Innovative Johnson Controls education collaboration recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal

MILWAUKEE, May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls, the world's leading automotive battery supplier, and the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Milwaukee are being recognized for an unprecedented industry-academic partnership that advances research, development and commercialization of energy storage technologies.  The Milwaukee Business Journal honored Johnson Controls and UW-Milwaukee with the Eureka Award for innovation in education during a ceremony Friday, May 10.

"It is our objective to establish a world-class center of excellence for energy-storage research and development focused on discovery and commercialization of advanced energy-storage solutions," said MaryAnn Wright, vice president of Technology and Innovation, Johnson Controls Power Solutions. "We expect exciting new projects to develop and it's an honor to be recognized by the Milwaukee Business Journal for the work being done in this collaboration, as it will ultimately transform the university campus and the City of Milwaukee."

The multimillion-dollar investment by Johnson Controls has already produced three joint laboratories at the College of Engineering & Applied Science, where the company's scientists, who are also adjunct professors, and UW-Milwaukee faculty and students work side-by-side. One is a state-of-the-art "dry" lab with capabilities shared by only a handful of institutions in the world. In fact, it is the only advanced manufacturing dry lab of its kind on a university campus in North America. The other two labs support chemical and materials research.

The company is also establishing a research laboratory at UW-Madison, and funding graduate fellowships which are already supporting advanced student research projects at both UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison. 

The Johnson Controls Endowed Professorship in Energy Storage Research is also being created in connection with the labs. The person who will hold the position will be responsible for maintaining the research labs and supervising graduate students at both institutions.

"The creation of this endowed professorship and support for research fellows will allow us to attract an internationally known scholar and the most talented students—critical steps toward making Wisconsin a recognized hub for energy-storage technology and devices," said Chancellor Michael R. Lovell, UW-Milwaukee.

At the end of April, the collaboration was named a 2013 Gold Award winner in the Living, Working and Learning Environments category by the internationally recognized Edison Awards, which honor the most innovative products and business leaders in America.

About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 168,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2013, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #14 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.

About Johnson Controls Power Solutions
Johnson Controls Power Solutions is the global leader in lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for Start-Stop, hybrid and electric vehicles.  Our 50 manufacturing, recycling and distribution centers supply more than one-third of the world's lead-acid batteries to major automakers and aftermarket retailers.  Through our innovations we are building the advanced battery industry for hybrid and electric vehicles.  We were the first company in the world to produce lithium-ion batteries for mass-production hybrid vehicles.  Our commitment to sustainability is evidenced by our world-class technology, manufacturing and recycling capabilities.   

SOURCE Johnson Controls