Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories (MMRL)

Leading the way in manufacturing research, experimentation, education, and workforce development

Manufacturing Excellence At Scale

Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories (MMRL) at Purdue University hosts 30,000 square feet of the latest in manufacturing machinery and processes. Our accomplished faculty are innovating in laser machining, particle coating, roll-to-roll printing, processing and evaluation, and more – all in collaboration with industry and government partners.

  • Need to test new additive manufacturing processes or materials? MMRL is the place.

  • Working with energetic or reactive materials? Purdue's decades of experience can make it happen.

  • Looking for an academic partner to explore manufacturing-related research projects? Purdue University has facilities in both West Lafayette and Indianapolis.

As one of the first offshoots of Purdue's new eXcellence in Manufacturing and Operations (XMO) initiative, MMRL focuses 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.

Proud member of

Trusted By...

  • Abbvie
  • AFRL
  • Conexus
  • DOE
  • FormAlloy
  • Matsuura
  • Mazak
  • NIST
  • NSF
  • ONR
  • Renishaw
  • US Army
  • US Space Force
  • ...and many more!

Events

The Symposium on Convergent Manufacturing

October 1, 2025

Purdue University’s Manufacturing and Materials Research Laboratories (MMRL) are proud to announce this symposium, focused on emerging trends in convergent manufacturing: effective convergence of multi-materials, hybrid additive manufacturing processes, digital-physical platforms, and various form factors at the point of service to deliver multifunctional, resilient and sustainable solutions at the point of service.

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Manufacturing Happy Hour in Indy with Conexus

March 27, 2025

Join your manufacturing friends and colleagues for drinks, appetizers, and fellowship! We'll be at the AMP in Indy on Thursday, March 27 from 5:00-7:00, along with the Hardtech Innovators Network.

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Boilermaker Manufacturing Happy Hour

February 25, 2025

Join your manufacturing friends and colleagues for drinks, appetizers, and fellowship!

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Latest News

Finishing the Unfinished "P"

March 5, 2025

At MMRL, a class of undergraduate students used metal additive manufacturing to design the ideal Purdue "P."

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Ajay Malshe named to SME Board of Directors

January 9, 2025

Ajay Malshe has been elected as a 2025 International Director for the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME).

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Seeing through metal with sound waves and X-rays

October 21, 2024

In manufacturing, quality control is just as important as speed and efficiency. But how do you detect voids and defects in a solid metal part? Purdue University researchers are using both ultrasonic waves and X-ray CT to “see inside” manufactured objects nondestructively.

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