Gov. Wolf: Four Universities Receive Funding for COVID-19 Response Through Manufacturing Innovation Challenge
Jun 17, 2020
Governor Tom Wolf today announced the seven project awardees of $174,603 in new funding through the Manufacturing PA Innovation Program COVID-19 Challenge to address the commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are fortunate to have some of the brightest minds in our higher education system, and they rose to the challenge in supporting our commonwealth during this unprecedented time,” Gov. Wolf said. “My administration remains committed to identifying new resources that can support our state’s businesses and communities as we continue to navigate this pandemic and the recovery steps ahead.”
The Manufacturing PA Innovation Program COVID-19 Challenge awardees are:
Carnegie Mellon University
In partnership with the Allegheny Health Network, Carnegie Mellon University was awarded $24,986 for its project, Scalable Manufacturing of Nasopharyngeal Swabs to Address Pennsylvania’s Need for COVID-19 Testing.
In partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University was awarded $25,000 for its project, Accelerating the Availability of a COVID-19 Vaccine by Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Immunogens.
Lehigh University
In partnership with Solvay USA, Inc., Lehigh University received $25,000 for its project, A Novel Technology for Disrupting the Spread of Coronavirus.
The University of Pittsburgh
In partnership with Du-Co Ceramics Company, the University of Pittsburgh received $25,000 for its project, Rapid Manufacturing of Polymer-Derived Ceramic Films for Respirator.
In partnership with The ExOne Company, the University of Pittsburgh received $25,000 for its project, Reusable N95 Filters via Metal Binder-Jet 3D Printing.
Villanova University
In partnership with RTM Vital Signs, LLC, Villanova University received $24,802 for its project, COVID-19 Risk Monitoring by Wearable Sensor with Machine Learning Processing on Mobile Device.
Villanova University received $24,815 for its project, Design and Development of NovaVent, a low-cost rapidly manufacturable ventilator.
Through the COVID-19 Challenge program, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) engaged Pennsylvania colleges and universities in the rapid development and deployment of new technologies, products, and processes with the potential to positively impact the commonwealth’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. DCED solicited proposals from accredited Pennsylvania colleges and universities for projects that fit within the program guidelines and addressed the commonwealth’s response to COVID-19. This program is funded through the PA Manufacturing Program.
Resources and information continue to be posted and updated at https://dced.pa.gov/
Media contacts:
Lyndsay Kensinger, Governor’s Office, RA-GVGOVPRESS@pa.gov
Casey Smith, DCED, casesmith@pa.gov