In July 2008, the Powder Metal Industry held its 44th year of offering the Basic Powder Metallurgy Short Course in State College. Course participants came from many industry segments including parts fabricators, jewelry manufacturers, medical parts end users, friction component manufacturers, abrasive component fabricators and oil drilling fabricators. Penn State's Center for Innovative Sintered Products (CISP) hosted course participants in a tour of the Center's facilities that included a presentation of research activities.