|
(Washington D.C.)- U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) announced that Congress has approved $1 million in federal funds for the Center for Innovative Materials Research (CIMR) at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield. The funds will be used for the development and testing of innovative composite materials for lightweight armor to strengthen vehicles and structures.
“Innovative materials are playing a growing role in the development of military technologies that protect our troops in the field,” said Rep. Levin. “It is important to develop these cutting-edge technologies here in Michigan because of our strong roots in research and development.”
"This latest investment will allow us to test materials under a wide range of simulated climatic conditions,” said Lawrence Tech President Lewis N. Walker. “This important work should help develop better ways to protect our troops and their vehicles, and we anticipate that there may be additional commercial and consumer applications that can help diversify and expand Michigan's economy.”
The money for the composite materials was included, at Rep. Levin’s request, in the 2008 Department of Defense funding bill. The House and Senate approved this legislation last month, and President Bush signed the measure into law on November 13. Since 2004, Lawrence Tech has partnered with the U.S. Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to develop materials to strengthen existing U.S. military structures and vehicles.
One important facet of the research effort will be to evaluate the structural capacity of the composite materials under controlled environmental conditions to see how they hold up to salt water, solar/UV light, heat, freezing, thawing, sand, and other conditions.
Opened in 2006, LTU’s Center for Innovative Materials Research is a state-of-the-art laboratory for the research, development and testing of carbon fiber composite materials. The Center supports Lawrence Tech’s effort to become a regional leader in applied research of materials and structures, energy, and automotive engineering.
(####)
Home Page | Press Releases
|
|
