External Users

U-M Battery Lab/External Users

All users from other universities or from industry, government, or non-profit organizations are considered external users. View external user rates. 

Becoming an External User

  1. Contact Technical Director Greg Less to discuss your project. 
  2. After an initial discussion and determination that your research is compatible with the Battery Lab capabilities, you will be provided with an estimate quotation. The quotation is only an estimate – you will only ever be charged for the actual time and materials used. If the estimate is low, you will be contacted prior to the work continuing for your authorization.
  3. If the estimate quotation is agreeable, schedule your visit.
    Note: All reservations have a 50% cancellation fee.
  4. Coordinate delivery of any materials and MSDS documents
  5. Arrange for your UM-administered online safety training. 
  6. If your company requires that an NDA be in place prior to your lab time, please submit your standard company NDA to Shelly Christian-Sherman for routing to U-M general counsel.
  7. Submit full billing contact information, including a mailing address and a telephone number where you may be reached during business hours to Shelly Christian-Sherman.

Payment Options 

Payment may be made through a purchase order, or if under $10,000, a credit card, billed through University of Michigan Accounts Receivable.

  • Purchase orders without terms and conditions and payments made via credit card do not require signing the U-M Battery Lab service agreement.
  • If the purchase order includes terms and conditions, users are required to sign the U-M Battery Lab Service Agreement.
  • If signing the service agreement is not possible for your institution, please provide the Battery Lab with:
    • A Word version of your Terms and Conditions that can be reviewed/approved by U-M’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP).
    • The name and contact information for the person that ORSP should work with from your company.
    • This agreement will be in lieu of the standard Battery Lab Service Agreement and will be for a specified time period of two years. During that time frame, any PO issued will fall under this agreement. The agreement will be reviewed/renewed as needed.