Project Fiber-Length Distribution Change During Composite Recycling for Sustainable Manufacturing Program DUIRI - Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship Term Fall 2026 Status Accepted Research Area Global Sustainability Description The recycling of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites is essential for reducing material waste in advanced manufacturing. The recycling process introduces fiber shortening through multiple mechanisms including grinding and melt extrusion, altering material properties and limiting recycled-feedstock reuse. Understanding how fiber-length distribution changes through recycling is fundamental to predicting recycled composite performance and improving the recycling process itself. This project investigates fiber-length distribution evolution during composite recycling to support improved recycled-feedstock quality and sustainable composite manufacturing. Supervisor Garam Kim Mentor Eduardo Barocio Vaca Type of work required The student will design and conduct controlled experiments to characterize fiber-length distribution at multiple recycling generations. Activities include material processing, thermal sample preparation, fiber-length characterization via microscopy and image analysis, statistical fitting of fiber-distribution data, and technical reporting. Websites https://www.purdue.edu/cmsc/ Qualifications Coursework in materials science, composites, polymers, or mechanical engineering preferred. Comfort with laboratory procedures and willingness to learn microscopy, image analysis software, and basic statistical methods. Interest in sustainable manufacturing and recycling. Credit Hours 0 Weekly Hours 20 (estimated)