Welcome to the National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC)
The National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC) is a contract services facility at the leading edge of advanced manufacturing and materials characterization. Supporting industry, national laboratories and the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at The University of Akron, NPIC offers solutions in pilot-scale processing, advanced testing, surface and structural analysis, physical and chemical characterization, and more.
In addition to our own capabilities, our affiliation with the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering gives us access to experts in coatings, electronics, functional materials, films, nanocomposites, adhesion, membranes, sustainability, and biomaterials. Let us be your partner in solving your business-critical materials challenges!
Pilot Processing and Advanced Manufacturing
We offer pilot scale Multi-layer Cast Film Coextrusion, Electromagnetic Alignment Solution Casting, Hybrid Solution Casting with Electrospun Nanofibers, UV/IR Co-Curing, and more!
NPIC is also capable of small batch traditional plastics and rubber processing.
Testing
We offer advanced polymer and materials testing capabilities including Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Rheometry, and more! Our lab is also equipped with tools for measuring electrical conductivity, color, gloss, and abrasion resistance.
Whether you're analyzing thin films, coatings, or bulk materials, NPIC provides the expertise and instrumentation to deliver precise, reliable results.
Materials Characterization
Our state-of-the-art facilities include X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Auger Electron Spectroscopy, X-Ray Micro Computed Tomography (micro CT), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), Raman Spectroscopy.
We also offer other traditional chemical, thermal, and mechanical characterization.