UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center

05/20/2026

Thank you our 4-year returning sponsor, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, for supporting the !

General Dynamics Bath Iron Works constructs some of the world’s most advanced naval vessels. Their commitment to engineering excellence, workforce development, and cutting-edge manufacturing plays a critical role in strengthening both national security and Maine’s economy.

Learn more about General Dynamics Bath Iron Works here: https://www.gdbiw.com/

05/18/2026

University of Maine Researchers Develop High-Performance Composite from Lobster Shell Waste.

David J. Neivandt from the University of Maine and Greg Simms from the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) were recently featured on the Composites Weekly podcast for their research developing biodegradable composite material made from waste lobster shells.

05/08/2026

Last Friday, we welcomed hundreds of Maine middle and high schoolers into our lab spaces for the 11th Annual Matthew R. Simmons Windstorm Challenge. We are excited to share more about this year’s amazing competition, but before we do, we want to extend our gratitude to our dedicated sponsors.

This event would not be possible without the help of our sponsors. Because of them, we are able to make this engineering competition and carnival completely free for students!

Platinum Sponsors:
Matthew Simmons Foundation, Maine College of Engineering and Computing, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works, Kleinschmidt, Versant Power, and Onward Energy

Diamond Sponsor:
Reed & Reed, Inc.

Gold Sponsors:
Consigli Construction Co., Inc., Maine Engineering Promotional Council, University of Maine School of Forest Resources, Casella Waste Systems, Haley Ward, Inc., and Natural Resources Council of Maine.

Silver Sponsors:
American Society of Civil Engineers, Thornton Tomasetti, Maine Turnpike Authority, & E**O

04/28/2026

The University of Maine recognized two ASCC cooperating faculty members for their excellence in research, teaching, innovation, public engagement, and extraordinary impact.

Mehdi Tajvidi earned the Presidential Research and Creative Achievement Award, and Bill Davids was honored with the Presidential Innovation Award.

“These awards recognize the very best of the University of Maine. Each of these individuals demonstrates a deep commitment to excellence, innovation and service. Their work strengthens our university, advances knowledge and makes a meaningful difference for the people of Maine and beyond.” President Joan Ferrini-Mundy

Read more: https://umaine.edu/news/2026/04/umaine-announces-2026-presidential-award-winners/

04/13/2026

02/03/2026

Advanced 3D printing and digital engineering at the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center are helping solve one of the nuclear industry’s biggest challenges — building faster, cheaper, and smarter.

In collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Kairos Power, UMaine engineers produced full-scale 3D-printed wall segments and specialized concrete form liners that demonstrate how advanced manufacturing can support faster, more precise and cost-effective nuclear construction.

12/30/2025

At the University of Maine, advanced manufacturing moves at the speed of industry.

UMaine’s Advanced Structures & Composites Center is applying large-scale additive manufacturing and digital engineering to nuclear construction challenges. Through the SM²ART partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, demonstrated how industrial-scale 3D printing can deliver full-scale components aligned with commercial timelines.

This collaboration supported Kairos Power’s next-generation nuclear construction efforts and offers a model for how universities, national labs, and industry can work together to strengthen U.S. energy infrastructure, manufacturing competitiveness, and workforce development.

Read more about the partnership and the impact of advanced manufacturing on U.S. energy infrastructure: https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2025/12/23/umaine-innovation-accelerates-nuclear-construction-for-kairos-power/

Advanced 3D printing and digital engineering at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center help solve one of the nuclear industry’s biggest challenges — building faster, cheaper and smarter. For nearly a decade, Kairos Power has pursued an iterative, hardware-driven approach to reducing cost,...

11/24/2025

Calling all interested in hands-on experiences for your middle and high school students!

The Windstorm Challenge Registration is NOW OPEN! 🎉 Save the date and get ready to take the challenge on May 1, 2026 at the University of Maine!

Don't miss our 11th year of fun featuring:

🔬 A COMPLETELY FREE day of fun on campus
🎡 Over 40+ activities at the STEM Carnival
🧑‍🎓 Engineering curriculum and micro-credentials opportunities
🪐 Special programming at the Versant Astronomy Center
🍕 Hot lunch is provided by the Black Bear's favorite local spots
➕ Plus so much more!

Learn more, register, or support at: composites.umaine.edu/windstorm-challenge/

UMaine Engineering and Computing University of Maine Admissions

This annual engineering competition and STEM carnival invites student teams to engage in a hands-on experience that combines engineering, teamwork, and a commitment to Maine’s technological future.

11/12/2025

“We’ve been improving the equipment, improving the materials, and improving the design. We’ve done multiple prints of different subcomponents of [BioHome3D] showing how we can integrate wiring and plumbing into the walls through the print process.” - Susan MacKay on BioHome3D research for Maine Public's

Listen here: https://www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-calling/2025-11-05/pre-fab-homes

&D

Pre-fabricated and modular housing offer ways to address Maine's affordable housing shortage

10/29/2025

Fall is here, and at ASCC we’re reflecting on a productive summer.

Check out our summer publication recap here: https://composites.umaine.edu/2025/10/29/summer-publication-recap-2025/

UMaine Research University of Maine

September ASCC Publications Cellulose Nanofibrils for Concrete Shrinkage Reduction ASCC researcher Erfan Najaf, together with Eric Landi from University of Maine and Linfei Li from the Florida International University, presented their work at the session  Nanoparticles and Nanotechnology: Transform...