SCIENCE

Ohio Supercomputer Center, PolymerOhio Receive $355K in New Funding

Written by: Cat
Category: SCIENCE

Brown Visited Ohio Supercomputer Center to Announce Manufacturing Extension Partnership Grants Aimed at Bolstering Global Competitiveness

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) has visited the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) to announce that $355,000 has been awarded to OSC and PolymerOhio, Inc. by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Brown was joined by Wayne Earley, president and CEO of PolymerOhio, Steve Gordon, Co-Executive Director of the Ohio Supercomputer Center, Carol Whitacre, Vice President of Research at The Ohio State University, and Ann O’Beay, Chief Technology Officer at the Ohio Board of Regents.

“This is a great day for the small-and medium-sized manufacturers who will make Ohio a hub for clean energy innovation and technology,” Brown said. “Together Polymer Ohio and the OSC not only spur innovation, but they also deploy technologies to more users. These funds will help bolster their efforts to help transform U.S. manufacturing in the 21st century.”

PolymerOhio and the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC) propose to improve the manufacturing capabilities of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the U.S. through advanced modeling and simulation of manufacturing process and functions. The project will target small polymer companies to help them address the technical barriers, costs and training necessary to effectively use this technology.

One of 22 grants awarded through competitive processes to nonprofit organizations, this project will eventually transfer its model throughout MEP’s national system of over 400 centers, field offices, and partners. The funding will help encourage the creation and adoption of improved technologies and provide resources to develop new products that respond to changing market needs.

Brown has introduced a package of key legislative proposals aimed at bolstering the competiveness of U.S. manufacturers. He is the author of the Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology (IMPACT) Act, legislation that would help small to medium-sized manufacturers become more energy-efficient or transition to the clean energy supply chain. Brown also authored the Trade Enforcement Priorities Act, legislation that would give the federal government more authority to address trade barriers that undermine American workers and manufacturing. This includes the reinstatement of Super 301 authority, which provides support to the U.S. Trade Representative to combat export barriers. Finally, Brown is a coauthor of the Security in Energy and Manufacturing (SEAM) Act, legislation that would expand and improve the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit (48C) program.