K. Joel Berry has been leading the charge to create the Kettering University Center for Fuel Cell Systems and Powertrain Integration. Kettering is seeking to become a national nexus for research, development and commercialization of fuel cells.

Kettering opened the doors on its fuel-cell center in June in a refurbished building donated by Delphi Corp. near Kettering's Flint campus.

"(Berry) stands apart in pulling together a number of resources at Kettering to focus on future technologies, and fuel-cell research is future technology," said Tom Anderson, senior director of Automation Alley, in Crain's' report on the awards.

The center is intended to educate students, house research, testing and evaluation work, and serve as a high-tech incubator for new and developing companies.

Most recently, Kettering announced a partnership with Delphi to continue to expand facilities adjacent to the campus. That includes a new $2.7-million, 20,000-square-feet building that should help create 35-40 jobs.

The building, on land donated to Kettering from General Motors, is expected to serve as the first building in a larger research park.

Automation Alley is southeast Michigan's regional technology cluster, and includes Genesee County.

On the Web:

Kettering University: www.kettering.edu

Automation Alley: www.automationalley.com

Crain's Detroit Business: www.crainsdetroit.com