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The College of Engineering has secured a $100,000 Keystone Innovation Starter Kit (KISK) grant from Pennsylvania鈥檚 Department of Community and Economic Development which will be used to increase its capabilities in the area of sustainable energy and renewable energy technology research.

鈥淲e are thrilled to be selected for this KISK grant, which will allow us to offer our faculty and students new opportunities to explore alternative energy development and applications in the classroom and the laboratory,鈥� says Dr. Alfonso Ortega, James R. Birle Professor of Energy Technology and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research at the College of Engineering.

KISK grants help Pennsylvania鈥檚 higher education institutions attract nationally-recognized talent in science and technology. The College will use its award to hire a new faculty member dedicated to teaching and research in the field of bio-mass energy technology development.

In addition, this new faculty member will allow the College to:

• Launch a technology track within the College鈥檚 new master鈥檚 degree program in sustainable engineering, which is among the first in the country
• Develop a strong research program in sustainable energy to be supported by undergraduate and graduate students
• Offer undergraduate electives for a concentration in energy technology
• Grow the collaboration and impact of the 柑橘直播 Center for the Advancement of Sustainability in Engineering, of which alternative energy is a primary focus
• Further participate in technology transfer activities
• Add new opportunities to the College鈥檚 current STEM education offerings, designed to help low- income middle and secondary school students improve their abilities in science, technology, education, and math subjects

The College is one of only 10 institutions to receive KISK funding in 2010. Governor Edward G. Rendell announced the full list of winners at a press conference on July 29. Dr. Ortega was invited to speak to shed light on how this type of funding can yield benefits not just for academic institutions and students, but also for Pennsylvania鈥檚 business and industry communities.

The College previously received a KISK grant from the 2008 awards program, which facilitated the addition of Dr. Gang Feng, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, to the faculty. The grant also allowed Dr. Feng to build a laboratory with a state-of-the-art nanomechanical testing system. His research has resulted in patent development, collaboration with local businesses and universities, and additional grant proposals to the National Science Foundation.