Here you'll find a record of the research and development projects I have led or participated in.

Z-Fold Comparison Testing (Independent Research, Spring 2017)

This is research to compare the effects that the Z-Fold manufacturing technique has on the compressive strength and durability of RSC (Regular Slotted Containers) versus traditional manufacturing techniques. The Packsize Z-Fold machine is capable of creating on-demand boxes in a wide range of sizes in seconds while minimizing the amount of waste material. The method of compact storage of raw material has the potential to compromise the strength and durability qualities of the corrugated fiberboard. The material is stored in a large "bale" similar to early dot-matrix paper reams which introduces a large fold into the material. This fold creates some weakness in the material. Is this fold significant? If so, how significant. These are the questions to be answered. This project should be finished by May 2017.

Full title of Project: Evaluation of the differences between the mechanical properties of a corrugated box made of Z-Fold corrugated board versus corrugated box made of a traditional corrugated board.

The Effect of Moisture Content on Corrugated Paperboard (Research Assistant, Fall 2015)

I assisted a Ph.D. student in his thesis research which was investigating the effect of moisture content on the physical properties of corrugated fiberboard. This research served to compile information about corrugated fiberboard (both historic and current) into a single location while simultaneously investigating what water does to corrugated fiberboard across the entire spectrum of humidity (0 to 100%). Comparing the changes in the mechanical properties that we found to the moisture content of the material, we established a rudimentary behavior database for future research to build upon. 

I was primarily responsible for the preparation and processing of the test samples to produce the data that we analyzed. I also served as the editor for the paper and presented it at Undergraduate Research Symposiums.