Lamborghini christened a new Advanced Composites Structures Laboratory (ACSL) in Seattle to research carbon fiber products for the supercar powerhouse.
The ACSL at the University of Washington has been creating new kinds of carbon fiber composites since 2007 and has partnered with Boeing and Callaway Golf to innovate other industries through carbon fiber.
By 2010, Lambo and Boeing introduced the Forged Composite Carbon Fiber that would be used in the Sesto Elemento and the Centenario, a composite created at the UW’s research and development lab.
“Seattle is a nexus for innovation and Lamborghini’s choice to base its carbon fiber research center here reflects that,” said Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee. “Lamborghini’s Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory, their continued success in developing breakthrough technology, and their collaboration with Boeing is a benefit and a point of pride for the city and the state of Washington.”
The processing time for Forged Composite is shorter than with others ways of creating carbon fiber composites and is incredibly strong when it’s completed. In the years since it was created in Seattle, Forged Composite has already changed the face of the Lamborghini.
“By continuing to develop our patented Forged Composite materials, we are able to create a product that can enhance Lamborghini super sports cars in both their performance and their appearance,” said Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini Board Member for R&D. “The ability to leverage this kind of lightweight material gives Lamborghini an advantage that will benefit our cars – as well as production process – in the future.”
The task of the new lab is to continue that, but on a larger scale than previously.
If you’d like to be part of the new Advanced Composite Structures Lab, start studying now. Many of those on the inside are professors or masters in engineering students at the University of Washington.
