UTEP Launches Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center

Last updated: August 30, 2022 10:00 AM

First published on August 30, 2022

From the MC staff

UTEP Marketing and Communications

$80 million facility will house a growing portfolio of research and teaching

UTEP today began construction of its Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center. This is an $80 million building that provides state-of-the-art research and teaching space for UTEP’s engineering department (rendering).Photo: UTEP Marketing and Communications

EL PASO, Texas (August 30, 2022) — The University of Texas at El Paso broke ground today on its Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center. This is his $80 million building that provides state-of-the-art research and teaching space for UTEP’s engineering department.

The four-story, 98,000-square-foot building is designed to blend in with the campus’s Bhutanese architecture and will be constructed at the northeast corner of Hawthorne and Lim Roads.

Deliberately designed to adapt as research projects change over time and knowledge advances, the center was originally built on UTEP’s two main laboratories, the WM Keck Center for 3D Innovation and the Aerospace Center. accommodates the .

UTEP President Heather Wilson said: “UTEP is a leader in advanced manufacturing and aerospace research. Many of the machines that do this work are very large. There will be tremendous benefits for the region as we spin off new technologies to the companies that create them.”

UTEP plans to train more than 600 graduate and undergraduate students each year at this facility.

“Across the University of Texas system, we are committed to shaping our research and academic programs to meet emerging industry needs,” said UT System Dean James B. Milliken. “UTEP’s new Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center allows universities to do just that. It provides access to cutting-edge technology and tools in a purpose-built facility, enabling new discoveries while enriching student training.” , creating new opportunities in these growing industries.”

UTEP is a national leader in additive manufacturing in a wide range of materials and technologies. UTEP has particular expertise in using, developing and evaluating laser-based metal additive manufacturing processes and embedding electronics and other features within 3D printed materials. In recent years, the university completed his more than $100 million worth of advanced manufacturing research sponsored by NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and others.

“Students aspiring to enter the aerospace and additive manufacturing sectors will have the opportunity to learn at this new state-of-the-art facility,” said U.S. Congressman Veronica Escobar, who also spoke at the event. “The research conducted here will support the growth of economic activity in the El Paso area centered around advanced manufacturing and aerospace.”

Breakthrough entrants include Paydirt Pete from left. UTEP President Heather Wilson. Kenith Meissner, Dean of the School of Engineering; Veronica Escobar, US Congressman; JB Milliken, President of the UT Systems; State Senator Cesar Blanco. Aerospace Center Ahsan Choudhuri Vice President. El Paso Mayor Oscar Reaser. El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego. UT Student Regent Naleesh C. “Neel” Mutyalaand UTEP Provost John Weave.Photo: UTEP Marketing and Communications

“UTEP’s engineering department’s national and international reputation and demand for engineering professionals have continued to grow over the past decade,” said Dr. Kenith Meissner, dean of the engineering department. “Our university produces approximately 900 graduates annually and has a strong foundation of partnership with industry. The AMAC building builds on the success of the WM Keck Center and the Aerospace Center. The added research capabilities of the company will not only benefit manufacturing and aerospace research, but will also expand our innovative translational and entrepreneurial activities and drive strong regional economic growth.”

Dr. Ryan Wicker, founder of the Keck Center, said: “This facility will prepare students to participate in essential and high-demand fields, and will only improve innovation in our region.”

UTEP also conducts significant research work with NASA, Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other agencies in rocket propulsion, unmanned aerial vehicles, spacecraft design, and aircraft safety.

“The Aerospace Center has grown from a 3,000 square foot lab employing 30 students as research assistants to over 35,000 square feet of lab space and an expanding 8,000 lab space that currently employs 200 students. It has grown into an acre test facility,” said Dr. Ahsan Choudhuri. ., Vice President of UTEP’s Aerospace Center. “This significant investment by UT System is a 20-year commitment by the Aerospace Center and sister center Keck to expand research capabilities and opportunities for students in the aerospace, defense, energy and advanced manufacturing industries. “Our national research excellence, pipeline of talent, and thought leadership in the nation’s ecosystem are now in place to create jobs and business opportunities in our communities.” It’s being used.”

AMAC includes spaces such as research and manufacturing labs, administrative spaces.

The Engineering Center maintains strategic partnerships with prominent aerospace and defense companies, including the United States Space Force, Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin, and other local and national government agencies.

In addition to the aerospace and WM Keck facilities on campus, the Keck Center recently expanded its research footprint with the establishment of the 3D Engineering and Additive Manufacturing Technology Center near downtown El Paso. These include the Spacecraft Design and Engineering Facility in South Central El Paso, the Technology Research and Innovation Acceleration Park at Favens Airport, and the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Test Site in Tornillo, Texas.

Construction work on the Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace Center is expected to be completed by the second half of 2025.

About the University of Texas at El Paso

The University of Texas at El Paso is a leading Hispanic university in the United States. Three states and he is the westernmost state of Texas, where two nations meet along the Rio Grande River, with more than 24,000 students, 84% of whom are Hispanic, and half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. I am a student. UTEP is America’s only open access premier research university offering 169 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.