Italian carmaker Lamborghini has a lot of experience with carbon fiber composites of various types, having used them extensively in both its on-road supercars and its racing programs. The company has announced it will lend that materials expertise to the biomedical research being conducted by Houston Methodist Research Institute in Texas.
The collaboration will explore the use of carbon fiber as an option for implants and other medical uses, with the goal of finding composites that are compatible with human cells and that trigger little or no immune system reaction (aka "rejection") from the host.
The research could lead to small implants, prosthetics, and more. HMRI has a history of studying various materials for uses like these, and is considered a world-leading medical research facility with expertise in nanotechnology and implants.
(The perhaps unfortunately-named) Mauro Ferrari, PhD, President and CEO of the Houston Methodist Research Institute, visited Automobili Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese. There he met with Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and Chief Executive Office of Automobili Lamborghini. The two discussed the agreement and held a signing ceremony.
HMRI is the latest in a list of medical research facilities with which Lamborghini is collborating on various projects. The company has a long standing agreement with the Occupational Medicine Unit of Bologna University Hospital Authority St. Orsola-Malpighi Polyclinic and several neurosurgery and orthopedic doctors and facilities in Italy.
Source: Lamborghini
