2004-05 Distinguished Women Scientists and Engineers Speakers Program

Jane Ammons

Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, ADVANCE Professor of Engineering, Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology

Reverse Production Systems: Models and Insights

February 23
2:45 - 3:45 p.m.
EE/CSci 3-180

Production systems that support the recovery, processing, and resale of materials and subcomponents at the end of their useful life are an important part of the U.S. and world economy.

There are estimated to be 73,000 firms employing 350,000 people, generating revenues of $53 billion per year in remanufacturing alone. Recycling and remanufacturing can achieve significant gains in overall energy and material efficiency of a product life cycle. The appropriate design of such systems—reverse production systems—is crucial to initiate and grow infrastructure for product recovery, refurbishment, spare parts recovery, and recycling.

This talk will present ongoing research developed in interdisciplinary collaboration with chemical engineer Dr. Matthew Realff to develop methodology and tools for the strategic design and extension of reverse production systems. Insights will be shared from case studies developed for nylon carpet and electronics reverse production systems.