Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories (MMRL)
The Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories (MMRL) at Purdue features state-of-the-art experimental facilities for physical domain manufacturing that will increase collaboration with industries and foundations, accelerate tech commercialization in manufacturing and attract top talent.
As one of the first offshoots of Purdue's new eXcellence in Manufacturing and Operations (XMO) initiative, MMRL will focus on manufacturing research and experimentation. Together MMRL and XMO are vital components of a renaissance in U.S. manufacturing, logistics and supply chains – part of our nation's fresh commitment to revitalizing its industrial legacy, by linking physical, digital and sustainable manufacturing into a resilient, sustainable ecosystem that ensures jobs and national security.
Ajay Malshe, the R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and co-director of Purdue's new eXcellence in Manufacturing and Operations (XMO) initiative, will serve as the inaugural director of MMRL. With its focus on manufacturing research and experimentation, MMRL represents one of the first offshoots of XMO.
MMRL initially brings together 10 Purdue faculty, especially young and emerging national leaders, from engineering disciplines, including the Schools of Mechanical, Materials, Industrial and Nuclear Engineering, with more to come.
In addition, MMRL will have a robust educational and workforce development component, helping to create interdisciplinary manufacturing-related professional Master's degrees, executive education programs and undergraduate minors and certificates. The aim is to increase Purdue's intellectual property portfolio around manufacturing science and engineering, industrial innovations and accelerate technology commercialization.
Core Faculty - WL
Xiaoyuan Lou
Associate Professor of Nuclear Engineering/Courtesy Appointment in Materials Engineering
Gary Cheng
Professor of Industrial Engineering/Courtesy Appointment in Materials Engineering
Ajay Malshe
R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Agricultural and Biological Engineering
Yung Shin
Donald A. and Nancy G. Roach Distinguished Professor of Advanced Manufacturing in Mechanical Engineering
Wenzhuo Wu
Ravi and Eleanor Talwar Rising Star Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering
Heather Liddell
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering
Babak Anasori
Reilly Rising Star Associate Professor of Materials and Mechanical Engineering
Core Faculty - PIN
Hazim El Mounayri
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering (Purdue University in Indianapolis, by courtesy)
Andres Tovar
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering (Purdue University in Indianapolis, by courtesy)
Jing Zhang
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)/Courtesy Appointment in Materials Engineering
Research Faculty
Affiliate Faculty
Jitesh H. Panchal
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Head of Undergraduate Programs
Purdue Subject Senior Advisors
Stephan Biller
Harold T. Amrine Distinguished Professor School of Industrial Engineering & Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business Director of Dauch Center for the Management of Manufacturing Enterprises
John Sutherland
Professor and Fehsenfeld Family Head of Environmental and Ecological Engineering
Staff
For operations questions:
Jeffrey Jaworek
Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories (MMRL) Operations
Administrator
2550 Northwestern Ave.
West Lafayette, IN 47906
773-398-0255
jjaworek@purdue.edu
News
Purdue's Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories announces new Indianapolis presence
April 22, 2024
In an effort to accelerate physical, digital and sustainable manufacturing efforts across Indiana, Purdue University's Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories (MMRL) will establish a presence in Indianapolis at 16 Tech Innovation District, the city's destination for innovation and entrepreneurship, deep inside the heart of the Hard-Tech Corridor.
Fueling Advanced Manufacturing Growth Across Indiana’s Hard Tech Corridor: Reimagine IN-MaC through Purdue in West Lafayette and Indianapolis
December 15, 2023
To fuel and impact the ongoing manufacturing renaissance and expand its reach across Indiana, Purdue University is launching The Indiana Next-Generation Manufacturing Competitiveness Center (IN-MaC) node at Purdue University in Indianapolis in a joint venture with Purdue’s Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories (MMRL).
Supply chain resilience: Think of the U.S. as a ship at sea
December 14, 2023
The U.S. experienced what it feels like to be a ship at sea during the coronavirus pandemic. Revolving shortages of pretty much everything under the sun vexed businesses and consumers alike.
Purdue-led national summit issues call to action for resilient U.S. supply chains
November 14, 2023
More than 250 representatives from industry, government, academia and professional societies gathered in person and online Tuesday (Nov. 7) in Washington, D.C., for Purdue University’s inaugural national summit focusing on resilience through excellence in manufacturing and operations.
ME's Sotelo, NSF grant aims to reclaim and reuse for sustainable space and Earth
October 19, 2023
There’s a lot of extra-terrestrial waste (trash) floating around Earth and beyond in outer space. Estimates vary but tend to coalesce at between 25,000-30,000 pieces of trackable human-made objects orbiting Earth because of accidents or uncommissioned payloads.
NSF backs research into plant-based alternative to plastics
October 16, 2023
The circular economy is the modern vision for industrial production, where companies strive to extend product lifecycles and reduce waste through reuse and recycling in a virtuous circle of sustainability and natural resource conservation. As vital as this is across all production sectors, the importance of plastics has been emphasized by increasing understanding of their negative impacts on health and the environment.
