Archive for the ‘Engineering’ Category

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Mechanical Engineer’s Robotic Flytrap Aids Artificial Muscle Research

Thursday, February 9th, 2012

An article by University of Maine mechanical engineering professor Mohsen Shahinpoor in a recent issue of the science journal Bioinspiration & Biomimetics describes a robotic replica of the carnivorous Venus flytrap Shahinpoor created with nano-sensors and a thin, pliable metal composite material that he invented as part of his ongoing artificial muscle research. Recent articles in such publications as Wired, Science News Daily, Popular Science, among dozens of other journals, newspapers and magazines, have featured Shahinpoor’s invention. The device offers promise in the development of electrically stimulated artificial muscle that could be implanted in people to help overcome muscular disease or paralysis.

Contact: George Manlove, (207) 581-3756

Posted in Engineering, Events and News Releases, Story Ideas |

New director named to lead UMaine’s Brunswick Engineering Program

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

An aeronautical engineer whose research focuses on engineering education as well as aerodynamics and energy efficiency has been named director of the University of Maine’s new Brunswick Engineering Program. (more…)

Posted in Engineering, Events and News Releases, Story Ideas |

Website Reports New Energy Study

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

The website Home Toys carried a news release about a new study launched by PowerWise, UMaine and Efficiency Maine, and noted that UMaine’s Nathan Weise, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, will be involved. The study will monitor the electricity of 50 homes in the Blue Hill area. Homeowners will track their energy use for one year, and a UMaine team will help PowerWise analyze and report on the data.

Contact: Jessica Bloch, 207-581-3777

Posted in Engineering, UMaine in the News |

Hunt Explains Gasoline Price Influences

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

University of Maine School of Economics professor Gary Hunt explained some of the factors affecting rising gasoline prices in Maine, which are higher than the national average, in a Monday interview with Channel 2 (WLBZ). Hunt, also a cooperating faculty member with the university’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, suggests that reducing demand for combustible fuels will be more effective than trying to solve the problems by increasing supplies. Increasing use of electric vehicles and biofuels development will help, he said.

Contact: George Manlove, (207) 581-3756

Posted in Engineering, Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture, UMaine in the News |

Brazilian engineering student part of broader STEM exchange program

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Brazilian student Lucas Ramos is studying chemical engineering at the University of Maine courtesy of Science Without Borders, a program funded by the Brazilian government and aimed at advancing that country’s economic standing and technological expertise. The program eventually will place 100,000 promising students at participating colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad, covering all the students’ expenses as they study for one year in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math and participate in a professional or academic internship. Read more about 21-year-old Lucas Ramos and the Science Without Borders program here.

Contact: Meg Haskell, (207) 581-3766

Posted in Engineering, Events and News Releases, Story Ideas |

Newspaper Report on Aerospace Engineering Graduate

Monday, February 6th, 2012

The Bangor Daily News reported on the news that UMaine’s aerospace engineering concentration has produced its first graduate. Richard McGrath of Westport Island said he took the required three classes after he was laid off from Bath Iron Works. Adjunct professor David Rubenstein, who teaches aeronautics, astronautics, flight dynamics, modeling and control of aircraft and space vehicles at UMaine, was interviewed for the story, and Lisa Martin, executive director of the Maine Manufacturers Association, said the UMaine program is notable because there are huge opportunities globally to increase the aerospace market in Maine. The website Aerospace Manufacturing and Design also picked up the story.

Contact: Jessica Bloch, 207-581-3777

Posted in Engineering, UMaine in the News |

UMaine Partnership Beefs up 9th-Grade Earth Science in Area Schools

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

OLD TOWN – There is Planet Earth, which, for the sake of the discussion taking place in Ed Lindsey’s 9th-grade science class at Old Town High School, is a spherical object made of rock, watery on its surface and wrapped in a layer of air. And there is the mysterious Planet Z, identical to Earth in every way, but without air or water. The two planets revolve around an identical star at the same distance and speed. (more…)

Posted in Education and Human Development, Engineering, Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture, Story Ideas |

Media Coverage of Dagher Talk

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

In a story on the Portland Press Herald website, Habib Dagher, the director of UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, told an audience in Augusta that the state’s economy could grow by 15,000 jobs in the next 20 years if Mainers embrace offshore wind projects. The Boston Globe website also ran a version of the story. Dagher also appeared last week on National Public Radio’s Science Friday to talk about the potential of deepwater floating turbines.

Contact: Jessica Bloch, 207-581-3777

Posted in Engineering, UMaine in the News |

Science Friday Radio Show to Include UMaine Wind Research

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Habib Dagher, the director of UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, will be a guest during the 3 p.m. hour Friday on the National Public Radio “Science Friday” show. Dagher will discuss the potential of deepwater floating turbines.

Contact: Jessica Bloch, 207-581-3777

Posted in Engineering, UMaine in the News |

Report on Dagher’s Chamber of Commerce Award

Friday, January 20th, 2012

A Bangor Daily News report on Thursday night’s Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce dinner noted UMaine’s Habib Dagher, the director of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center, was named the winner of the Catherine Lebowitz Award for Public Service.

Contact: Jessica Bloch, 207-581-3777

Posted in Engineering, UMaine in the News |

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