About CAPCE

The polymer industry is one of the most dynamic and expanding industries of our time. It is one of the few industries for which the U.S. maintains strong leadership in an extremely competitive global market. The demand for specialty polymeric products is growing rapidly in the transportation, aerospace, consumer, civil infrastructure, and durable goods industries.

It is out of this growing demand for new technologies that the Center for Advanced Polymer and Composite Engineering (CAPCE) was established at The Ohio State University on October 1, 1997, to promote the advancement of polymer and composite manufacturing and design technologies through close university-industry collaboration.

The goal of the Center is to build a base of research, engineering education, and technology transfer, which will significantly impact industrial practice and productivity through the application of advanced polymer and composite manufacturing technology.  The research concentrates on manufacturing polymeric materials via melt, powder, and reactive liquid processing and forming from sheet and bulk materials. Interactions among materials, part design, processing conditions and product properties are key concerns. The program is structured according to three thrust areas:

CAPCE researchers are also breaking new ground in polymer and composite micro- and nano-fabrication, by developing manufacturing and large-scale production methods at the microscopic level. Liaisons with companies and researchers in other fields, such as biomedical applications, are beginning to yield startling discoveries that are expected to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases. Work is in progress on the development of low cost fabrication technology for micro-fluidic platforms such as the LabCD(TM), planar disposable bio-sensors, spectro-electrochemical sensors and drug delivery devices.

Close interaction between industry, university, and government are central to CAPCE's program. Funding from industry, the National Science Foundation, the State of Ohio's Thomas Edison Program, and The Ohio State University provides resources for an extensive research program. Each participant plays a key role.

The Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) comprised of industry representatives advises the Center's research directions via two meetings per year and one-on-one interactions. More than twenty industry members have joined to date. Depending on the level of membership (full $35K, thrust area $25K, or affiliate), members are entitled to detailed research reports, seats on the IAB, participation in research projects, and other benefits.

The National Science Foundation provides a framework, guidelines, and general oversight of the Center. NSF guidance is based on many years of experience in managing cooperative industry/university research to advance technologies of high national importance.

The State of Ohio's Thomas Edison Program is an initiative of the Ohio Department of Development that effectively brings together technology providers and users to create commercial opportunities. The Edison Program has achieved national and international recognition as a model for state-industry-university partnerships.

The Ohio State University provides an organizational home, intellectual leadership, and skilled R&D teams. Extensive laboratory facilities comprised of $4 million in modern equipment are located in 8 laboratories. Both undergraduate and graduate students participate in advanced training through classroom instruction and laboratory research.

To see the organizational chart click here.