The University of Maine plans to partner with the regions private sector to deploy Internet at speeds several hundred times faster than what’s currently available in Orono, Old Town and nearby communities.
Bringing high-speed broadband to UMane’s neighbors is part of a national effort called “Gig.U.”

”Broadband access is increasingly critical in contemporary society, with significant implications for economic development, education and quality of life,” said UMaine President Paul Ferguson. “We look forward to working with collaborators to forge even stronger connections with the neighboring communities that depend on meaningful linkages with the University of Maine.”

Read more ›

The University of Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Research Institute is building a pilot-scale plant for manufacturing cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), a wood-based reinforcing material that is increasingly of interest to researchers worldwide looking for super-strong materials that could replicate synthetic plastics.

“With development of new natural and functional nanomaterials, UMaine will be recognized as an innovator in novel cellulose nanofibril processing,” said FBRI Director and UMaine Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering Hemant Pendse, one of the researchers involved with the project. “UMaine will have the ability to process cellulose nanofibrils in ways that open up new markets and applications for cellulose nanocomposites.”

Read more ›

The ConnectME Authority has awarded 23 grants to expand broadband communications services to unserved pockets across Maine.

The authority was created by Governor John Baldacci to expand broadband access in the most rural areas of the state. The latest grants totaling $1.6 million will be used for projects totaling nearly $2.4 million that will expand services to an estimated 2,300 households and businesses.

Read more ›

Exclusive Interview with Governor John Baldacci

With the national focus on building manufacturing jobs in the alternative energy sector what makes Maine more attractive than other states to investors?

“Maine has three major ports, which recently received recovery act funds for improvements. Our three-port strategy connects our ports to railroads, as well as overseas markets by ship. We have a capable productive workforce. We are conducting ground-breaking research in composite wind technology with Dr. Habib Dagher, and his team, at the University of Maine. Bath Iron Works are looking to develop ships to carry the windmills for deployment at sea. Maine industries have built wind power expertise erecting land based wind farms, which generate the most wind power in New England. On top of all that, we have the most offshore wind potential in New England.

“Key to it all is location.

Read more ›

Maine Fiber Company’s (MFC) Three Ring Binder rural broadband project took a giant step forward with the signing by Governor John Baldacci of LD 1778 on April 5, 2010. The new law clears the way for the 1,100 mile high-capacity, open access fiber network to move ahead.

Read more ›

All homeowners in Maine are eligible to receive rebates of $1,500 to $3,000 on weatherization projects that reduce energy usage under.

“The Maine Home Performance program is open for business and all homeowners are able to participate. This is an effective program to encourage more Mainers to make improvements to their homes so that their families can stay warm, more secure, safer and economically more secure,” said Governor John Baldacci.

Read more ›

The U.S. Coast Guard is partnering with The University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (known as AEWC) to conduct a study to determine the cost savings associated with the development of composite buoys.

Read more ›

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced on January 22, 2010, that $4.8 billion in stimulus funds is available in a second round of grants and loans to expand broadband access in rural areas across the country.

Read more ›

WASHINGTON, DC –The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced that the University of Maine in Orono will receive a $12.5 million Recovery Act grant to construct the new Advanced Nanocomposites in Renewable Energy Laboratory (ANREL) at the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center. The new laboratory will be the only such facility in the United States to include complete development capabilities for designing, prototyping and testing large structural hybrid composite and nanocomposite components for the deep water offshore wind energy industry.

Read more ›

Ocean wind energy—

How important is deep ocean wind energy to Maine’s overall renewable energy plans?

“I truly believe that deep ocean wind will be the major resource of domestic renewable energy, for our region. We have a tremendous opportunity before us to export this resource to our region, and met our energy needs.

“Deep-sea ocean wind energy is the future. When I went to Norway and saw their floating wind turbine it stood before us, like the Washington Monument, my immediate reaction was to say, ‘this is the future.’ We have consistently strong winds offshore producing enough energy to power 149 nuclear power plants.

Read more ›