UMAINE submitted a new bio-based 3D printed flood barrier to the U.S. Senate

China3D printingNet, May 18, the Executive Director of the University of Maine (UMaine) Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) Habib Dagher (Habib Dagher) introduced two novel types to the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Transportation Resilience3D printingFlood protection barrier.

Dagher’s team established it as part of a federal research project to develop a stronger, more environmentally friendly transportation network, a bio-based barrier designed to protect coastal infrastructure from flood-related damage.In the future, the researchers intend to use the modularity of their method to carry out3D printingAnd deploy a 75-foot breakwater, which may reduce the impact of tides by 50%.

Dag said: “These construction technologies are the key to achieving a cost-effective, flexible transportation system in the future. We can’t continue to build it in the same way and expect different results. When rebuilding roads and bridges, we have a rare opportunity in a lifetime. The opportunity to use more durable and sustainable advanced materials, including composite materials.
Please invest in research and development. This is how we build a better transportation infrastructure in the future. “


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Although it is not clear whether the technology behind the team’s flood control equipment is a new technology, or the barrier itself represents a novel application of existing methods, UMaine is working at sea.3D printingThe field has always been a keen contributor.
As early as October 2018, the Maine Institute of Technology (MTI) awarded the university’s ASCC a $500,000 award to develop a3D printingThe method of large ships.This research yielded results in 2019, when UMaine and ASCC used the world’s largest prototype polymer3D printingThe machine built a record-breaking ship. At that time, the ship broke no less than three Guinness World Records.

Nicknamed “3Dirigo”, the 25-foot-tall recreational boat is actually made by a machine developed by Ingersoll Machine Tools, which is made from a new type of cellulose-based raw material co-created by UMaine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory . According to reports, the team’s material is made of up to 50% cellulose fibers, is non-toxic, conductive, and still has mechanical strength similar to aluminum.

Since then, UMaine researchers have used their biological raw materials to obtain a US$2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for the development of large-format3D printingTurbine blade mold. Compared with traditional tools, the team expects to save up to 50% of costs during the project, and it now appears that they are applying marine expertise to similar areas to develop new types of flood protection barriers.

Maine Congressmen Susan Collins (Susan Collins) and Angus King (Captain) and Rep. Jared Golden (left) with Hobby of the University of Maine Center for Advanced Structures and Composites Habib Dagher performed a wave simulation tank on the Orono campus together on the first voyage of 3Dirigio. The President of the University of Maine, Joan Ferrini-Mundy, right, and Valri Lightner of the Office of Advanced Manufacturing of the Department of Energy attended the meeting. The picture is from “Sun Journal”.

On May 13, 2021, Dag was invited by the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee to be one of four experts to provide testimony on how to protect American transportation facilities from the effects of climate change. In particular, Dagher showed off the new materials and technologies his UMaine team is developing there as part of 40 project plans throughout Maine and New England.
Under the supervision of the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center, a broader plan was established to find ways to extend the life of the existing transportation network and design new and more durable roads, bridges and ports. UMaine showcased four innovative technologies based on composite materials, including “Bridge in Backpack” and U-shaped brackets, and3D printingOf breakwaters and culvert diffusers.

The researchers’ diffuser is made of bio-based materials and is designed to reduce the damage caused by overflowing tunnels under the traffic lane and scouring nearby highways. The UMaine team believes that by linking corroded culverts with3D printingThe diffusers are lined together, and the UMaine team believes that it can increase its water flow by 40%, thereby minimizing damage to the surrounding infrastructure.

The “Bridge in Package” concept of the UMaine team.

In fact, the research team estimates that increasing the drainage flow of culverts can save the U.S. government millions of dollars in bridge replacement costs each year.3D printingEquipment can be tailored using sustainable materials. To demonstrate the potential of its diffuser, the researchers plan to install a diffuser near Maine by the summer of 2021.The UMaine team has also developed floating breakwaters with flood control functions on a larger scale, but they do not protect onshore facilities, but are used to protect coastal infrastructure. 3D printingThe obstacles are modular in design, which can be constructed and deployed immediately before adapting to the water level, and protect the port from 50% of the tide.

Researchers have determined the functionality and scalability of the breakwater, and now aim to expand it into a 75-foot-long prototype and will test its thrust capability near the coast of Maine.

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