Rotary engine with side housing having a side plate with a ceramic matrix composite core

A rotary internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a housing having a first side housing, a second side housing, and a center housing, wherein the center housing is disposed between and attached to the first side housing and the second side housing, and first side housing, the second side housing, and the center housing define a rotor chamber;
• and
• a rotor disposed within the rotor chamber, wherein the rotor is engaged with a rotor shaft that extends between the first side housing and the second side housing, and the rotor has a peripheral side wall that extends between a pair of end face surfaces;
• wherein at least one of the first side housing or the second side housing includes a side plate having a seal surface, an interior surface, and a core disposed between the seal surface and the interior surface, wherein the core comprises a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material;
• and
• wherein the seal surface of the side plate engages in a sealing arrangement with a respective end face surface of the rotor.