The Volvo Group joined a partnership with Pennsylvania State University for research into engine technology, alternative fuels, intelligent transportation systems and new safety technologies.

The agreement, announced last Friday at a Renewable Energy Technology Conference in Washington, D.C., replicates similar Academic Partnerships Volvo has undertaken with universities in Sweden and France.

"[It] shows our commitment to form a long-term strategic partnership that will strengthen the competitiveness of both the Volvo Group and our academic partners," said Jan-Eric Sundgren, Volvo Group senior vice president of environmental and public affairs in a statement.

Under the agreement, Volvo and Penn State will share resources and academic talent in pursuit of new developments in physical and chemical processes, said Andre Boehman, professor of fuel science at Penn State. Areas of research include vehicle testing, fuel chemistry, advanced combustion technologies, emission controls, intelligent roads and hybrid vehicle systems, he said.

Besides the product and system developments that should emerge, the partnership offers both sides an avenue for development of scientific and technical talent. The Volvo Group, which includes Mack Trucks as well as Volvo Trucks North America, has had a long-standing relationship with Penn State and now some 200 Penn State alumni work for the company, said Tony Greszler, vice president of government and industry relations, Volvo Powertrain North America.

Greszler said that when he started in the business several decades ago truck manufacturing was a mechanical engineer's game. "Now we can't do anything without an interdisciplinary approach."

And there's another benefit, as well: "The alliance helps when it comes to getting funding from federal government for research and projects," Greszler said. "Just yesterday I had two meetings at the Department of Energy where we were able to say we have this partnership now with Penn State and can bring them in as high level research support."

See the March 2010 issue of HDT for more details.