RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Yes. We regularly partner with manufacturers to develop and validate new products and systems. This includes materials characterization, prototype testing, optimization studies, and qualification testing. Our industry-academic collaboration model allows manufacturers to leverage university research capabilities while benefiting from our accredited testing infrastructure.

Absolutely. For novel materials, proprietary systems, or unique applications where standard test methods don’t exist or require modification, we develop custom test protocols. These are designed with engineering rigor, documented thoroughly, and can form the basis for future standardization efforts.

The Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) is an NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center. It brings together industry members, university researchers, and government partners to advance the use of composite materials in civil infrastructure through pre-competitive research.

This accreditation is globally recognized through the ILAC Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC MRA), to which SML is a signatory, providing international acceptance of test results.

Yes. Graduate students are integral to our research programs, working under faculty supervision on funded projects. This provides students with real-world engineering experience while offering industry partners access to dedicated, highly-trained researchers at competitive costs.

Research can be funded through various mechanisms: direct industry sponsorship, collaborative grants (NSF, DOT, etc.), CICI membership, or consulting agreements. We work with your organization to identify the most appropriate funding model based on research scope, IP requirements, and timeline.

Publication policies are negotiated on a project-by-project basis. Generally, we balance the academic need for publication with industry requirements for confidentiality. Options include delayed publication, review periods, or restricted publication of proprietary details while allowing publication of general findings.

While our test results can be used to support a certification application, certification itself generally involves additional requirements beyond testing alone. We can support clients throughout the certification process and regularly coordinate with recognized certification agencies to facilitate compliance and listing objectives.