York College Student Research Project Earns $60K from Manufacturing PA Initiative

A student research project at York College of Pennsylvania was chosen to receive $60,819 in grant money as part of the Manufacturing PA Initiative, as announced by Gov. Tom Wolf. York and other colleges are receiving nearly $2 million as part of the initiative, which funds research projects that will help advance innovation in several sectors of manufacturing, from advanced medical, to waste sustainability, to artificial intelligence.

The 29 projects involve partnerships with local manufacturing companies. York College’s project  _­­– “Developing Modular Cobot Automation Solutions for the Testing Environment”– pairs it with MRG Laboratories, a client company located in the College’s J.D. Brown Center incubator, and local manufacturer Airline Hydraulics.

“Our student research project is focused on using robots in a laboratory setting to increase efficiency and reproducibility, and reduce technician exposure to potentially harmful chemicals,” said Associate Professor of Chemistry Greg Foy, who will lead the effort.

 State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill, whose district includes York College, stated, “Good things happen for our region when academic and industry leaders come together to find innovative solutions to complex problems. York County is well suited to host this partnership because we have never forgotten our deep roots in the field of manufacturing.”

The approved projects are part of Manufacturing PA’s fellowship program. The program embeds the commonwealth’s best and brightest graduate and undergraduate students with local manufacturers. Once paired, the students embark on research projects to develop new technologies and advance innovation statewide. Universities that have partnered with a manufacturer can apply for and receive between $25,000 and $70,000 in funding for specific student research projects.

“Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry continues to grow and advance with new technologies and practices, despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic posed for us all, and this funding provides support to innovative projects from our state’s higher education system in collaboration with local manufacturers,” said Gov. Wolf. “We’re thrilled to back nearly 30 projects this year that will continue propelling our manufacturing sector forward.”