Extrusion Division Funds Student Chapter Activity at Georgia Tech

Extrusion Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers recently provided funds of $500 to SPE student chapter at Georgia Tech University for a plant trip to Ampacet Corporation plant at Cartersville, Georgia on February 13, 2009. The tour was organized by the SPE Student Chapter at Georgia Tech and was hosted by the Polymer, Textile and Fiber Engineering (PTFE) School. The Kimberly Clark facility was visited by a group of 14 Students from PTFE, Material Science and Engineering, and Management along with PTFE’s Executive-in-residence Dr. Davis Lee, and student chapter faculty advisor Prof. Donggang Yao.

During the plant tour Georgia Tech students were able to observe compounding of masterbatches in single-screw and twin-screw extruders, and palletizing and drying process for pharmaceutical products. Students also visited testing labs and gained information about various testing protocols and quality control norms for masterbatches. According to Sarang Deodhar, Treasurer of the SPE student Chapter at Georgia Tech, during the plant trip, students obtained a thorough understanding of melt compounding, screw designs, melt flow inside extruders, and process control parameters.

Through its Student Chapter Activity Fund, Extrusion Division provides a funding of up to $500 for student activities to two different student chapters every year. For more information about the Student Chapter Activity Fund, please contact Prof. Mahesh Gupta, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Department, Michigan Tech University, Houghton, MI 49931. E-mail: mahesh@mtu.edu, Phone: (906) 487-3566

Photo of Georgia Tech students outside Ampacet Corporation extrusion plant

Extrusion Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers recently provided funds of $500 to SPE student chapter at Georgia Tech University for a plant trip to Kimberly Clark facility at Lagrange, Georgia. The tour was organized by the SPE Student Chapter at Georgia Tech and was hosted by the Polymer, Textile and Fiber Engineering (PTFE) School. The Kimberly Clark facility was visited by a group of 16 Students from PTFE and Material Science and Engineering Schools along with PTFE’s Executive-in-residence Dr. Davis Lee.

During the plant tour Georgia Tech students were able to observe the Spun-bond and Melt blowing processes for making surgical gowns. They also had an extensive tour of the SMS (Spun bond – Melt Blown – Spun Bond) production line. The students interacted with the scientists and engineers of Kimberly Clark during the Q/A session and clarified their doubts about the processes, and particularly about the intricacies involved in the production of consistently good quality products. According to Ramasubramani Kuduva, Secretary of the SPE Student Chapter, “The students who have been working in the related processes for their research/senior design project heavily benefited from this experience. The tour was an enriching experience in terms of the exposure we got to an industrial production facility.”

Through its Student Chapter Activity Fund, Extrusion Division provides a funding of up to $500 for student activities to two different student chapters every year. For more information about the Student Chapter Activity Fund, please contact Prof. Mahesh Gupta, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Department, Michigan Tech University, Houghton, MI 49931. E-mail: mahesh@mtu.edu, Phone: (906) 487-3566

Photo of Georgia Tech Students at the Entrance of Kimberly Clark facility

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Extrusion Division Funds Student Chapter Activity at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Extrusion Division provided financial support of $500 for outreach activities and a graduate seminar series at Rensselaer Polytechnic
Children at the CMOST display their “slime” during a hands-on demonstration by the RPI-SPE chapterInstitute (RPI). On April 4, the SPE chapter at RPI volunteered for “NanoDays 2009” at the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) in East Greenbush, NY.  Graduate students Jennifer Gagner, Douglas Dukes, and Dhiral Shah gave hands-on demonstrations in polymers and nanomaterials to children, and their parents, in three groups of fifteen. Participants learned about nanotechnology, the structure of metals and polymers, and made their own “slime” from Polyvinyl Alcohol and Borax solutions.  According to one of the parents, “[RPI-SPE students] really gave these kids a wonderful look into the world of nanotechnology and captured their interest.” “Thank you for the slime,” interjected Jason, her son.

Children at the CMOST display their “slime” during a hands-on demonstration by the RPI-SPE chapter

On December 3, 2009, the SPE chapter at RPI also hosted a graduate student seminar series. In all, 11 graduate and 3 undergraduate students, from the Materials Science & Engineering and
Kerem Goren presents his research at the graduate student seminar seriesChemistry Departments, attended the seminar and shared perspectives and common research interests. Two RPI students, Kerem Goren and Douglas Dukes, and one student from the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of South Carolina, Atri Rungta, gave 15-minute presentations on their research from various aspects of polymer science. After the presentations, students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to have scientific discussions amongst their peers and glean insights into each other’s research while enjoying refreshments. “It was a great opportunity to discover what other graduate students are working on, share my own work, and make new friends and connections,” Atri said.

 Through its Student Chapter Activity Fund, Extrusion Division provides a funding of up to $500 for student activities to two different student chapters every year. For more information about the Student Chapter Activity Fund, please contact Prof. Mahesh Gupta, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Department, Michigan Tech University, Houghton, MI 49931. E-mail: mahesh@mtu.edu, Phone: (906) 487-3566

Kerem Goren presents his research at the graduate student seminar series