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91��Ƭ�� mechanical and aerospace engineering students Jimesh Bhagatji and Noah Leclair were selected as finalists for the 2025 Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) University Research Symposium, held during the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) in Orlando, Florida.

The symposium is a competitive program that invites select SAMPE student members to present their technical research at CAMX each year in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. CAMX is the largest event in the USA for showcasing advancements in composite materials and processes.

Bhagatji, a doctoral student and president of 91��Ƭ��’s SAMPE chapter, has been part of the Composites Modeling and Manufacturing (CMM) Group for the past 4.5 years. His presentation, based on his dissertation research titled “Application of Hot Powder Bed Compaction in Additive and Subtractive Composite Manufacturing for Improved Microstructural Consolidation and Performance,” explores novel manufacturing of additive polymer composite materials. 

Bhagatji’s research improves 3D-printed composite parts, which often have weak spots, by using a method called Hot Powder Bed Compaction. This process uses heat and pressure to close gaps and bond layers better, making the parts much stronger and stiffer while keeping their complex shapes.

“It was a pleasure to represent 91��Ƭ�� as one of the seven finalists in the URS Ph.D. Category across the USA,” he said. “It was a great experience sharing the innovative flexible consolidation process for high-performance parts, which has been the focus of my Ph.D. research at the CMM group for the past two years.” 

Leclair, an undergraduate student, conducted his research in the CMM Group in collaboration with industrial partner . His project, “Upcycling Woven Carbon Fiber Prepreg Scrap: Structure-Property Relationship and Flexibility of Platelets with Stochastic Meso-Morphology,” focuses on recycling leftover carbon fiber scraps from the cutting process.

Using precise ultrasonic cutting, the scraps are converted into small platelets that can be molded into new composite materials. These recycled composites demonstrate strong mechanical properties while reducing hazardous waste—offering both environmental and economic benefits for manufacturing complex, high-performance parts.

“Attending and presenting our research at CAMX was an incredible opportunity for Jimesh and I,” Leclair said. “Hearing from students across the United States and around the world about their work in composites was fascinating, and being able to share Old Dominion’s contributions was equally rewarding. I’m grateful to everyone at SAMPE for selecting me for the University Research Symposium competition, as well as to Dr. Kravchenko and the Composites Modeling and Manufacturing Group at 91��Ƭ�� for their support throughout this process.”