Vincent Caccese: Research Activities and Profile Summaries
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Caccese has expertise in structural mechanics with current emphasis on design innovations using metal, composite and polymer materials. His current research interests are in the structural response of metal and composite materials, connections in hybrid composite/metal structures, and fatigue life in connections. Several ongoing projects include:
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Development of impact resistant systems for protection against head injury.
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Fatigue studies of welded connections.
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Work on inflatable structures including wireless sensing systems, astronaut protection systems and hyperbaric chamber.
Laboratories
Hybrid Structures Laboratory
Research Projects
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Development of Head Protective Gear to Mitigate Head Injuries Due to Falls. (through Alba-Tech, LLC, NIH/SBIR)
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Elimination of Overwelding in Ship Structures (funded through Huntington Ingalls Industries via the NSRP program)
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An Astronaut Protection System (MSGC seed grant)
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Real- time Wireless Shape Monitoring of Space Structures (NASA EPSCoR/MSGC)
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Development of a Lunar Outpost Wireless Monitoring and Analysis System for the Lunar Outpost Research and Educational Demonstrator (MSGC)
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Structural Integrity and Optimal Design of Rigidizable and Inflatable Systems for the NASA Lunar Habitat (MSGC)
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Cavitation Erosion of Materials (Corporate)
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Structural Integrity Assurance of Aerospace Vehicles (MSGC)
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Structural Response of Hybrid Ship Connections Subjected to Fatigue Loads (ONR)
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Development of Modular Advanced Composite Hull forms (MACH) for Hybrid Ship Structures
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Fatigue of Laser Welded Steel Components (ONR)
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Fatigue Life of Shipboard Pipe Connection (NAVY)
Peer-Reviewed Articles
1) Ferguson, J.R., Castle, S., Harada, N., and Caccese, V., (2105), “Customized Manufacture of Protective Headgear for Primary Prevention of Fall Related Traumatic Brain Injuries”, TechConnect World Innovation Conference & Expo. Gaylord National Hotel, National Harbor, May 2015, 4pp.
2) Glaser, R., Caccese, V., and Shahinpoor, M., “Comparative finite element and experimental analysis of a semi-dynamic inflation of a thin deployable membrane space structure”, Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, in-review.*
3) Hajiaghamemar, M., Seidi, M., Hodge, W.A., Allen, A.E., St. Pierre, J.A., Long, J.A., Caccese, V/, Shahinpoor, M., and Elmer, S., “Quantifying Functional Improvements Following X-Stop Spacer Procedure for Treatments of Spinal Stenosis: A Case Report”, The Spine Journal, submitted July 2014., in-review.
4) M. Seidi, M. Hajiaghamemar, J. Ferguson, Caccese, V., Injury Mitigation Performance of a Head Protection Wear with Polyurethane Honeycomb, SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-1443, 2015, doi:10.4271/2015-01-1443.
5) Hajiaghamemar, M., Seidi,, Ferguson, J.R., and Caccese V., [2015], “Measurement of Head Impact due to Standing Falls in Adults Using Anthromophormic Test Dummies”, Annals of Biomedical Engineering, DOI: 10.1007/s10439-015-1255-1.
6) Huang, TD, Harbison, M, Kvidahl, L, Niolet, D,. Walks, J, Christein, J., Smitherman, M.,, Phillipi, M, Dong, P, DeCan, L, Caccese, V, Blomquist, P, Kihl, D, Wong, R, Sinfield,M., Nappi, N,. Gardner, J, Wong, C, Bjornson, M, and Manuel, A, [2014], “Reduction of Overwelding and distortion for Naval Surface Combatants Part 2: Weld Sizing Effects on Shear and Fatigue Performance”, Journal of Ship Production and Design, accepted in-press.
7) Seidi M., Hajiaghamemar, M., and Caccese V., [2014], “Evaluation of Effective Mass During Head Impact Due to Standing Falls”, International Journal of Crashworthiness, published online Nov. 19, DOI: 10.1080/13588265.2014.983261.
8) Caccese, V., Ferguson, J.R., Lloyd, J., Edgecomb, M.A., Seidi, M., and Hajiaghamemar, M., [2014] “Response of an Impact Test Apparatus for Fall Protective Headgear Testing Using a Hybrid-III Head/Neck Assembly”. Experimental Techniques, 4 Mar 2014, DOI: 10.1111/ext.12079.
9) Huang, TD, Harbison, M, Kvidahl, L, Niolet, D,. Walks, J, Stefanick, K, Phillipi, M, Dong, P, DeCan, L, Caccese, V, Blomquist, P, Kihl, D, Wong, R, Nappi, N,. Gardner, J, Wong, C, M. Bjornson, M, and Manuel, A, [2014], “Reduction of Overwelding and Distortion for Naval Surface Combatants, Part 1: Optimized Weld Sizing for Lightweight Ship Structures”, SNAME, Journal of Ship Production and Design, Volume 30, Number 4, November 2014, pp. 184-193(10)
10) Glaser, R., and Caccese, V., [2014], “Experimental determination of shear properties, buckling resistance and diagonal tension field of polyurethane-coated nylon fabric”, Journal of The Textile Institute, DOI: 10.1080/00405000.2013.868072, January.
11) Glaser, R., and Caccese, V., [2013], “Experimental methods to determine in-plane material properties of polyurethane-coated nylon fabric”, Journal of The Textile Institute, DOI:10.1080/00405000.2012.752559. V. 104, No. 7, July, pp. 682-698.
12) Caccese, V., Ferguson, J.R., and Edgecomb, M.A., [2013], “Optimal Design of Honeycomb Material Used to Mitigate Injury From Head Impact,” Composite Structures, DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2012.12.034.
13) Glaser, R., Caccese, V., and Shahinpoor, M., [2013], “Development of Smart-MR-Gates for wireless dynamic control of fluid flow”, Smart Mater. Struct., Smart Mater. Struct. Vol. 22 No. 1 015012 doi:10.1088/0964-1726/22/1/015012.
14) Poirier, J.D., Vel, S.S. and Caccese, V., [2012], “Multi-objective Optimization of Laser-welded Steel Sandwich Panels for Static Loads Using a Genetic Algorithm”, Engineering Structures, Eng Struct (2012), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2012.10.03.
15) Lloyd, J.L, and Caccese, V., [2012], “Developing Helmet Standards and Protection Methods to Prevent Brain Injury”, ASTM International, Selected Technical Paper, Symposium by ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment and Facilities, Atlanta GA, Nov. 14 2012.
16) Glaser, R., Caccese, V., and Shahinpoor, M., [2011] “Shape monitoring of a beam structure from measured strain or curvature, Experimental Mechanics, DOI 10.1007/s11340-011-9523-y,
17) Glaser, R., Caccese, V., and Shahinpoor, M., [2011] ”Development of Magnetorheological Fluid Composites With Rigidification Characteristics”, Smart Mater. Struct. 20; 045018. doi:10.1088/0964-1726/20/4/045018.*_
18) K. Schrader, A. Abedi, V. Caccese, “Impact Localization and Scaling for SHM of Inflatable Habitats,” IEEE/CANEUS Fly By Wireless Workshop, August 2010, Orono, ME, pp. 20-21.
19) Caccese, V., [2010], “Fatigue in laser welds” in the book entitled Failure mechanisms of advanced welding processes, Editor: Dr Xin Sun, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Woodhead Publishing, ISBN 978-84569-450-0, pp. 218-257.
20) Berube, K. A..; Lopez-Anido, R.; Caccese, V., “Initial Data Analysis of a Structural Health Monitoring System for Carbon Fiber Composite Strands in a Cable Stayed Bridge”, International Bridge Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, June 1-4, 2008, 8pp.
21) Berube, K. A..; Lopez-Anido, R.; Caccese, V., “Integrated Monitoring System for Carbon Composite Strands in the Penobscot-Narrows Cable-Stayed Bridge”, Transportation Research Record, Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No.2050, 2008, p 177-186.
22) Caccese, V., Berube, K.A., Fernandez, M., Melo, J.D., and Kabche, J. P., [2009], “Influence of stress relaxation on clamp-up force in hybrid composite-to-metal bolted joints” Composite Structures, Vol 89, No. 2, pp. 285-293.
23) Abbott, S.P., Caccese, V., Thompson, L., Blomquist, P.A., and Hansen, E.E., [2007] “Automated Laser Welded High Performance Steel Sandwich Bridge Deck Development”, 2007 Transportation Research Board Meeting.
24) Kabche, J.P., Caccese, V., Berube, K.A., and Thompson, L., [2007] “Analysis of a Hybrid Composite/Metal Ship Hull Structural System with Removable Panels”, Journal of Ship and Offshore Structures, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 227-240.
25) Caccese, V., Kabche, J.P., and Berube., K.A. [2007], “Analysis of a Hybrid Composite/Metal Bolted Connection Subjected to Flexural Loading,” Composites Structures, Vol. 81, No. 3, pp. 450-462.
26) Caccese, V., Kabche, J.P., Berube., K.A., and Boone M.J. [2007]. “Structural Response of a Hybrid Composite/Aluminum Strut Assembly,” Composites Structures, Vol. 80, pp.159-171
27) Kabche, J.P., Caccese, V., Berube, K. A., and Bragg, R., [2007], “Experimental Characterization of Hybrid Composite-to-Metal Bolted Joints Under Flexural Loading”, Composites Part-B, V38, No.1 , January 2007, p.p. 66-78.
28) Kabche, J.P., Caccese, V., Berube, K. A., Thompson. L, and Walls J., [2007] “Structural Response of a Hybrid Composite-to-Metal Bolted Assembly under Uniform Pressure Loading”, Composites Structures, V. 78, p.p. 207-221.
29) Caccese, Kabche, Berube, Thompson, [2006] “Structural response of a composite/steel hybrid connection for removable ship hull panels” proceedings of ICCE 14, Broomfield Colorado, July 1-5, 2006.
30) Berube, K. A.; Lopez-Anido, R.; Caccese, V., and Hess, P. E. “Variability in Flexural Response of E-Glass/Vinyl Ester Composites Fabricated using the VARTM Process,” Proc. of the 51st Int. SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition, Creating New Opportunities for the World Economy, Vol. 51, 11 pp., Long Beach, CA, Apr. 30-May 4, 2006
31) Caccese, V., Berube, K., Blomquist, P.A., Webber, and S.R., Orozco, N.J., [2006], “Effect of Weld Geometric Profile on Fatigue Life of Cruciform Welds Made by Laser/GMAW Processes”, Marine Structures J. , Vol. 19, No 1, pp. 1-22.
32) Caccese, V., and Light, K.H., [2006], “Cavitation Erosion Resistance of Various Material Systems”, Journal of Ship and Offshore Structures, V1, N4, pp. 309-322.
33) Kabche, J.P, Caccese, V., and Berube K., [2005] “Hydrostatic Testing of a Hybrid Connection Assembly”, SAMPE Conference 2005, May 1-5, Long Beach, California.
34) Vel, S.S., Caccese, V., and Zhao, H., [2005] “Elastic Coupling Effects in Tapered Sandwich Panels with Laminated Anisotropic Composite Facings, Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 39, No. 24, pp. 2161-2183.*
35) Caccese, V., Mewer, R.C., and Vel, S.S., [2004], “Detection of Bolt Load Loss Using Frequency Domain Techniques”, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Adaptive Structures and Technology, Bar Harbor, Maine, October 25th – 27th, 2004.
36) Caccese, V., Blomquist, P.A., Orozco, N.J., Berube, K.A, [2004] “Fatigue Life Prediction of HSLA-65 Welds Made by Laser/GMAW Processes, Proceedings of the 23rd International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics, San Francisco, October 2004.
37) Caccese, V., Mewer, R.C., and Vel, S.S., [2004], “Detection of Bolt Load Loss in Hybrid Composite/Metal Bolted Connections”, Engineering Structures, Vol. 26, No. 7, pp. 895-906,
38) Vel, S. S., Caccese, V., and Zhao, H., [2002], “Modeling and Analysis of Tapered Sandwich Beams,” Proceedings of the American Society for Composites 17th Technical Conference, Purdue University, October 21-23, 2002.
39) Caccese, V., Weybrandt, E., and Messier, R.M,., [1999], “A Computational Study of the Variation of Connection Forces with Heading in Large, Articulated, Semi-submersible Ocean Structures”, Proc. of the Very Large Ocean Structures Conf., Honolulu, HI, September 1999.
40) Elgaaly, M., and Caccese, V., [1995], “Thin Plate Shear Walls; Research into Practice,” First National Conference on Research Transfer into Practice, University of Maryland, April 1995.
41) Dagher, H.J., Caccese, Altimore, F. Hsu, YR. Wolfe, R and Ritter, M. [1995] “Using Lightweight MPC Wood Trusses in Bridges”, Proceedings of the 1995 ASCE Structures Congress, Boston, MA, April 1995.
42) Caccese, V., Dagher, H.J., and Light, K.H., [1993] “Remote Monitoring of a Stressed Timber Bridge Deck,” Proc. of the 1993 Structures Congress, Irvine, CA., April 1993,
43) Caccese, V., Elgaaly, M., and Chen, R. [1993]. “Experimental Study of Thin Steel-Plate Shear Walls Under Cyclic Load.” American Society of Civil Engineering Journal of Structural . Engineering, 119(2), 573–587.
44) Elgaaly, M., Caccese, V., and Du, C. [1993]. “Postbuckling Behavior of Steel-Plate Shear Walls under Cyclic Loads.” American Society of Civil Engineering Journal of Structural Engineering, 119(2), 588–605.
45) Caccese, V., [1993] “Dynamic Behavior of Steel Core in The Unwinding Process”, TAPPI J. Vol.76, No.10: 51-61.
46) Caccese, V., and Martin, D.K., [1992], “An Object Based Data Acquisition System for Use in Structural Testing,” Proceedings of the 10th National Conference on Microcomputers in Civil Engineering, Orlando, Florida, November 1992.
47) Elgaaly, M., Caccese, V., Du, C and Chen, R., [1992], “Steel Plate Shear Walls for Earthquakes,” Proceedings of the Third Pacific Structural Steel Conference, Tokyo, Japan, October 1992.
48) Dagher, H.J., Caccese, V., Hebert, R., and Schwartz, M., [1991], “Feasibility of CCA-Treated Stressed Timber Bridge Decks”, Forest Products Journal, Vol. 41, No. 10, pp. 60-64.
49) Caccese, V., Dagher, H.J., and Hebert, R., [1991], “Design and Monitoring of a CCA-Treated Stressed Timber Bridge Deck”, Forest Products Journal, Vol. 41, No. 11/12, pp. 74-78.
50) Caccese, V., and Martin, D.K., [1991], “Measuring Nonlinear Dynamic Response Using Microcomputers,” Proceedings of the ASME International Computers in Engineering Conference, August 1991.
51) Caccese, V., Maripudi, V., and Detwiler, K., [1991], “Behavior of an Oil Tanker Truck Containment Shell,” the Proceedings of the 1991 Annual Technical Session of the Structural Stability Research Council, April 1991.
52) Dagher, H.J., Caccese, V., and Hebert, R., [1990] “Design of CCA-Treated Stressed Timber Decks,” Bridge Engineering Research in Progress, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, October 1990.
53) Elgaaly, M., Caccese, V., Du, C and Chen, R., [1990], “Dynamic Response of Steel Plate Shear Walls,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Vibration Problems in Engineering, PR China, June 1990.
54) Caccese, V., Elgaaly, M., and Chen, R., [1990], “Cyclic Testing of 1:4 Scale Models of Thin Steel Plate Shear Walls,” Proceedings of the Fourth U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Palm Springs, California, EERI, Vol. 2, pp. 565-574, May 1990.
55) Elgaaly, M., Caccese, V., and Du, C. [1990], “Steel Plate Shear Walls – Post-Buckling Behavior Under Cyclic Loads,” Proceedings of the Fourth U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering, Palm Springs, California, EERI, Vol. 2, pp. 895-904, May 1990.
56) Elgaaly, M., Caccese, V., Chen, and R. Du, C, [1990], “Design of Steel Plate Shear Walls,” Proceedings of the 1990 National Steel Construction Conference, Kansas City, MO.
57) Caccese, V., and Harris, H.G., [1990], “Earthquake Simulation Testing of Small Scale Concrete Structures,” American Concrete Institute Structural Journal, Vol. 87, No. 1, pp. 72-80.
58) Elgaaly, M., Caccese, V., and Du, C., [1989], “Post-Buckling Strength of Plate – Finite Elements vs. Empirical Models,” Proceedings of the Technical Session of the Structural Stability Research Council, New York, NY, April 1989.
59) Caccese, V., Elgaaly, M., and Chen, R, [1988], “Microcomputer Controlled Cyclic Testing of Thin Steel Plate Shear Walls,” Sixth National Conference on Microcomputers in Civil Engineering, Orlando, Florida, November 1988.
60) Caccese, V., [1987], “Microcomputer Based Data Acquisition Systems for Use in Structural Testing,” Fifth National Conference on Microcomputers in Civil Engineering, W.E. Carrol, ed., Orlando, Florida, November 1987.
61) Caccese, V., and Harris, H.G., [1987], “Seismic Resistance of Precast Concrete Shear Walls,” International Journal of Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics, August 1987, pp. 661-678.
62) Caccese, V., and Harris, H.G., [1986], “Earthquake Simulation Testing of Small-Scale Concrete Structures,” ACI Session on Physical Models in Engineering Education and Practice, November 1986.
63) Caccese, V., and Harris, H.G., [1986], “Seismic Behavior of Precast Concrete Shear Walls – Correlation of Experimental and Analytical Results,” Third U.S. National Conference on Earthquake Engineering, EERI, Charleston, South Carolina, August 1986.
64) Caccese, V., and Harris, H.G., [1986], “Nonlinear Behavior of Precast Concrete Shear Walls Under Simulated Earthquake Loading,” Dynamic Response of Structures, Proceedings of the Third ASCE Engineering Mechanics Specialty Conference, University of California at Los Angeles, March 1986.
65) Caccese, V., and Harris, H.G., [1984], “Behavior of Precast Concrete Shear Walls of Large Panel Buildings Using a Small Shaking Table,” Proceedings of the 8th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering, San Francisco, CA, July 1984.
66) Harris, H.G., and Caccese, V., [1983], “Behavior of Precast Concrete Shear Walls of Large Panel Buildings under Earthquake Loading,” Proceedings of the Workshop on Seismic Safety of Prefabricated Concrete Buildings, Sofia, Bulgaria, October 1983.
Hybrid Structures Laboratory
Mission
The mission of the hybrid structures laboratory is to accelerate the development of knowledge and technology is the area of structural mechanics. In addition this knowledge will be used to assist outside businesses to create innovative products and services. Additional goals of the laboratory are to promote economic development in Maine through growing this critically needed economic sector, creating jobs, and positioning Maine as a leader in the development of products, strategies and technology in this emerging area of need, to provide a high-level laboratory and consultation resource that would be readily accessible to businesses, entrepreneurs, and researchers throughout Maine and beyond and to sustain and expand research and development in this area.
Description of Facilities
The Hybrid Structures Laboratory is housed in the University of Maine Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMC) contains these major facilities.
| MTS 458 Universal Reaction Frame System | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axial Actuators | +/- 22,000 lb Capacity and a 6 in. Stroke | |||
| +/- 55,000 lb Capacity and a 6 in. Stroke | ||||
| +/- 55,000 lb Capacity and a 20 in. Stroke | ||||
| +/- 165,000 lb Capacity and a 6 in. Stroke | ||||
| +/- 300,000 lb Capacity and a 20 in. Stroke | ||||
| Work Envelope | LWH = 11′X13′X20′ | |||
| Hydraulic Capacity | 10,000PSI | |||
| Data Acquisition | 16 bit, 5kHz | |||
| Waveform Generation | Analog | |||
| MTS 810 Material Testing System | |
|---|---|
| Axial Actuator | +/- 110,000 lb Capacity and a 6 in. Stroke |
| Work Envelope | LWH = 30” X 30” X 83” |
| Hydraulic Capacity | 10,000 PSI |
| Frame Capacity | 110,000 lb |
| Data Acquisition | 16 Bit, 5 kHz |
| Waveform Generation | 32 bit digital |
| Vibration Testing Systems | |
|---|---|
| LDS V875LS Shaker Table | 8,000lb Capacity, 1 to 3,000 Hz in 3 axes, 76.2 mm stroke |
| MB Electronics Exciter Table | 250lb Capacity |
| MB Electronics Exciter Table | 25lb Capacity |
| Modal Test Equipment | Spectral Dynamics Jaguar 100 channel |
| SigLab 2 Channel with MATLAB Integration | |
| DSpace digital signal processor | |
| CSZ Tundra Walk-In Climate Chamber | |
|---|---|
| Chamber Size (L x W x H) | 84-1/2″ x 130″ x 96″ |
| Door Opening (W x H) | 35-1/2″ x 77-1/2″ |
| Temperature Range C (F) | -45 to +93 (-50 to +200) |
| Humidity Range | 10% to 95 % RH |
| Data Acquisition | Configurable, Custom |
| Construction | Stainless Steel |
| Singleton SCCH Salt Fog Chamber 26SL | |
|---|---|
| Chamber Size (L x W x H) | 120″ x 48″ x 36″ |
| Temperature Range C (F) | Ambient to +50 (Ambient to +120) |
| Humidity Range | Ambient to 100% RH |
| Air Exchange Rate | 90 to 100 SCFH |
| Construction | Steel |
Showcase Industry Projects
1) Applied Thermal Sciences (ATS), Sanford, ME – Assisted ATS in the development of laser welded sandwich panels. ATS is now involved in a multi-million dollar effort to produce panels, in Sanford Maine for Bath Iron Works ships. In addition we work on the development of the advanced toriodal engine with them.
2) Ocean Farms Technology, Searsport, ME – Assisted OFT in development of their award winning Aquapod offshore acquaculture system. The efforts of OFT were highly supported by MTI. The HSL performed some of the preliminary investigation into the structure for Steve Page and continue to perform material verification testing.
3) Trans Tech Inc., Brewer, ME – Assisted Trans Tech is obtaining a conformance certification to the DOT 406 regulations. Competitors were claiming that the Trans Tech design could not meet code. However, at the HSL we scientifically proved that it was code compliant and their design was subsequently certified.
4) Bath Iron Works, Bath ME – Investigated fatigue life of a novel pipe connection designed by a BIW engineer, Don Oakes. This connection allowed for looser tolerance in fitup saving installation time and cost. In another effort we worked on a multi-million dollar effort to develop a composite support structure for a novel electric drive motor.
5) Ageis Bicycles, Van Buren, ME – Performed testing and computer modeling of their carbon fiber bike frames to show that their stiffness was equivalent to traditional bikes.
6) Raven Technologies – Assisted in development of the housing for their truck mounted AC generator.
7) Forster Manufacturing, Wilton, ME. – Optimal design of plastic cutlery using finite element analysis
8) Evolution Company, – Development of a novel boat shaft design. Field tested the design on a Grand Banks Yacht.
Companies outside Maine have also employed the HSL for various efforts including 1) Navatek, 2)Avondale Shipyard, 3) Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 4) Alaskan Pipe and Supply Co.