UTC Aerospace Systems opened a new state-of-the-art Materials and Process Engineering (MPE) laboratory in Windsor Locks, Conn. The 20,000-square-foot MPE lab, which represents an $8 million investment, has advanced capabilities to support research, engineering and production. Capabilities include additive manufacturing (3D printing) to build metal engineering-development parts and 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.

In other news, UTC Aerospace Systems established the Materials Engineering Center of Excellence at the University of Connecticut (UCONN). The agreement includes a five-year, $1 million commitment to work with UCONN in the areas of additive manufacturing, high-temperature composites and other advanced materials. UTC Aerospace Systems will provide opportunities to rising UCONN sophomores and juniors to work in the new MPE lab and learn alongside company engineers and scientists.