Blast Resistant Wood Structures

The Advanced Structures and Composites Center in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers R & D Center has developed blast-resistant structures with coated wood framing members, panels and subassemblies. These blast-resistant materials are economically coated to enhance the construction material’s ductility and energy dissipation capacity.
Disaster Resistant Panels

Soon after Hurricane Andrew caused $20 billion in damages and havoc in Florida, the Advanced Structures and Composites Center researchers began exploring ways to safeguard buildings from natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. They focused on easy-to-manufacture, inexpensive construction panels which would provide improved resistance to hurricanes and other natural disasters.
The Modular Ballistic Protection System

The Modular Ballistic Protection System, developed in the Advanced Structures and Composites Center's laboratories in partnership with the US Natick Army Soldier RD&E Center, was named by the American Composites Manufacturers Association as winner of two of the composites industry’s highest awards in 2007.
Bridge-in-a-Backpack

In partnership with the U.S. Army Natick Soldier RD & E Center, researchers at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center have developed a novel rigidified, inflatable composite arch that acts as both formwork and structural reinforcement for a variety of applications including short and medium span bridges, temporary buildings, underground storage facilities, tunnels, overpasses, and hangers.
Nanocellulose Research Program

The Advanced Structures and Composites Center's nanocellulose research program focuses on utilizing lower cost nanocomposites made fromcellulose to develop the next generation of lightweight high performance, biobased materials for a variety of defense, infrastructure, and energy applications.
MAKO Patrol Boat

In partnership with Hodgdon Yachts and Maine Marine Manufacturing, the Advanced Structures and Composites Center has designed and launched a prototype composites special operations boat t o replace the current aluminum hull craft used by the Navy Seals.
FRP Glulam Bridges

The Advanced Structures and Composites Center has worked extensively over a period of years developing models and design specifications for FRP-glulam bridges; evaluating the durability of FRP-glulam bridges through material level and full scale testing; and constructing, evaluating and monitoring FRP-glulam bridges.

Videos

TEDxDirigo - Habib Dagher - Deepwater offshore wind technology

Designing North America's First Offshore Wind Farm. Al Jazeera's John Terrett reports from Maine with Dr. Habib Dagher

Dr. Habib Dagher. Dr. Dagher introduces the Advanced Structures and Composites Center laboratories and research including Bridge-in-a-Backpack, Modular Ballistic Protection System, and deepwater offshore wind development.

The Advanced Structures and Composites Center U.S. Army R&D. Larry Parent, the Advanced Structures and Composites Center Assistant Director, explains AEWC's R&D for the U.S. Army developing ballistic protection materials.

Harnessing Maine's Wind Energy. An overview of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center's deepwater offshore wind initiative

Hybrid Composite Concrete Bridges. Learn about the Advanced Structures and Composites Center's program developing and testing hybrid composite concrete bridges.

A Look at Floating Wind Farms: Harnessing Offshore Energy . Dr. Dagher describes the concept of offshore wind turbines that float in deep water. To hear the complete talk click here.

Offshore Wind Laboratory

Click here for more information about the laboratory's capabilities.

This 37,000 sq ft expansion will give the University of Maine the only laboratory in the United States to include complete development capabilities: designing, prototyping and performance characterization of large structural hybrid composite and nanocomposite components for the deepwater offshore wind energy industry. All structural components for floating wind turbines will be studied including wind blades, towers, anchors and foundation systems.

Strand Composites Pilot Line

In 2004, the Advanced Structures and Composites Center completed an expansion which significantly increased its wood composites manufacturing capacity with the addition of a complete Strand Composites Pilot Line. Companies may contract for complete manufacturing, from debarked log to pressed board to tested specimen, or they may choose only certain unit operations, such as stranding and drying.

Support the Advanced Structures and Composites Center

Click here to find out how you can support the Advanced Structures and Composites Center's work preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers and building Maine's economy.

Videos

Offshore Wind Laboratory

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