Orono, Maine
The University of Maine is engaged in a $22.4 million expansion of the AEWC Advanced Structures and Composites Center in Orono. The 35,000-sf facility includes a 2,500-sf nanocomposites laboratory, offices, classrooms, and the Offshore Wind Laboratory. The wind lab features a reaction wall and floor for structural testing of wind turbine blades as well as an environmental simulation area and a wave-wind basin. A robotic composite manufacturing suite will produce turbine blades on site. LEED Gold sustainable design certification will be sought for the project, which will include solar panels and abundant natural light. The project is supported by $12.4 million in NIST funding. Occupancy is expected in September of 2011.
