---

Ford Global Technologies Makes Its Most Valuable Donation Ever

10 September 2000

Ford Global Technologies Makes Its Most Valuable Donation Ever

    DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 10 Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
(FGTI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ford Motor Company , is making
its most valuable donation to date comprised of 23 patents to the University
of Michigan.
    These technologies, while no longer of strategic interest to Ford or its
subsidiaries, are possibly the most valuable donation of intellectual property
ever made to a single university.  The University of Michigan can use them
both educationally and commercially.
    "We are excited to give this valuable technology a second life, especially
in a way that is beneficial to outstanding organizations at the same time,"
said Henry Fradkin, director of Patent and Technology Licensing for FGTI.
    Ford Research Laboratories developed all of the offered microsystems
related technologies, including durable and highly accurate sensors, micro-
valves and micromotors that can be manufactured at very low costs.  The basic
technology applied in these patents is the micromachining and etching of
silicon substrates.
    The technologies could be used in automotive and medical applications,
such as fluid pressure, force or acceleration measurements, controls in
engines, suspensions or transmission systems, or as micromotors in analog
display devices.  The patents also include technology for hermetic seals,
which can be used in packaging the microelectronic devices and in the
semiconductor market.