YSU endorsed to get $2.1 million for new center

The State Controlling Board must give final approval for the funding.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The Ohio Third Frontier Commission has recommended that Youngstown State University receive a $2.1 million grant for a Center for Excellence in Advanced Materials Analyses.

Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, commission chairman, announced that the commission has recommended $19.6 million in funding through the Ohio Third Frontier Wright Projects Program for seven Ohio proposals that hinge on bringing research projects in areas that include pathogen detection, rubber production and fuel cells to commercialization.

The awards are contingent on approval by the State Controlling Board.

The YSU project is a collaboration with Fireline TCON Inc. and the Ohio Supercomputer Center.

The project will focus on research, analyses, modeling and commercialization of products with increased resistance to thermal shock and lower thermal conductivity to improve liquid aluminum-resistant refractory materials for use during molten metal handling, melt treatment and castings.

A specific use of the new facility will be Fireline’s development of new refractory materials for the processing of liquid aluminum.

Additional applications include light-weight braking systems and body armor for soldiers.

“These projects demonstrate the teamwork between our educational institutions and private companies that is so critical to ensuring a solid foundation for our growing industries,” Fisher said in a press release.

“Strengthening the links among education, research and economic development is not only our mission but our obligation in making sure we attract and retain jobs of the future,” said Fisher, who also serves as director of the Ohio Department of Development.

Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, located in Rootstown and in collaboration with Pathogen Systems, Inc. and Kent State University, was recommended for $3 million in funding for the Ohio-based research and commercialization of a real-time pathogen detection instrument.

Pathogen Systems has developed a liquid crystal-based antibody system for detecting common pathogens in water samples in as little as 30 minutes.

The press release says the new technology is designed to replace standard microbiological testing which requires incubation periods of up to 24 hours. The product also is being adapted for pathogen testing for the military and homeland security and for the food industry.