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 […]
“Rare for an innovation to have such wide-ranging benefits to society:” Startup wins big with medtech solution
By Cara Aungst Phiex CEO CL Tian accepts the grand prize of $350,000 at AdvaMed’s The MedTech Conference. Photo: Steven Schloss. Did you know that the methods used to sterilize most medical equipment have been linked to cancer? Ethylene oxide or EtO — which is used in most legacy methods — has recently been restricted […]
Local entrepreneur & Penn College grad on what’s driving the school’s success
By Jodie Dello Stritto Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. Photo: Provided. Williamsport-based Penn College, a special mission affiliate of Penn State, recently celebrated five top 10 rankings in the Regional Colleges North category in the latest U.S. News & World Report: #6 in Regional Colleges North #2 in Best Colleges for Veterans #2 in Best […]
