UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center

09/26/2026

We’re proud of the University of Maine’s talented faculty, staff, and student researchers and the global impact and local relevance of their cutting-edge innovations.

Our previous statements may have been taken out of context, so let us be clear: 3Dirigo, the pioneering vessel we launched in 2019, proved that a boat of its size could be 3D-printed and earned multiple Guinness World Records. That work remains foundational to our flagship’s ongoing large-scale additive manufacturing process and materials research, with exciting real-world applications in affordable housing, defense, domestic energy production, marine and more.

We are deeply grateful that UMaine's world-class R&D is so strongly supported by Maine's Congressional Delegation, as well as numerous federal and state government, industry and community partners that rightly recognize its important value to our nation's economy, security and global competitiveness.

09/19/2026

This is what we call a hole-in-one for Maine’s blue economy. 🦞⛳️

Our researchers are transforming discarded lobster shells into golf tees that are strong enough to perform, biodegradable in about 30 days and designed to return natural nutrients to the soil as they break down.

Led by David Neivandt, this work demonstrates how materials innovation can create new value from an underutilized byproduct of one of Maine’s signature industries, while reducing waste and advancing more sustainable manufacturing.

Read the full story: https://umaine.edu/news/2026/09/from-lobster-trap-to-tee-box-umaine-researchers-turn-discarded-shells-into-golf-tees/

09/04/2026

3Dirigo X in action!

On August 28th, 2026, the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) launched and demonstrated 3Dirigo X, a 30-foot, large-scale 3D-printed vessel, in Hampden, Maine.

Developed under the Accelerated Rapid Prototyping (ARP) initiative, 3Dirigo X was designed and manufactured at the University of Maine to withstand offshore static and dynamic stresses at speeds approaching 40 knots. The vessel represents an advancement in large-scale additive manufacturing and demonstrates the integration of advanced manufacturing, digital engineering, composite materials, and maritime innovation.

Thank you to Tideman Boats and Cox Marine for project support.

08/28/2026

Introducing, 3Dirigo X.

The University of Maine continues to shape the future of maritime manufacturing.

Today, the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center launched 3Dirigo X, a 30-foot, high-performance 3D-printed vessel designed for offshore conditions and speeds approaching 40 knots.

Building on the success of UMaine’s record-setting original 3Dirigo, the new vessel shows how large-scale additive manufacturing can help reduce production time, eliminate the need for costly molds and make it easier to adapt designs for commercial and defense use.

UMaine students are central to this work, gaining hands-on experience alongside researchers at ASCC, which has employed more than 3,000 interns.

Learn more on UMaine News: umaine.edu/news/2026/08/university-of-maine-launches-3dirigo-x-advancing-future-of-maritime-manufacturing

08/26/2026

The University of Maine is moving from a successful one-home prototype toward a repeatable manufacturing system to produce housing faster and at greater scale.

Through a partnership with Penquis, researchers at the Advanced Structures and Composites Center will produce up to nine homes in the Greater Bangor area. The project will use the Factory of the Future within UMaine’s new GEM facility to test, refine, and validate the manufacturing process through three stages of production.

The goal isn’t to build nine homes; it’s to learn what it takes to move BioHome3D from a demonstration to a manufacturing system that can produce affordable homes more efficiently and in greater numbers.

Read more about the project and the next phase of BioHome3D: https://umaine.edu/news/2026/08/umaine-to-produce-neighborhood-of-3d-printed-homes-as-it-scales-biohome-technology/

| UMaine Research

Maine needs more homes. University of Maine researchers are working on a way to build them faster and more efficiently. Four years after unveiling the world’s first fully bio-based, 3D-printed house, UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center is partnering with Penquis, a Maine-based non...

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