#138 TUE | Fintech, Green Tech, + Robotics

Fintech: USF Launches Free Fintech Course

Education: Leon County Schools Receives New Robotics Program

Green Tech: Environmentally Friendly Recyclable Plastics

Featured Partner: Innovation Park | FSU Applied Superconductivity Center

Event: Data After Hours by NAT20

Researchers believe financial technology revenues will soar from $245 billion in 2023 to $1.5 trillion by 2030, and the University of South Florida is preparing people for the industry’s impact.

A new online certification program will provide students, entrepreneurs and working professionals with a foundational understanding of financial technology, commonly known as fintech. The university’s Muma College of Business developed the free eight-week course. The free course is accessible at any time, and new modules open weekly and conclude with a quiz.

Michael Wiemer, director of USF’s Fintech Center at the St. Petersburg campus, said the enrollment process is simple, and anyone can register. He noted that the “low-pressure” course is nontechnical and accessible for professionals working in a fast-paced environment or people concluding their careers.

Leon County Schools announced a $1.6 million grant for a new robotics CTE program to be implemented at Rickards High School and new equipment for SAIL High School's engineering CTE pathway.

Students who complete SAIL's engineering pathway will graduate with pre-engineering industry certifications, and for Rickards' new robotics program, students will graduate with a robotics certification, bridging the gap for students who may not be able to afford college courses or simply want to get ahead in their careers post-graduation.

Both educators said the robotics CTE course will give students who can't stay after school the chance to engage with the technology during class time.

Associate Professor Hoyong Chung and postdoctoral researcher Arijit Ghorai have created a potential alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastic that is made from carbon dioxide (CO2) and lignin, a component of wood that is a low-cost byproduct of paper manufacturing and biofuel production.

Using depolymerization, the researchers can convert polymers to pure monomers. The newly developed material could be used for low-cost, short lifespan plastic products in such sectors as construction, agriculture, packaging, cosmetics, textiles, diapers and disposable kitchenware. With further development, Chung anticipates its use in highly specialized polymers for biomedical and energy storage applications.

The FSU Office of Commercialization provided valuable foundational support for Chung’s research. The project was supported by federal funds awarded to the State of Florida from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Part of the MagLab, the ASC advances the science and technology of superconductivity and superconductivity applications by investigating low temperature and high temperature materials.

They do this by investigating low temperature and high temperature materials through research grants and through collaborations with other universities, national laboratories and industry.

They continually educate post-graduate, graduate and undergraduate students through research and public service.