“The need for innovation in Pennsylvania has never been more important”: A look at Ben Franklin’s post-COVID impact
The issue of brain drain, or losing workforce talent, is a real concern for innovation hubs around the country. While there are a myriad of tangential concerns — cost of living, livability, schools — the problem boils down to one key issue: workforce talent goes where job opportunities exist. Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central […]
Happy Valley vs. Silicon Valley: Why are we behind and how can we get ahead?
By Staff Writer Ben Lawrence. Photo: Jim Valent. According to sales professional turned author Ben Lawrence, Happy Valley has a problem: Despite being home to one of the nation’s largest research institutions and investing millions into startup business efforts, our region is still among the worst performers at spinning cutting-edge research into profitable business. Compare, […]
How AIRWALK (and Central PA) missed out on being a $5 billion company
By Jodie Dello Stritto If you were a 90s kid, you probably know AIRWALK shoes. Staple footwear for skaters, even Tony Hawk was a brand ambassador. But did you know that in its heyday in the 1990s the company’s world headquarters was in the Greenwood Shopping Center on old Route 220 in Altoona? AIRWALK was […]
Virolock’s mission? Prevent pandemics by trapping and identifying viruses quickly and easily
By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of tomato spotted wilt virus trapped in a CNT microfluidic device. False blue color was added manually. There’s always new, cutting-edge technology in the works at Penn State. One of the more recent developments involves a group of Penn State professors working with scientists on solutions to identify […]
An Innoblue startup is taking the guesswork out of landlord-tenant partnerships
By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger WeAreHousing presenting on Innoblue’s Demo Day. Photo: WeAreHousing. They say sunlight is the best disinfectant. Penn State student Tanishq Barot found this out the hard way, when he was forced to contend with a mold issue in the house that he was renting. “My entire roof and bathroom were completely full of […]
Only 9% of plastics actually get recycled. These engineers aim to change that.
By Timothy Kelly The rapidly growing chemical recycling industry is picking up steam, but it faces important obstacles — obstacles that the Toraman Research Group at Penn State hopes to overcome. This research group focuses on plastic pyrolysis, or the process of breaking down plastics with heat, in an oxygen-free atmosphere. The group’s aim? Optimize […]
Penn State research unlocking treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s to extend patient lives
By Timothy Kelly Two life science research teams were recently awarded Lab Bench to Commercialization (LB2C) grants from the Penn State Eberly College of Science to commercialize their research. The teams have discovered novel interventions to address diseases from cancer to Parkinson’s and diabetic retinopathy. The grant program will help these researchers bring the benefits […]
Giving first responders next-gen solutions to today’s emergencies
By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger ERTCA partner TECHLINE Technologies demonstrates methods for applying a loss-of-limb tourniquet at ERTCA event in Bradford County, PA. Photo: Provided. Eric Porterfield, CEO of the Emergency Response Training and Certification Association (ERTCA), a nonprofit housed at Innovation Park, credits a grant from the Ben Franklin Technology Center for helping him jumpstart his […]
Phospholutions founder honored for social impact in Forbes 30 Under 30
By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger Photo: Provided. President and CEO of Phospholutions Hunter Swisher was just named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for the social impact of his work to create a more sustainable future for agriculture by enhancing the efficiency of phosphorus fertilizers. During his time as an undergraduate at Penn State, Swisher learned about phosphorus-enhancing […]
