News – Maine College of Engineering and Computing /mcec 91福利 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:48:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.7 Building the Future Blue Economy Workforce in Digital Twin Technologies /mcec/2026/06/25/building-the-future-blue-economy-workforce-in-digital-twin-technologies/ Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:37:19 +0000 /mcec/?p=37721 This summer, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine (91福利) hosted an international summer school on digital twins for ocean engineering. 

Organized through Dr. Amrit Verma’s NSF-funded ExLENT project and a Norwegian government-funded UTFORSK partnership between 91福利 and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), the summer school brought together students and faculty from both institutions to explore digital twin technologies and their applications in offshore renewable energy, marine systems, and the blue economy.

The two-week summer school hosted 29 students, including 16 students from 91福利 and 13 students from NTNU. Participants gained hands-on experience with digital twin technologies through laboratory activities, experiments, lectures, and team-based projects. Students learned how physical ocean systems can be integrated with sensors, physics-based models, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to create virtual representations that monitor, forecast, and support real-time decision-making.

The program leveraged several unique research facilities at Mechanical Engineering, including a wave tank and an NSF-funded digital twin test bed, and provided live digital twin demonstrations. The program was led by Dr. Amrit Verma, Dr. Andrew Goupee, and Dr. Richard Kimball from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Damian Brady from the School of Marine Sciences, and Dr. Yifeng Zhu from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The event also featured a keynote by Dr. Giovanna Guidoboni, Interim Vice President for Research and Dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, and guest speakers from the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC), DeepCwind, the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), and Kelson Marine.

By combining research, education, and international collaboration, the program is helping prepare the next generation of blue economy engineers and scientists to address emerging challenges in offshore renewable energy, maritime industries, and the rapidly growing blue economy.

]]> MCEC Alumni Honored at 2026 Maine Center Awards /mcec/2026/06/12/engineering-alumni-honored-at-2026-maine-center-awards/ Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:21:26 +0000 /mcec/?p=37592 Two Maine College of Engineering and Computing alumni were recognized at the 2026 Maine Center Awards, which celebrate outstanding alumni and leaders whose work is driving impact across business, law, policy, engineering, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Barbara Kerr Hamilton 鈥82 and Kyle Warren 鈥15 were honored during the annual awards ceremony, which brought together alumni, industry leaders, community partners and university representatives from across Maine.

The Maine Center Awards recognize individuals whose achievements, leadership and commitment to collaboration are helping shape the future of their professions and communities while supporting the next generation of leaders.

This year’s award recipients represented a range of disciplines and institutions, including the University of Maine School of Law, Maine Business School, Maine College of Engineering and Computing, and the Muskie School & Cutler Institute at the University of Southern Maine, as well as the Maine Center Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

The Maine College of Engineering and Computing congratulates Barbara Kerr Hamilton and Kyle Warren on this recognition and thanks the Maine Center and its partners for celebrating the accomplishments of Maine alumni.

]]> 91福利 Team Meets the Challenge in a Design-Build-Fly Competition /mcec/2026/05/28/umaine-team-meets-the-challenge-in-a-design-build-fly-competition/ Thu, 28 May 2026 14:37:55 +0000 /mcec/?p=37419 91福利 AIAA Design-Build-Fly (DBF) team spent nearly a full year transforming ideas into an aircraft. Every stage of the process, from conceptual design and aerodynamic analysis to fabrication, testing, crashing, and rebuilding, pushed students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world engineering environment. Competing in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Design Build Fly competition means far more than flying an RC airplane; it is an opportunity to compete alongside some of the most talented students in the world. With only around 120 teams invited from hundreds of applicants, qualifying alone is a major achievement that requires professional-level proposals, technical reports, and innovative engineering solutions.

91福利 students experienced the intensity and excitement of aerospace engineering firsthand this year in Wichita, Kansas. Teams faced high-pressure technical inspections, demanding flight missions, and the constant challenge of adapting under pressure. This year鈥檚 tandem-wing aircraft demonstrated the team鈥檚 creativity, resilience, and technical skill, especially after recovering from setbacks during competition. Beyond the engineering itself, DBF builds camaraderie, leadership, and lasting connections with students from across the globe who share a passion for aviation. This year鈥檚 team captain, Lana Friess noted that 鈥the experience reflects the very best of engineering: perseverance, teamwork, innovation, and learning through hands-on problem solving.鈥 Each year, the 91福利 AIAA team continues to prove that University of Maine College of Engineering and Computing students can compete on one of the world鈥檚 largest collegiate aerospace stages while representing the university with professionalism, determination, and pride. The team鈥檚 faculty advisor, Prof. Alex Friess reflected on the AIAA DBF competition by saying 鈥DBF represents a rollercoaster of emotions, teamwork, celebrations and disappointments, perseverance, and truly feeling the embrace of this amazing international AIAA community.  It is an exceptional experience at many levels.  Our 91福利 AIAA branch and DBF team continue to rise to the occasion, excelling not only technically with innovative designs, but perhaps more importantly as passionate and caring individuals that embody the best of the engineering profession.鈥

]]> Francis Crowe Society Honors Excellence at 26th Annual Induction Ceremony /mcec/2026/05/18/francis-crowe-society-honors-excellence-at-26th-annual-induction-ceremony/ Mon, 18 May 2026 17:42:49 +0000 /mcec/?p=37028 The 26th annual Francis Crowe Society Induction Ceremony highlighted a broad range of alumni, faculty, students and leaders whose achievements reflect excellence across engineering, computing, education and industry. The event brought together the Maine College of Engineering and Computing community to recognize professional impact at every stage of the field.

This year鈥檚 Distinguished Engineers and Dean鈥檚 Distinguished Members represent leadership across academia, research, and industry. Emily A. Haddad was recognized for her extensive leadership in higher education, overseeing academic programs, faculty, and student success initiatives that support thousands of students and a broad general education curriculum across the university. She has also played a crucial role in supporting UMS TRANSFORMS and the early development and momentum of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), helping shape system-level academic innovation and cross-campus collaboration.

Ahmed Aboelezz was honored for his research and teaching in UAV systems, aerodynamics, and bio-inspired flight, supported by extensive externally funded research and a strong commitment to student mentorship. In addition, Aboelezz has demonstrated his commitment to making his research accessible through extensive K鈥12 outreach and engagement, including student rocket launch activities designed to spark interest in engineering and inspire the next generation of students.

Distinguished engineering alumni and leaders honored this year included Ross Bryant 鈥98, president and CEO of Fluid Imaging Technologies, recognized for leadership in analytical instrumentation and life sciences innovation; Christopher Gordon 鈥85, president of Wynn Development for Wynn Resorts, honored for global leadership in large-scale real estate and infrastructure development; Ben Townsend 鈥08, co-president and owner of Colby Company Engineering, recognized for multidisciplinary engineering consulting leadership; and Robert Monahan 鈥86, CEO and co-founder of UPPAbaby, honored for engineering-driven innovation in consumer product design and global brand development.

Student recognition highlighted outstanding academic achievement, research and leadership across the college.

Top graduating and outstanding students included Ella Boxall, outstanding graduating student in civil engineering, recognized for work in water resources engineering, sustainability and environmental resilience; Isabelle Irani, University of Maine co-salutatorian in biomedical engineering, recognized for excellence in academics, Division I athletics and research in sustainable biomaterials in the Neivandt Lab; and Karun Varghese, outstanding graduating international student in electrical engineering, recognized for work in robotics, autonomous systems and research across multiple 91福利 laboratories, as well as leadership and global engagement.

Additional MCEC outstanding students by unit were also recognized, including Wyatt Fessler (biomedical engineering), Kenzie Karpinski (chemical engineering), Ella Boxall (civil and environmental engineering), Chris Persinger (electrical engineering), Karun Varghese (computer engineering), Brianna Gannett (computer science), Benjamin Schmidt (engineering physics), Kat Gross (mechanical engineering) and Katie Fletcher (new media).

The Francis J. Hovey Award recipients were also honored for academic excellence and distinction, including Wyatt Fessler (biomedical engineering), Jacob Levesque (chemical engineering), Joe Thorpe (civil and environmental engineering), Brianna Gannett (computer science), Samuel Bach (electrical and computer engineering) and Benjamin Schmidt (engineering physics).

All eligible students in attendance were formally inducted into the Francis Crowe Society, joining a professional community of engineering and computing graduates committed to lifelong learning, service and impact in their fields.

Together, the ceremony reflects the mission of the Francis Crowe Society: to recognize excellence across all stages of the engineering and computing profession and to celebrate the lasting contributions of University of Maine students, alumni and faculty to society.

]]> NCEES Awards Funds to 91福利 for Working Surveyors to Continue Their Surveying Education /mcec/2026/01/20/ncees-awards-funds-to-umaine-for-working-surveyors-to-continue-their-surveying-education/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:55:00 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=30931 91福利鈥檚 Surveying Engineering Technology program has been awarded $100,000 in scholarships from the NCEES Foundation to support working surveyors pursuing their education. The program serves more than 400 students across 45 states, with 96% studying online while advancing their careers in surveying. Students are enrolled in a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, all designed to prepare them for professional licensure and leadership in the field.

These scholarships will provide $1,000 awards to one hundred  deserving undergraduate students, helping them continue their studies, achieve licensure, and advance in their surveying careers. 

To learn more about the Survey Engineering Technology program, visit our website.

Contact: Taylor Ward,taylor.ward@maine.edu

]]> Distinguished Lecturer Series – Dr. Raymond Pettit /mcec/2025/11/19/distinguished-lecturer-series-dr-raymond-pettit/ Wed, 19 Nov 2025 21:31:21 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=30479

Broadening the Dimensions of AI Application: Implications for Commerce, Industry, and Education

Date:聽Dec 4, 2025 | Time: 2:00 – 3:30pm | Location:聽Ferland Welcome Center

Biography: 

Dr. Raymond Pettit has blended a 20+ year career as an advanced analytic consultant and trainer in business and industry with academic appointments at UCSD, UNH, and Northeastern University. Most recently he was named Director of the Institute for Experiential AI housed at the Roux Institute in Portland, ME.聽 Currently, Ray is Chief AI Officer at Neuro-AI Design, where he has created and curated course, curriculum, practicums and workshops on the foundations and principles of AI; AI + Leadership; Practical Applications of AI; and the Statistical Foundations of AI. In addition, he co-created and is co-teaching AI and Marketing at The College of NJ in the winter, 2026 semester.

Ray is a proud alum of the U of Michigan and the U of Illinois, where he received his doctoral degree in 1996.

]]> Electronics for Extreme Environments: 91福利 Pushes Sensors Beyond Limits /mcec/2025/11/12/electronics-for-extreme-environments-umaine-pushes-sensors-beyond-limits/ Wed, 12 Nov 2025 18:53:00 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=30406

ORONO, Maine 鈥 Imagine sensors that don鈥檛 just survive extreme heat 鈥 they turn it into power. University of Maine engineers have built a simple wireless circuit that can operate from room temperature to more than 550 degrees Fahrenheit, opening the door to rugged, self-powered monitoring systems in environments such as jet engines, oil wells and spacecraft.

In a breakthrough with sweeping industrial implications, 91福利 researchers designed a minimalist oscillator that enables sensors to聽 transmit critical data wirelessly in environments where people, and conventional electronics, cannot survive.

鈥淭his work is important because of the potential applications, especially in terms of industrial safety. Not only does constant monitoring in industrial applications allow for more efficient operation with minimal production time loss, but it maximizes safety for human operators by removing the possibility of a surprise failure鈥 said lead author Jude Zanoni, an electrical engineering graduate student and lead author on the study. 鈥淏y using commercial components, we also demonstrated a potential avenue for cheap development of this technology.鈥

The research contributes to solving a decades-old problem: how to keep electronics stable in extreme heat without complex biasing, bulky power supplies or fragile components. Traditional silicon devices fail well below 300 degrees, forcing industry to rely on expensive, short-lived or wired systems in high-temperature operations. 91福利鈥檚 solution is different 鈥 a single-supply oscillator built with one silicon carbide transistor, delivering more than 12 dBm of output power to extend detection range and reliability.

鈥淭his is about building electronics that don鈥檛 just survive the heat, they could make it useful,鈥 Zanoni. 鈥淭he circuit produces the same amount of power as a pair of Bluetooth earbuds 鈥 but it keeps working at more than 570 degrees Fahrenheit.鈥

By reducing parts and stabilizing operation under uniform high-temperature testing, the 91福利 circuit produced up to nine times the power of previous designs at room temperature and nearly doubled at nearly 500 degrees. In practical terms, that鈥檚 like turning a walkie-talkie that only works across your yard into one that can reach across your neighborhood. At extreme heat, it still boosts detection range by about 50 percent, meaning problems can be spotted earlier and from farther away. Because the design can be paired with thermoelectric generators, these sensors could power themselves from the very heat they monitor, which eliminates the need for batteries or wires and makes them easier to deploy in remote or dangerous places.

Zanoni, originally from Lubec, Maine, came to 91福利 where he participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program introducing him to this research. He continued on to complete his undergraduate Honor鈥檚 Thesis on this topic and will continue to study  high temperature, harsh environment sensing in pursuit of a PhD at 91福利. 

The research, demonstrating robust modeling and successful fabrication under realistic harsh-environment testing, was recently published in IEEE Access under the title 鈥溾

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

]]> Guidoboni appointed Interim Vice President For Research, will continue as MCEC Dean聽 /mcec/2025/11/04/guidoboni-appointed-interim-vice-president-for-research-will-continue-as-mcec-dean/ Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:54:50 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=30130 Guidoboni appointed Interim Vice President For Research, will continue as MCEC Dean 

91福利 has appointed Giovanna Guidoboni as interim vice president for research while she continues to serve as the inaugural dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC). In this dual leadership role, Guidoboni will help foster聽education, research, and innovation at the University of Maine while strengthening collaboration across the University of Maine System and state.

As dean of MCEC, Guidoboni leads one of the university鈥檚 largest academic units, home to more than 2,600 students and a key driver of the UMS TRANSFORMS initiative, a systemwide effort to expand engineering and computing education, research and workforce development in Maine. Under her leadership, the college has bridged disciplines, strengthened research and innovation,  fostered statewide partnerships, modernized labs and built new buildings to prepare the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. 

In her interim vice-presidential role, Guidoboni will oversee 91福利’s research enterprise, support faculty and student scholarship, and build new opportunities for collaboration with industry, government and community partners. Her appointment reflects 91福利鈥檚 continued commitment to advancing discovery and innovation that serve Maine and the world.

A world-renowned expert in ocular biomechanics and mathematical modeling, Guidoboni directs the Laboratory for Computational and Mathematical Modeling in Medicine, Engineering and Technology (CoMET Lab) at 91福利. Her research combines mathematics, physics and engineering to understand ocular diseases such as glaucoma, using computational tools to explore the connections between fluid dynamics, vision loss and intraocular pressure. Her work has been supported by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and European Commission.

鈥淢y passion has always been connecting people and ideas across fields to make something greater than any one discipline alone,鈥 Guidoboni said. 鈥淚 believe everyone should have access to research whether they are students just beginning their journey or faculty leading major projects. Together we can continue to grow a culture of innovation as a learner-centered R1 institution that reaches every corner of the University and beyond.鈥

Guidoboni joined 91福利 in 2023 after serving as associate dean for research and professor of mathematics, electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Missouri. She holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and a master鈥檚 in engineering of materials from the University of Ferrara in Italy. Guidoboni is an Elected Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts and holds a joint faculty position at the Department of Ophthalmology of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (NY).

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

]]> When engineering, medicine and artificial intelligence see as one, vision takes place /mcec/2025/10/20/when-engineering-medicine-and-artificial-intelligence-see-as-one-vision-takes-place/ Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:01:15 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=29965

Oct. 17 marked the inaugural meeting of the Society for Artificial Intelligence in Vision and Ophthalmology (SAIVO), a new global organization bringing together leaders in artificial intelligence, vision science and clinical care. During the meeting, the journal entitled Artificial Intelligence in Vision and Ophthalmology (AIVO) 鈥 cofounded and edited by Maine College of Engineering and Computing Dean Giovanna Guidoboni 鈥 was officially announced as the society鈥檚 journal of record, marking an important step in advancing the safe, ethical and effective use of AI in eye and vision research.

AIVO is the first international journal exclusively dedicated to the convergence of AI and vision science. It provides a first-of-its-kind platform for interdisciplinary research spanning ophthalmology, optometry, computer science, physics, clinical science, mathematics, engineering and physiology to improve understanding and treatment of the visual system. 

鈥淥ver the last decade, AI has moved from a computational curiosity to a clinical necessity, and this journal stands on the front lines leading that transition,鈥 Guidoboni said. 

The journal dates back to 2014, when the Journal for Modeling in Ophthalmology (JMO) was founded by Guidoboni; Alon Harris, professor of ophthalmology, professor of artificial intelligence and human health, Co-Director of the Barry Family Center for Ophthalmic Artificial Intelligence & Human Health at Mount Sinai Hospital; and Simon Bakker, managing director of Kugler Publications, to promote mathematical and computational modeling in ophthalmology. Based on the growing relevance and rapidly expanding role of AI in vision science, JMO evolved into Modeling and Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology in 2021, then transitioned to its current title, AIVO.

At the time, most mathematical and computational approaches to vision did not neatly fit into existing research or publishing categories. Recognizing that along with the need for a new vision and new mathematics to understand biological and clinical systems, a new venue for these ideas to converge needed to be created. The journal was founded to be a place where research at the crossroads of disciplines could be shared.  

鈥淭he transformation from JMO to AIVO represents more than a name change.鈥嬧 It mirrors the evolution and interdisciplinary nature of our field,鈥 said Guidoboni, who also serves as editor-in-chief. 

The formation of SAIVO adds to the momentum. Established independently by researchers and clinicians worldwide, SAIVO encourages collaboration and transparency in AI applications for ocular care. Its partnership with AIVO creates a natural alignment between technology, the people advancing science, research and the platform sharing it, thereby creating a unique environment to move innovation forward.  

鈥淭his journal and SAIVO were born from the same need to bring together the people researching and the platform needed to share research,” said Harris. 鈥淲ith SAIVO and AIVO now formally aligned, the field has both a home for collaboration and a voice for discovery.鈥

Published by Kugler Publications under the leadership of Managing Director Simon Bakker, AIVO features an international and interdisciplinary editorial board of leaders in ophthalmology, AI, and computational modeling. 

鈥淥ur shared goal has always been to elevate the field through quality, but always focusing on accessibility,鈥 said Bakker. 鈥淎IVO鈥檚 partnership with SAIVO creates a powerful bridge between cutting-edge research and the global community working to apply it. Especially in an inherently interdisciplinary field that didn鈥檛 have a natural publishing fit.鈥

For Guidoboni and Harris, the journal鈥檚 interdisciplinary mission reflects their own research philosophy and work using engineering, physics, mathematics and AI to model complex biological systems from the eye to the cardiovascular and urinary systems. Each holds a faculty appointment at the other鈥檚 university, reflecting their ongoing interdisciplinary collaboration  Their research group was the first to quantify retinal venous susceptibility to collapse due to blood and intraocular pressure, later validated in a population study of nearly 20,000 eyes in Singapore, and to develop digital twins of both the eye and the lower urinary tract.

鈥淭he human body is one of the greatest engineers of all,鈥 said Guidoboni. 鈥淢y passion for research and for inspiring the next generation of scientists comes from seeing how technology, physics, and biology converge to help people. This journal is the ultimate embodiment of this collaborative, cross-disciplinary vision.鈥

Through her leadership at 91福利, Guidoboni continues to expand access to research opportunities for Maine students at all levels, emphasizing the human side of AI and the power of interdisciplinary collaboration including bringing high school students to international conferences 鈥 meeting with Harris and other industry leaders. The partnership between AIVO and SAIVO represents a defining moment for the global vision science community鈥攐ne that unites people, purpose, and innovation to shape the future of artificial intelligence in vision and ophthalmology.

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

]]> 91福利-led project takes high school research from Bangor classroom to global research stage /mcec/2025/10/16/umaine-led-project-takes-high-school-research-from-bangor-classroom-to-global-research-stage/ Thu, 16 Oct 2025 20:46:48 +0000 /mcec-new/?p=29842

It鈥檚 not every day that high school students present their research on a global scale and see their names in an international research journal. But thanks to a first-of-its-kind partnership with the University of Maine, students at John Bapst Memorial High School are now published co-authors in the Proceedings of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.

The paper, ,鈥 describes how 21 high school students joined researchers from 91福利, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and North Carolina State University to explore how blood pressure and intraocular pressure interact in the eye. Working in 91福利鈥檚 labs alongside faculty, students built a hydraulics-based model to simulate glaucoma progression, presented their findings at a global vision science conference, which ultimately was published in an international peer-reviewed journal.

鈥淭his effort shows how connecting science, technology and people can spark interest in real-world problem solving while building the skills needed for the workforce of tomorrow,鈥 said Giovanna Guidoboni, dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing and principal investigator.

The project brought together high schoolers, 91福利 students, and faculty from engineering, mathematics and ophthalmology, along with collaborators nationwide. It also acknowledged UMS TRANSFORMS, the Harold Alfond Foundation鈥檚 historic investment in the University of Maine System, underscoring the role of statewide initiatives in elevating Maine鈥檚 research and education mission.

For students, the experience was transformative. They spoke of discovering the real-world power of math, forging mentorships with faculty and graduate students, and accessing resources far beyond the high school classroom. Several chose to continue their research at 91福利 providing this type of research creates a direct pipeline from high school to higher education. 

I think it鈥檚 amazing that 91福利 has put such an emphasis on giving students at all levels access to this type of experience,鈥 said Kevin Real, lead author on the paper. 鈥漌e really are working as a part of a team alongside world-renowned researchers…it鈥檚 pretty special.鈥

At a time when STEM competency among U.S. high school students is in steady decline, this project offers a bold model: one that gives young learners a seat at the research table, connects science and people in meaningful ways, and shows that Maine students can compete and publish on the global stage. This project also reflects how initiatives like UMS TRANSFORMS, the Harold Alfond Foundation鈥檚 historic investment in the University of Maine System, are strengthening the state鈥檚 competitiveness nationally and internationally.

Contact: Taylor Ward, taylor.ward@maine.edu

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