Volkswagen AG And BASF SE Jointly Confer An International 鈥淪cience Award For Electrochemistry鈥?
Wolfsburg/Ludwigshafen, 21 May 2012 - Volkswagen and BASF launch an international initiative today to promote advanced research in the field of electrochemistry. The 鈥淪cience Award for Electrochemistry鈥?is to promote outstanding accomplishments in science and engineering from which stimulation may be gained for the development of high-performance energy storage devices. The Science Award will be offered annually from now on, addressing outstanding scientists all over the world. The prize money of 50,000 euros makes it one of the highest endowed science awards. For the first time, a pan-industry science award will be conferred jointly by two companies. In addition, the prerequisites for participation, the procedure and the selection process are described there. Electrochemical expertise constitutes an essential foundation for the development of future energy storage devices. Without these technologies, neither a supply with renewable energy, which is both friendly to the climate and preserves resources, nor future drive system concepts such as electric mobility will be possible. Energy storage devices do not have the service capacity at present that customers are used to in terms of energy supply and mobility.
That's why BASF and Volkswagen want to motivate outstanding researchers with the Science Award to do more work with an even greater commitment in the field of electrochemistry and its applications. The prize money is intended as an initial funding for continuing research activities and shall be used, for instance, for research equipment, arranging for an academic conference or for scientific staff. Volkswagen Group has been offering full hybrid vehicles such as the Volkswagen Touareg and the Audi Q5 since 2010. This year, the range will be augmented with the Volkswagen Jetta, the Audi A6 and A8. Likewise, the Audi R8 e-tron will be launched as a pure battery vehicle with a limited release still in 2012. The limited release of the XL1 as a plug-in hybrid is scheduled for 2013. Moreover, the e-up! Golf Blue-e-Motion will debut as pure battery vehicles next year. As the world's largest automotive supplier in the chemical industry, BASF is working intensively to develop innovative battery components such as cathode materials and electrolytes that allow the production of high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE. The company is making a key contribution to developing affordable, eco-friendly and sustainable electric automobiles.
Sussex Police also have their own account, and had a mixed haul of high-value and bizarre items listed in the sold section. Among the most expensive listings to sell were a nine ct, white gold, diamond bangle (拢713.40), a Sony digital camera (拢568) and an Apple Macbook Pro (拢434). Some of the more unusual items include a First World War leather pistol holster (拢148), a clarinet (拢170.55) and a full-sized canoe (拢101.89). It also sold a Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal for just 拢10, along with a job lot of 20 cargo trousers for just 拢12. Nottinghamshire Police also use the site and have sold a total of 拢10,066 worth of equipment, mainly consisting of goods that used to be owned and used by the force, rather than lost or confiscated items. Most of the goods are video and camera equipment no longer used since the force has become more digitised, but an ice bucket inscribed with Nottinghamshire Police proved popular, attracting 20 bids and 拢82 from the winner. But none of the forces currently using the auction site have a turnover that compares to Leicestershire's, with the force selling 1,200 items a year, according to figures obtained by MailOnline.
Reports claimed that Leicestershire had made 拢1.5million from sales since it set up the account in 2009, but MailOnline can now reveal that the figure is 拢2.5million. The force has two accounts, one for those confiscated under the proceeds of crime, but it also sells lost and stolen goods found when the owner cannot be located. It sells around 1,200 goods a year and claims to earn double from the sales of luxury items such as designer shoes and handbags than using other auction methods. In just two months leading up to December 21 the force sold more than 拢60,000 in goods, including a Range Rover Sport for 拢10,200, a car often driven by celebrities and footballers. Another Louis Vuitton sold for 拢550 on November 16 this year. A 2004 Audi and a Seat Leon also sold for thousands of pounds in the last months, as well as dozens of clothes and accessories from luxury brands including Vivian Westwood and Louis Vuitton.
