The Advanced Manufacturing and Composite Lab (AMCL) specializes in designing and fabricating advanced composite materials for aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy applications. Equipped with CNC machines, 3D printers, and robotic automation, the lab supports prototyping and production. It utilizes vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM), compression molding, and filament winding for composite manufacturing, alongside mechanical and thermal analysis tools. Research focuses on lightweight, high-strength materials, bio-based resins, and recyclable composites to enhance efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing.
The Canadian Extrusion Research Lab (CERL) specializes in processing thermoplastics and bio-based polymers using twin-screw and single-screw extruders. Research focuses on developing and testing bio-based, compostable, and recyclable plastics for packaging, automotive, and consumer goods. The lab explores fillers, reinforcements, nanomaterials, and additives to enhance material properties while leveraging real-time data analytics, rheology studies, and process modeling to optimize efficiency and product performance.
The Instrumentation, Automation, and Prototyping Lab (IAPL) specializes in real-time process monitoring and control using DSCs, PLCs, SCADA systems, and industrial sensors. The lab supports custom electronic and mechanical prototype development with CNC machining, 3D printing, and laser cutting. Research includes IoT integration, AI-driven automation, and embedded control systems for industrial efficiency, quality control and adaptive process optimization, with a focus on custom sensor design for environmental monitoring, energy systems and industrial applications.
The Material Performance Characterization Lab (MPCL) features tensile, compression, and impact testing machines to evaluate the mechanical properties of materials. It is equipped with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) for assessing thermal stability, heat resistance, and decomposition characteristics. The lab includes Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for detailed surface analysis at the micro and nano-scale and offers equipment to test material endurance through repeated stress cycles. It specializes in evaluating composite materials, including fiber-reinforced polymer.
The Material Processing and Formulation Lab (MPFL) develops and optimizes polymer blends, composites, and bio-based materials for a wide range of industrial applications. It supports the design and testing of coatings, adhesives, bioplastics, and other specialty materials. Equipped with advanced machinery, including twin-screw extruders, grinders, compounding mixers, and molding equipment, the lab produces prototype materials. And conducts studies on the impact of additives, reinforcements, and fillers on material properties.
The Electrochemical and Energy Storage Lab (EESL) is equipped with advanced facilities for designing, testing, and analyzing various battery chemistries, including lithium-ion, solid-state, and flow batteries. It features instruments like potentiostats, galvanostats, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) for detailed analysis. The lab supports fuel cell technology development, prototyping energy storage systems, and integrating electrochemical storage with renewable energy sources. It also focuses on the synthesis and characterization for supercapacitor materials and studies the thermal management, safety, and lifecycle performance of energy storage systems.
Centre for research in renewable energy resource management and optimization and serves as a showcase for solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy, geothermal heating, and a sophisticated energy management system. The Sustainable Smart House serves as a research laboratory for new projects in testing, optimization, and validation of the performance of prototype and commercial solar panels, electrolyzers, hydrogen-storage vessels, hydrogen fuel cells, and other renewable energy system components.
