PORT HUENEME, Calif. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) is set to open a facility where innovation and technology will be researched and developed to service the fleet faster and at a lower cost, now and into the future.
Known as the Innovation Center, NSWC PHD’s newest lab will officially open this Spring.
“We’re partnering with Matter Labs and we will lease equipment to them,” said Jim Powers, Innovation Center manager. “They will work with universities and high schools in the area where students will work on different projects as well,” he said.
Camarillo-based Matter Labs is a think tank, start-up studio and consulting firm that specializes in emerging technologies.
“The lab can be used by various entities such as colleges and high schools, and possibly other commercial agencies,” said Zachary Stephens, NSWC PHD materials scientist. “Use can vary from workshops and training, to research and prototype fabrication. Our agreement allows PHD to have first rights when scheduling use of the equipment, but still allows Matter Labs to utilize it while not in use by our engineers.”
The new lab will have a fleet of equipment, Powers noted, such as a new metal 3D laser printer, which uses metal powder spread in a thin layer over a part where the laser then selectively melts the powder to the previous layer. The process is repeated one layer at a time until the combined layers form a part.
“This is a laboratory tool that allows us to do the research to determine if the parts meet the parameters of the Navy,” said Tim Tenopir, materials supervisor for the lab.
The center also has space for testing drones, and a pool for researching, developing and testing underwater remotely operated vehicles.
“We’re hoping this research and development will lead to repairing parts for the fleet, faster and less expensive than sending technicians and engineers out to the ships,” said Powers. “This is a nice move forward. The research and development we will do here, will directly help foster innovations.”