ANN ARBOR—Gov. Jennifer Granholm is expected to announce a plan to create alternative energy “centers of excellence” in Tuesday’s State of the State address, encouraging new-growth companies to partner with a Michigan university to help commercialize new products.

The University of Michigan and its University Research Corridor partners have many energy experts. They include:

University energy research

?Stephen Forrest, U-M vice president for research, has been spearheading U-M’s efforts to expand and improve energy research and efforts as well efforts to get technology to the market place. He oversees more than $820 million in research projects, holds professorships in electrical engineering and computer science, physics and material science and engineering.

Forrest, who came to U-M from Princeton University, has previously worked in California and has founded several companies based on research. He has a strong interest in energy research, noting federal goals for achieving energy independence are inspiring a major push for new research and development. He can be reached at (734) 764-1185.

?Gary Was, director of the University’s Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute, is an international authority and resource in issues related to energy research, policy, and education. He can be reached at (734) 763-4675 or [email protected].

Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute

Researchers commercializing their work

?Levi Thompson, a chemical engineering professor, can talk about efforts to develop fuel cells and other forms of alternative energy. He is a leading researcher in hydrogen generation and fuel cell technology, directing a $6 million Department of Energy project to develop low-cost fuel processors to convert hydrocarbons like gasoline and methanol into hydrogen for fuel cells. The company he and his wife co-founded, T/J Techologies, is developing the next generation hybrid vehicle battery.

He can be reached at (734) 936-2015 or [email protected].

More on Thompson

T/J Technologies

?Michael Bernitsas, director of U-M’s Marine Renewable Energy Lab, developed a machine that wrings energy out of river and ocean currents moving as slow as 2 knots. The machine harnesses power from tiny alternating eddies fish use to help them swim faster. His company, Vortex Hydro Energy, is working with the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority on a pilot project in the Detroit River.

“If we could harness just 0.1 percent of the ocean energy, we would be able to cover the energy needs of 15 billion people,” Bernitsas said. Recently passed federal energy legislation includes $250 million for research and commercial application of marine renewable energy. He can be reached at 734) 764-9317 or [email protected]

More on Bernitsas

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The University Research Corridor, an alliance of U-M, Michigan State University and Wayne State University, was formed to transform, strengthen and diversify the state’s economy. The universities are working together to leverage their collective assets and encourage collaboration with business, government and communities to help accelerate economic growth. For more on the URC and recent efforts to increase energy research, visit: www.urcmich.org