Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery | Golisano Institute for Sustainability

We work to mainstream remanufacturing and resource recovery as profitable, sustainable business strategies through research, technology innovation, and policy analysis.

Research Themes

Design for X (DfX)

Life-cycle engineering (LCE)

Condition assessment

Cleaning and repair

Validation

Policy and economic analysis

Featured Work

researcher using controls of scanning electron microscope

Automated Core Identification for Remanufacturing

GIS researchers developed analysis approaches based on image capture and machine learning to automatically identify part types and models, and to then sort them based on quality and condition.
Partner: DieselCore LLC

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laser additive repair machine working on a piece of metal

High-Speed Laser Cladding (HSLC) for Additive Repair

GIS researchers applied traditional high-speed laser cladding as an additive repair process for high-strength, hardened surfaces in high-value components, such as engine crankshafts and camshafts.
Partners: Synergy Additive Manufacturing LLC and Caterpillar Inc.

close up of hands on laptop keyboard with graphic overlay

Technical Roadmap for Remanufacturing Industry

GIS researchers published a report to address strategic growth barriers facing the remanufacturing industry by setting research-and-development priorities to improve remanufacturers’ capabilities and competitiveness.
Partners: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Remanufacturing Industry Council

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Design for Remanufacturing (DfR) Rules

GIS researchers developed a comprehensive set of qualitative and quantitative rules for design for remanufacturing (DfR) that can be integrated into existing computer-aided design (CAD) and engineering tools to increase the potential for component remanufacturing and re-use.
Partners: Caterpillar Inc. and Remanufacturing Industries Council

Machine Learning for Condition-Based Assessment

GIS researchers used machine learning to detect defects on electronic printed circuit boards (PCB). By determining the number and type of defects, they were able to improve the speed and accuracy of qualifying a part’s condition for cost-effective remanufacturing.
Partners: Caterpillar Inc., CoreCentric Solutions Inc., and Linton Crystal Technologies

Read case study (download pdf)

Tools for Circular Economy Planning

GIS researchers made the environmental and economic case for remanufacturing and other processes that retain the value of products through the extension of their useful life, introducing the concept of value-retention processes (VRPs) to circular economy planning.
Partner: United Nations Environmental Program’s International Resource Panel

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World-Class Facilities

Our nine applied research labs, architecture studio, student study spaces, and six technology testbeds, including our new state-of-the-art remanufacturing testbed, are geared to help us meet applied circular economy goals.

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