Researchers from the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) are studying how new technologies could make that process more efficient and environmentally sustainable.

The five-year study focuses on woody biomass 鈥� wood and other forest materials used to produce energy 鈥� and how it can be produced, harvested and transported more efficiently.

The $649,836 project is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture鈥檚 National Institute of Food and Agriculture through its Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. It is led by Libin Thaikkattil Louis, assistant professor of forestry at UMFK, in collaboration with 91福利 School of Forest Resources faculty members Anil Raj Kizha and Adam Daigneault.

The research will examine how emerging technologies can improve the production, harvesting and transportation of woody biomass while supporting healthy forest ecosystems and sustainable economic growth.

The findings are expected to provide practical information for forest landowners, industry professionals and policymakers as the region transitions toward a more sustainable bioeconomy.

The project will support one master鈥檚 student and one doctoral student at 91福利, the state’s only R1 learner-centered university.

鈥淥ur forests play a vital role in supporting both the environment and the economy,鈥� Louis said. 鈥淭his research will help us better understand how emerging technologies can improve the efficiency of biomass supply chains while ensuring responsible forest management. 

鈥淏y integrating ecological, economic and social considerations, we hope to provide stakeholders with the information they need to make informed decisions that support healthy forests and thriving rural communities.鈥�

Louis, whose research focuses on sustainable forest management and timber-harvesting economics, earned his Ph.D. from 91福利.

The USDA-funded project is titled 鈥淎ssessing Forest Readiness for Creating Efficient Biomass Supply Chains: Perceptions on Emerging and Innovative Technologies.鈥�

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative is the nation鈥檚 leading competitive grants program supporting research, education and extension projects that address critical challenges facing agriculture, natural resources and rural communities.

Contact: Dave Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu

The that Maine鈥檚 Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub has been awarded $20 million to accelerate commercialization of advanced forest bioproducts and strengthen Maine鈥檚 forest economy.

Maine鈥檚 Tech Hub is a consortium of public and private partners led by the University of Maine, including core collaborators from the state of Maine and the Maine Technology Institute (MTI). 

With this investment from the EDA, the Tech Hub partners will work together to expand commercial-scale production of new forest products, strengthen Maine鈥檚 manufacturing infrastructure, and develop the skilled workforce needed to support long-term growth in the state鈥檚 forest bioproducts industry.

鈥淢aine鈥檚 Tech Hub represents the future of forest innovation, building on two centuries of forest industry leadership and 160 years of University of Maine excellence in research, development, education, and the cultivation of world-class facilities that serve the forest economy,鈥� said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of the University of Maine and its regional campus in Machias, as well as vice chancellor for research and innovation for the University of Maine System. 鈥淭ogether with our partners, and powered by the expertise of our talented faculty, staff and students, we will position Maine as a global leader in advanced forest biomaterials, economic growth and innovation.鈥�

Maine鈥檚 Tech Hub will build on the EDA-supported work of Forest Opportunity Roadmap/Maine (FOR/Maine) to ensure that Maine continues to adapt to changing markets and maintain its leading role in the global forest economy. The Hub鈥檚 focus is on supporting companies that are converting low-value wood into next-generation products in three areas of strategic national significance: advanced construction systems, advanced packaging materials and alternative aviation fuels.

鈥淟ow-value wood is an abundant domestic resource with untapped potential to reshore manufacturing and reduce America鈥檚 dependence on volatile foreign supply chains,鈥� said Renee Kelly, acting regional innovation officer for Maine鈥檚 Tech Hub and 91福利鈥檚 associate vice president for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources and Engagement (SPIRE). 鈥淲ith 16 million acres of trees, world-leading forest products R&D, well-established infrastructure to harvest and process wood products, and a strong coalition committed to the growth of Maine鈥檚 forest economy, Maine is best positioned to turn this opportunity into lasting economic impact.鈥�

The Maine Tech Hub is structured to help companies overcome common challenges in scaling production of new technologies and to assist them in finding a clear path to market. As a global leader in forest bioproducts R&D, 91福利 will oversee the Hub project area focused on technology development (helping companies develop, test and pilot new products) and coordinate the Hub鈥檚 governance structure. 

Maine Technology Institute (MTI) will focus on market development for new products by providing vouchers and grants, supporting entrepreneurship, expanding export assistance and attracting investment. 

The Maine Department of Labor will lead workforce development by creating and scaling registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships aligned with advanced manufacturing and construction needs through the Bioproducts Manufacturing Apprenticeship Partnership (BioMAP). 

鈥淢arket development is often the missing link between a promising technology and a durable business,鈥� said Brian Whitney, MTI president. 鈥淢TI is taking on that early risk so our forest bioproducts partners can move faster toward commercialization, strengthen domestic supply chains, and create jobs here in Maine. We’re honored to lead this piece of the Hub’s work.鈥�

These investments will also expand apprenticeship and training opportunities to prepare workers for careers in Maine鈥檚 growing forest bioproducts industry.

鈥淭he Tech Hub鈥檚 strategy represents a coordinated, employer-led approach to workforce development that will strengthen Maine鈥檚 competitiveness in the forest bioproducts industry,鈥� said Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. 鈥淯nder the State Workforce Development Board鈥檚 leadership, this effort will scale registered apprenticeships 鈥� in coordination with industry, education, labor, and community partners 鈥� to build the skilled workforce needed for adopting smart manufacturing technologies and create clear pathways into good-paying jobs here in Maine.鈥� 

For companies, the Maine Tech Hub represents critical and welcome new investment in the growth of Maine鈥檚 forest bioproducts sector.  

鈥淏iofine is proud to be developing an industrial-scale biorefinery at the former paper mill in Lincoln, Maine, where we鈥檒l turn low-value wood waste into advanced biofuels,鈥� said Mike Cassata, co-founder and chief development officer of Biofine Developments Northeast. 鈥淭his means new, high-paying jobs and real economic revitalization for a rural community that’s been waiting for this kind of investment. Our first plant alone is designed to anchor $300 million in private capital, with products already in high demand from some of the world鈥檚 largest fuel and chemical companies. With a coordinated Tech Hub behind us, we鈥檒l be able to move faster toward production, and establish a model that can scale throughout the region and across the country.鈥�

The investment also drew support from Maine鈥檚 congressional delegation and state leaders, who highlighted its importance to Maine鈥檚 economy, workforce and future competitiveness. Their statements follow:

Sen. Susan Collins:

鈥淭his funding is welcome news for the University of Maine, Maine鈥檚 forest products industry, and the many partners working to build a stronger economic future for our state. I was proud to champion this forward-looking project, which will help find new and innovative ways to leverage our state鈥檚 bountiful natural resources, create good-paying jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and help ensure that the forest products industry remains a cornerstone of Maine鈥檚 economy for generations to come.鈥�

Sen. Angus King:

鈥淢aine鈥檚 forests have long been one of our greatest economic strengths, and this investment will help ensure the state鈥檚 forest products industry evolves with the times to remain one of our greatest competitive advantages for generations to come. By bringing together the University of Maine, Maine innovators, workers and researchers, the EDA Tech Hub will help turn homegrown materials into new products, new industries, and good-paying jobs across our state.鈥�

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree:

鈥淭his is welcome news for Maine and for the future of our forest products economy, which has enormous potential to create jobs, strengthen rural communities, and position Maine as a national leader in advanced forest bioproducts. I鈥檓 thrilled to see this funding is moving forward, and I’ll keep fighting to ensure Maine gets the federal resources it has earned and deserves.鈥�

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden:

鈥淲hether in the woods, the workshop, the lab or the cutting-edge manufacturing plant, Mainers have been leaders in the forest products industry since before statehood. This award is richly deserved. Congratulations to the University of Maine, the Maine Tech Hub and all the professionals and students who will continue to innovate and lead this sector into the future.鈥� 

Gov. Janet Mills:

鈥淭his significant federal investment reflects Maine鈥檚 growing reputation as a global leader in the advanced manufacturing of forest bioproducts. Maine companies are leading the way in manufacturing innovative and environmentally friendly products that are changing how the world builds homes and businesses, packages products, fuels transportation, and more 鈥� and in doing so, they’re writing the next great chapter of Maine’s storied forest products industry. My Administration looks forward to supporting the growth of this critical workforce, and I congratulate the University of Maine and all of Maine鈥檚 Tech Hub partners on this important award.鈥�

Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu

In the fall, University of Maine researchers will begin developing specialized surface acoustic wave resonator microchip sensors designed to operate inside future fusion reactors while monitoring the structural integrity of facilities. They will be tested under radiation conditions several orders of magnitude more intense than those found in conventional fission reactor systems.

鈥淪olid-state technologies, such as the harsh environment microwave acoustic-based sensors fabricated at 91福利, have been shown to be a viable solution for operating in nuclear environments due to their overall robustness, capability of operating under high irradiation conditions, small size and wireless operational capabilities,鈥� said Mauricio Pereira da Cunha, professor of electrical and computer engineering and researcher at 91福利鈥檚 Frontier Institute for Research in Sensor Technologies (FIRST).

Fusion energy differs from conventional nuclear fission because it combines atomic nuclei rather than splitting them apart. Scientists have long pursued fusion because it has the potential to generate large amounts of energy with fewer long-lived radioactive byproducts than traditional nuclear systems. 

As fusion technologies advance toward commercial deployment, 91福利 researchers aim to develop sensors capable of tracking temperature; reactor power, or neutron flux; and strain on reactor vessel walls without being damaged or destroyed by extreme heat and radiation.  According to Luke Doucette, senior research scientist and R&D program coordinator at

FIRST, the work builds the team鈥檚 previous research in harsh-environment sensor development for advanced nuclear applications.

鈥淚n particular, we recently demonstrated for the first time that microchip sensor devices developed at 91福利 are capable of monitoring in-core fission reactor powers while operating at temperatures up to 800 degrees Celsius, or about 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit,鈥� Doucette said. 

The current project is supported by a funding award from the Hercules program led by Helion Energy, which aims to build its first commercially-viable nuclear fusion power plant and have it delivering energy to the electric grid by 2028. 

The 91福利 team, which includes research scientist Morton Greenslit of FIRST, will test their sensors under irradiation conditions designed to simulate the harsh operating environments expected inside Helion鈥檚 fusion reactors. 

As the research progresses, the team will also plan to engage graduate and undergraduate students to work on the project.Project collaborators include engineers from Helion Energy and researchers at the University of Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory. 

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

But for Donovan and dozens of other Maine high school students, the event represented more than a rocket launch competition. It gave students hands-on engineering experience and exposed them to career opportunities in Maine鈥檚 growing STEM workforce.

For Donovan, the experience also reinforced his decision to attend 91福利 next year, where he plans to study mechanical engineering technology. He said participating in the program gave him a firsthand look at the university鈥檚 engineering opportunities and campus community.

鈥�91福利 is really competitive with every engineering program in the country, and it鈥檚 right in my backyard,鈥� said Donovan, a Presque Isle High School senior.

Students from Presque Isle, Hermon and Richmond high schools traveled to campus as part of the Black Bear Launch3D program, which connects Maine students with advanced engineering experiences. The program also helps build a pipeline of future workers for the state鈥檚 aerospace and defense industries, which currently support nearly 19,000 jobs in Maine, including around 9,600 direct jobs and another 9,300 supply-chain jobs, according to the Aerospace Industries Association.

Through the program, participants learn  how to design, simulate, prototype and test air-powered rockets using 3D printing and computer-aided design software. 91福利 faculty work with teachers to provide training, equipment and curriculum support aimed at expanding STEM opportunities in Maine schools.

Ahmed Aboelezz, a 91福利 assistant professor of mechanical engineering who founded and designed Black Bear Launch3D, said programs like this help students see engineering as an accessible career. Aboelezz initiated the program in partnership with the Maine Space Grant Consortium (MSGC) and the Perloff Foundation to upgrade 3D printing outreach into a full-cycle engineering experience.

鈥淚 wanted to move beyond just printing a model,鈥� Aboelezz said. 鈥淏y bringing teachers to campus first to learn flight simulation and design, we created a way for students to experience the full engineering process鈥攄esign, simulate, produce, and test. When they see the results of their decisions play out in real time at the competition, they start to see themselves as true engineers.鈥�

In addition to building rockets, students learned about design iteration, troubleshooting, prototyping and manufacturing technologies that are increasingly used across modern industries. Teachers in the program have said the experience gave students opportunities to apply classroom concepts in collaborative and creative ways.

鈥淒espite some clear conventions and limitations to the rocket design, the students have shown impressive creativity and innovation in their designs,鈥� said Nicholas Stahl, a teacher at Hermon High School. 鈥淭his has been doubly impressive considering most have little to no experience with physics, aerodynamics or the use of software like TinkerCAD to create physical prototypes.鈥�

For Richmond High School junior Owen Tribbet, 16, the  engineering process, mathematical calculations and computer aided design employed in making the rockets for Friday鈥檚 competition will prepare him for a future career in mechanical engineering. 

鈥淛ust the experience. Having the knowledge of how some of it works,鈥� he said. 

The Black Bear Launch3D program is offered by Maine College of Engineering and Computing in partnership with the Maine Space Grant consortium.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer. 

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

When Timothy Simons arrived at the University of Maine, he was homesick, uncertain about his future and struggling to find his place on campus.

Everything changed after he auditioned for a student theater production and met professor Sandra Hardy, who encouraged him to pursue acting.

Twenty-five years later, Simons returned to Orono as the keynote speaker for 91福利鈥檚 224th undergraduate commencement ceremonies, delivering a speech that mixed humor, self-reflection and encouragement while urging graduates to recognize that success does not follow a single timeline.

鈥淚 was an aimless student,鈥� said Simons, a 2001 91福利 graduate from Readfield, Maine. 鈥淲hen I came to 91福利, I had truly no idea what I should do with myself day-to-day, much less what I wanted to do with my life.鈥�

91福利 held three commencement ceremonies in Orono and Machias, where speakers emphasized resilience, courage, innovation and community. In Orono, 1,495 students received degrees during undergraduate ceremonies May 9, while over 900 graduate students were recognized May 8. 91福利 at Machias honored 54 graduates May 10.

Simons, known for his role as Jonah Ryan on HBO鈥檚 鈥淰eep鈥� and more recently for his Critics Choice Awards-nominated role in Netflix鈥檚 鈥淣obody Wants This,鈥� addressed graduates inside the newly renovated Harold Alfond Sports Arena.

鈥淢y timeline here was what we now call nontraditional,鈥� Simons said. 鈥淏ut my time at this school is the reason that I鈥檝e managed to do anything in my life.鈥�

Throughout his remarks, Simons reflected on the professors, classmates and experiences that shaped him during his five years at 91福利. He credited Hardy with teaching students how to persevere through failure and rejection while continuing to grow.

鈥淪he prepared us for the inevitable onslaught of rejection we would receive but at the same time taught us the skills to build ourselves up again,鈥� Simons said.

Simons also encouraged graduates to take risks even when they feel uncertain about the future.

鈥淏ravery isn鈥檛 not being afraid,鈥� Simons said. 鈥淏ravery is being afraid and doing it anyway.鈥�

The undergraduate ceremonies also celebrated the university鈥檚 recent growth and achievements, including the reaffirmation of 91福利鈥檚 Carnegie R1 research status, major campus construction projects and student-led initiatives.

91福利 President Joan Ferrini-Mundy encouraged graduates to remain open to new opportunities after leaving campus.

鈥淚 want to assure you that it is OK to be uncertain about your future,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 let that uncertainty stop you from taking risks and reaching out in new directions.鈥�

Ferrini-Mundy also highlighted several undergraduate students whose research addressed issues impacting Maine and beyond, including PFAS and food insecurity.

鈥淭he future can be more just, more equitable, more innovative, more safe and more compassionate with intention,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淚t becomes better only when people like you 鈥� people who care, people who worked hard here at 91福利 to learn and grow and have knowledge and capability, people who can see both problems and possibilities. When you choose to act, you are capable of making those changes.鈥�

Valedictorian Ruth Griffith encouraged graduates to reflect on the values that will guide them after college.

鈥淪o I think each of us here today needs to ask two additional questions,鈥� Griffith said. 鈥淔irst: What are my core values? And second: How will I embody them?鈥�

Griffith, who graduated with a degree in economics and minors in mathematics and international affairs, urged classmates to prioritize values over ambition.

鈥淏ecause I truly believe that if we lead with our values rather than just our ambitions, we will find ourselves happier,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur picture of success will shift.鈥�

Co-salutatorian Isabelle Irani told graduates uncertainty should be embraced rather than feared.

鈥淲hat if not knowing what we鈥檙e doing isn鈥檛 a weakness?鈥� Irani said. 鈥淲hat if it鈥檚 actually the reason we鈥檙e capable of more than we think?鈥�

Co-salutatorian Andrii Obertas reflected on the perseverance shared by graduates and encouraged classmates to support one another moving forward.

鈥淚t is a simple reality of life that no single person can change the world alone,鈥� Obertas said. 鈥淥nly united can we make a difference. And only through empathy can we build a better future.鈥�

Student Government President Keegan Tripp told his fellow graduates to stay bold enough to act.

鈥淪peak when it would be easier to stay quiet,鈥� he said. 鈥淏uild when it would be easier to walk away. Show love and appreciation to the family and friends who got you here.鈥�

The university also recognized Mohamad Musavi, senior associate dean and professor in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, as the 2026 Distinguished Maine Professor.

鈥淪uccess does not happen by accident,鈥� Musavi said. 鈥淚t requires passion, hard work and resilience.鈥�

The university also recognized Carol Dana, upon whom the University of Maine System Board of Trustees conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree for decades of work preserving and revitalizing the Penobscot language and culture.

Graduate ceremony focuses on innovation, resilience

During the graduate commencement ceremony, speakers focused on research, innovation and the impact graduates will have beyond the university.

Graduate School Dean Scott Delcourt encouraged graduates to remain adaptable in a rapidly changing workforce.

鈥淲hen asked about the greatest skills that companies were looking for in their new hires, the overwhelming response was the ability to think critically,鈥� Delcourt said.

Ferrini-Mundy praised graduate students for balancing academics with careers, caregiving and leadership responsibilities while advancing research and innovation.

鈥淵ou stepped into entrepreneurship and innovation. You stepped into the unknown,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said. 鈥淎nd you just kept going!鈥�

Graduate Student Government President Sudati Shrestha reflected on her journey from Nepal to the commencement stage while honoring her late father.

鈥�91福利 gave me that opportunity, and today, as I stand here, I realize that this moment is more than just a personal achievement,鈥� Shrestha said. 鈥淚t is the fulfillment of a dream.鈥�

Graduate commencement speakers Amber Boutiette and Patrick Breeding reflected on building Marin Skincare from lobster research connected to 91福利鈥檚 Lobster Institute into a nationally distributed skincare company rooted in Maine innovation and sustainability.

鈥淵ou are on the cusp of a huge life change, the beginning of an entirely new story, and it鈥檚 time to think big,鈥� Boutiette told graduates.

Breeding encouraged graduates to remain curious and open to unexpected opportunities.

鈥淲hen you lead with curiosity, suddenly, you start to make your own luck,鈥� Breeding said.

Machias ceremony emphasizes community, perseverance

During the Machias ceremony, speakers encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty, persevere through challenges and remain grounded in community and compassion.

Ferrini-Mundy encouraged graduates to move forward with confidence and to remain connected to the values and community they developed at 91福利 Machias.

鈥淎s you move forward, you will encounter both opportunity and uncertainty,鈥� she said. 鈥淚n those moments, I encourage you to draw on what you have built here: a strong sense of purpose, respect for others, and a readiness to engage thoughtfully with the world around you.鈥�

Valedictorian Rachel D鈥橝lessandro encouraged classmates to embrace change and reject perfectionism.

鈥淒on鈥檛 strive for perfection; strive to be a better you,鈥� D鈥橝lessandro said.

The university conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree upon Susan Mingo, who reflected on returning to college after initially dropping out.

鈥淵our path does not need to be perfect to be powerful,鈥� said Mingo, president of Washington County Community College.

Ivy Orator Regina McNamara de la Vega encouraged graduates to continue learning and remain optimistic through difficult moments.

鈥淣ever let the clouds deter you from reaching the sunlight and earning what you want in life,鈥� McNamara said.

Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu

The Foster Center for Innovation is hosting the event to highlight research innovations from the eighth cohort of the University of Maine鈥檚 MIRTA accelerator program. MIRTA, coordinated by 91福利鈥檚 Foster Center for Innovation, assists teams from research institutions throughout the state in advancing lab discoveries into public and commercial use.

Projects from the 2026 cohort span sustainable materials, agricultural biotechnology, and AI safety. 

Registration is available through . General admission for Demo Day is $25, but 91福利 faculty, staff, and students can attend for free using the code 91福利Staff/Faculty or 91福利Students.

At Demo Day, the current MIRTA teams will pitch commercialization plans shaped through market research, intellectual property analysis and business model development during the 16-week program. 

Commercialization plans vary depending on the type of invention a team brings to MIRTA, and the result could be starting a new company or licensing to an existing one. Guiding them throughout the process are business incubation staff from the Foster Center and expert advisors from industry. The teams are eligible to receive up to $25,000 each to help develop commercialization implementation plans.

Twelve start-up ventures have been formed from 36 teams that have taken part in our first seven MIRTA cohorts. They have collectively raised more than $14.3 million in external funding and prototype sales to support ongoing commercialization.

MIRTA is made possible by support from the University of Maine System Research Reinvestment Fund. The fund is a pool of competitive internal grants allocated to advance research projects along the path from discovery to becoming commercial products with public benefit. All projects are tied to Maine businesses or industries critical to the future of the state.

Most scallops can take many days 鈥� if not weeks 鈥� to reach shore after they are harvested, but dayboat scallops are brought back within 24 hours to be sold, packaged, shipped or frozen. 

Brawn launched Downeast Dayboat in 2011 to share the product she loves with customers nationwide. While the business showed promise, Brawn said her technical savvy didn鈥檛 match her passion. She searched for business consultants who could help her plan for long-term stability and growth but worried they would be too expensive or prioritize profit over her commitment to supporting Maine seafood.

Then she applied to join the , an organization anchored at the University of Maine that offers free business and technical assistance, scientific research and networking opportunities for seafood businesses nationwide. The goal is to grow community-based seafood systems by supporting businesses committed to the well-being of their coastal communities and marine ecosystems.

鈥淎s someone who wants to promote local seafood, I can鈥檛 just hire a consultant that鈥檚 going to focus on profit,鈥� Brawn said. 鈥淭he original impetus for this business was to get fishermen more money, not to make money for myself. While I realize I can only advance my mission if I stay in business, which requires turning a profit, I don’t ever want to lose sight of why I started this all.鈥�

Since the Local Catch Network was co-founded in 2011 by Joshua Stoll, 91福利 associate professor of marine policy, it has helped more than 70 community-based seafood businesses like Downeast Dayboat across New England, Florida, Alaska, California and Puerto Rico.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture to the Local Catch Network through a new grant from the Agricultural Marketing Services. This funding allows the organization to continue its services and support more seafood businesses. The network鈥檚 growth and capacity have also been fueled by $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending secured in 2022 by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, now chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

鈥淭hese federal funding sources provide the foundational support for our organization to foster a vital and growing network of community-based seafood businesses,鈥� Stoll said. 鈥淭ogether we are cultivating a shared vision of thriving food systems that contribute to the health, prosperity and sovereignty of the communities and ecosystems that make them possible, as well as connect consumers to the fishing communities that feed them.鈥� 

Brawn enrolled in the Local Catch Network鈥檚 Seafood Accelerator & Innovation Lab (SAIL) in 2025, specifically its one-year mentorship program. The mentorship pairs entrepreneurs with fishing business professionals who provide one-on-one guidance and long-term financial planning through biweekly, quarterly and annual reviews. 

The SAIL program connected Brawn with Chris Kantowicz of Skipper Otto, a community supported fishery in British Columbia and strategic partner of the Local Catch Network. Kantowicz dedicated time to get to know Brawn鈥檚 operations and keeping her focused on financial planning. 

By the end of the mentorship, Brawn decided the best way to advance her mission was to downsize her business to focus on what she does best: direct to consumer sales. She also decided to attend more events to promote her products, rather than focusing on wholesale growth.

鈥淭he SAIL mentor program allowed Chris to spend the time digging into my business, my company and me in order to ask the right questions and make the right recommendations,鈥� Brawn said. “I would not have had the confidence to make this counterintuitive choice to downsize without Chris’s candid, well-informed feedback.”

Now in its third year, the SAIL mentorship program has helped 12 businesses build long-term resilience and explore opportunities for growth. 

The Local Catch Network also offers SAIL Catalyst, a three-month group program that provides participants skills and knowledge to strengthen their businesses and expand their networks. Twice-a-week sessions in the program offer instruction on a broad range of business assets, such as capital access, contracts, partnerships, insurance, employment, taxation and marketing. Now in its fourth year, SAIL Catalyst has benefited 54 businesses and nearly 150 individuals, including owners and staff. 

鈥淏oth of our SAIL programs help small-scale seafood companies boost their business acumen, not only to sustain or grow their operations in a highly competitive market but also to set themselves apart as stewards of sustainable and local food systems that support other small businesses,鈥� said Jessica Gribbon Joyce, program manager of the Local Catch Network. 

Linda Smith, owner of Wasco Fisheries LLC in Oregon, enrolled in SAIL Catalyst to improve her ability to scale, market and distribute seafood within her Native- and woman-owned salmon business while staying true to values rooted in the fishing traditions of the Columbia River. Fishing is an intrinsic part of Smith鈥檚 identity, family and culture, and Wasco Fisheries allows her to honor her traditions while supporting herself and her family. 

SAIL Catalyst taught Smith how to strengthen marketing, streamline distribution and build wholesale relationships. The program also connected her with other seafood entrepreneurs whose shared experiences and challenges helped her think more broadly about growing her own business. 

Using what she learned from the program, Smith hopes to expand the company鈥檚 smoked, canned and fresh salmon offerings; enhance her branding; create stronger customer relationships; and establish more consistent sales channels.

鈥淭his work is deeply personal to me. Fishing connects me to my ancestors, the river and my community. Programs like SAIL help small fishing businesses like mine stay strong, adapt to change and keep these traditions alive while creating real economic opportunities,鈥� Smith said. 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

Since 1963, the has presented this honor to a 91福利 faculty member who exemplifies the highest qualities of teaching, research and public service. Faculty members widely recognize this award as the most prestigious faculty honor at the university.

Musavi is an internationally recognized scholar, educator and academic leader whose career at 91福利 spans more than four decades of sustained excellence. A professor of electrical and computer engineering, he has played a transformative role in strengthening engineering and computing education at 91福利 while elevating the university鈥檚 research reputation at the state and national levels.

In the late 1980s, long before artificial intelligence (AI) and automation became household terms, Musavi helped pioneer early educational and research opportunities that introduced students to foundational knowledge now central to today鈥檚 AI-driven world. Many of his students went on to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of AI technologies in industry, research and public-sector organizations.

Musavi鈥檚 scholarly contributions span a wide range of high-impact areas, including AI, neural networks, smart grid and power systems, robotics, computer vision and STEM education. He has served as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on more than 50 externally funded research projects, securing nearly $13 million in support from leading organizations such as the National Science Foundation, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy and numerous industry partners. His work has resulted in an extensive publication record with more than 2,700 citations and an h-index of 22, demonstrating the lasting influence of his contributions across multiple disciplines.

Musavi is widely recognized for his profound impact as an educator and mentor. Across his career, he has supervised and supported more than 100 graduate and undergraduate students in research projects 鈥� building pipelines of talented engineers, scientists and innovators who now contribute to the workforce in Maine and beyond.

He has developed numerous undergraduate and graduate courses and founded multiple educational and research laboratories, creating hands-on learning environments that allow students to gain real-world experience in emerging technologies.

Musavi鈥檚 dedication to professional service has earned him long-standing recognition. He received the 2014 Engineering Service Award and has been a committed advocate for engineering education and outreach throughout the state. He also served as president and board member of the Maine Engineering Promotion Council, helping organize Maine鈥檚 annual Engineering Expos, which bring together students, educators and industry partners to promote engineering pathways and innovation.

In addition to his service at the university, Musavi has made a lasting impact on K-12 STEM education, as well as on Maine鈥檚 industry and economic development. Working closely with a team of Bangor High School teachers, he helped develop the first STEM Academy in Maine, a program that later became a national model for STEM-focused secondary education.  

Through his award-winning SMART Institute, Musavi helped cultivate a generation of student innovators. Alumni from the program have earned national recognition, including achievement in the Intel Science Talent Search and features in National Geographic. For his contributions to strengthening K-12 STEM education, he received theK-12 STEM Literacy Educator-Engineer Partnership Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers鈥� U.S. unit (IEEE-USA) in 2014.

Musavi also developed close partnerships with companies across the state, helping expand Maine鈥檚 engineering workforce and providing educational opportunities to support industry growth and advanced technical expertise.

A formal presentation of this honor will be made at the 91福利 Alumni Association鈥檚 annual Alumni Achievement Awards event on Friday, May 1, at the Collins Center for the Arts.  

Founded in 1875, the 91福利 Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization governed by alumni, serving over 100,000 91福利 alumni worldwide. Its mission is to strengthen 91福利 by inspiring lifelong connection, passion and engagement among its alumni community. For more information about the 91福利 Alumni Association and its Alumni Achievement Awards event, visit .

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

From potato farms to global shipping lanes, ideas from Maine鈥檚 R&D department are making an impact 

Mainers are known for their Yankee ingenuity, and researchers at the University of Maine are no exception. Our knack for making do and inventing better ways of doing things embodies the resourceful culture of the Pine Tree State. 

For 160 years, Maine鈥檚 public research university has created practical, accessible education and discoveries that drive progress for the state and beyond. Today, thousands of projects across Maine and around the world work to make life better. 

Here are just a few of the bright ideas from :

Invented at 91福利:

Maine鈥檚 favorite potato

That satisfying signature crunch in your next bag of potato chips may be a product of 91福利 innovation. 

The high-yielding Caribou Russet matures quickly and performs well for chip and french fry processors and fresh retail markets 鈥� attributes that made the potato Maine鈥檚 most sown spud in and . The variety, developed by 91福利 in partnership with the Maine Potato Board at the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station鈥檚 Aroostook Farm, debuted in 2015 after more than a decade of development. 

More than 80% of Maine鈥檚 vegetable cropland is dedicated to potatoes. The crop an estimated $1.3 billion and more than 6,500 jobs in 2022. 91福利 tests more than 250 new potato varieties each year to find the next spud that will outperform others from the field and to the fryer. 

More bridge for your bucks 

91福利 engineers have reimagined how bridges are built. 91福利鈥檚 award-winning  uses lightweight composite arch tubes filled with concrete on site, requiring only one-fifth of the concrete used in similar conventionally built designs.  

91福利 researchers also originated steel-free, longer-lasting bridge girders. The  helped raise the Grist Mill Bridge in Hampden, and are being used in the Stillwater bridge construction in Old Town. 

These lightweight, durable, easily deployed and corrosion-free structures extend the life of bridges to over 100 years with minimal maintenance. Both structure types are produced by Maine-based manufacturer , a division of Basalt International, creating 91福利 innovation-backed jobs in the Pine Tree State. 聽

A sculpture that harnesses the sun to make learning math fun

The helps people visualize multiplication and division through play. 

91福利 mathematics educators and artists put their heads together to develop the interactive outdoor sculpture, which made its debut in Orono鈥檚 Webster Park in 2022. As users adjust the sculpture鈥檚 reflective plate, beams of light shift across a grid to model how numbers scale and relate. 

The solar calculator invites learners of all ages to illuminate abstract mathematical concepts through light and motion.

Transforming wood waste into affordable housing

Layer by layer, 91福利 researchers are driving down the cost, build time and environmental impact of housing. is the world鈥檚 first fully forest-derived, 3D-printed house. The structure, built outside 91福利鈥檚 Advanced Structures and Composites Center in 2022, is made from corn glue and sawdust.  

Houses like BioHome3D can be customized, transported and assembled in a fraction of the time of traditional homes. At the end of the structure鈥檚 life, it can be ground up and reprinted, cutting construction waste and costs. It also creates a new market for Maine鈥檚 forest sector, which is awash with wood pulp following the decline of paper mills. 

The first prototype has withstood three Maine winters, proving that affordable, locally sourced materials that require far less labor that require far less labor can help replace traditional stick built homes. Now, 91福利 is with the nonprofit Penquis to build an affordable housing community in Brewer with nine 3D-printed homes to help address the state鈥檚 housing shortage. 

Helping people with limited vision live and learn

More than 23 million Americans have vision impairment. Those affected are significantly less likely to earn a degree 鈥� about two-thirds lower than in the general population 鈥� and 30% do not travel independently. Researchers at 91福利 aim to change those statistics through innovation. 

The 91福利 spinoff UNAR (Universal Accessibility Research) develops technology that helps make digital information accessible to people 鈥� no matter how well they can or cannot see. Products like Morf, which instantly transforms math documents into a format that is compatible with screen readers or as a Braille file for embossing, help make education more accessible. 

91福利鈥檚 VEMI Lab led the development of an award-winning app, Autonomous Vehicle Assistant (AVA), that people with visual impairments and seniors safely navigate around obstacles, like ice, on foot and summon self-driving vehicles offered by ride-sharing services. 

Cargo containers that tattle on thieves

Researchers at 91福利 and Georgia Tech developed shipping containers that guard against cargo theft, which Homeland Security Investigations costs the American economy $15-35 billion per year. The team developed a faster method for constructing lighter shipping containers with embedded sensors, integrating security directly into the structure.

The technology sparked a spinoff company, Global Secure Shipping, which embedded the sensor the team developed into composite shipping containers, enabling supply chain managers to track whether they have been tampered with, and in the process, created dozens of jobs for Mainers. 

A spinoff that saves soldiers’ lives

What started as an idea at 91福利鈥檚 Advanced Structures and Composites Center has grown into a life-saving enterprise. Founded by Paul鈥疢elrose (鈥�02, 鈥�04 G) , Compotech is rooted in 91福利-developed materials and methods. Today, the Brewer-based company designs, manufactures and deploys next-generation protection systems for the U.S. military, creating high-paying jobs in the state.

Compotech鈥檚 flagship product, the Expeditionary Shelter Protection System, uses lightweight fiber-reinforced composite armor panels that are easy to transport, fast to deploy and protect against ballistic and blast threats. The company鈥檚 precipitous growth has been recognized as one of the nation鈥檚 fastest-growing on the Inc. 5000 list for the . 

Steadfast steel

From machine bearings to airplane parts, high-carbon steel keeps manufacturing and travel running smoothly. 

While people have been smelting steel for millennia, manufacturers in the 1920s were able to examine the metal with new precision. They found microscopic cracks were covertly lowering the steel鈥檚 resistance to bending, twisting and impact. 

Corporations spent decades studying the issue, but it wasn鈥檛 until the 1980s when Professor John Lyman, a mechanical engineer at 91福利, found a solution after combing through all the technical literature he could find on the issue for about 15 years. 鈥淗appily, the very first thing I tried worked,鈥� he said in a of 91福利鈥檚 Alumni Association magazine. 

Lyman introduced additional steps to the final hardening process that controlled the formation of crystals in the steel, essentially eliminating the troublesome cracks. It was a question, Lyman said, of 鈥済etting all the available knowledge in my head and walking around with it. It popped into my head; I tried it and it worked.鈥�

On the horizon: The world鈥檚 next super product

Throughout history, people鈥檚 lives have been shaped by the tools and products they use. From Stone Age tools to today鈥檚 pervasive plastics, what we use makes one of our most lasting marks on history. If the promising possibilities being developed in 91福利鈥檚 research labs are realized, future archaeologists may struggle to find traces of the next big everywhere material.

Nanocellulose is nature鈥檚 super polymer. This biodegradable, plant-derived substance is poised to revolutionize everyday products. 

The potential applications for nanocellulose are nearly limitless. At 91福利, researchers work on the leading edge of these developments. These products of 91福利 ingenuity include:

• An alternative to current implantable materials that can be resorbed by the body as bones heal, reducing the need for costly follow-up surgeries.
• Completely compostable food containers that are free of plastic and forever chemicals. 
• A that uses nanocellulose and wild blueberry extracts to help chronic wounds heal faster and more completely.
• Tougher particle board for furniture and countertops that sequesters carbon and is free of cancer-causing formaldehyde. 
• A new class of building products that includes scratch-, fire- and water-resistant flooring systems, moldable wall panels and a fire-resistant alternative to drywall that is lighter and offers superior insulation. 

91福利 leads the nation in the supply of cellulose nanofiber and powers research with this promising material by supplying it to research labs around the globe. At the university鈥檚 Process Development Center, nanocellulose is primarily made from the wood pulp generated by forest stewardship activities. The material can also be made from wood waste and recycled fiber.

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu. 

At tables lined with booklets, branded coffee mugs, tote bags and stress balls, Shane Chandler and his colleagues eagerly greeted prospective hires for their company, Unum, during the University of Maine Career Fair. 

An insurance provider headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Unum sought to fill full-time positions on their operations, claims and benefits teams at its Portland, Maine, office, as well as recruit interns. To Chandler, 91福利 is 鈥渁mong the creme de la creme,鈥� and alumni they hire 鈥渁lways exceeded expectations.鈥�

鈥�91福利 students are professional, eager to learn and grow, and ask a lot of questions,鈥� Chandler said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a very value-driven company, and we see the students here really possess those qualities and align with our values.鈥� 

The 91福利 Career Fair is the largest of its kind in Maine. Recruiters who attended represented banks, financial firms, consultants, engineering companies, manufacturers, schools, retailers, hospitals, state and federal agencies, and the military. With pamphlets, memorabilia, firm handshakes and smiles, they sought applicants for summer jobs, internships, and part- and full-time positions.

Upon graduation, nearly all 91福利 students 鈥� 94% as of the 2023-24 academic year 鈥� gain employment, are accepted to graduate school or enter the military. The top occupational fields include engineering, business, health care and education. That’s encouraging news for the hundreds of 91福利 students and alumni, like senior Owen Searle, who attended this year鈥檚 fair.

Searle, a management and marketing student from Falmouth, Maine, researched participating employers beforehand and arrived ready to make connections. He was eager to showcase his ambition, communication skills and previous work experience. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 a really good way to put your foot in the door and hand out resumes,鈥� Searle said about the fair.

Bringing hard and soft kills to meet demand

Representing the United States Marine Corps, Capt. Corbin Tyler sought students pursuing engineering, mathematics and computer science degrees at 91福利. The Marines, Tyler said, offer careers in aviation as well as roles in logistics, supply chanin management, communications, engineering and infantry.  

Having attended previous events such as the Engineering and Computing Job Fair in the fall, Tyler said 91福利 students stand out for their high GPAs and leadership capabilities in supervisory positions. 

鈥淲e cover over 35 campuses, and 91福利 is one of our larger schools,鈥� Tyler said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a very good school to come to.鈥� 

In addition to leadership and work ethic, employers highlighted 91福利 students鈥� work communication skills and punctuality. Among them was Ashley Moore, field personnel coordinator from CPM Constructors in Freeport, Maine. 

鈥淲e like the quality of students we get, and we really like the Construction Engineering Technology program,鈥� Moore said, who sought engineering students for first-year internships with her company. 鈥淭he program has a strong focus on things we do, particularly estimates and project management.鈥� 

Relationships are keys to success 

Recruiters described 91福利 as a place where long-term relationships take root. Tyler praised the university for offering in-person career fairs, allowing employers to build stronger connections with students and faculty even as some institutions have shifted away from them. 

Moore noted CPM Constructors鈥� close involvement with 91福利鈥檚 Construction Engineering Technology program, including an owner delivering lectures on campus.

Enterprise Mobility, another participant, has partnered with 91福利 for more than 30 years, according to talent acquisition manager Sare鈥� B. Arnold. The 91福利 Career Center, which hosted the event, connects Enterprise, based in St. Louis, Missouri, with students for prospective employment.

鈥�91福利 continues to offer us ways to connect with students in person, and that鈥檚 key for our recruitment efforts,鈥� Arnold said. 鈥�91福利 is a big presence in the Maine community, and our business is very tied to the community. So we have a common goal: we want our people who live in Maine to thrive in their careers.鈥�

91福利 students also help open doors for their peers, as in the case of Stone Coast Fund Services in Portland, Maine. 

Jane Blanchard, who graduated from 91福利 in 2025 with a degree in marketing and business management, connected with Stone Coast when a colleague from her undergraduate program provided a reference. She now works there as an investor service representative. 

鈥淭he Maine Business School did a really good job making learning how to network and communicate professionally really accessible to students,鈥� Blanchard said. 鈥淭here was such a variety of classes to take that were able to cover all of my interests.鈥�  

Opportunity for growth

Many employers at the career fair offered internships and entry-level positions designed to provide professional growth and advancement.

鈥淲e work with a lot of students who start out as CNAa (certified nursing assistants) and go on to nursing school or other graduate programs,鈥� said Mandi Saunders, a recruiter from Northern Light Health, headquartered in Brewer, Maine. Northern Light offers services throughout the state. 

Saunders attended the fair seeking candidates for nurse and clinical psychologist positions for Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Bangor, Maine. 

鈥淎 lot of the students we hire are from 91福利,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey hit the ground running.鈥� 

At the career fair, Gigi Grant, a junior from Gardner, Maine, pursued internship opportunities to help her to become a psychiatric nurse. A nursing student with a minor in psychology, Grant said the event allowed her to connect with many employers in one space. 

Walking alongside Grant, Dakota Lovely, also from Gardner, explored graduate school offerings. A junior studying business management, Lovely plans to study optometry at a medical school. 

鈥淢ainers are in need of any health care professionals, especially optometrists,” Lovely said. 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu 

For nearly a decade, has pursued an iterative, hardware-driven approach to reducing cost, schedule, and technical risk for next-generation nuclear technology. In collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Kairos Power and the University of Maine collaborated on approaches that could improve speed and efficiency in nuclear construction using additive manufacturing.

Engineers at 91福利鈥檚 Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) and ORNL designed and 3D-printed specialized sinusoidal concrete form liners to fit into a steel frame, creating a hybrid casting system for prefabricated structural elements that cuts costs and accelerates site construction. 

Using its large-scale additive manufacturing capabilities, the ASCC produced full-scale wall segments measuring approximately 3 feet thick and 27 feet tall, providing a critical demonstration of how advanced manufacturing can support faster, more precise and cost-effective nuclear construction.

鈥淭his demonstration is a crucial step to expanding the use of precast construction to build our plants with greater efficiency and enhanced performance on significantly faster timelines compared to conventional methods,鈥� said Kairos Power Chief Technology Officer Ed Blandford.

Large-scale manufacturing could reshape energy infrastructure

This partnership in innovation offers a glimpse of how large-scale manufacturing could reshape the future of American energy infrastructure.

鈥淭here was no margin for error. We met a commercial deadline with massive, high-precision components, a feat that felt astonishing for an academic center,鈥� said Susan MacKay, the chief sustainable materials officer at the ASCC. 鈥淭his partnership demonstrates that 91福利’s capability is truly operating at the speed of industry.鈥�

The ASCC is home to the world鈥檚 largest polymer 3D printer, capable of printing hundreds of pounds of material per hour. That industrial scale allows 91福利 to meet commercial deadlines typically reserved for private industry, a rare capability in higher education.

The work is part of the Specialized Materials and Manufacturing Alliance for Resilient Technologies, or SM虏ART. The public-private partnership solves industry challenges and lowers manufacturing costs by using locally sourced materials and leveraging the advanced production capabilities of 91福利 and the Department of Energy鈥檚 (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Tennessee.

A model for how universities and national labs can work together

鈥�91福利 is a model for how universities and national labs can work together to strengthen American manufacturing,鈥� said Ryan Dehoff, director of DOE鈥檚 Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL. 鈥淧artnerships like SM虏ART give industry a direct path to the tools and talent needed to build the nation鈥檚 next generation of energy and defense infrastructure.鈥�

The Manufacturing Demonstration Facility is supported by DOE鈥檚 Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, is a nationwide consortium of collaborators working with ORNL to innovate, inspire and catalyze the transformation of U.S. manufacturing.

For more than half a century, nuclear energy has supplied the United States with steady, reliable electricity. Today, it generates nearly half of the nation鈥檚 carbon-free power and supports tens of thousands of high-paying jobs. But despite its promise, cost overruns and construction delays have long hindered new nuclear infrastructure 鈥� a barrier that threatens energy security at a moment when artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and other forefront technologies are driving unprecedented demand for power.

Meeting commercial timelines without sacrificing precision

The ORNL, Kairos Power, and 91福利 collaborations developed an approach that could meet commercial timelines without sacrificing precision. This required 91福利鈥檚 ASCC printing team to produce the longest forms ever made at the center, followed by precision machining to tight tolerances. The ASCC鈥檚 new scanning and metrology team verified every curve and angle against the digital model, ensuring tight geometric tolerances and part quality.

鈥淭his project was made possible by 91福利鈥檚 ASCC leading expertise in large-scale additive and convergent manufacturing, composites materials and structural applications, and a business model responsive to industry needs. The 29-year old center is housed in a 150,000-square-foot laboratory with 400 personnel, and has a long history of keeping pace with the high-stakes schedules typically associated with private industry,鈥� said ASCC Executive Director Habib Dagher. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an unusual level of performance for an academic institution 鈥� and a critical advantage as the U.S. seeks to modernize its energy infrastructure.鈥�

Beyond physical infrastructure, 91福利 is building digital assurance through its Material Process Property Warehouse (MPPW). This system uses AI and machine learning to capture and track every step of large-scale additive and convergent manufacturing. By creating a 鈥渄igital thread,鈥� the MPPW allows components to be 鈥渂orn certified鈥� 鈥� a breakthrough that reduces cost, regulatory delays and risk for industries like nuclear energy and defense.

91福利鈥檚 growing role in workforce development

The project also highlights 91福利鈥檚 growing role in workforce development. Students, graduate researchers and industry professionals work directly on projects like this, gaining real-world experience in high-demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, energy and defense. This approach helps build a new generation of skilled workers who can translate complex science into industrial solutions.

While Kairos Power is focused on nuclear power, the university鈥檚 innovation has applications far beyond nuclear energy. The same fast, large-scale manufacturing paired with digital certainty can be used for defense, transportation, housing, and AI infrastructure.

For Kairos Power, the partnership with SM²ART solved a critical construction challenge. For the nation, it demonstrated how innovation in Maine is helping build infrastructure faster, cheaper and smarter 鈥� a key step toward meeting the energy demands of the future.

鈥嬧�婽he SM²ART program is funded by the Department of Energy鈥檚 Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office. AMMTO supports a globally dominant U.S. manufacturing and industrial base for a resilient energy system and secure supply chain. Its mission is to drive and inspire innovation that transforms materials, manufacturing, and workforce and advances America鈥檚 energy economy.

Contact: MJ Gautrau, mj.gautrau@maine.edu

Total research and development expenditures reached $297.6 million, up 19% from last year. External research and development funding received reached $243.6 million, up 8% from 2024. The all-time highs mark a 276% increase in expenditures and a 384% rise in funding dedicated to research and development over the past 10 years.

91福利鈥檚 fiscal year 2025 (FY25) totals 鈥� the highest in its history 鈥� reflect awards from federal agencies, state partners and industry collaborators. The surge in support reflects 91福利鈥檚 strong national reputation and longstanding leadership in delivering innovations that strengthen the economy and support healthier, more resilient communities.

鈥淭his milestone demonstrates our capacity to advance knowledge and innovation that creates value for Maine communities and beyond,鈥� said 91福利 President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, who is also the vice chancellor for research and innovation for the University of Maine System (UMS). 
鈥淲e are grateful to our partners and the people of Maine and the nation for the support entrusted to us to advance this work, as well as the faculty, staff and students whose outstanding work made this possible.鈥� 

How Mainers leverage public research investment

Research funding helps modernize and maintain research labs and expertise at 91福利, the state鈥檚 only institution to have achieved R1 Carnegie Classification for research excellence and productivity. Whether they want to develop or that create new markets for the state鈥檚 forest sector, Maine businesses tap into this innovation infrastructure to develop their own ideas. 

Nick King, general manager at SalmoGen Company, Inc. in Portland, says 91福利鈥檚 specialized facilities and expertise are helping the company significantly accelerate its timeline to market.

鈥淭hese fish are the foundation of our breeding program and essential to the future of our company. Housing them at the 91福利 Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, under the care of their expert staff, enables us to rapidly scale up our biological assets while our own Maine facility is designed and constructed,鈥� said King.

鈥淭his partnership accelerates our timeline to market by four years, meaning that we expect to begin operations and hiring much sooner, bringing new employment opportunities and economic benefits to the local community.鈥�

Research builds careers

Research productivity also fuels opportunities for students at Maine鈥檚 learner-centered R1 research university. Last year, more than one-quarter of undergraduate students at 91福利 helped advance research. These hands-on experiences help students, like Hannah Maker, develop problem-solving skills that prepare them for in-demand careers.

Maker, a senior nursing student from Machiasport, is working with 91福利 School of Nursing faculty through a research partnership with the nonprofit Community Caring Collaborative to design and evaluate a care framework that centers dignity for adults 55 and older in Washington County. The Downeast Population Health Initiative builds on the Collaborative鈥檚 existing digital resource platform to address distress linked to unmet needs such as housing, food, transportation, caregiving and social connection.

鈥淕rowing up in Washington County and serving as an EMT with the Machias Ambulance Service has given me a firsthand understanding of the challenges older adults face, and I鈥檓 grateful to be part of research that鈥檚 creating real solutions close to home,鈥� Maker said.

鈥淏eing part of this project has shown me that nursing is not just about treating disease, but caring for the whole person 鈥� recognizing how community conditions shape health, since research shows social and environmental factors account for 80% of health outcomes.鈥�

Sustained growth drives innovation 

鈥淭hese achievements reflect the collective talent and creativity of our faculty, staff, and students,鈥� said Giovanna Guidoboni, 91福利鈥檚 interim vice president for research. 鈥淎s Maine鈥檚 only R1 university, our greatest strength is our ability to connect people and ideas across disciplines to drive innovation and address challenges that matter to Maine and the world.鈥�

91福利 and UMS leaders emphasize, however, that these numbers tell only part of the story. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e most proud of the way these investments generate data and solutions to make life better with a strong economy, vibrant communities and a steady supply of workforce-ready graduates,鈥� Ferrini-Mundy said.

As federal research budgets face increasing pressure and respond to shifting priorities, 91福利 and the UMS continue to work closely with Maine鈥檚 Congressional Delegation, federal and state agencies, professional associations, and other partners to sustain this momentum and ensure that Maine remains a source of solutions for the nation.

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu

Researchers from Kelson Marine in Portland, Maine and the University of Maine developed a new tool that provides detailed economic analyses for kelp farmers and reveals strategies for reducing the cost of farmed seaweed. It accounts for differences in site selection, weather, crop size and dozens of other scenario-specific factors. It can be used for operations nearshore and offshore, like large-scale farms in the Gulf of Maine that are fully exposed to nor-easter driven waves. 

鈥淏y using this tool to investigate the comprehensive implications of any given farm design or operational decision, we can help kelp farmers meaningfully reduce production costs and achieve economic sustainability,鈥� said project lead Zach Moscicki, ocean engineer with Kelson Marine. 鈥淭he tool allows us to carefully navigate the multitude of tradeoffs associated with any such decision and avoid leaning into overly narrow-scoped improvements that may reduce costs in one way, but increase costs or reduce production via some other indirect but connected pathway.鈥� 

The tool incorporates many different factors from a farming scenario, including site specific-ocean and meteorological conditions, species-specific crop characteristics and growth, workboat types and sizes, labor structures, operational technology, local shore-side infrastructure, maintenance schedules and more. 

By resolving the comprehensive impact on the bottom line and the multitude of tradeoffs associated with specific operational and farm design decisions, the tool provides unique insight into the implications of cost-saving alternatives. These can include on-board kelp processing or storage techniques, or using various machinery to increase operation speeds. 

To test the tool, researchers used it to analyze the production costs of a hypothetical sugar kelp farming operation occupying 1000 acres, located about 12 miles from shore at a site with a water depth of 330 feet. Several scenarios, including multiple farm designs and operational models, were evaluated to understand the inherent impacts on farming at such a site.聽

The tool predicted that operating a kelp farm that is simply designed for low structural costs and high production volume would cost $2618 per tonne of fresh kelp. However, by testing design and operational decisions via the tool, the team was able to identify significant improvements that, when combined, reduced the cost of production by 85% to $383 per tonne of fresh kelp. These improvements included deeper cultivation lines, mechanized harvest and seeding operations, processing the kelp on-site into a slurry, optimizing vessel sizes and selecting different vessels.

The team from Kelson Marine and 91福利 was supported by scientists from the University of New Hampshire, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and Vertical Bay Maine. 

The framework for this tool and case study findings are published in . Kelp farmers in Maine and beyond who are interested in receiving analyses from this tool can contact Moscicki at z.moscicki@kelsonmarine.com.

This work was supported with funding from Conscience Bay Research, The Builders Initiative and Fiscal Year 2024 Congressionally Directed Spending secured by U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Angus King through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Structural analysis tools developed and validated under the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources (ARPA-e MARINER) program were applied in this study.

This tool is the latest example of how 91福利 students and faculty are preserving and propelling the state鈥檚 blue economy, industries that use ocean resources for economic growth without jeopardizing the environment. 

Through innovation and workforce development, the university broadens insight into ecological and socioeconomic changes that affect the state鈥檚 coastal communities and businesses. Its faculty and students are also exploring opportunities for new sectors and markets. 

鈥淲hat is exciting about this new model is that it is the most comprehensive and detailed cost analysis of offshore kelp growth in the U.S. to date,鈥� said Damian Brady, professor of marine sciences at 91福利. 鈥淎nd this type of analysis helps us find pain points where investments in technology can rapidly change the cost-benefit analysis.鈥� 

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

鈥淥ne of our goals is to take the technology and make sure it works for people in the state of Maine and to create jobs in Maine,鈥� said ASCC Executive Director Habib Dagher.

Evergreen joins a growing list of successful ASCC spinoffs transforming university innovation into real-world impact across the state.