Development And Commercialization of Advanced Wood-Based Composites In Maine

该奖项授予缅因大学，用于支持以下36个月的活动。该提案是为了响应创新伙伴关系项目招标（NSF 0179）而提交的。合作伙伴该奖项的合作伙伴包括缅因大学（牵头机构）、缅因技术研究所、东缅因发展公司、国家经济和社区发展部、制造业扩展伙伴关系、缅因交通部、路易斯安那太平洋、陶氏化学、州立农场保险、亨德森和博德韦尔、肯威公司、FRP复合材料行业市场发展联盟、工程木材协会APA、美国国家标准与技术研究院，美国农业部林产品实验室。建议活动该奖项将支持以下活动：(1)加强缅因大学、私营企业、国家组织、林产品工业组织和国家实验室之间的伙伴关系，促进复合增强木材的商业化；(2)制定创新战略，将复合增强木材混合材料商业化，成为其他大学研究中心的典范；建立商业化项目（使用低等级硬木的增强木材复合梁）；抗灾房屋采用加固护墙板，新型长股复合木材（梁和柱）。美国的住房行业占整个建筑行业的28%，使用的大部分木材是高档传统木材。美国高档木材的供应正在下降。增强复合木材将允许使用其他种类树木的低等级木材，供应更充足，并在缅因州提供技术工作。这些产品将降低美国住房木制品的成本。提高房屋抵御飓风和地震等灾害的能力将对国家的经济产生重大影响。潜在的经济影响缅因州百分之二十的地区是森林，该州经济的百分之二十五是基于森林资源。森林经济传统上以出口原料木材为基础，缺乏熟练的劳动力和很少的增值木材产品。最近，其他制造业的工作岗位已经从该州转移出去，留下了非技术工作和服务业（如旅游业）作为主要的收入来源。复合增强木材的成功商业化将在发展不断增长的国家经济中发挥重要作用。房屋建筑用木制品成本的降低将对美国经济产生重大影响。提高房屋的抗灾能力将降低维修、维护和灾害保险的成本。潜在的社会影响缅因州在高级科学家/工程师方面排名全国第29位，在科学/工程研究生方面排名第50位。在缅因州，年轻科学家和工程师的就业市场前景黯淡。教育计划将包括创业教育以及科学和工程，为围绕新的木材技术/经济的经济提供熟练的劳动力。仅在美国，住房行业每年就高达8000亿美元。

0125343 Dagher This award is to the University of Maine to support the activity described below for 36 months. The proposal was submitted in response to the Partnerships for Innovation Program Solicitation (NSF 0179).PartnersThe partners for the award include the University of Maine (Lead Institution), Maine Technology Institute, Eastern Maine Development Corporation, State Department of Economic and Community Development, The Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Maine Department of Transportation, Louisiana Pacific, Dow Chemical, State Farm Insurance, Henderson and Bodwell, The Kenway Corporation, Market Development Alliance of the FRP Composites Industry, APA the Engineered Wood Association, National Institutes of Standards and Technology, USDA Forest Products Laboratory.Proposed ActivitiesThe award will support the following activities: (1) strengthen partnerships among the University of Maine, private industry, state organizations, forest product industry organizations, and national laboratories to foster commercialization of composite reinforced wood, (2) develop innovative strategies for commercializing composite reinforced wood hybrids that can become models for other university research centers, establish commercialization projects (reinforced wood composite beams using low-grade hardwoods, disaster-resistant housing using reinforced sheathing panels, novel long-strand composite lumber beams and columns).Proposed InnovationHousing industry in the US accounts for 28% of the total construction industry, and most of the wood used is high-grade conventional wood lumber. The supply of high-grade lumber is declining in the US. Reinforced composite wood will allow the use of low-grade lumber from other species of trees in more abundant supply, and provide skilled jobs in Maine. These products will lower the cost of wood products for housing in the US. Increasing the resistance of housing to disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes will make a major impact on the economy of the nation.Potential Economic ImpactNinety percent of Maine is forested, and 25% of the state's economy is based on forest resources. The forest economy has traditionally been based on export of raw lumber with unskilled labor and few value added timber products. Other manufacturing jobs have moved from the state recently, leaving unskilled jobs and service industries (e.g., tourism) as the major source of income. Successful commercialization of composite reinforced wood will play a large role in developing a growing state economy. Lower costs for wood products for housing construction will have a major economic impact in the US. Increasing the resistance of housing to disasters will lower the cost of repair, maintenance, and insurance for disasters.Potential Societal ImpactMaine ranks 29th in the nation in terms of advanced degree scientists/engineers and 50th in science/engineering graduate students. The job market for young scientists and engineers is bleak in Maine. The educational program will include entrepreneurial education as well as science and engineering to provide a skilled workforce for the economy surrounding the new wood-based technology/economy. The housing industry amounts to $800 billion/year in the US alone.