Faculty Projects

Up to 40 hours of no-fee assistance is available each year!

To advance economic prosperity, health, and quality of life in Indiana, up to 40 hours per year of no-fee assistance is available from Purdue to Indiana businesses. This assistance is to identify and/or address an acute need with a discrete solution. The solution may take the form of guidance, analysis, or validation.

Business Typically Served:

• Small to Mid-Sized Manufacturers
• Startups and Entrepreneurs
• B2B and B2C
• Non-Profit & Government (limited)

Industries Most Often Served:

• Automotive, Aerospace, and RV
• Electrical and Electronics
• Distribution and Packaging
• Food Processing
• Consumer Goods

• Defense
• Metals and Plastics
• Chemical and Energy
• High Tech
• Healthcare and Life Science

Areas of Assistance:

Below is a sampling of recent areas in which Purdue faculty has provided assistance (based on faculty availability).

Manufacturing

• Advanced Process Control
• Automation
• Basic Quality Assurance
• Basic Supply Chain
• Electrical or Mechanical Issues
• Processing Issues
• Technology Introduction

Productivity & Process Optimization

• Distribution & Logistics
• Plant Layout
• Scheduling
• Statistical Analysis
• Warehouse Management

Business Management

• Digital Marketing/Website
• Expansion/Retraction Decision
• Forecasting Guidance
• HR and Organizational Behavior
• Strategic Planning

Materials & Chemistry

• Access to Purdue Lab Testing
• Composite Properties
• Corrosion Analysis
• Material Characterization & Selection
• Polymer & Monomer Properties
• Product Evaluation & Testing
• Product Failure Analysis
• Properties Analysis
• Solder & Weld Recommendations

Food Science

• Analytical Testing
• Pilot Plant Processing
• Product Development
• Regulatory Assistance
• Shelf-Life Stability

Sustainability & Environmental

• Energy Reduction
• Green Initiatives
• Solar and Wind Energy
• Zero Landfill

Product Validation & Applied Engineering

• 3D Prototype Printing
• Acoustics
• Aerodynamics
• Circuit and Electronic Design
• Design Input and Review
• Finite Element Analysis
• Fluid Dynamics
• Heat and Power Issues
• Human Factors
• Product Evaluation and Testing
• Rapid Prototyping
• Reverse Engineering

Capstone Education (Partner Organizations)*

• Acquiring New Technical Talent
• Data and Artificial Intelligence
• New Product Development
• Smart Manufacturing
• Work with Purdue Owned IP

Participating Purdue University Schools/Organizations*

Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) - Purdue MEP provides high-value solutions to help Indiana businesses maximize their success. As advocates for Indiana’s thousands of manufacturers, our staff identifies areas of improvement, streamlines processes, and ultimately increases competitiveness. Purdue MEP serves over 500 companies annually by implementing continuous improvement principles in the areas of productivity, growth, and technology.

Food Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing Institute (FEMI) - FEMI’s mission is to fuel economic growth by enabling food and beverage companies to ideate, develop, and commercialize novel improved and sustainable products; to provide learning experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship for students; and to contribute to the land-grand research and Extension missions of Purdue University.

School of Engineering Technology (Purdue Polytechnic Institute) - Engage with a multi-disciplinary team of undergraduates majoring in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, Industrial, and Computer Engineering Technology programs. By providing students with real-world solvable problems, you will help them to engage in their educational process and put their knowledge into action while receiving expert assistance to aid your company. Ideal projects are those that allow students to build a tangible prototype or proof of concept product over the course of the academic year.

School of Industrial Engineering - The Industrial Engineering (IE) Capstone Program is an exceptional opportunity for students to excel in their education and gain real-world industry experience. Through this program, students apply engineering tools and concepts to develop solutions for complex problems. By participating in this program, companies benefit from the expertise of industrial engineering students who are ready to apply their knowledge to real-world problems in a hands-on, collaborative environment.

School of Environmental and Ecological Engineering (EEE) - Have an environmental problem you don’t have time to address? EEE is the stand-alone environmental engineering program at Purdue. Our program addresses both classic environmental engineering and industrial sustainability. Work with a group of EEE seniors for an entire academic year (both the fall and spring semesters) on a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues and gain organizational visibility. Talk with us about your environmental challenges to see if we can help.

Daniels School of Business - The Business Partnerships Office at the Daniels School of Business streamlines opportunities for industry partners to connect beyond the traditional classroom. Industry partnerships create unique opportunities for consulting-focused student projects.

The Data Mine - Data is the most valuable resource on Earth. At Purdue, we are exploring how we analyze it, how we find meaning in it — and how we use it responsibly. Working alongside corporate industry leaders, faculty, and mentors, The Data Mine prepares students to solve today’s toughest challenges while planning for the jobs of tomorrow.

IUPUI – DOE Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) - The IAC conducts complimentary energy assessments sponsored by the US Department of Energy. These detailed assessments help manufacturers identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce consumption, and save money.

*See partner organizations for their service rates.