The Pilla Research Group at the University of Delaware’s Center for Composite Materials advances three integrated thrusts to design, scale, and digitally engineer next generation polymer and composite systems. Future Materials focuses on adaptive, energy active, and circular polymers, including CO₂ derived and biobased chemistries that enable sensing, self repair, and recyclability. Advanced Manufacturing develops high rate, energy efficient processing pathways grounded in Material Process Microstructure Performance science to deliver defect resistant composite structures. AI and machine learning integrate physics informed models, optimization, and inverse design.
Research Thrusts
Future Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, and AI-Driven Innovation
Our team develops circular polymer and composite technologies by advancing 100% biobased and recyclable polymer systems, lightweight hybrid automotive structures, and AI enabled inverse design for next generation composites. We integrate Future Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, and AI ML driven materials and process optimization to deliver intelligent, scalable, and high performance composites with reduced defects, energy use, and cost.
RECENT NEWS
