Levin, Stabenow announce $19.5 million for University of Michigan

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 5, 2009: U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both D-Mich., announced that the University of Michigan will receive $19.5 million for the creation of a Energy Frontier Research Center at the Ann Arbor campus.

The funds, provided through the U.S. Department of Energy, will be used to study complex material structures on the nanoscale to identify key features for their potential use as materials to convert solar energy and heat to electricity. 

“The University of Michigan has long been a home to technological innovation, and I am pleased this important renewable energy research will take place in this research center,” Levin said. “We need a broad array of energy sources including affordable and efficient solar power, and I’m optimistic this funding will lead to great advances in this field right here in Michigan.” 

“This funding will help strengthen Michigan’s leadership in renewable energy development,” said Stabenow. “I am delighted that the University of Michigan was chosen to house this research center which will help the university expand upon its already extensive expertise in clean energy.”

The funding, which comes from both the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Department of Energy’s FY2009 budget, will be provided over five years. The center is one of 46 the Department of Energy announced. For more information, visit www.sc.doe.gov/bes/EFRC.html.