bockelmann, discusses the state of his company?s fuel cell vehicle development program and outlines the main challenges still faced by the German automaker. To read this Interview with Bockelmann, Volkswagen AG management board member in charge of VW technical development, click on HydrogenForecast.Com
ANN ARBOR - Nissan is working hard to catch with the leaders in fuel cell vehicle development. The company should be able to reach the same stage as Honda and Toyota within three years, predicts Nobuo Okubo, executive vice president and member of the board, research and development/powertrain, at Nissan. The FCV program has been
MOUNT PLEASANT - Seventeen Central Michigan University students hope to build the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the country topping last year?s record breaker, which recorded a whopping 1,819 miles per gallon. The students, under the supervision of CMU engineering and technology faculty member Benjamin Ritter, will enter the 397A/SAE Supermileage class, part of the Society