ORONO, Maine (AP) – The University of Maine will soon unveil a $13.8 million expansion of its Advanced Structures and Composites Center that the center’s director says will simulate a stormy ocean to help innovators find out if their creations can withstand the sea.
Center Director Habib Dagher says the indoor facility will be able to simulate waves over 100 feet tall and winds of more than 200 mph. The university will unveil the facility on Monday.
Dagher says the W2 Ocean Engineering Laboratory will test the strength of everything from ships and ports to offshore wind turbines.
The facility is at the university’s campus in Orono. Dagher says it has been in the works for about six years. He says it was funded by a combination of public and private grants.