Plextronics of Pittsburgh, a developer of active-layer technology for printed electronic devices (organic LED displays and lighting, polymer solar cells and plastic circuitry), announced it has been awarded a $340,500 grant from the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center for continued development of Plexcore PV active-layer technology for organic solar cells. Plexcore PV polymer-based semiconductive inks increase solar conversion efficiency while extending the lifetime of the device. Plextronics cofounder and chief scientist Richard McCullough, dean of the Mellon College of Science at Carnegie Mellon University, invented the core polymer technology that has become the standard for organic-based solar cells. New thin-film technologies, including organic solar cells, hold the promise of being less expensive for mobile devices and less harmful to the environment by releasing no emissions, Plextronics said.