CAPE Laboratory
The Composites and Polymer Engineering (CAPE) Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research and education facility at South Dakota Mines, specializing in polymers and composites. The lab is equipped with advanced bench-to-pilot-scale equipment for conducting research and development in:
- Polymer processing and characterization
- Biopolymer synthesis, extraction, processing and characterization
- Processing, fabrication, prototyping and characterization of composites, biocomposites, and nanocomposites
About the CAPE Laboratory
Founded in 2004 with support from the DoD’s Army Research Laboratory, the CAPE Lab works with industrial, government and academic partners to explore and develop innovations in polymers and composite materials, from research in materials science and process engineering through to prototype demonstration, pilot production, and testing.
The CAPE team provides responsive contract services to industry clients, including customized R&D to meet each company’s commercial objectives, timelines and confidentiality requirements.
We dedicate our expertise and advanced equipment to the development of innovative materials and manufacturing processes that are:
- Engineered to meet to the specified performance criteria of a given application
- Sustainable and cost-effective
- Designed to minimize barriers to scale-up and commercial implementation.
These efforts include the fabrication and sale of full-scale process equipment to industrial clients.
The CAPE Lab incorporates the CNAM-Bio Center, specializing in solving bioprocessing challenges in the synthesis and scale-up of biopolymers and specialty chemicals from renewable resources; and provides biomaterials that can be processed in CAPE’s pilot-scale polymer and composite processing equipment.
In addition to its R&D capabilities, the CAPE Lab offers education and workforce development activities, including courses in polymer processing and composites manufacturing, UG internships as CAPE Lab Research Assistants, and Graduate Research Assistantships. It is also home to the SAMPE (Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering) student chapter.
Areas of expertise include:
- Synthesis
- Process-Structure-Property Relationships
- Advanced Processing Techniques
- Compounding
- Surface Treatment
- Characterization
CAPE Vision and Mission
Mission
The mission of the CAPE Lab is:
- to provide a stimulating and collaborative environment for innovative research and rigorous education in polymers, polymer matrix composites and related areas;
- to build strong, productive relationships with our industrial, governmental and academic partners;
- and to create dedicated teams of SD Mines students, faculty and staff focused on advancing knowledge in the polymer and composites field.
Vision
- An active focal point for multidisciplinary research collaborations in polymers and composites, within SD Mines and with external partners
- Leading capabilities in polymers and composites, from materials science to prototyping and testing
- Research and development projects with regional, national and global industry, with special emphasis on entrepreneurial projects
- Force for economic development in South Dakota
- Provider of rigorous education to expand the pool of well-educated scientists and engineers in the field of polymers and polymer composites
- Internationally recognized for research excellence, creativity and industrial relevance
- A driver for start-up companies and an incubator for new technologies and commercialization
Our Core Values
- Integrity
- Respect
- Teamwork
- Search for Understanding
- Project Success
- Safety Throughout