The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM), Marquette University and the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), in partnership with several regional companies and foundations, have formed the Southeastern Wisconsin Energy Technology Research Center (SWETRC).

SWETRC brings together regional resources to establish a national center that will develop high-potential research in the energy field, attracting large-scale funding and leading state-of-the-art technology that can foster economic growth.

Seven collaborative research projects are already underway with the support of $200,000 in federal funding and nearly $500,000 from several regional industries and foundations, including the Rockwell Automation Charitable Corp., the Wisconsin Energy Foundation, The Bradley Foundation, Eaton Corp., Kohler Co., American Transmission Company, DRS Technologies, and ReGENco.

The formation of SWETRC marks the first time the colleges of engineering at UWM, Marquette and MSOE have collaborated on a major initiative.  

"We are extremely fortunate to be able to establish this center in Milwaukee," said Michael Lovell, dean of UWM's College of Engineering and Applied Science. "It will not only stimulate the regional economy, but also bring the best research minds in Southeastern Wisconsin to bear in advancing energy solutions that will return benefits for the nation for generations to come."

Marquette Opus dean of engineering Stanley Jaskolski applauded the collaborative nature of both the center and the individual research projects. "Working together, taking advantage of the expertise within each institution and among our business partners, we can accomplish much more," he said. "These collaborations will speed the delivery of research-based solutions to some of our energy issues."

"These collaborative projects will not only benefit the partnering businesses and organizations, but also influence our engineering students to consider careers in the extremely important and interesting fields of sustainability and energy," said Tom Bray, dean of applied research at MSOE.

The following projects involve researchers from all three universities and industries across the region: smoothing out wind power; new materials for rechargeable batteries; algae for carbon recycling and fuel; ultra-efficient nanomaterials for cogeneration; a case for sustainable building retrofit; easing integration of renewable energy; and cutting NOx emissions and energy consumption.