AVX will fuel the next chapter of Clemson University's flagship vehicle prototype program Deep Orange with new equipment and lab space at the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR). The 9,000-square foot lab, named the AVX Mobility Systems Innovation Lab, will include two collaborative innovation studios, expanded prototyping capabilities, and state-of-the-art engineering equipment within the Center for Emerging Technologies at CU-ICAR in Greenville.

Capabilities include: a new two-post lift, high-powered metal and tungsten inert gas welding capabilities, and painting and composites equipment to help students design, engineer, build, and validate their vehicle prototypes from the ground up. "With the electrification of vehicles and further, sustainable mobility solutions, we see support of Deep Orange vehicle prototyping as a natural fit for AVX,” said Jeff Schmersal, Chief Operating Officer, AVX Corporation. “The graduate students have fantastic ideas regarding the design and function of future automobiles, and we are excited to provide the equipment and space needed to bring those ideas to reality."

As part of their master’s in automotive engineering, Deep Orange students gain hands-on experience through project-based learning focused on systems integration and innovation by building a vehicle concept from the ground up. These students work directly with industry partners to address real-world problems related to sustainable mobility as well as current and future social trends.

“Our goal with Deep Orange is to educate the next generation of engineering leaders with technical and collaborative tools to develop solutions to tomorrow’s mobility challenges,” said Chris Paredis, BMW Endowed Chair in Automotive Systems Integration and Deep Orange program director. “The state-of-the-art equipment and collaborative spaces in this lab open up possibilities for innovation that we simply didn’t have before.”

Learn more at www.avx.com.