September 30, 2004

OHIO STATE AND BATTELLE TEAM UP ON ADVANCED MILITARY HYBRID VEHICLE PROJECT

Columbus, Ohio-The Ohio State University and Battelle are teaming to bring their automotive and alternative energy technical expertise to the development of hybrid vehicle technology for military vehicles. The work will focus on alternative on-board power systems that offer greater mission flexibility.

With $1.5 million in federal funding secured by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce, these Ohio-based institutions will develop and apply advanced systems analysis tools to study the impact of new and alternative power and propulsion systems on the U.S. Army vehicle fleet.

"This announcement is another example of the great partnership that has been forged between OSU, Battelle, and the federal government. We in Central Ohio are privileged to have two great research institutions in our backyard," said Congresswoman Pryce. "I am proud to partner with them and help secure the funds they need to combine their expertise to better equip our troops and defend our freedom."

The joint program will investigate issues related to durability and reliability of future vehicle power and propulsion systems. These same tools can also be used to optimize the design of systems that would be prototyped and field tested in future years.

The key challenge for researchers has been finding ways to introduce promising new technologies, like fuel cells, into hybrid electric vehicles while maintaining or improving the durability and reliability that is required for military vehicles.

Hybrid-electric vehicles are able to use a significant amount of electric power directly from the vehicle to help power sensors, communications, and other military equipment.

"It makes perfect sense for Battelle and Ohio State to bring their considerable automotive and alternative energy technical expertise, advanced research, experimental facilities, and intimate knowledge of the automotive industry to bear on this challenge," said Battelle's Henry Cialone, VP for Laboratory Operations/Commercial Business. "We hope to make some real advances in this critical area of research."

THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

"The new program is an excellent opportunity for Ohio State and Battelle to leverage strong relationships with both the automotive and transportation industry, and the federal government towards the development of technologies that can benefit the military as well as the commercial vehicle industry, with significant long-term benefits for truck manufacturers and suppliers in the state of Ohio," said Giorgio Rizzoni, director of The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research and Intelligent Transportation.

For more information about The Ohio State University, visit www.osu.edu or contact Pam Frost Gorder at (614) 292-9475 or at gorder.1@osu.edu.

BATTELLE

Battelle is a global leader in science and technology. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, it develops and commercializes technology and manages laboratories for customers. Battelle, with the national labs that it manages or co-manages, oversees 16,000 staff members and conducts $3 billion in annual research and development. Battelle innovations include the development of the office copier machine (Xerox), pioneering work on compact disc technology, medical technology advancements and fiber optic technologies.

For more information about Battelle, visit www.battelle.org or contact National Media Relations Manager Katy Delaney at (410) 306-8638 or at delaneyk@battelle.org.