2010 – Page 57 of 78

New U-M mini generator utilizes ambient vibrations

By Newsroom

●

March 24, 2010

It looks like researchers at the University of Michigan have come up with the 21st Century version of the self-winding watch.Khalil Najafi and Tzeno Galchev, chair of U-M's Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept and a doctoral student in that department, have create a tiny generator that harnesses electricity from random, ambient vibrations. It generate enough energy to power smaller tech appliances, like a wristwatch or pacemaker."It will become a sizeable segment of the battery market, but I don't think it will replace batteries," Galchev says.The Parametric Frequency Increased Generators, created in U-M's Engineering Research Center for Wireless Integrated Microsystems, can harness kinetic energy that is usually wasted from people moving their limbs or traffic driving over a bridge. These new devices, which measure about a centimeter tall, could be used to measure stress in bridges. The idea is to warn them if cracks develop or other things that compromise the bridges safety.Source: Tzeno Galchev, doctoral student at the University of MichiganWriter: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor’s HealthMedia continues its healthy growth

By Newsroom

●

Economic Development

●

March 24, 2010

HealthMedia's Ted Dacko gives a glimpse into the company a year after its merger with Johnson & Johnson. It appears the mega corporation is expanding its presence in Ann Arbor.Excerpt:Ted Dacko, president of Ann Arbor-based health coaching software firm HealthMedia, is resigning from the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, AnnArbor.com confirmed today.Dacko, who was credited with steering the company through tumultuous times to a blockbuster sale in October 2008 to J&J, said he may join another Ann Arbor startup, serve on various company boards or provide consulting for a while."I'm a guy that likes the process of the startup, building and growing a company, that sort of thing," Dacko said. "J&J is a great company. It's mutual, it's amicable, it's natural. I just said i think it's time you put somebody else in this position, and they wholeheartedly agreed."Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor mayor’s green vision for a sustainable city

By Newsroom

●

Community Development

●

March 24, 2010

Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje's campaign signs often featured a mature, green tree. It's easy to see why he choose that look after examining his vision for making Ann Arbor a model for sustainable cities.Excerpt:Four years ago, Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje built a fully functioning house entirely off the electric grid. Hieftje designed and built the house, which runs on a solar energy system, on Lake Superior with his father-in-law. It includes all the fundamentals of a normal home — a refrigerator, washer, dryer and dishwasher — and is completely self-contained. And according to Hieftje, he’s never had a single problem with it. Hieftje’s effort to reduce his carbon footprint is just a small step compared to the enormous strides he has made for the city of Ann Arbor. In 2005, the mayor challenged the city to, by the end of 2010, obtain 30 percent of its energy from renewable sources and to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent.His plan was inspired by the windmill farms in Sault Saint Marie, Ontario, just north of the Upper Peninsula. Unfortunately, Hieftje said, Michigan doesn’t have strong enough winds to power farms of its own, but it does have two hydro-dams and a landfill gas energy system, both of which have enabled cities across the state to increase alternative energy usage. By the end of 2009, 16 percent of the total energy used by the city of Ann Arbor — including fuel, heating, lighting and electricity — was generated from renewable sources — the equivalent of taking 400 cars off the road last year. The number is still far from the mayor’s goal of 30 percent, though he maintains the city will still make up the 14 percent by the end of this year. “We’re going to do it,” he says when asked about making the target. Read the rest of the story here.

U-M vs Notre Dame night game sets new precedent at Michigan Stadium

By Newsroom

●

Healthy Communities

●

March 24, 2010

Saturday afternoons at Michigan Stadium is a long-standing tradition at the University of Michigan, but a new twist to that is set to begin next year when the Wolverines take on the Fight Irish for a night game.Excerpt:Notre Dame-Michigan -- under the lights at the Big House. For the first time in Michigan Stadium history, there will be a night game, when the Irish make their bi-annual visit Sept. 10, 2011. And it won't be the last. New athletic director Dave Brandon said Thursday he wants night home games to become part of the Michigan football culture. "A lot of fans see other schools doing this and have been a part of that electric atmosphere," Brandon said at a news conference. "They want us to be there." Read the rest of the story here and how college football is recession proof here.

Zingerman’s chef up for Beard Award

By Newsroom

●

Healthy Communities

●

March 24, 2010

Zingerman's in Ann Arbor is known for its award-winning food, but now it's starting to be recognized for its award-winning chefs.Excerpt:Executive chef Alex Young of Zingerman’s Roadhouse in Ann Arbor today was chosen as one of five nominees for best chef in the Great Lakes division of the James Beard Foundation Awards competition.Nominees were announced today in New Orleans. The awards, honoring professionals in the food and beverage industry, are considered the most prestigious in the food world. Nominees were also announced for food writers, cookbook authors, newspapers, magazines, Web sites and others in the media.Read the rest of the story here.

New Domino’s CEO cements vision for international expansion

By Newsroom

●

Healthy Communities

●

March 24, 2010

Everyone is excited about Domino's ex-CEO coming to the University of Michigan. But the people at the Ann Arbor-based pizza business are getting excited about the firm's new CEO who is flying a bit under the radar.Excerpt:It's somehow fitting that J. Patrick Doyle, president and new CEO of Ann Arbor based Domino's Pizza, spent his first days on the job last week in India and Saudi Arabia.On Thursday, he opened Domino's 300th outlet in India and its 65th new location there this year, making India the pizza-delivery chain's fastest-growing market."In the next three to five years, our sales outside the U.S. will surpass our sales here," Doyle, 46, said Thursday in his first extensive interview since taking the reins from David Brandon.Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor violin expert validates $18M fiddle’s worth

By Newsroom

●

General

●

March 24, 2010

Need an expert in ground breaking scientific research? Go to Ann Arbor. Need an expert on the latest medical breakthrough? Go to Ann Arbor. Need an expert on a one-of-a-kind violin? Yep, you know where to go.Excerpt:Last year, violin-maker Joseph Curtin of Ann Arbor, Mich., came to Chicago to measure its acoustical qualities."Geoff let me play it a little. It is the best violin I have ever had under my chin," said Curtin, agreeing with Yehudi Menuhin and other great violinists who have picked it up.Read the rest of the story here.

Ypsilanti City Hall solar panels begin generating electricity

By Newsroom

●

Community Development

●

March 24, 2010

The meters are spinning in the right direction at Ypsilanti's City Hall now that the new solar panels on the south side of the building are generating electricity.Local officials and volunteers who made the project happen flipped the switch last weekend. That not only turned on the 12 solar panels that adorn the downtown building, but concluded an ambitious grass roots project, Solar Ypsi, that continues to spread its roots throughout Ypsilanti.The group, led by Dave Strenski, first thought of the project three years ago and began putting the wheels in motion shortly thereafter. Years of rallying support, raising money and a luck break or two (landing a $36,000 state grant) allowed the dream to become reality. Strenski says persistence, motivation, the right attitude and more persistence made it possible."Basically, I just went through and said what do you need?" Strenski says. "Then I went and did it."The group also had to navigate multiple learning curves. Strenski and his friends had to make persuasive cases to the city's officials, historic board, DTE and others to make the project become a reality."Everybody was learning how," Strenski says, adding that is not a knock against anyone but a natural progression. "DTE was learning. The electrician was learning. I was learning."The solar panels are mounted on the the south roof of the Ypsilanti City Hall (corner of Michigan Avenue and South Huron Street). Solar Ypsi also recently installed 12 solar panels on the Ypsilanti Food Co-op. It is now working to install 30 solar panels on the co-op's bakery.The group has acquired the panels and is ready to buy the steel and begin mounting them this spring. Those panels are expected to be up and running by this summer. It's a project that will probably be a little bit easier because the group's persistence is now combined with momentum."All you need is persistence," Strenski says.Source: Dave Strenski, volunteer with Solar YpsiWriter: Jon Zemke

Terumo finishes Ann Arbor HQ expansion, new plant

By Newsroom

●

Community Development

●

March 24, 2010

Two of Terumo's subsidiaries are opening the doors to their new expanded facilities in Ann Arbor, capitalizing on tax breaks recently awarded by the Michigan Economic Development Corp.Terumo Cardiovascular Systems and Terumo Heart have opened a new production plans and expanded office space on Jackson Road just west of the city. The XXX-based firm's subsidiaries have consolidated their research, development and manufacturing facilities in Ann Arbor.The MEDC awarded Terumo a $1 million tax credit in 2008. The deal was the company would invest $3.5 million to move its operations from California to Michigan and create 65 jobs over the next five years. "We're at 63 people," says Barbara Schmid, director of corporate communications for Terumo Cardiovascular Systems. "We hit our target in a year and a half."The cardiovascular-medical device firm has roots in southeast Michigan that date back to the 1960s. Now it has a newly constructed chemistry lab, remodeled the existing buildings for future growth and expanded office building. It adds up to a new world-class medical device manufacturing facility in Ann Arbor.Schmid expects Terumo to capitalize on these new facilities with continued growth in Ann Arbor for the foreseeable future.Source: Barbara Schmid, director of corporate communications for Terumo Cardiovascular SystemsWriter: Jon Zemke

Regency at Bluffs Parks project moves forward in Ann Arbor

By Newsroom

●

Community Development

●

March 24, 2010

The Riverview of Ann Arbor expansion project is now called the Regency at Bluffs Parks as it starts to make its way through the city's planning process.The $3.5 million project (designed by Farmington-based NSA Architects & Engineers) will build a 60,000-square-foot addition to the existing 5-story building on 1200 Earhart Dr. The developer is also sending another 1.1 acres to Ann Arbor's park systems, specifically the Bluffs Nature Area. It's part of the development agreement of the nursing home."I think we're all set with that," says Wendy Rampson, planning director for the city of Ann Arbor. "The title is transferred or is in the process of being transferred."The city recently acquired the land, which is located on a glacially formed ridge over North Main Street. Informal trails wind throughout the park and are accessible from North Main just across from Lakeshore Street. Besides the trails, Bluffs is considered an undeveloped park.It has a variety of natural features, including an oak-hickory forest, wooded ravines and an open field with remnant prairie species. The area has long been a favorite place for mountain bikers and hikers.Source: Wendy Rampson, planning director for the city of Ann ArborWriter: Jon Zemke