CAPP, the Center for Advanced Polymer Processing, stems from a partnership between Case Western Reserve University, Thermo Scientific and leading plastics and rubber companies. It is a state-of-the-art center for advanced polymer blending and compounding and reactive extrusion able to perform basic non-competitive research and development in the area of materials development and manufacturing by intent in support of the polymer, pharmaceutical and food industries.
The main objective of CAPP is to develop new advanced and functional multiphase complex materials or optimize the performance of existing ones by integrating the most advanced experimental and computational capabilities. In order to achieve this, CAPP has three main activity thrusts:
- To develop state-of-the-art on-line sensors that allow multiple rheological, physical, chemical and morphological quantities to be measured along the screw axis of twin-screw extruders
- To develop advanced computational multiscale simulation capabilities, based on both mesoscale and continuum mechanics codes, to build physical-chemical-structural models of systems and processes under realistic conditions
- To develop new R&D modular co-extrusion and nano-layering line with single and twin-screw extruders
CAPP is a collaboration between Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), Thermo Scientific and leading industrial companies in the plastics and rubber industries, split between two possible membership tiers, depending on their financial and personnel commitment (see Membership Structure).
CAPP services include:
- Consortium level pre- and non-competitive research in software and on-line sensor development.
- Directed contract R&TD on specific materials, processes and sensors, e.g., for material-based, real-time QC, with individual or small clusters of companies.
- Pay-per-use processing and compounding proof-of-concept and/or trial tests, and rheological characterization.
- Workforce development activities, such as seasonal joint seminars with Thermo Fisher Scientific.