Dayton Daily News: Wright State engineers land $3M federal grant to study scrap metal recycling

Wright State University research could transform how scrap metal is recycled into new products.

Natasha Banerjee and Sean Banerjee, associate professors in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, received a nearly $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to fund the research.

The research looks at recycling manufacturing and how recycling plants could make small products from broken but intact large metal objects, like refrigerators or washing machines.

Natasha Banerjee said the idea is that a manufacturer could accept a broken washing machine or refrigerator and use the metal to make something else.

She said she and Sean Banerjee both own older cars and frequently struggle to find parts. This model could help alleviate this problem, she said.

The project could help revive small manufacturing in the U.S., according to the Banerjees, who are married. Natasha Banerjee said the project will explore how small-scale manufacturing could use recycled materials and how it could scale for business.

The plant employees would be trained as “recyclofacturers,” using artificial intelligence, virtual reality headsets and robots to help with assembly and welding, Natasha Banerjee said.

Wright State is leading the research and collaborating with an economist from Chapman University, a sociologist from the University of Lynchburg, a roboticist and a human factors expert from Santa Clara University, community leaders in recycling and manufacturing and members of the public.

Read the complete article at daytondailynews.com.