University Receives Gift of Research Data, Technology and Industry Expertise

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Indiana-based EnerDel Inc., a leading manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems, is expandingits relationship with Purdue University's College of Technology with a gift of lithium-ion battery technology, research data and technical expertise to train students in the latest energy stora ge technologies for electric vehicles and the electric grid.

EnerDel, which is working with several students in Computer and Information Technology (CIT) with Purdue computer and information technology professor Eric Dietz, is providing lithium-ion cells and research data valued at more than $263,000.
"EnerDel's latest gift to Purdue reflects a commitment not only to higher education, but also to helping Indiana continue to train a more valuable workforce for electric vehicles and the power utility industry," Dietz said. "Working side by side with EnerDel employees, Purdue students have learned practical understanding and application of the latest battery and energy storage technologies, far outside the classroom."

"Purdue has developed an exceptional program to help students learn about lithium-ion-based energy storage technologies," stated EnerDel CEO David Roberts. "We're pleased to be able to support their program with actual data, products and technology to help students gain real-world experience and make them even more valuable to future employers."

EnerDel engineers and Purdue graduate students work together to analyze and interpret key battery data, which could provide significant insight into enhancing energy output and duration for electric vehicles and power gener ation.

This technology is increasingly being used in medium-to-large energy storage solutions for emergency power back-up systems in commercial, community and residential applications.

In 2010 Purdue, in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, received a $4.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop an education and training program designed to minimize the education-workforce gap in the electric energy sector.

"Energy storage from lithium-ion batteries such as those EnerDel donated, combined with the research data, leverage the power of the two institutions working together to train the best and brightest for Indiana," Dietz said.

He views industry partnerships such as this one with EnerDel as key to providing Purdue students with the best educational opportunities to prepare them as future industry leaders.

"Experience and the opportunity to learn new technologies and how the technologies can actually be applied today are preparing Purdue students to be valuable immediately to future employers. We can't thank EnerDel enough for expanding this partnership."

EnerDel, a privately held company based in Indianapolis, manufactures advanced, lithium-ion battery systems for energy storage, transportation and industrial applications. The company's multiple chemistries, prismatic design, and modular stacking architecture combine to provide customers with production-ready solutions that address their power and energy storage needs. For additional information, visit http://www.EnerDel.com.

Founded in 1869, Purdue is Indiana's land-grant university. It is one of the nation's premier institutions with more than 200 areas of undergraduate study and renowned research initiatives. Purdue's programs in a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate disciplines consistently rank among the best in the country.

Twenty-three of America's astronauts hold Purdue degrees. Students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries, bring rich diversity to the main campus in West Lafayette. Although a large university, Purdue maintains an intimate atmosphere that highly values individual needs and achievements