Packaging Systems & Design (PSD) Undergraduate Research
Students testing stretchwrapping
Get your hands dirty and start doing things
The packaging program offers a breadth of opportunities for students to gain practical, hands-on experience. From engaging in industry-sponsored projects and internships to participating in lab-based courses and collaborative research, students can immerse themselves in real-world applications of packaging principles. These experiences not only enhance technical skills but also foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation, preparing students for successful careers in the dynamic field of packaging.
The SBIO Department's Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (CPULD) manages our packaging and pallet distribution labs as well as the corrugated materials lab, the cold chain lab, and the design and prototyping lab. The PSD faculty help students use these labs for undergraduate research projects pertaining to everything packaging related - from the containment forces of stretchwrap to the insulation properties of materials for the cold chain and investigating last mile delivery of products. Our department also has multiple chemistry labs available for packaging students who enjoy working on material development and specifically research into sustainable replacements for petroleum-based packaging materials.
Hands-on Packaging Opportunities
Packaging Design Projects
We have packaging classes that offer opportunities to work on real life packaging projects. SBIO 4054 is a capstone course which focuses on solving real-life packaging problems for a sponsoring packaging company. The company will provide a question they need researched. Our students practice the skills they've learned thru their coursework to solve the packaging problem from structural and graphic designing, to creation in the prototyping lab, and testing the new package thru international distribution standards and running sustainability analysis.
Undergraduate Research
Our packaging faculty continuously work on state-of-the-art research projects to develop innovative packaging materials and packaging design methods. Faculty often have ideas for undergraduate research projects just waiting for interested students to sign up. If you would like to be involved in the research conducted in any of our chemistry & engineering laboratories, or in our packaging center, please contact individual faculty members for more information.
Work in Our Packaging Center
The Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (CPULD), which encompasses our Amazon Certified Testing lab, IKEA certified testing lab, Cold Chain Research and Testing Lab, Corrugated Materials Lab, Distribution Packaging Lab, and the Pallet and Unit Load Testing Lab, has been working with the packaging industry for 50 years.
Every semester CPULD hires multiple undergraduate students to work in the various labs conducting commercial testing projects for companies - from local to worldwide. These lab intern positions are great resume builders. The students learn to use the same equipment that the packaging industry uses and earn spending money while getting prepared for future careers!
Student Design Competitions
Many student design competitions offer opportunities for our students to use recently gained packaging skills to redesign commercial packages. Our department's PSD club students get involved in a wide range of competitions each year. The Packaging Club is very active and hosts the annual Packaging Job Expo where numerous companies come to VT's campus to meet with and interview students for upcoming internships, coops, and full-time career positions.
Consider joining the Packaging Club to stay active in a packaging industry network of current students, alumni, and outside packaging companies, and to find opportunities to compete in packaging competitions.
Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Undergraduate research fellowships allow students to develop and carry out a unique research project or expand upon an existing project while collaborating with a faculty mentor. Students can request up to $2,500 to support a research project they will complete during one semester or one academic year.
The application window is in the spring. Interested students should read the information below carefully and talk with a faculty member before starting an application.
Undergraduate Research Highlights
Drone Delivery!
The future of fast deliveries may be with drones! This undergrad research project, led by Dr. Matt Baker, had students researching packages delivered by drones. Students then built drones using the softwares they learned about in class and the prototyping equipment in CPULD's labs. Dr. Baker brought the students and their drones to the drone flying cage on VT's campus so they could test their design's capabilities in real life.
Rolling barrels to change flavors!
Jefferson's Bourbon markets their product as having special flavor due to the ocean liner shipping methods they employ. This undergrad research project, led by Dr. Matt Baker, had students researching how the movement of barrels during transportation can change the flavor of liquids stored inside the barrel. They designed a testing aparatus and had professional tasters come in before and after barrel rolling!
Reach out to Dr. Matt Baker to learn more and sign up for future undergrad research projects!
Student research in VT news
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Students help drive new research on global marine debris , articleGraduate and undergraduate students took the lead in reviewing global studies on marine debris, uncovering overlooked sources of ocean trash and pointing toward actionable remedies.
Date: Oct 20 - -
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Virginia Tech researchers work to create biodegradable bioplastics from food waste , articleResearchers in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are making affordable bioplastics.
Date: Jul 05 - -
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College of Natural Resources and Environment focused on infrastructure upgrades to power experiential learning and research , articleDean Paul Winistorfer recently illuminated how human, financial, and physical capital converge to create a culture of excellence in the college and championed the infrastructure improvements that are the keys to future success.
Date: Mar 24 -
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Video ItemCNRE undergrad's research looks toward a more sustainable future , video
Brian Tea is an undergraduate research fellowship recipient in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. Tea's work investigates how some single-use cutlery could be composted at home.
Date: Feb 27 - -
Video ItemAffordable housing drives CNRE undergrad's research , video
Justin Brandt is an undergraduate research fellowship recipient in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. Brandt is studying the effect of encased bamboo on the structural properties of cross-laminated timber.
Date: Jan 04 -
Department sponsored research centers
Some PSD undergraduate research is done in concert with our faculty-directed research centers:
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The Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design , redirectVirginia Tech’s Center for Packaging & Unit Load Design leads U.S. research and testing in pallet and packaging systems—from primary packaging to full unit-load optimization. Explore cutting-edge lab services, academic programs, member resources, and industry collaboration.
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Center for Forest Products Business , redirectThe forest products industry is an important industry for the United States. Competition within the forest products industry has become fierce. Marketing as well as management of production and people have become integral to remaining competitive. The Center for Forest Products Business strives to help firms improve the management of their operations and the marketing of their products.
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Wood-Based Composites Center , redirectThe Wood-Based Composites Center (WBC) is Cooperative Research Center driven by an industry-scientific community that develops research related to composites and renewable materials. The WBC is a leading source for fundamental research and education in wood-based composites.