Photo: Boeing

Aerospace supplier builds materials laboratory, partners with UConn

March 3, 2016 - UTC Aerospace Systems opened an $8 million Materials and Process Engineering (MPE) laboratory in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

The 20,000-square-foot MPE lab has advanced capabilities to support research, engineering and production. Lab capabilities include additive manufacturing to build metal and plastic engineering development parts, as well as high-temperature composites to develop carbon-carbon and silicon carbide-based composites. These composites are used for aircraft brakes and nanomaterials to develop lightweight metal matrix and polymer composites for a variety of applications across UTC Aerospace Systems.

Photo: University of Connecticut

“As a technology company with more than 8,000 engineers, we are continuously making substantial investments in materials, products and processes that add more value for our customers,” says David Carter, the company’s senior vice president for engineering, operations and quality.

UTC Aerospace Systems also announced establishment of the Materials Engineering Center of Excellence at the University of Connecticut. The agreement includes a five-year, $1 million commitment to work with UConn on additive manufacturing, high-temperature composites, thermoplastics and other advanced materials. 

UTC Aerospace Systems will provide opportunities to select UConn sophomores and juniors to work in the new MPE lab and learn alongside UTC Aerospace Systems engineers and scientists in the areas of materials and manufacturing technologies for future aircraft.