About the Institute and Inventor

When Joel A. Dyksterhouse started his career with the United States Air Force in 1973, he initiated a new theory and application process for thermoplastic composite technology.   His father was a Michigan businessman and inventor, so it only seemed natural for him to pursue engineering and new technology.  Joel continued his relationship with the U.S. Air Force as a consultant to design and develop machinery for the production of thermoplastic prepregs. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Wright State University and a Masters in Materials Engineering from the University of Dayton.   His first invention which improved the preimpregnated fiber-reinforced composite technology was patented in July, 1992, with several patents on reinforcing thermoplastic composite technology since then.  In short, a young Air Force Engineer who had once been a Michigan resident, wanted to return to Michigan to start a worldwide revolution for the reinforced thermoplastic composite technology as a business, but more importantly to fulfill a lifelong dream to share his technology.   Today, his technology is being tested and applied to new and innovative application processes by partnering with others.

Our Institute is one of those partners.  GLCI was founded in 2005 and is a department of the Bay Mills Community College (BMCC). The Institute is a nonprofit research and educational program centering on reinforced thermoplastic composite technology.  BMCC is accredited by the Northern Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.  As part of BMCC, the Institute is dedicated to providing excellence in academic and technical education through a unique and valuable forum of students, engineers, scientists, designers, businessman and academicians. We know education, training, and partnering will lead to advanced career opportunities, cutting edge technology, and a prosperous future. The Institute has confidence that continuous research and development will improve the future of our advanced material solutions through numerous applications and will lead us into the next century with healthier lives and a safer environment for our community, state and nation.

Joel A. Dyksterhouse leads our Institute as the Technical Director and Adjunct Professor at BMCC. Dyksterhouse has more than 25 years of experience in the thermoplastic composites and advanced materials industry.  He has experience in the automotive and recreational vehicle industries and has published numerous articles on thermoplastic composites. Prior to joining the team, Dyksterhouse served as the President of PolyComp, Inc., and Vice President of FiberForm Inc. of Michigan.  During his career experience, he developed key contacts and professional relationships with world renowned plastic industries and universities; Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Southern Research Institute, University of Delaware, and University of Alabama.  

An example of a successful application and licensee of the DRIFT process is Crane Composites Inc. (www.cranecomposites.com).  Crane Composites Inc., a subsidiary of Crane Connecticut (two billion-dollar business), is the world's leading provider of fiber-reinforced composite materials.  Crane Composites Inc., created a division for continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite panels (CFRTF) known as Zenicon Thermocomposites, utilizing the DRIFT patent.  Another prominent leader and significant key partnership is PPG Industries. PPG Industries is a major supplier of high-quality fiber glass products worldwide. PPG is a global supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiber glass. The company employs more than 34,000 people and has 125 manufacturing facilities and equity affiliates in more than 25 countries.  They are an efficient manufacturer who operates on the leading edge of new technologies and solutions with sales in 2006 of US $11 billion.  For more information, visit www.ppg.com

Our goal is to continue these relationships and create opportunities for partnering with additional world renowned businesses and universities.  We are enthusiastic about the future of thermoplastic composite technology and the future with our advanced material solutions.  It is our belief that we have the technology to create change: in our industries, in our communities, and in our world.  We look forward to staying on the cutting edge of this technology, and we encourage you to become a part of it as well.