May 31, 2016

$2 million award for Clemson researcher can help auto & aerospace industries

A Clemson University researcher will use a $2 million award to work with peers on lowering the cost of high-tech materials that right now make airplanes and luxury cars, two of South Carolina’s most active industry clusters, both more fuel efficient and expensive.

Amod Ogale will collaborate with peers at Drexel and Virginia Tech universities through the Center for Composite Materials at University of Delaware, which is managing the $14.9 million overall award from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Ogale’s boss at Clemson said the work could help in-state manufacturers.

“Dr. Ogale has done pioneering work in composite materials,” said Anand Gramopadhye, dean of Clemson’s College of Engineering and Science. “His work with this nationwide team could be transformative for the automotive and aerospace industries, including those in South Carolina.”