UM: Tech Transfer

Xconomy publishes a Q&A with Ken Nisbet, executive director of UM’s Technology Management Office: “We do a lot of research with the auto companies, especially GM and Ford, on work process, on emissions, on batteries. There are a lot of connections with particular startups that have close relationships with the auto companies. One new invention that was invented here, and is going to be applied to not only autos but also elsewhere, is a new type of machining fluid that is based on vegetable oil as opposed to crude oil. It’s cheaper, faster, better; it has a bunch of advantages over the traditional type of machining fluid that is used in a number of industries, not just auto. So we’re actually forming a company around that and have, as one of the first target customers, one of the large autos.” [Source]