Magazine Calls UMaine Professor a Composites Industry Leader

Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571

ORONO — “Composites Manufacturing” magazine has recognized Habib Dagher, director of the University of Maine’s AEWC Advanced Structures and Composites Center as one of the industry’s leaders.

Dagher is one of 16 people out of a pool of 50 nominees who were selected to receive the B.E.S.T. Award, which stands for bright, energetic, skilled trailblazers.

In the current issue, which highlights the award recipients, Dagher is described as advancing the use of composites in a variety of industries, particularly military and infrastructure applications.

They cite the recently developed and implemented Bridge in a Backpack that aims to streamline the process of bridge building by using lightweight rigidified composite arches that are easily transported in place of heavy steel beams.

They also note his efforts to build ships made with composite materials for the Navy, and assist in rebuilding efforts for hurricane victims using composite building materials.

Dagher’s other achievements include his work with the wind energy industry, testifying before the U.S. Senate and meeting with U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu to propose an offshore wind energy testing facility in Maine.

When notified of the award, Dagher was quick to share the credit for this achievement.

“This award goes to all 150 faculty, staff, and students who work at the composites center at UMaine,” Dagher says. “It is humbling that Maine is recognized for this first-time award.”