Spectrum News visited the foundry to observe students in materials science & engineering produce blended metal alloys with superpowers, such as high-temperature tolerance, strength and self-lubrication.
The report featured Professor Pradeep Rohatgi, director of the Centers for Composite and Advanced Materials Manufacturing; his private industry research partner David Weiss, CEO of Visions Materials LLC; and graduate student Kaustubh Rane.
Making these advanced materials could help the state’s foundries thrive, said Rohatgi, and that is the reason why he and Weiss have labored to reach out to local industries.
Rane is trying to create an aluminum alloy that is self-lubricating and also can withstand higher temperatures. That would mean less friction between parts of an engine, boosting the engine’s efficiency and saving gas.