Maine manufacturer turns to materials analysis to ease a supply chain bottleneck

The Challenge​

Montalvo Corporation, a Maine-based manufacturer of tension control systems, faced a supply chain bottleneck: one of their critical components had become increasingly difficult to source. Seeking a solution, Montalvo approached the Roux Institute with a question—could they better understand the material composition of the part in order to explore in-house manufacturing or alternative suppliers? The challenge was anything but simple. The part in question was made from an organic–inorganic hybrid material, incorporating metal, ceramic, and polymer phases, making standard material identification methods insufficient.​

The Partnership​

Montalvo collaborated with Dr. Andrew Neils, a materials scientist at the Roux Institute with deep expertise in materials characterization. Leveraging Northeastern’s materials characterization facilities, Neils led a study that used tools like X-rays and infrared light for chemical analysis, high powered electron microscopes to look at surface details, and image segmentation software to identify and quantify the part’s constituent materials. The study confirmed the presence of a complex metal–ceramic–polymer hybrid structure that was not easily catalogued by traditional means.​

The Outcome​

The goal of the project was not simply to analyze what the material was made of—but to determine what the material meant in the context of Montalvo’s specific use case. Dr. Neils delivered a detailed interpretation of the data, grounded in materials science literature and practical performance considerations. This helped Montalvo better understand the material’s function, performance drivers, and options for internal fabrication or specification to suppliers. The outcome wasn’t just a report—it was actionable insight that empowered the team to move forward with confidence in their supply chain decision-making.​