The Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF) at UT focuses on comprehensive research and development to prototyping of advanced fiber reinforced plastics and composites. The core competency of the FCMF is in product and process development, characterization, modeling & simulation, nondestructive evaluation of advanced thermoset and thermoplastic composites. FCMF has the ability to conduct Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 1–6 work.
About 20 undergraduate and 15 graduate students work at the FCMF and gain experience in composites technologies. The team collaborates with industry for problem-solving, testing, and product development.
Representative processes and technologies include – injection molding, multi-material sheet molding compound, extrusion-compression of long fibers, vacuum infusion, pelletizing, roll forming, sheet forming, composite recycling, low-cost carbon fiber technologies, etc.
FCMF has seamless collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, Carbon Fiber Technology Facility, and the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation.
FCMF offers training for STEM and continuing education for industry professionals as well as federal agency and laboratory researchers. For additional information, please contact Uday Vaidya, UT/ORNL Governor’s Chair in Advanced Composites Manufacturing, and Director, FCMF, UT, uvaidya@utk.edu.
