Research
Mission Statement
To bring together industry and university researchers in collaboration to generate, facilitate and exchange fundamental and applied knowledge on topics of high relevance to the polymer and composites industries.
Serving as a focal point on campus for polymer and composites research, CPAC fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with industrial and governmental sponsors, and among academic units across the university, including the aerospace, biosystems, chemical, industrial and systems, mechanical and materials engineering departments, as well as the School of Nursing and the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture, Human Sciences and Sciences and Mathematics.
Current Opportunities
CPAC and the related Polymer & Fiber Engineering graduate program support an evolving and collaborative research ecosystem in polymer chemistry, engineering, and characterization, polymer composites, bio-sourced materials, soft matter, polymers for tissue engineering and biomedical applications, aerospace and automotive materials, etc.
Undergraduate Opportunities
CPAC hosts undergraduate researchers from across Auburn University year-round in collaborative efforts with Auburn faculty.
CPAC also invites undergraduate students to participate in its Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program during Summer 2026. This 10-week, National Science Foundation–supported program provides students with hands-on research experience in polymers and advanced composites under the mentorship of Auburn faculty. The theme for this REU is transport phenomena in engineering. Participants receive a $7,000 stipend, housing and a meal plan, and travel assistance, to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment with research focus areas that include polymer synthesis and characterization, composite materials and manufacturing, and advanced materials testing and performance evaluation.
Visit our dedicated CPAC REU website here.
Recent Funded Projects
Coming soon!