Fastening and Joining Research Institute  The objective of this institute is to enhance the reliability and safety of metallic, composite and polymeric joints by advancing the science and technology of mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding, welding and riveting. The institute is a one-of-a-kind facility that pursues fundamental and applied research to develop and disseminate new technologies for the fastening and joining of metals, composites and polymers. The Institute develops and disseminates novel advanced technologies in the areas of automated assembly of bolted joints, adhesive bonding of composites, resistance welding and riveting, a niche area that significantly impacts the safety and reliability of many products. |
Center for Product Research and Development  This center assists innovators develop concepts into products through access to professional services, prototyping, and manufacturing facilities for facilitating the commercialization support of novel ideas. The Center provides access to computer aided engineering specialists, material and product testing facilities, prototype and manufacturing resources, and assistance in establishing new enterprises. The center can assist with product design, prototype and testing; expanding sponsored research programs; integrating technological innovations into economic-development efforts; offering training and educational programs; and patent processes. |
Magneto-Photonic Crystal Isolators  This technology allows for the development and fabrication of an ultra-short optical isolator that can be integrated onto a microchip. Isolators created with this technology could be used in integrated photonic circuits and are smaller and more inexpensive than isolators fabricated by traditional means. |
Veneer-based product and method of manufacture & Carbon in wood products A rate limiting step in the production of veneer-based wood products or pressed wood composites is the time required to transfer heat through the product being pressed. This technology increases the thermal conductivity of composite wood materials thereby reducing the required press time to produce acceptable mechanical properties. This technology has been demonstrated for wood veneer products (“plywood”) and oriented strandboard but could apply to other composite materials where enhanced thermal conductivity is desired. |
Froth flotation of carbon from fly ash using environmentally friendly oil/method of removing carbon from fly ash A froth flotation method is provided for removing carbon from fly ash which utilizes an environmental friendly conditioning agent. The conditioning agent preferably comprises a biodegradable oil which is added to a slurry containing raw fly ash and water. The conditioning agent renders the carbon in the fly ash hydrophobic such that upon aeration of the slurry, air bubbles attach to the carbon particles and carry them to the surface of the slurry in the form of a froth, such that the carbon may be removed. |
Removal of ammonia from fly ash A method for removing ammonia and ammonia compounds from fly ash and other combustion by-products is provided. The method may be performed with raw or processed fly ash, or it may be performed in conjunction with a wet beneficiation process. The method involves mixing the ammonia-contaminated fly ash with water and then filtering and/or drying the solution to remove the ammonia and water. The method produces fly ash having an ammonia content of less than about 60-80 ppm, which allows the fly ash to be utilized in a number of applications. |
Dynamic Indentation Hardness Tester The hardness of materials typically change under events of rapid deformation and the hardness under these conditions has become known as dynamic hardness. Measurement of dynamic hardness of materials is important in applications such as vehicle crashworthiness and other areas where materials are undergoing rapid deformation. This technology allows for the measurement of dynamic hardness with a relatively simple and inexpensive device. Michigan Tech is seeking to license this technology to individual end-users of the device as well as analytical equipment manufacturers who would license the technology to manufacture and sell the device to end-users, as well as. Exclusive licensing rights are available. |
Chemical comminution technique for producing powders of inorganic oxides A method for producing powder from polycrystalline inorganic material by contacting polycrystalline inorganic material with the vapor of one or more reduced alkali metals in an environment substantially free of oxygen for a period of time sufficient to cause disintegration of the polycrystalline inorganic material into powder. The polycrystalline inorganic material may consist of one or more oxides, sulfides, or silicates, or combinations thereof. The polycrystalline inorganic material may also comprise a rock or mineral, such as basalt or pyrite. |
Wet process for fly ash beneficiation A wet process for the beneficiation of a fly ash by-product has the following steps: a) forming a slurry mixture of a fly ash material and a liquid; b) gravitationally separating and collecting a first material fraction of the fly ash having a density less than the liquid by skimming off floating slurry material; c) separating a first magnetic fraction from the slurry by subjecting a first magnetic fraction from the slurry by subjecting the slurry to a magnetic field of from about 300 gauss to about 10 kilogauss; d) separating the unburned carbon from the remaining slurry components by adding an effective amount of an oil having a carbon chain greater than octane, and a frothing agent whereby the oil coats the unburned carbon forming hydrophobic carbon materials and inducing air into the system for frothing the slurry mixture wherein the hydrophobic unburned carbon froths to the surface and is removed by skimming off the frothing layer; and e) collecting the remaining fraction of silicate spheres and silicates. |
Hybrid Robotic Control The technology being developed addresses the problem that most commercial robotic systems use only joint level control and not task level. The innovation involves adding task level to join level control that results in the robotic arm being more accurate. By adding task level control there are also a host of new application areas related to sensors and the resultant information management for a distributed system of robotic modules. |
Design Optimization and Design Under Uncertainty Technology This research is focused on noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and design under uncertainty. One outcome of this reseach is a design optimization tool that has potential application in a number of industry sectors. Although the graphical user interface is at an early stage of development, the algorithm design is sufficiently functional to solve series of complex problems. The research offers the opportunity to provide engineering services to numerous organizations on a consulting basis. |
Coatings Research Institute The CRI's two-fold mission is to be a leading academic organization that develops relevant scientific knowledge for understanding and for expanding the science and technology of paints, coatings, inks, adhesives and related nano-based materials. Areas of expertise represented in the CRI include, among others, coating technologies and formulation, polymer modification, cross-linking mechanisms and enabling technologies such as nanotechnology (nanoparticle materials), polymer structure/property relationships, characterization, vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and FT-IR), thermal analysis (DSC,DMA,TGA, DEA) and nanotribology. |
National Dendrimer and Nanotechnology Center  The National Dendrimer and Nanotechnology Center is the catalyst for dendrimer-based research initiatives. The Center’s current research agenda focuses on several types of dendrimer and nanoscale sciences: Drug encapsulation, release and disease targeting protocols are being established and tested for cancer therapy and anti-flammatory drug systems using a range of dendrimer carrier structures; researching cytotoxicity of dendrimers and other nanoscale structures; the use of dendrimers as a catalyst in the production of carbon nanotubes at the lowest temperatures recorded; the attachment of oligonucleotides to dendrimers for targeting, amplification or detection in biological systems; development of nuclear magnetic reagents which allow higher resolution and site specific targeting to disease or inflammation; stabilization of nano-crystals or quantum dots with unique optical, electronic or other properties for use in bio-labeling, and flat panel display technologies; development of lower-cost synthetic routes to new proprietary dendrimers and dendritic polymers; development of dendrimers as in-vivo nano-diagnostic agents and devices. |
Robotic Control and Nonlinear Systems Analysis This research program has yielded outcomes in a number of interrelated domains including development of robot kinematic, dynamic formulations and control systems by geometric and topologic methods; a new robotic model for simplification of robotic control algorithms and its real-time realization;an optimal design criterion for robotic manipulators; a redundant robot arm with seven joints and designed its controller, hardware, interface and software with applications to automation.
Related research has resulted in development of two classes of intelligent control strategies. The first is based on linguistics and automata technique with translation schemata, and rule-based systems The second is based on the applications of learning control, supervisory control schemes, neural networks, fuzzy logic and hierarchical intelligent control systems.
Finally, this research program has focused on properties and characteristics of nonlinear systems, stability and stabilization, differential geometry methods for nonlinear control systems analysis and applications. |
Finite Element Analysis and Computer-Aided Engineering This reseach is focused on developing an array of technologies including finite element, boundary element, and finite difference programs for specific applications such as phase change, material fracture, contact stresses, sheet metal forming, strength evaluations, injection molding, etc. Developing interface programs for smooth and complete data transfer between CADD systems and F.E. programs. |
Physical Processes Involved in Adhesive Bonding and Material Damage Skills and expertise is available for modeling, analysis and simulation of contact between deformable bodies including mechanical models, mathematical formulations, variational analysis, and numerical analysis of the associated variational formulations. Areas of current activity are modeling of Industrial Processes by PDEs, variational inequalities as well as thermoelastic dynamic contact with friction, wear, adhesion or damage. |
Contact Angles on Materials with Heterogeneous Surfaces This research program is an exploration of the interaction of fluids with heterogeneous solid surfaces are particularly important in material surface-based industrial processes such as printing, patterning, fabrication of MEMS devices, separation of plastics, de-inking flotation, and others. Because these interactions depend on the nature of the heterogeneity, its size, morphology, and distribution, a comprehensive study of the interaction between fluids and heterogeneous surfaces is an important advance. The results are being used to test available theories of wetting phenomena; experiments involve real-world heterogeneous materials and “well defined” heterogeneous surfaces composed of adsorbed and self-assembled organic layers of varying functionality, structure, and density. Both atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurement technique are used in examination of interactions of fluids of varying polarity with heterogeneous surfaces. |
Biointerfaces/Bioadhesion for Characterization and Modification of Implant Surfaces Metals and alloys, such as titanium and stainless steel, rely on the presence of an oxide film to act as a barrier preventing further oxidation in active environments, such as the human body. It is also the oxide film that forms the interface between the biomaterial and the body, with which cells and proteins interact. Oxide films vary in properties, depending in part on the method by which they are formed and the environment in which they are placed. These and other factors dictate the properties of the film such as thickness, roughness, composition, heterogeneity, electronic properties, and wettability, all of which play a role in cell interaction. This program of research is directed toward understanding the effect of surface properties of biomaterials on their biocompatibility. Students also chemically modify the surfaces of implant materials to improve osteoblast adhesion and differentiation. For example, a novel technology for formation and growth of bone-like apatite coatings on implants has been developed and then used in testing osteoblast cell activity on fabricated implant-apatite composites. |
Purification of PET from PVC A technology involving treatment of PET and PVC particles with alkaline solutions followed by froth flotation of PVC with noinonc surfactants has been developed. In development research, this technology yielded 95-100% recovery of PET and PVC in separate products from a variety of PVC/PET mixtures. |
Surface Chemistry Features of Flotation Deinking A program of research has produced significant findings for a number of technologies focused on deinking. First, flotation deinking through flocculation of fine ink particles could be improved using synthetic copolymers. Second, findings indicated that polyalkylene oxide/fatty acid mixture, common surfactant blend in flotation deinking systems, has a dual role in separation of ink particles. Polyalkylene oxide serves as a frother, building stable froth layer that allows the floated ink particles to be skimmed from the top of the flotation cell. The fatty acids activated by calcium ions serve as collector and promote attachment of ink particles to gas bubbles. Finally, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has been applied to recovered paper deinking systems for measuring the interfacial forces acting between pulp particulates. This new analytical technique mimics the conditions of recovered paper pulping and deinking separation at a micro scale. A new procedure for the preparation of spherical toner has been developed in collaboration with the University of Utah. Next, systematic measurements of interfacial forces in flotation deinking systems have been undertaken. For example, it was found that attractive hydrophobic forces are the dominant forces in flotation deinking systems. The repulsive forces are only significant in low ionic strength solutions. This observation has important practical implications indicating that the process water used in the paper recycling mill should carry enough dissolved ions to eliminate the negative effect of an energetic barrier associated with negative surface potentials on water-air and ink-water interfaces, on the attachment of ink particles to gas bubbles. It was further shown that the range of hydrophobic forces increases and the energy barrier decreases in the presence of calcium carboxylate. |
Using Flotation Separation Technology for Mineral Processing Chemistry This program of research, conducted in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Utah and the University of British Columbia, is focused on studying fundamentals of flotation separation technology for a number of different minerals processing systems. For example, an improved experimental procedure to measure contact angle has been consolidated with coal surface preparation involving polishing with abrasive paper, alumina powder and a cloth, followed by ultrasonic and mechanical cleaning. Specifically, the captive-bubble measuring technique has been compared with the sessile-drop technique and the former has been recommended for the examination of the hydrophobic properties of coal surfaces. The research results reveal that an important factor in analysis of contact angle variation on coal surfaces is the size of the hydrophilic mineral inclusions. In another line of inquiry, fundamental studies of mechanisms of bitumen release from oil sands, its attachment to and spreading over the gas bubble surface allowed the development of a technology to improve the hot-water processing of Utah oil sands. |
Institute of Materials Processing The Institute of Materials Processing (IMP) is an innovative, multi-disciplined, non-profit, industrially oriented research and development center holding over 60 patents. The IMP is housed in a $47.7 million dollar research facility on the campus of Michigan Technological University. Though IMP is located within Michigan Tech, funding comes solely from royalties and research projects. IMP has been providing entrepreneurs and industry with the resources to study minerals, environmental concerns and materials processing for over 40 years. IMP can assist you in meeting the challenges associated with each phase of your project's development, from preliminary studies to the final design and construction of a commercial operation. |
Grinding to Sub-micron Tolerances Axis positioning resolution on the order of nanometers has made possible the ductile machining of brittle materials. However, many of the concepts and models developed for traditional machining (characterized by high material removal rates and/or ductile workpiece materials) do not apply to machining at the nanometer level or to machining brittle materials. In this research program, analytical and experimental methods are being used to develop models for the machining of brittle materials. Beyond this scope, vibration assisted and water-jet assisted grinding, as well as wheel wear and wheel loading mechanisms also are being investigated. |
Environment-induced Embrittlement of Intermetallic Alloys Several intermetallics are extremely susceptible to embrittlement by water vapor; among these are the iron aluminides, alloys which otherwise have considerable promise as structural materials because of their low density, high resistance to corrosion and oxidation, and low cost. It is suspected that for these materials hydrogen embrittlement results from the reaction of the alloy surface with water vapor. This program of research incorporates measurements of fracture toughness and sub-critical crack growth under controlled chemical and electrochemical conditions to gain information about the kinetics of embrittlement. Structural characterization includes transmission electron microscopy. |
Free Machining Brass Alloys Tonnage quantities of leaded brasses are used in manufacturing plumbing fittings and fixtures. The lead, which appears as small inclusions in the microstructure, promotes efficient and precise machining. There is evidence indicating that minute quantities of lead dissolved from these alloys by drinking water may have adverse health effects and, for this reason, there is an urgent need to develop free machining alloys that do not contain lead. The means by which lead enhances machinability is not well understood but it may have simultaneous roles in lubrication and in local embrittlement processes. This program of research has the objective the characterization of the elemental cutting and fracture processes. |
High Transition Temperature Shape Memory Alloys Selected site substitution alloying is being used to develop new high transition temperature shape memory alloys. Currently available alloys are restricted in their use to temperatures of the order of 100C or less. Most potential high transition temperature shape memory alloys based on intermetallics are brittle, but in many cases can be ductilized through selected alloying. Similarly, the shape-memory effect can be enhanced by manipulating the balance between deformation by slip and twinning. |
Computer Simulation of Dislocation-based Study of Materials Deformation, Strengthening and Failure Dislocation studies play an important role in understanding deformation, strengthening, and failure mechanisms of materials. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been commonly used in these studies. Improved computer simulation methods, recently developed in a program of research, have enhanced our ability to identify dislocations quantitatively. For example, comparison of a TEM image of a `superlattice' dislocation in a deformed Al67Mn8Ti25 alloy, compared favorably with the computer-simulated image of the dislocation formed by using only pertinent material constants, geometrical data, and imaging conditions. |
Graphics Laboratory The Graphics Laboratory comprises three elements. First, the prepress area consists of a classroom/image assemble room and a typesetting/desktop publishing lab. Sixteen individual light tables serve as both work stations and desks in the classroom. In the typesetting/desktop lab twelve Macintosh workstations, a color and a black and white image digitizer, and two digitizing tables act as input devices for a LaserWriter proof system and a high resolution postscript laser image-setter. Second, a darkroom and a plate-room make up the image conversion area. The darkroom houses three process cameras and is supported by state-of-the-art densitometry equipment. Film processing is handled through both the traditional tray processing and machine processing methods. The plate-room provides coating, exposing, processing, and storage facilities for offset lithographic, photo-polymer relief, and silkscreen image carrier preparation procedures. Finally, the pressroom contains equipment for transferring images. Offset lithography is supported by two duplicators, a 13" x 18" two color press, and a single color, 16" x 20" press. Relief printing, embossing, and die cutting operations are performed using two hand platens and a hydraulic platen press. An automatic flatbed press, a rotary four station texile printer, and two manual vacuum bed print stations, along with a dryer and screen washout facility round out the silkscreen reproduction work area. Various bindery and finishing operations can also be performed. |
Metal Fabrication Facility The metal fabrication laboratory complex consists of four laboratory areas: foundry, machine tool, welding, and fabrication. Examples of equipment available for use include laser cutter, 1/4" x 10' shear, 90 Ton press brake, MIG/TIG/Plasma/Stick/Gas welding, foundry (sand casting), 1-Ton bridge crane, and monorail crane. Some of the processes that can be accomplished on these state-of-the-art machines include cutting through 1/4" steel on the (500 watt) computer numerical control industrial laser or by using the 100 amp plasma-arc machine. Manufacturing with the twenty tool automatic tool changing machining center is computer controlled and can be programmed manually at the machine control center or by (DNC) direct numerical control from the (CAM) computer-aided manufacturing laboratory. |
Materials Processing, Prototyping and Recycling This research program is focused on the processing, prototyping and recycling of plastics and composite materials. Recent focus has been on the effects of flatwise tensile strength and shear strength when using recycled epoxy/fiberglass composite powder as a filler material in fiberglass and foam core sandwich panels. Additional work has been devoted to an alternative mechanical peel testing method for composite fiberglass foam core sandwiches. |
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