Governor Granholm visited WSU awardees on September 13, 2006
Wayne State University’s faculty are committed to transforming our economy through the research that they do, and the State of Michigan has recognized this by awarding Wayne State over $7.2 million through the 21st Century Jobs Fund initiative. The initiative is part of Governor Granholm’s comprehensive Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow economic plan to grow Michigan’s economy. “The work being done at Wayne State University is an excellent example of what the 21st Century Jobs Fund is all about,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “Thanks to their world-class research and creative collaborations with area businesses, Wayne State is helping build tomorrow’s automobiles, develop tomorrow’s energy sources, discover tomorrow’s life-saving medicines and create jobs that will help keep our graduates here at home.”
Of the $7.2 million committed to Wayne State University, $4.2 million was awarded to faculty in Wayne State University’s Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. “We are pleased with the success our faculty had in this year’s competition,” said Dr. John Oliver, Vice President for Research at Wayne State University. “Because of the support of the state, they can continue their important research, and ultimately be able to turn their ideas into products and companies which will benefit people throughout the state and beyond.”
Faculty, administrators and students visited with Governor Granholm on Wednesday, September 13 as she congratulated faculty and further discussed the 21st Century Jobs Fund. Dr. Simon Ng, 21st Jobs Fund recipient, discussed his funded project at the event.
Awards made to Wayne State University are:
K. Y. Simon Ng, professor, Chemical Engineering, and director, Alternative Energy Technology, College of Engineering, was awarded $2,030,156 from the 21st Century Jobs Fund for the project titled, "Development of Synthetic Fueled Generator Sets for Homeland Security." This grant will develop and test on-site electrical power generation hardware to run on synthetically produced, biodiesel, and petroleum-based fuels. This will be the first time ever that a power generation device will be optimized for multi-fuel application. This research and development program could provide the US Departments of Defense and Energy with critical learning on the use of synthetic and biodiesel fuels within tactical and commercial power generation equipment. Titan Energy Development Inc. is currently developing a product (Titan Sentry 5000) that will supply grid power, clean water, communications, lighting and HVAC. Once developed, local and Federal authorities could use this product for emergency utility services by using this product fueled with diesel fuel as the power source. This project will expand the scope to include using synthetic fuel from this project. Upon completion of this program, Titan Energy Development Inc. will be able to modify the Sentry 5000 to operate on multiple fuels. This product will be of great interest to the U.S. Military for multi-fuel capability that will permit efficient operation at any location around the world. The Department of Homeland Security will have great interest in this system for use as easily deployable emergency systems for fresh water generation, emergency power, satellite communication, lighting and HVAC. A collaborative team has been formed for this project consisting of research teams of faculty and students from Wayne State University, NextEnergy, Titan Energy Development, Inc., and the US Army National Automotive Center.
Neb Duric, professor, Karmanos Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, was awarded $1,596,728 from the 21st Century Jobs Fund for the project titled, “Clinical Validation of CURE: A Novel Technology for Improved Breast Cancer Diagnosis.” The objective of this project is to improve diagnostic and therapeutic breast imaging by refining and commercializing the emerging CURE (Computerized Ultrasound Risk Evaluation) technology which is based on ultrasound tomography. The goal of improved characterization of cancer would be expected to lead to a safe, more specific screening method, potentially replacing mammography and its associated limitations in the long term. A collaborative team has been formed for this project consisting of faculty from Karmanos Cancer Institute and the School of Medicine’s Department of Radiology and Department of Radiation Oncology.
Patricia LoRusso, professor, Karmanos Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, was awarded $2,606,786 from the 21st Century Jobs Fund for the project titled, “Phase I Clinical Therapeutics Center Grant.” This Center will help evaluate new treatments by expanding the physical plant of the Phase I Clinical Therapeutics Center and to purchase real-time monitoring equipment to improve the quality of patient care and the accuracy of collected data. This project will develop new compounds to be tested at this Center. If these drugs prove successful, Dr. LoRusso anticipates this will increase Michigan’s drug development industry, delaying or preventing the need for these to be developed outside of Michigan, potentially increasing the work force necessary for large scale drug development. This Phase I Clinical Therapeutics Center will also increase access to exciting, novel anti-cancer agents for all citizens of the state, and in particular, underserved populations.
Golam Newaz, associate director, Institute for Manufacturing Research, Division of Research and professor, Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, was awarded $700,841 from the 21st Century Jobs Fund for the project titled, “Laser-Based Submillimeter-Scale Joining of Dissimilar Materials.” This grant will apply a basic materials science approach to the understanding of both the mechanism of formation of laser joints between technologically important dissimilar materials and the nature of these laser joints as new material entities. The vision for this project is to not only identify proper process conditions and critical factors that favor the formation of new types of strong, durable and functionally reliable joints in specific cases, but to also establish a more universal set of research practices in attempting the joining of entirely new material combinations. The success of this work will be important to actual technological solutions that can strengthen current or future high-tech manufacturing in the state of Michigan in areas such as telecommunication/optoelectronic devices, MEMS-based sensor and other devices as well as biomedical implant devices combined with components made of a variety of materials including silicon, polymers, glass, metals and ceramics. A collaborative team has been formed for this project consisting of research teams of faculty and students from Wayne State University, and Fraunhofer USA’s Center for Laser Technology, a non-profit, Michigan-based research institution.
Xin Wu, associate professor, Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, was awarded $302,761 from the 21st Century Jobs Fund for the project titled, “Materials for Use in Producing Forming Tools with Laminate Tooling Containing Thermal Management.” This program will develop generalized bonding technology that can apply to a wide variety of laminated materials and tool types which meets required strength and chemical stability. It will develop thermal management technology for improved forming processes including methods to predict the thermal results of various configurations. It will also support and assist Fast4M, a Michigan-based company, with a commercialization plan by developing the materials and processes which would permit Fast4M to use its process for tools in non-plastic applications. A collaborative team has been formed for this project consisting of research teams of faculty and students from Wayne State University and researchers from Fast4M.
Wayne State University is one of the nation’s pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. 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.