This project supports research that advances national security and economic prosperity by seeking to enable the manufacture of high-performance composite structures through processes that are faster and less energy intensive. Thermoplastic polymers can be reheated, reshaped, welded, repaired, and recycled at end-of-life, leading to lighter aircraft, automobiles, and medical devices that consume less fuel and generate less waste than counterparts made from conventional thermosetting polymers. By seeking to deliver the fundamental science required to predict and optimize the manufacturing of thermoplastic composites, this award addresses the steep learning curve currently limiting their industrial adoption. An international team from the United States, Germany, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will openly share data, simulation codes, and validated processing methods, accelerating innovation across multiple industrial sectors. The project will also strengthen the science and engineering workforce by providing research-driven training for undergraduate and doctoral students and offering a free public short course on integrated computational materials engineering, with materials available online for self-learning. In these ways, this effort directly serves the National Science Foundation’s mission to promote scientific progress and enhance the welfare of the United States. The central focus of this research project addresses a fundamental question: