Online portal links Mich. businesses, universities

LANSING (AP) -- An online, searchable database has been created to link companies with researchers at several Michigan universities. The Expertise and Resource Portal is designed to provide an avenue for businesses to find academic experts that can help them develop new products or work through technical issues. The database has been developed by data provider Reed Elsevier Group PLC and the Michigan Corporate Relations Network, a consortium of six research universities and the University Research Corridor. The database has about 6,600 researchers and 100 core research facilities and currently incorporates Michigan State University, Wayne State University and the University of Michigan campuses in Ann Arbor and Dearborn. It's expected to include faculty and facilities at Michigan Technological University and Western Michigan University. The portal officially launched last week. ---------------- Online: http://bit.ly/1aaE5Z0. Published: Mon, Oct 14, 2013