Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences

Leading Innovation in Manufacturing Science & Technology

Plastic waste fills roadsides, rivers and oceans, threatening ecosystems and communities. Do you want to help solve this problem, develop better recycling methods and find new uses for plastics and medical waste? At Troy University's Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS), students can conduct research alongside TROY faculty and other industry experts in areas like eco-friendly polymer recycling, packaging, electronics, optoelectronics, energy harvesting, flexible technologies and biomedical sensors. By integrating manufacturing science with groundbreaking research, CMMS empowers the Wiregrass region with practical solutions that drive economic development, improve environmental sustainability and advance healthcare technologies.

$95K

Cancer research grant

50+

Online academic programs

$10.2M

Research facility grant

Benefit from Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Backed by $10 million from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), TROY's Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS) is shaping the future of sustainable manufacturing and materials science. From plastic recycling to repurposing medical PPE, CMMS offers undergraduate research opportunities and access to cutting-edge equipment early in your academic journey. Collaborate on research projects with widely published TROY faculty and industry partners, gaining hands-on experience through research, internships and skill-building in fields like electronics, advanced manufacturing and materials science. With a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world impact, CMMS prepares you for careers in research, industry and higher education. Research assistantships and funded projects with student stipends are also available.

View current research

Gain Access to Innovative Labs & Equipment

Through CMMS, you'll work in specialized research labs funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, supporting breakthroughs in manufacturing science & technology. These include the Microscopy and Spectroscopy Lab, the Electrical and Optical Characterization Lab, the Thermal, Mechanical and Chemical Testing and Analysis Lab, the Polymer Processing Lab and the Pilot Plant Lab. You'll gain hands-on experience with advanced equipment used in advanced materials technology, such as a Bruker Ascend 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR), a Bruker Dimension Icon Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) with PeakForce QNM and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Mechanical testing tools like a rheometer, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) give you real-world exposure to the technology used in research and industry.

Explore CMMS Instruments

The Future of Recycling with TROY's Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences

Discover the People, Research and Tools Advancing Manufacturing Science & Technology

Faculty & Staff

Instruments

Publications

Research Projects

Dr. Wang using a new instrument in the CMMS building

Power Research with Leading-Edge Instruments

In CMMS labs, you'll use specialized tools to bring your research to life. From the Poseidon 3D Printer to the Instron mechanical testing system and Intelli-Torque Plasti-Corder, these instruments help you design, test and refine materials. Soon, even more precision equipment — like a scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray system and gas permeability tester — will expand your hands-on learning.

View Equipment List

Publish Breakthroughs in Prestigious Journals

At the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS), your research doesn't stay in the lab — it reaches the broader scientific community. By collaborating with faculty on cutting-edge projects in materials science and manufacturing technologies, you'll contribute to peer-reviewed publications that advance innovation and showcase Troy University's leadership in manufacturing science & technology.

Review Publications

Research Projects Led by TROY Experts

At CMMS, TROY faculty lead research projects in sustainable manufacturing and polymer chemistry, solving real-world problems like plastic waste and biodegradable materials. Students work alongside these experts through undergraduate research opportunities, building hands-on experience in our specialized labs.

Dr. Brian Pillay

Developing a relationship between Melt Flow Index (MFI) and Molecular weight (Mw) of PP and PE blends both recycled and virgin (for benchmark)
Using recycled PP and glass fiber for underground water meter vault application
Using recycled HDPE and used casting sand for low cost and light weight landscaping blocks
Using recycled PP and glass fiber for storm water drain cover applications
Processing of PET and natural fiber composites
Pressing of grocery bags and natural fiber composites
Processing of post-consumer and postindustrial nylon 6 and glass fiber composites

Dr. Zhiyong Wang

Development of composite materials with enhanced mechanical properties from waste plastics and chemically treated hemp fibers
Chemical recycling and upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from waste drinking bottles
Development of novel fully-recyclable polymer materials

Dr. Shaoyang Liu

Spectrometric analysis of contaminations and additives in recycled plastics with quantitative chemometrics models
Nanostructure and nanomechanical property analysis with atomic force microscope
Monitoring volatile compounds and odors of recycled plastics
Crystallization kinetics of polymers and composites

Dr. Arun Ghosh

Converting bio-renewable lignocellulose and protein biomass into new materials
Recycling of post-consumer polymers into new materials
Analysis of processing/structures/properties/applications of the polymers and composites

Dr. Mojtaba Enayati

Chemical recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into monomers and functional materials using the sustainable catalysts
Development of new catalysts for chemical recycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Simultaneous depolymerization and polymerization of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in a high-pressure reactor
Synthesis of polymer adsorbents for recovery of value-added products from waste stream and removal of contaminants 
Synthesis of complex and functional polymers via living radical polymerization
Recycling of surgical face masks as a pandemic waste

Dr. Aboulfazl Barati

Compounding, formulation, and surface modification of polymers
Polymerization (solution, suspension, and emulsion)
Micro/nano-emulsions based on organic/inorganic additives
Nanocomposite ion-exchange composite synthesis
Mechanical recycling processes of waste plastics
Biopolymer-based blends and composites
Utilization of waste-derived fillers in polymer compounding
Structure-property relationship

Dr. Amanda Kennell

Dr. Brooke Otten

Electronic and molecular structures of gold compounds
Optical properties of gold compounds
Development of gold catalyst for the breakdown of small organohalides
Photo-activation of gold-based catalysts

Dr. Raj Vinnakota

Semiconductor Plasmonics, Optics, Photonics and enhanced Light Matter Interactions.
Nanophotonics and nonlinear optics
Energy Harvesting Devices
Finite element modeling with applications Computational Electrodynamics.
Heat Transfer and fluid dynamics.
Fundamental problems in physics and engineering.

Dr. Shaimum Shahriar

Fabrication and characterization of perovskite thin films and planar solar cells.
Optimizing RF/DC sputtering, thermal evaporation, spin coating, and chemical bath deposition techniques for planar perovskite solar cells.
Crystallography analysis of thin films, morphology and structural characterization, surface composition, and oxidation state analysis.
Optical properties, absorbance, reflectance, and transmittance profiling.
Bandgap, carrier lifetime, mobility, and resistivity studies.
Pyroelectric energy harvesting of lithium niobate (LiNbO₃) and designed renewable energy systems.
Tunable bioinspired spatially-varying photonic crystals (SVPCs), multi-photon lithography, and CWA sensors.
Designed and implemented photonic gas sensors inspired by nature with expertise in structural and optical characterization.
Numerical analysis: Solving linear and nonlinear equations, curve-fitting, numerical differentiation, and integration, simulation of optical properties (absorbance, reflectance, transmittance) for thin films by using Transfer Matrix Method (TMM), Device modeling and simulation by SCAPS and SETFOS.
Research interests: Flexible solar cells, Energy-harvesting materials and devices, Nano-mechanical energy harvesting, and Photonic sensors.

FAQ About Manufacturing Science and TROY's CMMS

Learn more about the field of manufacturing science & technology and the CMMS at TROY.

What is the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS)?

CMMS is a research facility at TROY where you can explore advanced materials technology, sustainable manufacturing, advanced polymer technology, electronics and biomedical technologies. You'll gain hands-on experience and collaborate on cutting-edge research projects in manufacturing science & technology.

Are research opportunities available at CMMS?

Yes. Both students and faculty can engage in innovative projects at the Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS). Students collaborate with TROY faculty on pioneering research in advanced materials technology, electronics and manufacturing science, contributing to technological advancements in sustainable manufacturing and advanced polymer technology. Faculty members can secure research funding, partner with industry leaders, and access state-of-the-art facilities to further their work in materials science and manufacturing.

What specific research projects are currently underway at CMMS?

CMMS is actively pursuing several research initiatives, including:

Recycling and repurposing plastics: Developing methods to transform high-density polyethylene (HDPE) grocery bags into fibers and filaments, and creating high-performance materials from single-use grocery bags.
Composite material development: Enhancing mechanical properties of waste plastics by combining them with chemically treated hemp fibers, and processing post-consumer and post-industrial nylon 6 with glass fiber composites.
Chemical recycling innovations: Exploring the chemical recycling and upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from waste drinking bottles, and investigating microwave-assisted glycolysis of PET into monomers and oligomers.
Advanced analytical techniques: Conducting spectrometric analysis of contaminants and additives in recycled plastics using quantitative chemometric models, and analyzing nanostructures and nanomechanical properties with atomic force microscopy.

These projects reflect the center's strong research focus and the real-world impact of its work in sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing.

How can I get involved in research at CMMS?

Students interested in participating in CMMS research projects should reach out to faculty members whose work aligns with their interests. Faculty members are encouraged to propose new research initiatives and seek collaborations within CMMS. Industry partners and donors can support CMMS by sponsoring research projects, funding scholarships, investing in advanced equipment and collaborating on innovative solutions in materials science and manufacturing.

Can you receive funding for research at CMMS?

If you work on a funded research grant you may receive a stipend. This financial support allows you to focus on gaining valuable hands-on experience through undergraduate research opportunities.

How does CMMS enhance students' academic and career prospects?

CMMS gives you access to groundbreaking undergraduate research opportunities, faculty mentorship and real-world projects with CMMS partners in local and regional industries. With hands-on research experience and exposure to industry collaborations, you'll graduate with highly marketable skills and connections to employers in high-demand fields. You'll also be well-prepared to pursue advanced degrees.