MER - August, 2008

Octillion, Oakland University in solar power research deal
Auburn Hills-based Octillion Corp. announced a sponsored research agreement with Oakland University to further the development of Octillion's NanoPower Window technology. In addition to working to advance the company’s solar photovoltaic technology -- in which chemicals are added to clear windows so that they produce electricity -- scientists and collaborating researchers will explore additional nanotechnology applications that may be derived from their efforts. Octillion president and CEO Nicholas Cucinelli announced the agreement at the 2008 Nanoscale Science and Engineering Conference at Oakland University. More at www.octillioncorp.com.

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Automation Alley, NextEnergy set renewable energy trade trip to Brazil
Automation Alley and NextEnergy are inviting companies involved in researching and developing renewable energy systems and technologies to join their trade mission to Brazil Oct. 18-25. The mission will take participants to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the nation's two major commercial and industrial centers. Brazil today is a bio-energy superpower that has set the standard for how industrialized nations can become more energy efficient while significantly reducing their dependency on oil imported from the world's most volatile regions. For information or to register, visit this link or call (248) 457-3288.

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Azure Dynamics plans $25 million stock sale
Oak Park-based Azure Dynamics Corp. announced a private placement offering of up to 100 million common shares at a price of 25 cents Canadian per share, which would raise gross proceeds of $25 million Canadian. Azure sells hybrid and electric drive train technology for medium-sized commercial trucks. The company plans to use the net proceeds of the offering to fund its ongoing product development and commercialization efforts as well as general corporate purposes. The buyers include a European pension fund asset manager.

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MSU plant protein discovery may mean better biofuels
Scientists at Michigan State University have identified a new protein necessary for chloroplast development. The discovery could ultimately lead to plant varieties tailored specifically for biofuel production. Chloroplasts, which are specialized compartments in plant cells, convert sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into sugars and oxygen -- "fuel" for the plant -- during photosynthesis. The newly discovered protein, trigalactosyldiacylglycerol 4, or TGD4, offers insight into how the process works. "Nobody knew how this mechanism worked before we described this protein," said Christoph Benning, MSU professor of biochemistry and molecular biology. "This protein directly affects photosynthesis and how plants create biomass (stems, leaves and stalks) and oils."

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Battery consortium funds Johnson Controls - Saft
The United States Advanced Battery Consortium, comprised of Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp., awarded an $8.2 million plug-in hybrid electric battery technology development contract to Johnson Controls-Saft. JCS is joint venture of Johnson Controls Inc., the Milwaukee manufacturer whose automotive division is based in Plymouth, and Saft Groupe SA, the French battery maker. More at www.uscar.org.

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MSU to create genomic clearinghouse for biofuel crops
Michigan State University scientists, armed with a half-million-dollar federal grant, are creating an easily accessible, Web-based genomic database of information on crops that can be used to make ethanol. "Ultimately this will allow us to create better biofuel crops," said C. Robin Buell, associate professor of plant biology and project leader. "Right now, about half of the biofuel crops don't have genomic databases, and the ones that do are in many different places and are annotated differently, which makes it difficult to compare and use the information."

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Green vehicle producer in Troy gets financing
Look for greener taxi and consumer vehicles for the disabled under a $160 million financing announced Monday of Vehicle Production Group LLC of Troy. Vehicle Production Group will design and develop both gasoline and natural gas powered specialty vehicles designed to meet the needs of the taxi fleet market, commercial and municipal paratransit markets, and the consumer retail market in North America for individuals with a mobility disability. The financing was led by Perseus L.L.C., a merchant bank and private equity fund management company based in Washington, D.C. More at www.vpgautos.com.

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Consumers Energy greens up its vehicle fleet with hybrids and flex-fuels
Jackson-based Consumers Energy said it had added a touch of green to its vehicle fleet with the recent purchase of five Chevrolet Malibu gasoline-electric hybrids. The utility also has bought 150 new cars and trucks with flex-fuel capacity for its fleet. A number of Consumers Energy employees are driving the hybrid cars to test the possible future expansion of hybrids in the utility's fleet. The new hybrids are part of Consumers Energy's ongoing vehicle fleet replacement process. The utility is spending more than $10 million in 2007 and 2008 purchasing 440 General Motors vehicles. About 40 percent of the new vehicles are made by GM employees in Pontiac. More at www.consumersenergy.com.

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Marathon donates $2.4 million for fuels exhibit at Science Center
Detroit-based Marathon Oil Co. announced a $2.4 million grant to the Detroit Science Center for the creation of a new Future Fuels Gallery at the museum. The 6,000-square-foot, three-story gallery will be one of the museum's largest exhibit areas and the Midwest's only public, educational display of petroleum and alternative fuels technology. It is planned to open in 2010. Future Fuels will be an integrated experience that contains 40 exhibits in an immersive experience clustered into four themed areas on three different levels -- Exploring an Oil Reservoir, Production and Transportation Technology, Inside a Working Refinery and Alternative Fuels.

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Azure revenue rockets, but loss grows a bit too
Azure Dynamics Corp., the Oak Park developer of hybrid and electric powertrains for medium-duty trucks, reported a 470 percent jump in revenue in the second quarter to $3.4 million, from $600,000 a year earlier. The company's loss grew as well, however, as Azure boosted spending on engineering -- to $8.1 million or 3 cents a share, vs. $6.9 million or 3 cents a share in the same quarter a year earlier. For the six months, revenue was $3.8 million, up from $700,000 in the same period a year ago. The loss for the first half was $16 million or 6 cents a share, up from $13.4 million or 7 cents a share a year earlier. The company also announced the signing of new sales and service agreements with Northside Ford in San Antonio, Texas and Carmenita Ford in Los Angeles. In addition, the company has hired Ray Crews, a former Ford Motor Co. commercial fleet sales manager. Crews will assist the Azure sales team in its effort to enroll Ford dealerships in key markets across the United States.

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Michigan Wind Energy Task Force offers state's manufacturers opportunities
The Michigan Wind Energy Task Force released several opportunities for Michigan manufacturers looking to get into the wind energy business. First, a small wind turbine representative, SkyStream, is interested in sourcing towers and bolting systems to Michigan manufacturing firms for his local installations. For more information contact Garth Ward at Michigan Wind Power, (231) 645-4479 or Garth@michiganwindpower.net. Also, a Michigan wind turbine company is looking for venture partners. For more information, contact Karl Morgan Kaufman, founder of 21st Century Green Solutions, LLC, 1180 Hollyhock Dr., Grand Blanc, MI 48439, (810) 241-5240 or karl.kaufman@sbcglobal.net, or www.21stCenturyGreenSolutions.com. Also, composites experts at Michigan State Univeristy have developed a unique composites fabrication process that can potentially allow for a lighter weight, more durable wind blade. For more information, contact Alfred Loos or Dahsin Liu at MSU, 2244 Engineering Building, East Lansing, MI 48824, (517) 353-6716 or 432-0844, liu@egr.msu.edu or aloos@egr.msu.edu. Also, Naperville, Ill.-based Broadwind Energy Inc. has entered into agreements to raise $100 million through the direct sale of common stock to investment funds managed by Tontine Associates LLC. For more information, contact Moller at (630) 637-0315 or lars@broadwindenergy.com. Finally, Alternity Wind Power, an affiliate of The Conti Group of South Plainfield, N.J., is exploring the Michigan wind market and is reaching out to potential partners in Michigan. Alternity Wind Power is actively looking for partners in the Michigan market to develop wind projects. For more information, visit www.alternitywindpower.com or contact Anthony Blommel, project manager, Alternity Wind Power, One Cragwood Road, South Plainfield, NJ 07080, or (908) 791-4837.

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MSU nano spinoff could improve electronics, energy efficiency
A Michigan State University researcher and his students have developed a nanomaterial that makes plastic stiffer, lighter and stronger and could result in more fuel-efficient airplanes and cars as well as more durable medical and sports equipment. The material -- xGnP Exfoliated Graphite NanoPlatelets -- will be instrumental in the development of new and expanded applications in the aerospace, automotive and packaging industries, said Lawrence Drzal, University Distinguished Professor of chemical engineering and materials science at MSU and director of MSU's Composite Materials and Structure Center. More at www.xgsciences.com.

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Dow Corning measures global outlook on alternative energy
As energy prices rise around the world, businesses are searching for sustainable alternative energy solutions. According to a global study on alternative energy trends conducted by Harris Interactive for Dow Corning Corp., nearly 40 percent of companies around the world have either implemented or are actively investigating alternative energy technology. "This study shows that companies are looking to renewable energy such as solar to reduce their rising energy costs and address environmental issues," said Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association. "We need common-sense policies to expand renewable energy markets and create green-collar jobs, while moving us to a clean energy future." Additional results and charts illustrating the key findings of the study are available at www.dowcorning.com.

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