Dr. Charles H. Winter, professor and associate chair of chemistry in WSU's College of Science received funding from DaimlerChrysler Corporation for a project titled, "Exploration of New Hydrogen Storage Materials for Automotive Use."

With the automotive industry moving toward hydrogen-powered vehicles, there is a strong interest in finding hydrogen-containing chemical compounds that can store hydrogen gas for vehicle use. Such compounds should be non-toxic, low cost, and should have a low environmental impact. In addition, hydrogen gas should be easily obtained from the compounds.

Dr. Winter is exploring the potential of a range of simple hydrogen containing compounds to serve as hydrogen storage materials.

"I am pleased that Dr. Winter is working closely with DaimlerChrysler Corporation on this important project," stated George Dambach, vice president for research at WSU. "Wayne State works closely with the automotive industry on many research projects. This particular project is critical to the industry and the environment."

Dr. Winter received his Bachelor of Science degree from Hope College, and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He is a resident of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. In the past 20 years, Wayne State's research has grown 11 percent annually, with research expenditures reaching nearly$170 million in 2001. Over 65 percent of research at WSU is focused on the life sciences, and this focus has led our School of Medicine to climb the National Science Foundation rankings to 23 in 2000.

Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world.