Oct 24, 2006- UT President Announce $3.6 Million Federal Research Award for Alternative Energy
"This university is going to help lead America into a new day of energyindependence," Congresswoman Kaptur said to audience of approximately 40people during a ceremony in McMaster Hall on the UT campus. "In fact, thisuniversity is going to be a world leader.
"The Department of Defense joins as a new partner because it alsounderstands that Americahas to change. The Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines know they can't depend onimported oil. They know we have to find new ways of powering the future."
University of Toledo President Lloyd Jacobs expressedthe gratitude of the university community for Congresswoman Kaptur's efforts insecuring the support of the Defense Department. "This is a celebration ofperseverance," he said. "It's a big dream to think we can harness theenergy of the sun, but it's actually not just our democracy but all of humanitythat can benefit from this kind of work."
Congresswoman Kaptur reiterated her commitment to helping America achieveenergy independence. She said the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen willanchor one end of the proposed high-technology corridor in west Toledo.
Establishment of a Department of Defense research center for alternativeenergy was UT's top federal research priority during the current federal fiscalyear, and Congresswoman Kaptur, a senior member of Congress, championed theproject from her position on the defense subcommittee of House Appropriations.
She also noted the importance of alternative energy to U.S. troops deployed in remote and oftendifficult environments, such as Afghanistan.She has heard from military leaders who have expressed the need for lightweightand portable energy transmission systems to increase the flexibility andmobility of American forces.
Today's announcement of $3.6 million comes on top of five previous $1million federal awards to support the university's path-breaking photovoltaicresearch. Within the past year, second-generation thin film products haveachieved commercial manufacturing success, but existing designs will not meetthe projected needs of the U.S.military.
In her remarks, Congresswoman Kaptur acknowledged the contributions toalternative energy research by the late Harold Biggers, head of Libbey OwensFord, "who believed enough in this region to push the physics ofglass," and the late Harold McMaster, whom she described as "a modern-dayThomas Alva Edison." She said Mr. McMaster saw the potential of glass notjust for automobiles and building materials, but also for the production ofenergy.
Ms. Kaptur said Mr. McMaster once asked for her support for a new businessthat would capture the energy of the sun in a field 50 miles long and 50 mileswide. "I don't know if I can get enough federal demonstration dollars forsomething 50 miles by 50 miles," she recalled replying to him. "Doyou think maybe we could do something a little smaller? But, really, we've beenabout that ever since that time."