Speed, efficiency and strength will be in the driver’s seat of a special session that focuses on new materials for Lamborghini sports cars at The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) 2010 Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Seattle.

Speed, efficiency and strength will be in the driver’s seat of a special session that focuses on new materials for Lamborghini sports cars at The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS) 2010 Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Seattle.

Maurizio Reggiani, vice president of research and development, and chief executive officer of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., and Paolo Feraboli, professor and director of Automobili Lamborghini Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory (ACSL) at the University of Washington will present, “Carbon Fiber Composites Research and Development at Automobili Lamborghini” at a February 15 session at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center.

“The address at TMS 2010 here in Seattle will be a terrific opportunity to showcase the partnership between Lamborghini, the University of Washington and Boeing and the joint commitment to excellence in carbon fiber composite technology," said Feraboli.

“TMS is honored to host this session spotlighting this valuable research and development of carbon fiber composites for more sustainable transportation materials,” said Warren H. Hunt, Jr., TMS executive director.

Established in October, ACSL is a collaborative effort between the University of Washington, Seattle-based Boeing and Lamborghini. Since the University of Washington had an existing relationship with Boeing to develop and test composite parts, Lamborghini turned to the university and Boeing to employ carbon fiber composites materials testing techniques typically reserved for commercial aircraft to develop lighter, faster, and more environmentally friendly sports cars.

Reggiani will open the Lamborghini program at TMS 2010 with an overview of its corporate strategy and commitment to become a center of excellence in carbon fiber composites, both in terms of the amount of material used on a production vehicle as well as technological advancement. Feraboli will then offer a presentation on the ACSL’s work in the areas of materials development and processing, as well as analysis and testing. The session will culminate in a question and answer session in the TMS 2010 exhibit hall where attendees can see the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce constructed of approximately one-third composite materials.

“We’re so pleased to be able to host Mr. Reggiani and Professor Feraboli at the TMS Annual Meeting. Their research speaks to one of the perennial hot topics among many TMS members: how to make vehicles lighter and stronger, safer and more efficient, and of course, beautiful to look at!” said Trudi Dunlap, TMS director of partner relations.