SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Plastics Research
Faculty members in the plastics program are active in both research and outreach. The applied research is generally focused on plastic product design and development; plastic materials; and processing of plastics. Outreach is the process of transferring university knowledge, and the results of the applied research to industry through industrial projects, training workshops and seminars, and professional consulting.
The plastics program strongly believes that conducting applied research plays a significant role in a student's education. As a result, all upper level students are involved in either applied research or outreach. These activities provide students with an excellent educational experience and unique exposure to industry and graduate schools. Over 70% of the students have had their research published in refereed proceedings and journals prior to graduation. The excellence of research conducted by students in the plastics program is evidenced by the fact that a majority of all undergraduate research accepted for publication and presentation at the Society of Plastics Engineers international technical conference (ANTEC) comes from Penn State Behrend students.