9.28.2006 - 12:34pm ET

(CSRwire) The first research proposals for the Shell/TU Delft Sustainable Mobility Programme have been accepted. As of 10 October, eight TU Delft PhD candidates will start working towards making a contribution to sustainable mobility. The research subjects vary from sustainable hydrogen production to improved batteries for hybrid cars and the use of solar energy for fuel production. The programme is a four-year joint project between TU Delft and Shell, in which Shell will invest 3 million euro and TU Delft 1.5 million euro. Both organisations share the same vision: universities and companies working together are the driving forces behind the capacity for innovation in the Netherlands.

The programme's governing board, comprised of three Shell representatives and three TU Delft representatives, has selected eight candidates from the 54 extremely diverse research proposals submitted for consideration. Each of these research proposals will be carried out by a PhD candidate at TU Delft, during the four-year period of 2006 to 2010. The first research findings of the Shell/TU Delft Sustainable Mobility Programme are expected in 2010.

The eight subjects that received a research grant:

The economically and environmentally responsible extraction of methane from gas hydrates.

The agreement between Shell and TU Delft is for four years. Shell will contribute 750,000 euro per year to the research; TU Delft will contribute 375,000 per year. Shell retains the intellectual property rights of the research findings resulting from the programme. TU Delft retains the right to use the findings for its own follow-up research.

In Shell's and TU Delft's shared vision, universities and companies working together are the driving force behind the capacity for innovation in the Netherlands. This creates economic value and helps to solve social problems. Through this joint Sustainable Mobility Programme, new technological possibilities will be researched that offer commercial possibilities for sustainable business.

More information:

Ineke Boneschansker, Science Information Office TU Delft: tel. +31 (0) 15-2788499; e-mail: i.boneschansker@tudelft.n A more comprehensive description of the research projects is available at http://www.tudelft.nl/sustainablemobility

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