PPG Donates More Than $50,000 to Innovations in Energy Showcase

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The PPG Industries Foundation donated $50,000 to the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus to help fund its Innovations in Energy project, plus an additional $5,000 to assist with general programming expenses.

Experts from PPG Industries, a Pittsburgh-based coatings and specialty products company, also assisted in the development of the center’s “Innovation Showcase: Innovations in Energy” exhibit, which opened in late August 2011.

“The Innovation Showcase encourages critical thinking skills and empowers the public to make informed decisions and take personal actions regarding energy use,” said David Chesebrough, president and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry. “It also informs visitors about the diverse backgrounds and functions of people working in energy-related careers, especially in the ‘STEM’ fields of science, technology, engineering and math, and encourages middle- and high-school students in particular to pursue these paths.”

The exhibit represents the first phase of an “Innovations in Energy” project designed to help bridge the gap in public understanding about energy issues and the systems within which they live, according to officials from the company. It features an interactive home weatherization display that allows visitors to use a thermal imaging camera to perform a home energy audit, comparing the energy-efficiency of a wall with a typical window to one with a window featuring solar-control glass from PPG.

A graphics and video display also introduce visitors to J.J. Wirth, PPG brand manager, fleet segments, who describes her role and PPG’s involvement in the fields of energy savings and energy generation.

The Center’s Innovations in Energy project team worked with PPG experts and toured PPG research facilities to learn about the company’s “green” glass and coatings technology and to meet PPG scientists, including Chief Technology Officer Charles Kahle.

“PPG and its corporate foundation have supported COSI for nearly 20 years with annual grants for general programming, and we are excited to deepen the relationship by funding and assisting with the development of the Innovation Showcase and the overall Innovations in Energy project,” said Sue Sloan, executive director of the PPG Industries Foundation.