Prof. Miko Cakmak has had 34 years of academic experience in Polymer Processing field and he was one of the original founders of Polymer Engineering Department at the University of Akron where he was Harold A Morton Chair and Distinguished Professor of Polymer Engineering. He recently moved to Purdue University Birck Nanotechnology center to spearhead the roll to roll manufacturing smart films initiative.

His area of expertise is on identification, modeling and simulation of complex structural mechanisms that take place during the course of polymer processing operations of wide range of polymers subjected to solution, melt and rubbery state deformation. The range of materials includes the high temperature thermoplastics and their blends as well as nanoparticle filled systems. Of particular interest is the relationship between thermo-mechanical history applied by fiber spinning, film blowing, biaxial stretching and injection molding and evolved structure and properties.
Current activities are focused on real time measurements of true mechano-optical and mechano-electrical properties of polymers undergoing uni and biaxial deformation for electronics and photonics applications. He is actively developing novel processes to address the needs of emerging markets. Towards this goal, his group recently developed a hybrid electrospinning/solution casting multipurpose processing platform to produce functional polymer films including conductive transparent films. These novel roll-to-roll (R2R) machines embed nanofibers into high performance films for flexible electronics. Additional R2R machines apply electric, magnetic and thermal fields to orient particles and phases in the “Z” direction (normal to the film plane) to preferentially enhance through thickness properties ( conductivity, dielectric constant etc) of films for emerging flexible electronics market. His most recent activities at Purdue University includes development and construction of advanced roll to roll manufacturing line with multiple tools to produce functional films and sensors for rapidly emerging IOT market.

He is a recipient of a number of awards: These include:
Presidential Young Investigator Award (1988) ,
Outstanding Achievement Award, From Society of Plastics Engineers Engineering Properties Structure Division (1990)
Best Paper Award from Blow Molding Division of Society of Plastics Engineers (1985)
Best Paper Award from Blow Molding Division of Society of Plastics Engineers (1984)
Fiber Society Lecturer (1996-1997)
Best paper award from Engineering Properties and Structure division of Society of Plastics Engineers (2000)
Nortech Innovation Award on Bioartificial Pancreas development ( 2009)