Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and the University of Michigan (U-M) have established a research partnership to develop renewable technologies.

The partnership aims to solve 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.

"BGU has been at the forefront of energy research for more than 30 years," said BGU Vice President and Dean for Research and Development Moti Herskowitz.

"We look forward to collaborating with the U-M researchers and trust that the agreed model has the potential of generating novel scientific and technological information with potential applications," he added.

U-M Vice President for Research Stephen Forrest said, "Universities need to globalize their activities because we need to solve problems that are larger than one country can manage alone. When faculty at universities from across the world come together, they bring different cultures and different objectives, and when you mix them, you get a lot more than just the sum of the parts."

Up to six projects will be funded during the first year. An annual technical workshop will showcase the research outcomes. Beginning immediately, joint faculty teams can apply for grants to pursue projects in one of three areas:

Advanced vehicle fuels, which could include alternative fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen, electricity, fuel blends, or fuels from biomass

Solar energy technologies including solar heating, solar photovoltaics or solar thermal electricity

Thermoelectric materials for devices that create voltage using the direct conversion of temperature differences to electric voltage, and vice-versa

"We are very excited about the potential for innovation in renewable energy as a result of this new partnership," says Doron Krakow, executive vice president, American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

"It is always a source of pride to see significant collaborations between BGU and American universities develop."