Bin Chen, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue University Fort Wayne (center), talks with PFW student Shafayet Silvy (right) and Isha Maun, senior AI scientist at UHV Technologies (left), as they examine the system used for this project. Photos provided by PFW.
Press release
FORT WAYNE — Competing with universities across the country, Bin Chen, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering in the School of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science at Purdue University Fort Wayne, recently received two large grants from the Department of Energy for research projects in recycling.
Bin Chen
The first is funding for a two-year, $100,000 project to help UHV Technologies Inc. develop a machine that will sort a variety of recyclable plastic bottles to convert them into chemicals and/or other recyclable materials while reducing production costs. As the shredded bottles roll down a conveyor belt, a camera system on the ceiling uses artificial intelligence to identify their type and then quickly sorts them into one of eight or more possible categories. The project is in the research and development phase and has the potential to develop a much more accurate and efficient process than has previously been possible.
The second grant, for $461,071, was applied for jointly with UHV Technologies and Penn State University to work on sorting batteries for recycling. This three-year project aims to increase consumer participation in battery recycling programs, improve the economics of recycling, and establish state and local collection programs. Chen’s responsibilities include designing and developing a sorting AI engine similar to the one used for plastic bottles.
“I believe AI will be or is already being integrated into manufacturing processes,” Chen said. “Traditionally, many of these processes have relied on human judgment and expertise. The latest advances in AI – for example, in computer vision – can increase productivity and automate many labor-intensive tasks. The manufacturing industry is looking for new engineering graduates with specific AI skills.”
Two PFW students have already been found for the first project, and Chen said he is still looking for more collaborators for the second project.
“These fellowships not only support the cutting-edge research activities at Purdue Fort Wayne, but also provide great opportunities for our students to get involved in these projects,” said Chen. “I believe that everything we do at a university should be aimed at developing our students so that they have the knowledge they need when they graduate.”
Chen believes the best way to continue his education is to develop and complete his research projects. Along with Sean Ryan, the director of university engagement, he helps one or two local industrial companies improve their processes each summer, using AI to advance his research and provide concrete options.
Chen said studying new AI advances requires significant commitment, but almost everything is available online. He also communicates directly with the authors of research papers.
“In engineering, we need to constantly update our knowledge,” said Chen. “It is impossible to teach the course the same way for 10 years. The lecturers and teachers must continue to learn and adapt to new technology and developments in the field.”
For more information, contact Blake Sebring at (email protected) or (260) 385-0092.
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Shafayet Silvy, a doctoral student at Purdue Fort Wayne University, places plastic bottles on the conveyor belt so they can be sorted into the most appropriate category.
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Huge bundles of plastic bottles wait on their way onto the conveyor belt at UHV Technologies.
