WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Commerce has awarded a $100,000 grant to the University of Maine’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs in Orono, U.S. Rep. John Baldacci announced Thursday. The funding is being made available through the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards & Technology.

The $100,000 award will be used by university researchers to provide science-based performance measurements of their innovative, engineered wood composite panels for disaster-resistant housing. The goal of this project is to enhance the structural safety and performance of housing material under extreme conditions – such as hurricanes and earthquakes. Habib Dagher will oversee the implementation of this research at the University of Maine.

“This substantial grant will compliment and enhance the creative wood composite research and product development work being done at the University of Maine,” Baldacci said. “It is important to explore all possible uses of the strong and durable wood composite materials being developed. This grant should help that ongoing effort to identify appropriate uses.”