Research for Future Competitiveness

Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) Consortia

IN-MaC’s Research for Future Competitiveness program improves the competitiveness of manufacturers by catalyzing discovery at the nexus of digital design, simulation, operations and enterprise systems integration. We currently support five industry consortia that address industry-defined topics in areas of importance to members, and also facilitate connections from Industry to researchers to help companies solve their chronic manufacturing challenges.

IN-MaC has provided seed funding to launch several industrial consortia that are self-directed in their topics of inquiry who collectively share and apply research findings to help their businesses. While SMEs are the primary focus of the consortia, they are open to companies of all sizes. Information about each IN-MaC consortia is available by following the links below.

Simulation-based Engineering of Materials and Structures (ICSEMS)

Investigates the design and mechanics of material systems through simulations that enhance manufacturability and performance.

Thomas Siegmund, Professor of Mechanical Engineering-Perry Excellence Scholar

Developing Smart Business Ecosystems

Ananth Iyer, Susan Bulkeley Butler Chair in Operations Management & Department Head, Management, Krannert School of Management

Surface Engineering and Enhancement (CSEE).

Research alliance for the metal surface finishing industry to develop a knowledge base and educate future industry leaders

David Bahr, Professor and Head of School of Materials Engineering

Advanced Lyophilization Technology Consortium – LyoHUB

Industry-led partnership to advance the science and technology of lyophilization / freeze-drying

Alina Alexeenko, Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Consortium for Materials Processing Research

Advance commercial material processing technologies and develop new commercial materials through interdisciplinary research and education programs

School of Engineering Technology (SoET), Purdue Polytechnic Institute

Federal Funding and Successes

IN-MaC contributes to institutional membership in several ManufacturingUSA and Department of Energy Institutes that enhances the access to industry collaborations and external investment to perform cutting-edge research.

• IN-MaC is Purdue’s link to the Digital Manufacturing Design Innovation Institute (DMDII), hosted by IU Labs through a 5 year, $70 million award

• Purdue Component is led by Nathan W. Hartman, Dauch Family Professor of Advanced Manufacturing and Director, Product Lifecycle Management Center, Purdue Polytechnic Institute

• IN-MaC is a supporting partner in the Institute for Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), that is also supported by a $15 million investment from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The Institute investigates the manufacture of composite materials and complex shapes.
• Federal Institute hosted by Creative Composites Solutions Corp. (UT Knoxville) through a 5 year, $70 million award
• Purdue Component is led by R. Byron Pipes, Director of the Composites Manufacturing & Simulation Center and the John Bray Distinguished Professor of Engineering

• IN-MaC also supports NEXTFLEX (formerly the Flexible Hybrid Electronics Institute). The Institute is hosted by the FlexTech Alliance through a 5 year, $75 million award.
• Purdue component is led by Ali Shakouri, the Mary Jo and Robert L. Kirk Director of Birck Nanotechnology Center and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering