Clemson, ACS Break Ground for Advanced Powertrain Test Lab

Clemson and ACS broke ground Tuesday for the Advanced Powertrain Testing Laboratory (APTL), a two-story 3,000 square foot addition to the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center at Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) in Greenville, South Carolina.

The Campbell Center is home to Clemson’s Department of Automotive Engineering. The masters and doctorate programs located in this facility are currently home to over 200 students and over 30 faculty and staff. The new laboratory supports CU-ICAR’s vision of being the premier automotive research, innovation and educational enterprise in the world.

“Construction of the Advanced Powertrain Testing Laboratory reflects significant growth of engine and hybrid vehicle research in our department,” says Zoran Filipi, chair of the department of automotive engineering and Timken Endowed Chair in vehicle system design at Clemson. “My colleagues and I worked diligently to build a world-class portfolio that includes projects for major original equipment manufacturers, Bosch-Anderson, BorgWarner-Asheville, Johnson Controls, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense. Our total extramural funding since 2013 is over $5 million and I am thrilled about the university’s decision to support this addition.”

APTL will significantly expand the center’s research capabilities and enable experimental investigations of efficient and clean engine concepts, alternative fuels and the hybrid electric powertrain. The testing laboratory will provide unique flexibility for combining in-depth research and powertrain system integration.

ACS, a provider of fully integrated facility and equipment solutions to the international engine and vehicle market, will provide comprehensive construction management services for the new research and development laboratory. With a regional office in Greenville, ACS serves automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers with testing and manufacturing solutions that range from one-of-a-kind custom equipment to planning, designing and constructing technical centers and manufacturing facilities.

“With more than 20 years of experience in the engine and vehicle test market, our clients value our expertise and our ability to structure our services to meet their needs,” says Beau Gailey, director of business development at ACS in Greenville. “We look forward to a long term relationship with CU-ICAR as we support their growth through this important project.”

The Advanced Powertrain Testing Laboratory is part of State Project H12-9911-JM. The target completion date is November 2015.