The National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University unveiled its Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems (Atlas) and Solvay joint manufacturing innovation center at a grand opening ceremony yesterday at NIAR’s south campus facility at Air Capital Flight Line in Wichita.
At the joint center, companies can fabricate aircraft structures such as wings and fuselages at a low cost using new technologies. Companies can test ideas and innovative structures in real-time at the center with the assistance of Solvay and NIAR engineers. The center’s aim is to increase the adoption of composites in aerospace while enabling companies to increase their performance and efficiency.
“Our partnership with NIAR through this joint manufacturing innovation center is an important milestone in Solvay’s ambition to help key customers across the United States advance the future of aerospace and defense,” said Carmelo Lo Faro, the president of Solvay’s materials segment. “Here, we can explore the advantages of new composite material forms with the latest manufacturing technologies to create a lighter, safer, and more sustainable aircraft of the future.”
Atlas was established by NIAR in 2019 and has grown to employ more than 100 research engineers and student technicians working from more than 150,000 sq ft of facilities.