Kettering is among the Michigan universities included in projects authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., the ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said many Michigan universities are included in the $1.4 billion authorized for fundamental research to support the military through research at universities and government laboratories.

Image removed. "As the men and women of our military are engaged in combat action abroad, the Armed Services Committee is working to better equip our forces to address the threats to America's security now and in the future," Levin said. "We have also taken steps to help enhance the quality of life for our service members and their families."

 Kettering President James E.A. John said the projects included in the Defense Authorization Bill represent new research and development prospects for Kettering. "If the bill is funded later this year as part of the Congressional budgetary authorization process, they offer our University a great step forward in its research efforts and the potential for future federal projects. We are grateful for the support of Senator Levin, Congressman Dale Kildee and the instrumental help of Tim Herman (CEO at Flint Area Focus Council, Inc.) in establishing Kettering as a resource in this national effort."

Two Kettering University projects are part of the National Defense Authorization Act, that cleared the Senate Armed Services Committee May 6 and will be voted on for funding by Congress for fiscal year 2005. The projects are:

  • Five project partners will share $6.1 million for research, development and demonstration of ground support equipment powered by fuel cells.
    The first phase of the project will involve a large-scale field trial using current generation proton exchange membrane fuel cells in ground support equipment ranging from lightcarts to aircraft loaders. The second phase of the project will include development and delivery of next-generation PEM fuel cell technology for mobile power applications on military bases. Project partners include Ballard Power Systems, TACOM, Kettering University and the U.S. Air Force.  Testing of these systems would take place at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in suburban Detroit. Kettering's principal investigators are K. Joel Berry, professor and head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, and Etim Ubong, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering.
  • Two project partners will share $2.9 million for the development of computer models for the Defense Department's Chemical & Biological Defense Program to predict how long chemical agents remain dangerous after an attack. Kettering will perform computer and mathematical modeling analysis to study actual data taken at five testing locations around the world. The new-generation computer models will help military forces better protect themselves and operate in contaminated environments. Project partners are Kettering University and Simulation Technologies, Inc. Principal investigator is Homayun Navaz, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering.
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"Michigan's manufacturing centers and research facilities play an important role in contributing to the defense of our nation, and funding included in this bill will help these centers and facilities to do their job," Levin said. "Michigan's industrial base helps ensure that our nation's soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have military equipment, material and hardware that is second to none."

Written by Pat Mroczek
(810) 762-9533
pmroczek@kettering.edu