Three Pitt Projects Receive $70,000 Grant Funding Through Manufacturing PA Innovation Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development has awarded three University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering researchers with 2026 Manufacturing PA Innovation Awards. These awards of $70,000 will promote University-industry collaboration and provide Pitt graduate and undergraduate students with meaningful, hands-on experience working on real-world projects.

Through the Manufacturing PA program, local companies partner with universities across Pennsylvania, matching Manufacturing PA’s award of up to $70,000 to fund a project over the course of the school year. Companies work closely with faculty and students to solve persistent problems and develop new technology and products.

This year’s Pitt projects and industry partners are: 

• Brandon Grainger, “Reduced-Inductance Modular Multilevel Converter for High Voltage Direct Current Systems: A Control-Driven Approach to Lower Magnetic Material Utilization and Increase Power Density” (Innomotics).
• Paul Leu, “EMI Shielding and ESD Performance of Polycarbonate Materials for Electronic Applications” (Covestro).
• Paul Ohodnicki, “Nanostructuring and Composition Engineering of Novel Ferrite Based Permanent Magnets” (National Magnetics / CorePower Magnetics).

“This program builds connections between Pitt and local industry to fuel innovation in the region and beyond. At the same time, it provides an amazing opportunity to our students, preparing the industry leaders of tomorrow,” said Heng Ban, Richard K. Mellon Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Interim Associate Dean for Research and Facilities. “We’re grateful for Manufacturing PA’s and our partners’ ongoing support of important projects like these.”