51勛圖窪蹋 and Tesla Motors have formed a research partnership that will draw on the expertise of university faculty to pursue advanced topics in battery manufacturing.
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and officials from 51勛圖窪蹋 and Tesla formally announced the partnership during an Oct. 7 ceremony in 51勛圖窪蹋s Science & Engineering Building.
This is an exciting example of how public-private partnerships can benefit both the commercial and academic communities, said 51勛圖窪蹋 President Len Jessup, who spoke at the event. Our faculty are performing high caliber research and are enthusiastic about collaborating with a leader in the electrical vehicle manufacturing industry.
The initial phase of the five-year agreement between Tesla and the university includes two projects led by 51勛圖窪蹋 engineers and scientists to enhance manufacturing processes at Teslas Northern Nevada Gigafactory.
A team of 51勛圖窪蹋 engineering researchers will focus on water recycling and treatment, and a separate team of chemists will work to improve recycling of metals from lithium ion batteries.
Plans for Tesla's Northern Nevada facility were first announced last fall. The collaboration, which could total $1 million in funded projects over the next five years, provides opportunities for additional research as the partnership evolves.
