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Industry-driven Basic Research Program in CME. Next Chapter Project -SIA Award June 4, 2013 Matt Benson, Director of COMTEC. Next Chapter Project. Motivation and Purpose: IAB recommendation to collaborate with industry
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Industry-driven Basic Research Program in CME Next Chapter Project -SIA Award June 4, 2013 Matt Benson, Director of COMTEC
Next Chapter Project • Motivation and Purpose: • IAB recommendation to collaborate with industry • Work with industry on specific projects to tweak and enhance materials or processing • Become a repository of knowledge in the field • Method: • Applied for and obtained $30k grant from WSU (one year)
Project Goals • Develop a program for students to work on basic research that has practical application to the composites industry in the region • Develop a procedure to gather and catalog pre-competitive research projects from the regional industry • Provide students with extensive research experience, lifelong learning skills and leadership skills • Develop mechanisms to sustain the program • Establish WSU as a regional center of knowledge in the science and technology of composite materials (long-term goal)
Project: Industry-driven Basic Research Program in CME • Work on pre-competitive research projects that can benefit the whole industry in the region • Results of the research will be shared with all the companies • Informed and invited all companies in the region to participate • Visited ten companies and collected about 22 projects
Major Project Areas • Recycling • Bio-composites • Short-term and long-term characterization of materials
Selected Projects • Recycling • Source Book for recycled thermoplastics • Improving thermoplastics with recycled thermoset composites • Bio-composites • Investigate standards and guidelines for bio-composites testing, processing & properties • Bio-based polymers and fibers • Research potential materials such as stinging nettle
Selected Projects.. • Material Characterization • Continuously reinforced thermoplastics • Mechanical and thermal properties • Optimization of constituents/properties • Development of test procedure for proper characterization
Potentials and Challenges • Direct interaction with local companies • Numerous projects to collaborate on • Benefits to both industry and students • Challenges • Equipment for thermoplastic processing (Brabender cost $30k - $45k) • Faculty time • Need more support from industry
Sustainability • WSU funding will end this summer • Applied to Southeast MN Initiative Fund (SMIF) grant • NSF Industry & University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC) Program • Requires $400k membership fees and a minimum of 8 companies • Need ideas and support to continue