Advanced Manufacturing Center and Engineering Annex Holds Grand Opening
More than a hundred people were on hand recently for the opening of a new center at UT.
The Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility and Engineering Annex, located on White Avenue, features several laboratories with cutting-edge machines devoted to advanced manufacturing of composites typically containing carbon fiber and plastic resins.
The center’s opening is the latest success for UT’s College of Engineering, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and IACMI—the Composites Institute, which are pushing the frontier of manufacturing capabilities, said Wayne Davis, dean of the College of Engineering.
“About eight-and-a-half years ago I met with ORNL’s Craig Blue, who said that advanced manufacturing would be the next big thing,” said Davis. “We’ve been able to add faculty in that area, particularly with our Governor’s Chair program with ORNL, which has allowed us to be real leaders in this area and an economic strength for the region.”